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I`ll oust those MPs - Kabwe
2007-08-17 09:11:42
By Pascal Shao, Dodoma
Suspended Chadema Kigoma North legislator Zitto Kabwe has vowed to ensure that CCM legislators who opposed his private motion to form a parliamentary committee to probe government`s contract with Barrick Gold do not retain their constituencies in the 2010 elections.
Kabwe made the pledge on Wednesday during a farewell dinner organized by the opposition in his honour.
The opposition MP was suspended on Tuesday after he had tabled a private motion, asking the House to form a committee that would probe the government`s contract with Barrick Gold, which the Minister for Minerals and Energy Nazir Karamagi had admitted he signed in London in February.
The legislator also wanted the committee to investigate what he saw as a questionable review of mining agreements between the government and investors.
His motion triggered heated debate, with Mchinga MP CCM Mudhihir Mudhihir calling for his immediate suspension for making unsubstantiated and malicious statements. He will serve a four month suspension.
However, a day after his suspension, Kabwe told fellow legislators that his first strategy would be to tour the constituencies of legislators who opposed the formation of the probe committee to ask their voters whether they had sent their MPs to betray them.
`I will take the lead to ensure that the seven members who opposed the formation of the committee lose their constituencies,` he said.
Kabwe said the opposition had been doing a wonderful job to the country and its people. `We have fulfilled our constitutional obligation to stand for Tanzanians. My conscious is clear. I have said what was in my heart. Tanzanians are my witnesses,` he said.
Kabwe said that he was very happy on Tuesday adding: “I will not be in the November session physically, when the information and mining bills will be tabled, but my post in the opposition camp will remain in safe hands.`
Opposition Chief Whip, Khalifa Suleiman Khalifa (Gando, CUF), said God would always side with people of goodwill.
Khalifa said that the opposition legislators had been fair to the government by passing the budget but were dismayed when the government behaved differently soon after Kabwe had tabled his private motion.
The leader of the opposition in parliament, Hamad Rashid Mohamed (Wawi, CUF) said the task to defending public interests was tough and challenging.
`I call upon my fellow legislators to be courageous. Let us continue to stand up on behalf of the Tanzanian people,` Mohamed said.
Grace Kiwelu (Chadema, Special Seats) called on the opposition to emulate Kabwe`s heroism.
`He has shown that young people are capable of performing the job,` said Kiwelu.
She reassured the public that Kabwe would not starve by earning half his paycheck but would lead his life comfortably, adding, `the opposition will compensate the deducted amount to make him earn a full salary.`
Karatu legislator for Chadema Dr. Wilbroad Slaa said there was no need to say sorry to anyone.
`We did not get into politics in search of fame or money but to work for the people, `Slaa added.
Meanwhile Human Rights Network will today demonstrate to oppose the four-month suspension given to Kigoma North legislator Zitto Kabwe by parliament.
Talking to journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the director of Tanzania Gender Networking Programme Usu Malya said the demonstration would be held at Mabibo in Dar es Salaam starting 10am.
The network includes TGNP, Tanzania Media Women Association, FemAct and Legal and Human Rights Centre.
Malya said the demonstration was planned to draw many people but they had failed to get a police permit due to limited time.
`We are planning to conduct another demonstration countrywide, soon after this one,` Malya said
She said during the demonstration, they would meditate intensively on the procedures used to suspend the legislator.
The Bunge has unfairly punished the legislator so as to threaten MPs not to challenge the government, a move that is against the principles of democracy and good governance, she said.
She said the demonstration would also provide an opportunity for them to evaluate the country`s political situation and the whole democratic process.
Another TGNP member, Gemma Akilimali, said they would also question the government as to who did Parliament represent, and also the issue of isolation within the government.
FemAct member Bubelwa Kaiza said there was need to change the current system of Constitution because it took people back to the pre-independence days.
He said members of parliament were there to represent the people and not just to get allowances.
`Legislators are supposed not only to please the government but also to challenge it,` he said.
He said the punishment given to Zitto was unfair compared to others who did the same thing in Parliament.
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