|
CUF challenges Mkapa to declare his wealth
2008-07-03 10:29:19
By Correspondent Austin Beyadi
The Supreme Governance Council of the Civic United Front (CUF) has challenged former president, Benjamin Mkapa, to disclose his wealth and answer various allegations leveled against him.
Addressing a news conference yesterday in Dar es Salaam, CUF national chairman, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba, said Mkapa should declare all his properties and wealth he acquired during his ``truth and transparency`` ten-year rule.
Lipumba said that when the former leader came to power, he disclosed his wealth, including two houses-one in Masasi and the other in Dar es Salaam, 100 trees of cashew nuts and an undeveloped land located on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam.
``If Mkapa was able to disclose his wealth and properties that time why is it becoming too hard for him to disclose what he has after serving as president.
This is a clear indication that there is something wrong with the way he acquired the wealth,`` said Lipumba.
He said that Mkapa`s statement which he issued at his home village of Lupasso in May this year where he called those who issued allegations against him, as liars and people with personal hatred, was not enough to save him from the deep rooted accusations.
Additionally, Lipumba challenged former Attorney General and Minister for Infrastructure Development, Andrew Chenge, to issue a clarification to Tanzanians on how he was able to secure USD1m which was discovered by UK`s serious fraud office in Jersey`s offshore account.
``Even if he had never used a single cent of his salaries which he was receiving since he became a public servant, he could have not made enough to have a bank account of more than 1bn/-,`` he said.
In 2005, Mkapa allegedly `fast tracked` privatisation and ultimate sale of the government-owned Kiwira Coal Mine at a knock-down price of USD700,000.
Out of the USD700,000 purchase price, Mkapa`s Tanpower Resources is said to have made a down payment of only 70m/- for a majority stake in the coal mine.
It has also been reported that in 2004, Mkapa, former Energy and Minerals minister Daniel Yona, and their close relatives jointly registered another private company under the name of Tanpower Resources Ltd.
While still in office, Mkapa and former First Lady Anna Mkapa, allegedly registered a private company, ANBEM Ltd in 1999 listing themselves as sole directors and entrepreneurs.
With ANBEM Ltd operating from within State House, Mkapa and his wife are said to have obtained loans of up to USD75m from different local banks.
|
