TRL scandal whistle blower dies few hours after minister sacks his bosses

Dar es Salaam (The Citizen). A man who revealed irregularities in buying 25 freight wagons worth Sh230 billion died yesterday, just few hours after five top railways officials, were suspended on suspicion of corruption and sabotage.

Tanzania Railway Authority Workers’ Union (Trawu) secretary general Erasto Kihwele died in the wee hours on Friday after suffering from diabetes and hypertension, according to his deputy, Mr Boaz Nyakeke.

His death came barely 17 hours after Transport Minister, Samuel Sitta sent packing Managing Director Kipallo Kisamfu along with Chief Engineer Ngosomwile Ngosomile, Chief Accountant Mbaraka Mchopa, Internal Auditor Jasper Kisiraga and Chief Procurement Manager Fedinard Soka.

The move came after a report by a taskforce formed by his predecessor, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, which was charged with investigating claims that the wagons that were imported were faulty.

Kiwhele, was a front runner in pushing for an appropriate disciplinary action against officials who were implicated in the purchase of substandard wagons. The whistle blower, pushed for a commission of inquiry to investigate the matter.

“He was every time reminding the minister and other top officials in the ministry to take action,’’ said Nyakeke.

He told The Citizen in an interview yesterday that he received news of the death of Kiwhele with profound shock.

On what caused his death, Mr Nyakeke said his boss fell sick for the first time on March 29, just nineteen days ago. On that day according to him, he was rushed to Amana hospital before he was referred to Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) on the same day.

“He was admitted at MNH for 15 days because he was treated and discharged on April 13 after his health became stable,” he added.

But, his health deteriorated again. He was rushed to Herbert Kairuki Memorial Hospital on April 15. He died yesterday. Kiwhele succeeded former Trawu secretary-general, Silvester Rwegasira, who also died in April 2011.

The outspoken Trawu leader died at Dar Group Hospital, where he was rushed for treatment just hours before attending an important meeting on TRL and Tazara workers’ welfare, after workers had downed their tools.