Kiswahili Press summaries for Dec 2nd.

British High Commission, Dar es Salaam
http://ukintanzania.fco.gov.uk/en
2 December 2009

Zanzibar: Bomb blasts during Idd

Three bombs went off at three separate amusement joints during Idd el Hajj festival in Urban West. Police said one person was seriously injured, while two people are held for questioning. The bombs, believed to be dynamites, went off at 10.30 pm at Gymkhana Club, Intro Bar and Phone Club. Regional Police Commander (RPC) for Urban West, Khatib Shaaban told reporters that the incidents happened while people were dancing and drinking. He named the victim as Yusuf Said Zubeir (25) but declined to name the suspects. (Nipashe)

Governance: Another EPA scam within TRA

The theft of Sh 800 million in Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) is compared to External Payment Account (EPA) scam in the Bank of Tanzania (BoT). BoT asked the money to be refunded and everything will be forgiven. Similarly, TRA merely demanded the refund of the money while no prosecution has taken place. The theft of salary money was discovered six months ago but police was never informed. Sources say the matter might now be handed over to the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB). When contacted, TRA Chairperson, Marcelina Chijoriga declined to comment. “I can’t say anything as an ad-hoc committee of the board is investigating. We haven’t yet received a report so I can’t comment,” she said. (Raia Mwema)

CCM:Simba, Kilango on collision course

MP for Same East (CCM), Anne Kilango had to escape wrath of 300 angry women in Mwanga district on Monday. They were blocking her car, demanding allowance for a meeting that she called. In the end, district UWT secretary, Luciano Sagati intervened and took her away. Kilango had called the meeting to congratulate women who won in the recent civic elections. When contacted, she said: “There was no question of me paying transport or any allowance to over 400 participants, for not only it was not budgeted but that would amount to bribery”.

Meanwhile, Kilango’s wrangle with Minister of State (Good Governance) Sophia Simba has taken a new turn. While Kilango is preparing to sue Simba on defamation charges, the matter has reached CCM headquarters and State House. This is after Kilango wrote a letter to CCM Secretary General and Prime Minister, informing them of the impending lawsuit. In the letter she said her action does not involve the party or government. Sources say however the party and government are concerned, because Simba is not only a minister in the State House but also a member of the party Central Committee. Kilango served a notice on Simba, asking her to apologise within two weeks. In reply, Simba said she is willing to meet Kilango in court. (Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi)

Kikwete thwarts Aziz, Makamba

Rostam Aziz and Secretary General Yusuf Makamba are blocked in their attempts to raise slush funds for presidential election next year. They have been collecting the funds locally and overseas, but this time sources say Kikwete decided to “look for alternate means”. One senior party leader said: “No one will be allowed to raise funds clandestinely. We want to distance the party from ‘dirty’ money.” The idea was discussed with Kikwete and he gave a go-ahead. Meanwhile, two weeks ago an ad-hoc committee of five led by Makamba was appointed to raise the funds. Members included tycoons who are being accused of grand corruption. Then came the announcement by party treasurer, Amos Makala that the party is to depend on individual members to contribute through mobile phones. At the time Makamba refused to comment, but on Monday he praised the idea, saying he fully agreed with it. (MwanaHalisi, Majira)

Snippets

1 PCCB says MPs under prosecution should be suspended (Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi, Nipashe, Habari Leo, Raia Mwema, Majira, Mtanzania)
2 Railway workers raid management offices (Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi, Mwananchi, Habari Leo, Majira)
3 Arusha court workers strike over pay arrears (Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi, Nipashe, Habari Leo, Majira)
4 Chadema tells Membe to reply to UN allegations over DRC (Tanzania Daima, Nipashe)
5 NCCR – We want Zitto Kabwe to join us (Mwananchi)
6 Interpol nets 54 stolen vehicles (Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi, Habari Leo, Majira, Mtanzania)
7 Another prison inmate graduates in law (Mwananchi, Nipashe, Habari Leo, Majira)
8 NEC differs with Minister Marmo over ballot papers (Mwananchi, Nipashe, Habari Leo, Majira, Mtanzania)
9 HIV screening now to be door to door (Nipashe)
10 Air Tanzania gives termination letters to 155 workers (Habari Leo)
11 Ilala councillors demand Sh 50,000 for attending AIDS day (Majira)
12 Battered husbands to launch their NGO in Moshi (Majira)
13 ‘It is shameful for govt to squander Sh 150 billion on 800 posh cars’ (Mtanzania letter)