Over one thousand former employees of the liquidated State owned bus company, Shire Bus lines Limited have written government demanding clarification on the liquidation process of the company.
The demand is contained in a letter dated 15th February,2022- addressed to Attorney General-AG Chief Executive Officer for Public Private Partnership Commission – PPPC- and Ministers of Finance Transport and Information, which MIJ online had seen.
The query comes a few weeks after AG-Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda commenced civil proceedings at Blantyre High Court on how property belonging to Shire Bus lines Ltd spread across the country and was transferred to National Bus Company Limited, is being managed.
The property in question include Makata Depot, Wenela bus Terminal, Lilongwe bus Terminal, Mzimba & Mzuzu bus Depots and the remaining staff houses in Mzuzu & Karonga townships.
The case came after the AG alleged that some government firms and property were liquidated illegally and some were sold for free.
In 2007 government liquidated Shire Bus Lines Ltd after inviting private sector players to partner it, with then Malawi National Bus Company.
However- the former employees claim that on August 20,1997, they were given 15% Shareholding status by the owner of the company.
With this, the ex- workers are demanding that government should clarify on whether or not they partly own residual assets of the company which includes Makata Depot, Wenela bus Terminal, Lilongwe bus Terminal, Mzimba & Mzuzu bus Depots and the remaining staff houses in Mzuzu & Karonga townships.
The group also claims that from 2007 to date, 15 Years have gone since Shire Bus Lines Company was liquidated but some assets are still under the Liquidator and some have been taken by a Private company.
With this the group has asked government to explain where revenue generated from the assets yet to be disposed of from 2007 to date is kept, considering that they are also shareholders of the liquidated company.
“Ex-Employees of Shire Bus Lines and also as Co Share Holders with government need to get 15% on all the proceeds in the liquidation process including all revenues /rentals generated from 2007 to date. We are of the opinion that the whole Liquidation process was not done in good faith but for some people to benefit out of it politically and corruptly. Accountability is lacking in the whole process”.
In addition, the ex-employees are wondering how long a liquidation process takes and if a final report of the process was given to government
“Our surprise comes in because some queries made to the Liquidator were turned down. The liquidator indicated by 21 November 2008 liquidation was over by July 2007 but on 30 November 2009 same Liquidator claims that shire bus lines in Liquidation was not completed as such buses were still under his charge which were running in the name of United Bus Company.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda said on the aspect of the property- the ex-workers of Shire Bus Lines are raising pertinent issues.
He however said issue of the property is being handled by the court and they are waiting for judgment.
On the other demands which includes 15% Shareholding status, the AG said he needs to do research and further consultations.