Tanzania: MPs Happy, But Accuse Govt of Dragging Feet

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The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

29 August 2008
Posted to the web 29 August 2008

Bernard James

MPs said here yesterday that the report on the implementation of recommendations by the parliamentary team that investigated the Richmond scandal had renewed their confidence in the Government.

However, several legislators, including some who were in the team, said they were not satisfied with the pace at which the Government was working on their recommendations.

Nzega MP Lucas Selelii, one of the committee's members, said he had received the report tabled by Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda with mixed feelings. He said it was laudable that the Government was taking measures as recommended by the committee, but added that he was saddened at the slow pace.

"We spent just three months working on very limited resources to conduct an enquiry. The implementation should be fast so that the interests of the people are safeguarded," he said.

Mr Selelii said must take "exemplary" measures against all those implicated in the scandal.

The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals, Mr William Shelukindo, had similar views.

The Bumbuli MP said the Government's report showed that Tanzania still had a long way to go before its laws were applied in a timely and uniform fashion.

"Almost all suspects are government employees, and I wonder why it's taking so long for them to be brought to justice because the laws are there," he said.

Mr Shelukindo said the delay in taking action could render the investigation irrelevant. "We have seen good intention on the part of the Government we now want to see implementation of the recommendations expedited.'

He added that the decision by those adversely named in the probe report to resign from their posts was not enough, and that further action needed to be taken.

'This is a matter which shook the Government to its core it is not an issue to be swept under the carpet just like that. It must be accorded the importance it deserves," Mr Shelukindo said.

Simanjiro MP Christopher ole Sendeka told The Citizen that said he was satisfied with preliminary measures taken by the Government so far, but said it was not acting fast enough.

"The problem here is that the Government is taking too long to act. It should act decisively against all those involved in the scandal," he said.

He queried why written submissions of those implicated did not feature in the Prime Minister's report.

"Silence on the part of the Government and its failure to make their defences public creates the impression that something is being hidden from the public. It possible that some of them might have been forced to by the superiors to give the dead the green light."

Mr ole Sendeka said the fact that the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) director general, Dr Edward Hosea, was still in office could interfere with investigation into his conduct and that of his subordinates in connection with the Richmond scandal.

Mrs Anne Kilango-Malecela said he had received the report "positively". "That the Government has started working on the probe report shows that Government is now taking the matter seriously," the outspoken Same East MP said.

She added that the Prime Minister's statement showed that the Government was listening to MPs.

Kyela MP Harrison Mwakyembe, who chaired the parliamentary team, said he was not surprised that the Government had started to act "responsibly".

"It is a good starting point. We feel that this move has a lot to do with strengthening the rule of law and accountability in our country," Dr Mwakyembe said.

On the pace of the implementation, Dr Mwakyembe said it was satisfactory, considering that it was the first time that the Government had accepted and was acting on parliamentary resolutions.

"The Government seems to have a good intention, and has started working on the team's recommendations. I'm very optimistic that the final verdict will be just," he added.

The Mwakyembe team's report was harshly criticised by some of those adversely mentioned in it. The suspects accused the committee of harbouring a hidden agenda against them.

But Dr Mwakyembe said he was thankful that the Government had vindicated the team and proved that they had not intended to victimise anyone.

"We performed our job with great care and integrity and were guided by one principle - the quest to unearth the truth," he said.

Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe told The Citizen that the tabling of the report was testimony to the fact that the legislature and executive were not both being accountable to the people who elected them.

"It appears that the Government has learnt a lot from the Richmond saga. The Prime Minister has been very honest in his report. This is a good sign of accountability," Mr Kabwe.

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