Legislators not happy with President’s decision

SOME legislators have expressed their disappointment over President Jakaya Kikwete’s decision of not sacking Prime Minister as earlier pressurized by irate parliamentarians during contribution over the report by the standing committee of Land, Natural Resources and Environment on Friday. Interviewed legislators have accused the PM for his failure to hold accountable various ministers whose ministries are engulfed with numerous bad performances including corruption. Speaking in an exclusive interview over the decision, some legislators have commented that, the president could have sacked the Prime minister Mizengo Pinda whom they say has not been particularly active to react on embezzlement shown by some ministers even if there are evidences tendered as proof on allegations leveled against them. The legislators were commenting on President’s decision of sacking the four ministers for failing to effectively manage the infamous Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili ­ after a whole day’s debate on the issue which shocked parliamentarians on Friday this week. The government’s anti-poaching campaign which was suspended indefinitely due to claims of civilian abuse, torture, extortion and murder was carried out by security forces in the country who included the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF).  The decision by the President, who is currently in the US, to sack the ministers was communicated by the PM, who however did not answer directly to the calls to resign over what the MPs said was lukewarm performance. David Silinde (Chadema) is surprised to see that, the president only reacted on the four ministers and left the Prime Minister whom he said could be the first to be axed to show maturity on political responsibility. He said that the Prime Minister is not active in taking drastic measures against district executives who have been implicated directly on the embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds in various districts as recommended by the Controller Accounts General (CAG) in his annual reports. Felix Mkosamali (Chadema) noted that, the decision by the president was done just to protect the ruling party CCM and not to defend the national interest and the general public. He said since the PM has been faced with many allegations as related to his poor work performances especially in for ministerial supervision work, it was high time for him to go out of the office. However, he said that, had become so worried with the decision as the president didn’t do the right thing, noting that he left the PM and reacted on ministers under him. Other interviewed legislators of the ruling party who preferred anonymity when contacted to verify their stand over the issue, admitted the fact though all of them spoke on strict condition of anonymity on claims that, they were not ready to criticize their President. They said that, the PM was to be removed out of the office as he has ashamed their party when it comes to the issue of power abuse and none compliance of the human rights. Speaking about the committee report findings, some were painful with what had happened during the campaign and feelings of the tortured human beings and their sufferings, and suggested that, as a government had to get somebody in a high ranking position in the government. On Friday this week, President Jakaya Kikwete has sacked four ministers Khamis Kagasheki (Natural Resources and Tourism), David Mathayo (Livestock and Fisheries), Emmanuel Nchimbi (Home Affairs) and Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (Defence and National Service). The four were shown the door earlier on Friday following a day of contentious Bunge debates and increasing public outcry over their failure to rein-in inept, trigger-happy subordinates. The dismissal of the four ministers was the culmination of a dramatic day in Parliament in Dodoma as the government came into sharp focus over its performance  in dealing with farmer-pastoralist conflicts.