PCCB told to involve grass-roots to combat poll graft

As the general elect ion is approaching in Tanzania, the Prevention and Combating Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has been called on to involve the community at the grass-roots level in curbing corruption in the coming elections. The call was made in Dodoma by human rights activists at a training on corruption conducted by the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) ahead of the general elections in October. Commenting on the corruption watchdog, a paralegal from Tarime, Bony Matto, said some people at the grass-roots level seemed to be afraid of the bureau, which made them reluctant to report corruption incidents. “Some seem to assume that only small people are prone to being nabbed on corruption matters and big shots are untouchable. Let PCCB work more closely with people at the grass-roots level to combat the menace,” he said. Presenting a paper on corruption, LHRC legal officer Laetitia Ntagazwa Petro said even though the law on corruption was in place, its implementation depended up the voters and not PCCB. “It is upon the voters to shun corruption in order to make the law meaningful. Do not be afraid to vie for any post in case you feel the urge to do so. Activists and all stakeholders with awareness on corruption must join forces to ensure people at the grass-roots level are educated on corruption in order to have fair and free elections,” she said. PCCB has in recent days taken a proactive role in preparing a number of publications in a bid to curb corruption in the coming elections. A number of publications have been made for public consumption with titles such as ‘Shun corruption during elections’.
GUARDIAN SOURCE