British High Commission,Dar es Salaam
http://ukintanzania.fco.gov.uk/en
1 December 2009
Zanzibar: People still boycott registration
Minister of State in Chief Minister’s Office, Hamza Hassan Juma told this paper it is surprising that many people still refuse to register as voters, despite the détente between President Amani Karume and CUF Secretary General Seif Sharif Hamad. He said government hoped that after the meeting of the two leaders the boycott would end but this did not happen. Juma said government will continue giving civic education though the decision to register lies with individuals. “We can’t force people to register, but it would be better for them to exercise their voting right,” the minister urged. (Nipashe)
Governance: Butiku – Kikwete is surrounded by crooks
Director of Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation (MNF), Joseph Butiku said President Jakaya Kikwete is surrounded by corrupt businessmen. He told a colloquium organised by MNF in Dar es Salaam yesterday that Kikwete needs to be freed from the “chain of corruption.” Butiku, who was personal assistant to Nyerere for over 20 years, declared: “I am now 72. Anything can happen to me and I don’t care. We can’t have a head of state who has compromised his position. It all started at a meeting of the Central Committee in 1995 when the present leaders started CCM ‘network’ to back up Kikwete.”
Former Prime Minister Joseph Warioba called upon the government to take a resolute action to save the country and its people. He urged people to discuss policies rather than individuals. Anglican bishop for Dodoma, Peter Mwamasika said the rise in corruption and moral degradation is due to the abandoning of Arusha Declaration. “Let us bring it back for the sake of our nation, albeit with some adjustments,” he said. Retired Brigadier General Mbena slammed: “During the times of Mwalimu DC used to drive around with Land Rover 109, but now they demand to be chauffeured in classy cars costing Sh 150 million, with western lifestyle.”
Minister of State (Public Service Management), Hawa Ghasia was booed by participants when she tried to defend the government by talking of modernisation and development at village level. She was shouted down and had to cut short her contribution.
The three-day meeting is attended by political, religious, state and civic leaders as well as by foreign diplomats. (Habari Leo, Majira, Mtanzania, Tanzania Daima, Nipashe, Mwananchi)
CCM:Makala spoke as individual
The statement by party treasurer, Amos Makala regarding collection of campaign funds through mobile phones seems to have raised a controversy within the party. Secretary General Yusuf Makamba has distanced himself from the decision, saying it was taken by Makala himself. Thus, when Makamba was contacted by phone, he snapped: “Ask Makala for details. I have nothing to do with it.” Makala told this paper it was indeed his personal proposal which he intends to submit to his accounts department for onward transmission to the party secretariat. After Makala made the announcement, CUF said he is trying to deceive CCM members. A CUF statement said: “CCM is not capable of avoiding funds from corrupt tycoons, as they are not only the main financiers, but are also among the top party leaders”. (Majira)
Opposition: Kabwe supports Kafulila
Deputy Secretary General of Chadema, Zitto Kabwe declared his support for his ally, David Kafulila, who defected to NCCR. Kabwe said he will back Kafulila as NCCR candidate for Kigoma South in 2010 elections. In fact Kabwe has already donated three vehicles to help him in his campaign. Sources say Kabwe is supporting Kafulila so as to make sure the opposition clinches the seat from the ruling CCM. In 2000 the seat was won by NCCR. In 2005 NCCR took second position followed by Chadema. In the recent civic elections CCM took 20 seats followed by Chadema with 12 and NCCR with 11 seats. Thus, in the 2005 elections if Chadema had backed NCCR the seat would have been taken by the opposition. Kabwe is therefore supporting Kafulila so as to unseat CCM in the neighbouring constituency. With the backing of Kabwe, Kafulila hopes to garner Chadema votes in Kigoma South. (Mwananchi)
Snippets
1 TRL fails to pay November salary (Habari Leo, Majira, Mtanzania, Tanzania Daima)
2 Book Aid International (UK) to donate to Ukonga prison (Habari Leo, Majira, Tanzania Daima, Nipashe, Mwananchi)
3 Kahama DC calls for less guest houses, bars (Habari Leo, Mwananchi)
4 Pregnant woman dies due to negligence at Kiteto hospital (Majira)
5 Cholera toll reaches 458 in Dar (Majira)
6 Nzowa - Drug barons to be dragged to court soon (Mtanzania)
7 DRC embassy denies report on Tanzanian mercenaries (Mtanzania, Tanzania Daima)
8 ‘Are our elected leaders paying taxes?’ (Mtanzania feature)
9 Zanzibar court orders auctioning of Bwawani Hotel (Nipashe)
10 Police gun down six suspected poachers in Serengeti (Nipashe, Mwananchi)
11 Bakwata galled by commuting of death sentence (Mwananchi)
12 Govt closes schools in Kwimba to curb swine flu (Mwananchi)
13 Over 20 passengers taken off a plane to let in white tourists (Mwananchi)