Tanesco

A day after naming six legislators who are allegedly doing business with Tanesco, while sitting in the Energy and Minerals Committee Opposition Chief Whip Tundu Lissu will be the first to testify before the Parliamentary Committee for Privilege, Ethics and Powers.

Speaker of the National Assembly Anne Makinda announced this yesterday in Parliament after Simanjiro Legislator Christopher Ole Sendeka, (CCM) asked for her guidance under section 68 (7) of the Parliamentary Standing Orders on whether Lissu has not violated the constitution which provides immunity to MPs.

Ole Sendeka referred to article 100 of the country’s constitution on freedom and procedures of debating in parliament, and sub article (ii) which restricts or provides immunity to an MP from being sued in court or anywhere for an issue discussed in Parliament.

“Yesterday (Tuesday) one of our colleagues Tundu Lissu called a press conference and made allegations against some MPs including myself for defending some companies which missed the tender.

His statement is unfair to me, thus I request for your guidance honourable speaker on whether making these allegations outside the debating chamber was privileged according to article 100,” Ole Sendeka asked.

The lawmaker said that if the statement by Lissu had immunity he will present the matter to the Speaker so that through her powers she can direct responsible authorities to establish the truth.

He said the allegations made against him and other members of parliament were false.

“I will be forced to go to court if his statement had no immunity so that Lissu can prove the allegations he made before the media which aimed at embarrassing some MPs.

Responding, Speaker Makinda requested the Parliament to be patient after what happened on Saturday instead of talking about it everywhere. On Saturday, the Speaker dissolved the Parliamentary Energy and Minerals Committee after it was accused of corruption and directed the Parliamentary Committee for Privilege, Ethics and Powers to investigate the claims.

“About what was spoken on Monday …this is part of the parliament. Any area which is within the parliament premises is part of the parliament …thus by his statement Lissu will be the first witness to testify before the leadership committee which I have tasked to investigate the allegations,” Speaker Makinda said.

On Monday Lissu who is also Singida East Legislator named six members of Parliament who have conflict of interest with Tanesco which he said was contrary to the law governing the public leaders.

Meanwhile the ruling party in Dar es Salaam has vowed to take severe disciplinary action including expelling its MPs who will be found directly involved the corruption charges raised in the House recently. “If they are found guilty they will not deserve to be valid members of our party,” he stressed.

Nnauye requested the investigations to be done fast, saying those found guilty should be considered economic saboteurs.