The National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) recently fired deputy chief executive officer Gerald Viola says he is dragging his former employer to court for illegal dismissal, as the NFRA fired him “on disciplinary grounds”.

According to Viola’s lawyer, Yusuf Nthenda said his client is yet to receive a dismissal letter from the NFRA board. “We are yet to get the dismissal letter. When we get it, we will challenge the decision to court,” said Nthenda.

Prior to the firing, the Anti-Corruption Bureau had arrested him for offences under the Corrupt Practices Act and Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act. Viola is accused of unilaterally issuing to Missies Trading a Local

Purchasing Order (LPO) number 6750 to supply 10 000 metric tonnes of maize to NFRA, a deal that did not involve the NFRA Internal Procurement and Disposal of Assets Committee.

NFRA board chairperson Dennis Kalekeni justified the firing  based its decision on Viola’s employment contract and terms and conditions of service. “The legality or criminality matter has its own channels and systems of handling them which the board cannot interfere with. So, the NFRA board should not be dragged into court matters, it has dealt with the matter within its mandate.” he said.