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Why these allegations must be probed
2007-09-25 09:22:40
By Hamis Mzee
Though much water has passed under the bridge since the inception of multi-party politics in the country almost 15 years ago, nothing has caused more pandemonium than the latest allegations on dishonesty, corruption and embezzlement by government leaders, officials and even Members of Parliament.
Both the government and the ruling CCM have come out fighting against the allegations raised at a public meeting by Karatu MP Dr Wilbroad Slaa, an indication that the MP had touched a soft spot.
However, this reaction raises more eyebrows than addressing the issue at hand as one wonders how and why a system that stands so strong against corruption and other vices would react in such a manner as to be seen to be according a protective shield to graft suspects.
As the first leader under the new political set-up of multi-partism, retired president Benjamin Mkapa had played his cards well by championing the war against corruption after taking office.
He had appointed an anti-corruption commission led by Judge Joseph Warioba as an attempt to rid the country of the vice.
Petty corruption was so rampant that wananchi were pestered with it wherever they sought services in public offices such as in hospitals, courts, lands and trade departments and even the police.
Even big time corruption involving big contracts also prevailed and this worsened matters.
Warioba did a thorough job and came out with a comprehensive report on the vice in the country.
Former works minister Nalaila Kiula was the first casualty in the anti graft drive.
He was tried for embezzlement of billions of state money but was acquitted. However, his Principal Secretary, Dr. George Mlingwa was not as lucky.
He was jailed only to be released by the High Court on appeal.
This was during the third phase government and in the current fourth phase government we are witnessing, a former ambassador, Costa Mahalu facing embezzlement charges.
Recently we have seen two Members of Parliament and a number of party insiders being netted and appearing in court on corruption charges during the just-ended CCM elections at district and regional levels.
These developments are testimony of the zeal and desire to cleanse the society of the corruption, dubbed as enemy of justice.
Top party leadership has won accolades for unleashing the PCCB - the anti graft body- to clear corrupt elements within the party ranks.
However despite these new achievements in the fight against corruption, it is surprising that the party and its government is getting cold feet to act on the allegations raised by the opposition parties against some of its cadres.
Dr. Slaa`s accusations that some ministers, and government executives are lining their pockets through dubious deals, appear not to have appeased the powers that be.
Political stalwart and minister of state Kingunge Ngombale-Mwiru led the onslaught against the opposition after making the stinging allegations.
He told the press that the opposition was not thankful and was oblivious of the fact that the freedom they are enjoying is made possible by the CCM government.
Dismissing the allegations as an attempt by the opposition to distract the CCM government on serving the wananchi, he went on to narrate the achievements made by the government in providing social services and developing the infrastructure.
The old guard may have missed the point in his reaction to the allegations, as the issue is not about what the CCM government has achieved, which a few diehard opponents may dispute.
It is true that the country under CCM has made big strides in a number of areas.
However the facts remain that despite these achievements, there are problems - that of embezzlement and corruption.
Even on the issue of the freedom enjoyed by the opposition, Mzee Ngombale-Mwiru appears to have goofed.
Since plural politics is enshrined in the constitution, both CCM and the opposition enjoy equal status and like CCM, the opposition has the right to criticize and raise issues.
CCM on its part plans to send teams nation-wide to clear the venom the opposition has spread in a similar visit recently.
However in this regard, the party seems to veer off track, as counter propaganda cannot fend off the allegations raised by the opposition.
And for the government it is imperative it takes decisive action as it had done in the past as in cases of the likes of Kiula. It should not hesitate to work on the latest allegations by the opposition.
These ,as they stand out now, are mere allegations which need to be addressed and acted upon if there is justification to do so.
In case they turn out as mere baloney, trumpeted by the opposition, then the MP who made them must be made to regret…he should face the music.
But simply dismissing them in conferences as the case has been, does not improve matters. It further compounds issues and gives credence to the allegations.
At best these allegations must be investigated to clear the polluted air. Otherwise, they will impact negatively if they are left to fizzle out on their own.
For the opposition, the allegations would be perpetual reference points whenever it pins the government on burning issues.
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