Saturday, October 7, 2017

LIST OF SHAME TANZANIA

ORODHA YA MAFISADI (LIST OF SHAME)

VIONGOZI WA UMMA WALIOKO KATIKA ORODHA HII WAMEKIUKA NA/AU KUVUNJA MASHARTI YA KATIBA YA JAMHURI YA MUUNGANO

(KWA HISANI YA WEBSITE YA CHADEMA)

KANUNI/ VIGEZO VILIVYOTUMIKA

A. USHIRIKI WA MOJA KWA MOJA KATIKA VITENDO VYA UFISADI

Katika kundi hili wamo viongozi na/au maafisa wa umma na/au mawakala na/au washirika wao katika sekta binafsi ambao kwa namna mbali mbali wameshiriki katika kupora utajiri na/au fedha za umma na hivyo kulisababishia taifa na umma wa Watanzania ufukara na/au umaskini mkubwa.

B. USHIRIKI KATIKA KUTOA MAAMUZI YA KIFISADI

Katika kundi hili wamo viongozi wa umma ambao kwa kutumia nyadhifa na/au vyeo vyao katika utumishi wa umma wamefanya maamuzi ambayo kwayo taifa limepoteza mapato na/au utajiri na rasilmali zake na kuwaneemesha raia na/au taasisi za kiuchumi na/au za kibiashara za kigeni. Kwa mfano, viongozi wa umma walioshiriki katika kusaini mikataba mibovu katika sekta za madini na/au nishati na/au maeneo mengine yenye umuhimu mkubwa kwa maisha ya taifa na jamii ya Watanzania
MISINGI YA KISHERIA/KISIASA YA ORODHA YA MAFISADI

A. KATIBA YA JAMHURI YA MUUNGANO WA TANZANIA, 1977

KATIBA YA JAMHURI YA MUUNGANO WA TANZANIA, 1977, SURA YA 2 YA SHERIA ZA TANZANIA IMEWEKA ‘MALENGO MUHIMU NA MISINGI YA MWELEKEO WA SHUGHULI ZA SERIKALI’ KUWA NI PAMOJA NA MAMBO YAFUATAYO:[1]

  1. KWAMBA “WANANCHI NDIO MSINGI WA MAMLAKA YOTE, NA SERIKALI ITAPATA MADARAKA NA MAMLAKA YAKE YOTE KUTOKA KWA WANANCHI….”;
  2. KWAMBA “LENGO KUU LA SERIKALI LITAKUWA NI USTAWI WA WANANCHI”; NA
  3. KWAMBA “SERIKALI ITAWAJIBIKA KWA WANANCHI….”
  4. ….”

Katika kutekeleza malengo na misingi ya mwelekeo wa shughuli za Serikali iliyotajwa, “… Mamlaka ya Nchi na vyombo vyake vyote vinawajibika kuelekeza sera na shughuli zake zote katika lengo la kuhakikisha:
  1. Kwamba sheria za nchi zinalindwa na kutekelezwa;
  2. Kwamba shughuli za Serikali zinatekelezwa kwa njia ambazo zitahakikisha kwamba wa Taifa unaendelezwa, unahifadhiwa na unatumiwa kwa manufaa ya wananchi wote kwa jumla na pia kuzuia mtu kumnyonya mtu mwingine;
  3. Kwamba maendeleo ya uchumi wa Taifa yanakuzwa na kupangwa kwa ulinganifu na kwa pamoja;
  4. Kwamba aina zote za dhuluma, vitisho, ubaguzi, rushwa, uonevu au upendeleo zinaondolewa nchini;
  5. Kwamba matumizi ya utajiri wa Taifa yanatilia mkazo maendeleo ya wananchi na hasa zaidi yanaelekezwa kwenye jitihada ya kuondosha umaskini, ujinga na maradhi;
  6. Kwamba shughuli za uchumi haziendeshwi kwa njia zinazoweza kusababisha ulimbikizaji wa mali au njia kuu za uchumi katika mamlaka ya watu wachache binafsi;
  7. ….” [2]
Ibara ya 7(1) ya Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano imeamuru kuwa “… Serikali, vyombo vyake vyote na watu wote na mamlaka yoyote yenye kutekeleza madaraka ya utawala, madaraka ya kutunga sheria au madaraka ya utoaji haki, watakuwa na jukumu na wajibu wa kuzingatia, kutia maanani na kutekeleza masharti yote ya Sehemu hii …” ya Katiba. Katiba pia imewapa viongozi wa umma “… wajibu wa kufuata na kuitii Katiba hii na sheria za Jamhuri ya Muungano.”[3]Aidha, viongozi wa umma wamepewa “… wajibu wa kulinda mali asilia ya Jamhuri ya Muungano, mali ya Mamlaka ya Nchi na mali yote inayomilikiwa kwa pamoja na wananchi….”[4] Vile vile viongozi wote wa umma “watatakiwa na sheria kutunza vizuri mali ya Mamlaka ya Nchi nay a pamoja, kupiga vita aina zote za uharibifu na ubadhirifu, na kuendesha uchumi wa taifa kwa makini kama watu ambao ndio waamuzi wa hali ya baadaye ya taifa lao.”[5]
Licha ya masharti ya kikatiba yaliyotajwa hapo juu, viongozi wa umma waliotajwa katika Orodha hii ya Mafisadi walikuwa wanabanwa na masharti ya sheria nyingine za nchi yetu kama ifuatavyo:

B. SHERIA YA MAADILI YA VIONGOZI WA UMMA, 1995

Sheria ya Maadili ya Viongozi wa Umma inamtaka Rais kuhakikisha kwamba taratibu zinatengenezwa zitakazojenga maadili na kuongeza imani ya wananchi kwa uadilifu wa viongozi wa umma na katika taratibu za utoaji maamuzi ndani ya Serikali na katika sekta ya umma. Katika kutekeleza wajibu wake, Rais anatakiwa kuweka taratibu thabiti za maadili katika utumishi wa umma ambazo:
  1. Zitahakikisha kwamba kiongozi wa umma hatajiweka katika hali ambayo maslahi yake binafsi yatagongana na wajibu wake kama kiongozi wa umma;
  2. Zitaweka taratibu za wazi za maadili kuhusu migongano ya maslahi kwa viongozi wa umma wa kuchaguliwa na wa kuteuliwa;
  3. Zitapunguza uwezekano wa migongano inayotokana na maslahi binafsi kuingiliana na shughuli za umma za viongozi wa umma na kuweka taratibu za utatuzi wa migongano hiyo inapotokea.
Sheria ya Maadili ya Viongozi wa Umma vile vile imeweka kanuni zinazotakiwa kuongoza utendaji wa viongozi wa umma:
  1. kwamba wanapokuwa madarakani, viongozi wa umma watakuwa waadilifu, wenye huruma, utulivu, umakini na watakaoendeleza viwango vya juu vya maadili ili kujenga na kuendeleza imani ya umma kwa uadilifu wa Serikali;
  2. kuhusiana na uwazi kwa wananchi, viongozi wa umma watawajibika kutekeleza wajibu wao kwa umma na kuendesha shughuli zao binafsi kwa namna ambayo itaonekana na kuthibitika kuwa ni wazi na umma na haitatosheleza kwao kutekeleza wajibu wao kwa kufuata sheria tu;
  3. kuhusiana na utoaji wa maamuzi, viongozi wa umma watatekeleza wajibu wao kufuatana na sheria na kwa maslahi ya umma;
  4. kuhusiana na maslahi binafsi, viongozi wa umma hawatakuwa na maslahi binafsi ambayo yanaweza kuathiriwa na maamuzi ya serikali wanayoshiriki katika kuyafanya;
  5. kuhusiana na maslahi ya umma, pale wanapochaguliwa au kuteuliwa, viongozi wa umma watapanga masuala yao kwa namna itakayozuia migongano ya maslahi ya wazi, iliyojificha au inayoonekana kuwepo na pale ambapo migongano hiyo inatokea kati ya maslahi binafsi na maslahi ya umma basi itatatuliwa kwa kuangalia zaidi maslahi ya umma;
  6. kuhusiana na zawadi, viongozi wa umma hawatadai au kupokea manufaa ya kiuchumi zaidi ya zawadi ndogo ndogo, ukarimu wa jadi/takrima au manufaa mengine yenye thamani ishara, isipokuwa tu kama manufaa hayo yatatokana na mkataba au mali ya kiongozi wa umma;
  7. kuhusiana na upendeleo, viongozi wa umma hawatatumia vyeo vyao rasmi katika kusaidia taasisi au watu binafsi katika mahusiano yao na serikali iwapo kufanya hivyo kutasababisha upendeleo kwa mtu yeyote;
  8. Kuhusiana na mali ya serikali ambayo viongozi wa umma hawatatumia ama moja kwa moja ama kisiri siri, au kuruhusu kutumiwa kwa mali ya serikali ya aina yoyote, ikiwa ni pamoja na mali ya serikali iliyokodishwa kwa ajili ya kumnufaisha kiongozi wa umma;
  9. Kuhusiana na ajira baada ya utumishi wa umma, viongozi wa umma hawatafanya vitendo vitakavyoshusha hadhi na heshima ya utumishi wa umma baada ya kuondoka katika utumishi ili kupunguza uwezekano wa matarajio ya ajira kuleta migongano ya maslahi kwa viongozi wa umma wanapokuwa katika utumishi wa umma; kupata upendeleo baada ya kuondoka katika utumishi wa umma; kutumia taarifa zinazopatikana kutokana na utumishi wa umma kwa maslahi binafsi; na kutumia utumishi wa umma kwa ajili ya kupatia nafasi za ajira nje ya utumishi wa umma.
A. WALIOSHIRIKI MOJA KWA MOJA KATIKA VITENDO VYA UFISADI

1. DR. DAUDI T.S. BALALI

Dr. Daudi Balali amekuwa na bado ni Gavana wa Benki Kuu ya Tanzania tangu mwaka 1997. Katika kipindi hicho cha miaka kumi, Gavana Balali amehujumu taifa la Tanzania kama ifuatavyo:
  1. Kufuatana na barua ya wataalamu wa Ofisi ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Mahesabu ya Serikali, ameruhusu na/au kuidhinisha na/au kunyamazia ufujaji wa fedha za umma unaodaiwa kufikia Shilingi 522, 459, 255,000 katika ujenzi wa majengo ya Benki Kuu ya Tanzania yaliyoko barabara ya Mirambo, Dar es Salaam na Gulioni, Zanzibar. Aidha taarifa kutoka vyanzo vingine zinaonyesha kwamba mwaka 1998 kampuni ya Skanska Jensen ya Sweden ilituhumiwa kutoa hongo ya Dola za Marekani milioni 5 kwa Gavana Balali tuhuma zilizopelekea kampuni hiyo kupigwa marufuku kushiriki tenda ya ujenzi wa majengo hayo. Hata hivyo, katika mazingira yanayoashiria ufisadi mkubwa, kampuni ya Group 5 ya Afrika ya Kusini ambayo ni kampuni tanzu ya Skanska Jensen ilipewa tenda ya kujenga majengo hayo ya Benki Kuu;
  2. Kufuatana na barua iliyotajwa katika aya ya (i) hapo juu, Gavana Balali aliidhinisha na/au kuruhusu na/au kunyamazia malipo ya Dola za Marekani 118,396,460.36 zilizopelekwa katika akaunti isiyojulikana ya Benki ya Nedbank Ltd. ya Afrika Kusini kama malipo ya madeni ya kampuni muflisi ya Meremeta Ltd. iliyokuwa inachimba dhahabu katika eneo la Buhemba wilaya ya Musoma, Mkoa wa Mara. Kwa miaka mingi Serikali ilikuwa ikitoa taarifa za uongo kwamba Meremeta Ltd. ilikuwa ni kampuni ya Kitanzania iliyokuwa ikimilikiwa na Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanzania kwa ajili ya mradi wake wa Nyumbu, Kibaha, Mkoa wa Pwani. Hata hivyo, nakala ya usajili iliyotolewa na Msajili wa Makampuni wa Uingereza na Wales inaonyesha kwamba kampuni hiyo iliandikishwa nchini Uingereza tarehe 19 Agosti 1997 na ilifilisiwa huko huko Uingereza tarehe 10 Januari 2006. Aidha, taarifa ya Wakala wa Usajili wa Biashara na Leseni (BRELA) ya tarehe 31 Mei 2005 inaonyesha kwamba Meremeta Ltd. ni tawi la kampuni ya kigeni iliyosajiliwa Tanzania kama tawi tarehe 3 Oktoba, 1997. Vile vile taarifa hiyo inaonyesha kwamba hisa 50 za Meremeta Ltd. zilikuwa zinamilikiwa na Kampuni ya Triennex (Pty) Ltd. ya Afrika Kusini na hisa 50 zilizobaki zilikuwa zinamilikiwa na Serikali ya Tanzania kwa kupitia kwa Msajili wa Hazina katika Wizara ya Fedha. Inajulikana vile vile kwamba Gavana Balali aliwahi kuwa Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Wakurugenzi wa Meremeta Ltd. kati ya mwaka 2004 na 2005. Hata hivyo, kuna utata mkubwa juu ya nani ni mmiliki hasa wa Meremeta Ltd. kwa kuwa taarifa ya BRELA inaonyesha pia kwamba makampuni mawili ya Kiingereza – London Law Services Ltd. na London Law Secretarial Ltd. – nayo yanamiliki hisa moja moja za Meremeta Ltd. Makampuni hayo yanatumia anwani moja iliyoko 84 Temple Chambers, Temple Avenue, jijini London. Haijulikani ni kwanini Gavana Balali aliruhusu fedha za umma kutumika kulipia madeni yote ya kampuni ambayo Serikali ilikuwa inamiliki hisa 50 tu wakati makampuni mengine ya kigeni yalikuwa yanamiliki hisa 52. Na kama ilivyosema barua ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu, uhalali wa Serikali kulipa madeni ya Meremeta Ltd. kwa Nedbank Ltd. badala ya kuiacha benki hiyo kudai malipo hayo kutoka kwa mfilisi wa kampuni hiyo sawa na wadeni wengine haujulikani;
  3. Kufuatana na barua ya Mkaguzi na Mdhibiti Mkuu, Gavana Balali aliruhusu na/au kuidhinisha na/au kunyamazia malipo ya Dola za Marekani 13,736,628.73 kwa kampuni ya Tangold Ltd. Katika hotuba yake Bungeni ya tarehe 27 Juni 2007, Waziri wa Madini na Nishati Mheshimiwa Nazir Karamagi alidai kwamba “… mali na madeni ya MEREMETA yamehamishiwa kwenye kampuni mpya ya TANGOLD ambayo inamilikiwa na Serikali kwa asilimia mia moja.” Hata hivyo, barua ya BRELA ya tarehe 4 Julai 2007 inatamka wazi kwamba “Tangold Limited ni kampuni ya kigeni iliyosajiliwa kwa mara ya kwanza nchini Jamhuri ya Mauritius, na baadae kuandikishwa nchini Tanzania kama tawi la kampuni ya kigeni.” Barua hiyo inaongeza kwamba kampuni hiyo ilipewa hati ya kutimiza masharti ya Tanzania mnamo tarehe 20 Februari 2006 na kwamba Katiba ya kampuni hiyo haikuonyesha “majina ya wanahisa wa kampuni na mgawanyo wa hisa.” Barua hiyo ya BRELA inaonyesha kwamba wakurugenzi wa Tangold Limited ni pamoja na Gavana Balali, Gray S. Mgonja ambaye ni Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Fedha, Andrew J. Chenge ambaye ni Waziri wa sasa wa Miundo Mbinu, Patrick W.R. Rutabanzibwa ambaye ni Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Maji na Vincent F. Mrisho ambaye ni Katibu Mkuu Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu. Aidha fomu Na. 1F inayohusu usajili wa kampuni za kigeni iliyowasilishwa BRELA na mawakili wa Tangold Limited na kusainiwa na Gavana Balali tarehe 20 Mei 2005 inaonyesha kwamba kampuni hii imetokea “Jamhuri ya Mauritius” na anwani yake iko Suite 520, Barkly Wharf, Le Caudan, Waterfront, Port Louis, Mauritius. Hivyo ndivyo kinavyoonyesha cheti cha usajili kilichotolewa na Msajili wa Makampuni wa Jamhuri ya Mauritius mnamo tarehe 5 Aprili 2005 na pia leseni ya biashara iliyotolewa kwa Tangold Ltd. Port Louis nchini Mauritius tarehe 8 Aprili 2005. nyaraka hizi pia zinaonyesha kwamba Tangold Limited ni kampuni binafsi (private company limited by shares). Kuna utata zaidi kwani kifungu cha 7(e) cha Katiba ya Tangold Ltd. kinaruhusu hisa za wanaomiliki kampuni hiyo binafsi kuhamisha hisa zao kwa wanandoa, baba, mama, watoto, wajukuu au wakwe zao wa kike au wa kiume! Sasa kama ni kweli kwamba Tangold Ltd. inamilikiwa na Serikali ya Tanzania kwa asilimia mia moja, je nani ni mke au mume au baba au mama au motto au mjukuu au mkwe wa kike au wa kiume wa Serikali ya Tanzania ambaye anaweza kuhamishiwa hisa za kampuni hiyo? Katika barua yake ya ukaguzi, Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu alidai kwamba Ofisi yake ilishindwa kuelewa uhalali wa malipo ya dola za Marekani 13,340,168.37 yaliyofanywa na Benki Kuu kwa Tangold Limited;
  4. Gavana Balali aliruhusu na/au kuidhinisha na/au kunyamazia mkopo usio na riba wa Dola za Marekani 5,512,398.55 kwa kampuni ya Mwananchi Gold Co. Ltd. kati ya mwaka 2004 na tarehe 30 Juni 2006. Kati ya fedha hizo, deni la dola 2,807,920 limedhaminiwa kwa dhahabu ghafi ambayo ingenunuliwa kutokana na fedha za mkopo zilizotolewa na Benki Kuu yenyewe! Kwa maana rahisi ni kwamba kampuni ya Mwananchi Gold haijatoa dhamana yoyote inayoeleweka kwa mabilioni ya shilingi ilizokopeshwa na Benki Kuu chini ya Gavana Balali. Kwa taarifa ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu, hadi kufikia mwezi Desemba 2006 Mwananchi Gold Co. Ltd. ilikuwa imeshindwa kulipa hata riba ya mkopo huo kwa kiasi cha dola za Marekani 62,847.91. “Katika mazingira haya”, inasema barua ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu, “hatukuweza kujiridhisha kwamba deni la dola la Marekani 5512398.55 inalodaiwa (Mwananchi Gold Co. Ltd.) hadi kufikia tarehe 30 Juni 2006 linaweza kulipika.” Je, ni kampuni gani hii iliyopewa mamilioni ya fedha za umma katika fedha za kigeni bila kudaiwa riba au kupewa kipindi maalumu cha kulipa mkopo huo? Kufuatana na taarifa za BRELA, Mwananchi Gold Co. Ltd. ni kampuni binafsi ambayo wanahisa wake ni Benki Kuu ya Tanzania yenye hisa 500, Shirika la Maendeleo la Taifa (hisa 500), Mwananchi Trust Co. Ltd. (hisa 1,123) na Chimera Co. Ltd. (hisa 500). Kampuni hii ilisajiliwa kama kampuni binafsi tarehe 12 Desemba 2002. Mawakili wake ni kampuni ya mawakili ya Nyalali, Warioba & Mahalu Associates ikiwashirikisha aliyekuwa Jaji Mkuu wa Tanzania wakati huo marehemu Francis L. Nyalali, Waziri Mkuu wa zamani Joseph Sinde Warioba na aliyekuwa balozi wa Tanzania nchini Italia Profesa Costa R. Mahalu. Wakurugenzi wa Mwananchi Gold ni Joseph Sinde Warioba, Gavana Daudi Balali, Col. J. Simbakalia, Vulfrida Grace Mahalu, Yusuf H. Mushi na raia wawili wa Italia, Paolo Cesari na Patrizio Magrini. Vulfrida Mahalu ni Ofisa Mkuu Mtendaji wa kampuni binafsi ya VMB Holdings (1996) Ltd. na pia ni mke wa Profesa Mahalu ambaye kwa sasa anakabiliwa na tuhuma za kuhujumu uchumi kutokana na madai ya wizi wa zaidi ya shilingi bilioni tatu za Serikali wakati akiwa balozi wa Tanzania nchini Italia! Kanali Simbakalia ni Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Shirika la Maendeleo ya Taifa na Yusuf Mushi ni Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa kampuni binafsi ya Business Machines Consultants (T) Ltd;
  5. Gavana Balali aliruhusu na/au kuidhinisha na/au kunyamazia malipo ya shilingi 131,950,750,000 kwa watu wasiojulikana wanaodaiwa kuingiza fedha za kigeni nchini. Vile vile Gavana Balali anadaiwa kuidhinisha malipo ya shilingi bilioni 4,228,658,000 kwa watu wasiojulikana wanaodaiwa kuingiza fedha za kigeni nchini. “Katika mazingira haya”, inasema barua ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Mahesabu ya Serikali, “hatukuridhika na uhalali wa hasara ya shillingi bilioni 131.9 zinazoonekana katika taarifa za fedha hadi kufikia tarehe 30 Juni 2006….” Kwa mantiki hiyo, Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu aliiasa Benki Kuu kuanzisha uchunguzi wa malipo yaliyosababisha hasara ya shilingi 131,950,750,000 na shilingi 4,228,658,000 zilizolipwa kama malipo ya madeni ya nje. Waziri wa Fedha Zakia Meghji mwenyewe amekiri kuwepo kwa matumizi mabaya ya fedha za umma katika akaunti za malipo ya madeni ya nje katika barua yake kwa Mkurugenzi wa Shirika la Fedha la Kimataifa (IMF). IMF yenyewe katika taarifa kwa vyombo vya habari ya tarehe 27 Juni 2007 imetamka kwamba “Serikali (ya Tanzania) imekwisha kusimamisha malipo kutoka akaunti hiyo hadi uchunguzi huo utakapokamilika.” Wakati Serikali ikitoa taarifa hizi kwa IMF imekataa kata kata kutoa taarifa hizi kwa umma wa Watanzania wala wawakilishi wao Bungeni.
A. WALIOSHIRIKI MOJA KWA MOJA KATIKA VITENDO VYA UFISADI

2. ANDREW J. CHENGE

Mheshimiwa Andrew Chenge ni Mbunge wa Bariadi Magharibi na Waziri wa Miundombinu katika Serikali ya sasa ya Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. Kabla ya hapo, Mheshimiwa Chenge alikuwa Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali kwa miaka yote kumi ya utawala wa Rais Benjamin W. Mkapa. Kwa wadhifa huo, Mheshimiwa Chenge ndiye alikuwa “mshauri wa Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano juu ya mambo ya sheria na … aliwajibika kutoa ushauri kwa Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano kuhusu mambo yote ya kisheria, na kutekeleza shughuli nyinginezo zozote zenye asili ya au kuhusiana na sheria….”[6] Katika kipindi hicho cha miaka kumi na mbili, Mheshimiwa Chenge amehujumu taifa la Tanzania kama ifuatavyo:
  1. Kama Mkurugenzi katika kampuni ya kigeni ya Tangold Limited alishiriki na/au kufaidika na malipo haramu ya dola za Marekani 13,736,628.73 ambazo zimeelezewa kwa kirefu katika sehemu inayomhusu Gavana Balali;
  2. Kama Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, Mheshimiwa Chenge ameshiriki kuishauri vibaya na/au kutokuishauri vizuri Benki Kuu ya Tanzania na kusababisha ufujaji wa mabilioni ya fedha za umma ambayo yameelezewa katika sehemu inayomhusu Gavana Balali;
  3. Kama Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, Mheshimiwa Chenge ameshiriki moja kwa moja katika kutoa ushauri kwa Serikali na/au Wizara ya Nishati na Madini kuingia mikataba mibovu na makampuni mbali mbali ya madini ya kimataifa ambayo kwayo taifa limepoteza mabilioni ya fedha za kigeni. Kwa mfano, katika hotuba yake Bungeni tarehe 6 Novemba 2006, aliyekuwa Naibu Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Mheshimiwa Bernard Membe alitoa taarifa kwamba katika kipindi cha miaka mitatu hadi kufikia 2006, makampuni ya uchimbaji dhahabu yaliyoko Tanzania yaliuza dhahabu yenye thamani ya shilingi bilioni 2,340 wakati ambapo makampuni hayo yalilipa mrahaba na kodi nyinginezo kwa Serikali za shilingi bilioni 72. Katika kikao cha Bunge la Bajeti la mwaka huu, Naibu Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Mheshimiwa William Ngeleja aliliambia Bunge kwamba katika kipindi cha kuanzia mwaka 1998 Mgodi wa kwanza wa dhahabu wa Lusu Nzega ulipofunguliwa hadi mwaka huu, makampuni ya uchimbaji dhahabu yaliuza nje dhahabu yenye thamani ya dola za Marekani bilioni 2.614 wakati Serikali ikiambulia mrahaba wa dola milioni 78 tu! Endapo Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali Chenge angeishauri vema Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano kama alivyotakiwa na Katiba ya nchi yetu, taifa lisingekuwa linapoteza utajiri wake wa madini kwa kiasi kikubwa namna hii.

3. BASIL P. MRAMBA

Mheshimiwa Basil Mramba ni Mbunge wa muda mrefu wa Jimbo la Rombo na Waziri wa Viwanda na Biashara na kwa miaka kumi ya utawala wa Rais Mkapa alikuwa ndiye Waziri wa Fedha. Katika kipindi hicho cha miaka kumi, Mheshimiwa Mramba amehujumu taifa la Tanzania kama ifuatavyo:
  1. Kwa kutumia wadhifa wake kama Waziri wa Fedha, alishinikiza kampuni ya Alex Stewart (Assayers) Government Business Corporation ya Washington DC, Marekani kupewa kazi ya kukagua mahesabu ya makampuni ya uchimbaji dhahabu. Chini ya mkataba wake na Serikali ya Tanzania, Kampuni hiyo inalipwa asilimia 1.9 katika ya asilimia 3 za mrahaba inaolipwa Serikali ya Tanzania na makampuni ya madini ya dhahabu. Kufuatana na barua ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu, katika mwaka wa fedha 2005/06, Alex Stewart (Assayers) walilipwa shilingi 14,175,753,189.46 kama malipo ya ukaguzi wa mahesabu ya makampuni ya dhahabu, ijapokuwa “hakuna ripoti za ukaguzi zilizowasilishwa na wakaguzi hawa kuhusu ukaguzi uliofanywa katika mwaka 2005/06”! Vile vile Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu alisema katika barua yake kwamba “hakuna ushahidi wowote wa kuthibitisha kwamba wakaguzi hawa wa dhahabu walipatikana kwa kufuata utaratibu wa zabuni ya ushindani.”
  2. Vile vile kuna taarifa za kuwepo kwa rushwa na/au ufisadi mkubwa kuhusiana na mkataba kati ya Serikali na Alex Stewart Assayers. Barua pepe iliyoandikwa na Erwin Flores ambaye ni Makamu wa Rais Mtendaji wa kampuni hiyo ya Novemba 14, 2006 inamtaja mtu mmoja mwenye jina la Bwana Basil ambaye ana wadhifa wa Waziri katika serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano na kuwa yeye pamoja na wenzake ambao hawakutajwa wana asilimia 12.5 za hisa kwenye kampuni hiyo na kuwa analipwa na kampuni hiyo. Kwa mujibu wa Flores, hakuwezi kukawa na ushahidi wowote kuthibitisha kwamba ‘Bwana Basil’ anapokea malipo kutoka kwa Alex Stewart kwa vile malipo yote kwake yamekuwa yakifanyika nje ya nchi. Kwa kadri tunavyofahamu, mtu pekee aliyekuwa waziri katika serikali ya Awamu ya Tatu na ambaye pia ni waziri katika Serikali ya Awamu ya Nne na ambaye ana jina la ‘Basil’ ni Mheshimiwa Basil Pesambili Mramba. Tumemtaka Waziri wa Fedha kutupatia nakala ya Mkataba kati ya Benki Kuu na Alex Stewart, na kuwataka Mheshimiwa Basil Mramba na Erwin Flores walete maelezo yao kwetu kwa mujibu wa Sheria ya Mamlaka, Haki na Kinga za Bunge ya mwaka 1988 kwa barua yetu ya tarehe 18 Julai 2007 ili waweze kujibu tuhuma hizi. Bado tunasubiri majibu hayo.
  3. Mheshimiwa Mramba amehusishwa pia na ufujaji na/au matumizi mabaya ya fedha za umma na uuzaji holela wa rasilmali za taifa letu. Kashfa hizo ni pamoja ni ununuzi wa rada ya kijeshi, ununuzi wa ndege ya Rais, na ubinafsishaji wa Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara (NBC) na National Microfinance Bank (NMB).

4. GRAY S. MGONJA

Bwana Gray Mgonja ni Katibu Mkuu wa siku nyingi wa Wizara ya Fedha. Vile vile ni Mkurugenzi wa Benki Kuu ya Tanzania na anashikilia nafasi ya ukurugenzi katika kampuni ya kigeni ya Tangold Limited ambayo maelezo yake tumeyatoa kuhusiana na ufisadi unaomhusu Gavana Balali na Andrew Chenge. Kwa kuzingatia nafasi yake kama Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Fedha, Mkurugenzi katika Benki Kuu na vile vile Mkurugenzi katika Tangold Ltd. iliyolipwa mabilioni ya fedha za umma katika mazingira yenye utata mkubwa, ni wazi kwamba kumekuwepo mgongano mkubwa wa kimaslahi unaomhusu Bwana Mgonja.

5. PATRICK W.R. RUTABANZIBWA

Kwa miaka mingi Patrick Rutabanzibwa alikuwa Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Nishati na Madini wakati mikataba mibovu ya madini inasainiwa na kashfa kubwa ya IPTL inatokea. Kwa sasa Bwana Rutabanzibwa ni Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Maji na vile vile Mkurugenzi wa kampuni ya kigeni ya Tangold Limited. Ufisadi unaomhusu umeelezewa kwa kina katika maelezo yanayomhusu Gavana Balali na Andrew Chenge. Hapa pia kuna mgongano mkubwa kati maslahi yake binafsi kama Mkurugenzi wa kampuni binafsi iliyopokea mabilioni ya fedha za umma na maslahi ya umma aliyotakiwa kuyalinda akiwa kama kiongozi wa umma

6. NIMROD ELIREHEMA MKONO

Mheshimiwa Nimrod E. Mkono ni Mbunge wa Jimbo la Musoma Vijiji na Mshiriki Mkuu wa kampuni ya mawakili ya Mkono & Company Advocates ya Dar es Salaam. Barua ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Mahesabu ya Serikali inaainisha kuwa Benki Kuu imekuwa ikilipa malipo makubwa kwa Mkono & Co. Advocates hasa yale yanayohusu kesi ya Valambhia ambapo Benki Kuu inadaiwa jumla ya shilingi bilioni 60. Kwa mujibu wa barua ya wakaguzi tayari Mkono & Co. Advocates wamekwishalipwa shilingi 8,128,375,237 kwa fedha taslimu kwa kesi hiyo ambayo bado iko mahakamani. Malipo haya ni sawa na asilimia 13.5 ya deni lote inalodaiwa Benki Kuu. Hoja ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu ni kuwa kesi hii haina muda maalumu wa kumalizika na hivyo inawezekana kabisa malipo ya wanasheria yakazidi kiasi cha fedha inachodaiwa Benki Kuu.
Lakini hoja nyingine ya kimsingi ni kama malipo haya kwa mawakili yanaruhusiwa chini ya Kanuni za Malipo ya Mawakili na Uamuzi ya Gharama za Kesi za mwaka 1991, Tangazo la Serikali Na. 515 la mwaka 1991 (Advocates’ Remuneration and Taxation of Costs Rules, 1991). Kanuni hizi zimeweka kiwango cha malipo ya mawakili katika kesi ambazo fedha inayodaiwa ni zaidi ya Shilingi milioni 10 kuwa ni asilimia tatu. Kwa kufuata masharti ya sheria hii ya malipo ya mawakili, kampuni ya Mkono & Co. Advocates ilipaswa kulipwa Shilingi bilioni 1.8.
Kampuni ya mawakili ya Mkono & Co. Advocates imekuwa ikitajwa kuhusiana na kashfa kubwa za ufujaji na/au ubadhirifu wa fedha za umma kwa muda mrefu. Kwa mfano, ‘Taarifa ya Uchunguzi Kuhusu Tuhuma Dhidi ya Makampuni ya Tanfarms Ltd., Makinyumbi Estates Ltd., Centrepoint Investments Ltd., na Arusha Farms Ltd. Yanayomilikiwa na V.G. Chavda Kuhusiana na Matumizi Mabaya ya Fedha za Debt Conversion Programme’ iliyotolewa Bungeni na aliyekuwa Mwenyekiti wa Kamati Ndogo ya Kamati ya Bunge ya Fedha na Uchumi, Mheshimiwa Edward Oyombe Ayila mwezi Novemba 1994 ilisema yafuatayo kuhusu Mheshimiwa Nimrod Mkono: “Mhe. Spika si nia yangu kulichosha Bunge lako tukufu na hotuba ndefu lakini ni vizuri nikaelezea juu ya uhusiano unaotia mashaka kati ya V.G. Chavda na Mashamba yake na Subash Patel mwenye makampuni ya DECO ART, MM Motors, MM Garage, Hotel Sea Cliff, City Bureau De Change na Nimrod Mkono, Wakili wa kujitegemea ambaye pia ni Mkurugenzi katika makampuni ya AZANIA AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES, LIBERTY LEATHER SHOE LTD., AZANIA EXIMCO, n.k. (AIMS GROUP OF COMPANIES)
Baada ya kuelezea uhusiano huo ulivyokuwa Mheshimiwa Ayila alimalizia kwa kusema yafuatayo: “Mheshimiwa Spika, ni vigumu kabisa katika hali ya kawaida kwa mtu yeyote kuamini kwamba makubaliano haya na uhusiano uliojitokeza hapa haukuwa wa hila. Chavda kwa kupitia wakili wake Nimrod Mkono, aliomba Mahakama Kuu kuzuia kabisa shughuli za Kamati (permanent injunction). Aidha ni wakili huyo huyo ambaye ameshuhudia uuzaji wa deni la Deco Art (reassignment) kwa Chavda. Mheshimiwa Spika, hali hii ukiitazama kwa undani utaona kwamba pengine kuna kitu kinafichwa. Nimrod Mkono alikuwa Mkurugenzi Mkazi wa Kampuni ya Oxford Services Ltd. na pia anamiliki Kampuni ya Marcus Ltd., makampuni ambayo kwa pamoja yamefaidika kwa kuupata jumla ya Shs. 4,477,870,279.61 chini ya utaratibu wa DCP.”

7. NAZIR KARAMAGI

8. ROSTAM AZZIZ

9. EDWARD LOWASSA

10. BENJAMIN WILLIAM MKAPA

Benjamin William Mkapa alikuwa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kuanzia mwaka 1995 hadi 2005 alipomaliza kipindi chake cha pili. Ufisadi wote ulioelezewa katika waraka huu ulitokea wakati wa utawala wa Rais Mkapa na anawajibika nao moja kwa moja ama kwa kuubariki au kwa kuunyamazia. Zaidi ya hayo, kuna ushahidi unaoonyesha kwamba wakati akiwa madarakani Rais Mkapa alishiriki moja kwa moja au kwa kutumia ndugu na/au washirika wa karibu wa familia yake katika ufisadi mkubwa na uliolipotezea taifa fedha nyingi. Kwa mfano, wakati akiwa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano, Mkapa alitumia wadhifa huo kuhakikisha kwamba kampuni iitwayo Tanpower Resources Limited inamilikishwa asilimia 85 ya hisa za kampuni ya Kiwira Coal Mines Ltd. inayochimba mkaa wa mawe huko Kiwira Mkoani Mbeya. Hisa zilizobaki asilimia 15 zinamilikiwa na Serikali. Tanpower Resources Ltd. ni kampuni iliyoanzishwa kwa ajili ya kuinuifaisha familia ya Rais Mkapa na washirika wake wa karibu. Taarifa za BRELA zinazonyesha kwamba wakurugenzi wa Tanpower Resources Ltd. ni Anna Mkapa, mkewe Rais Mkapa, Nicholas Mkapa, mtoto wa Rais, Bwana Joseph Mbuna, wakili wa kujitegemea na baba mkwe wa Nicholas Mkapa, Daniel Yona, Waziri wa Nishati na Madini wakati wa utawala wa Rais na bwana Joesph Mapundi. Baada ya Tanpower Resources Ltd. kutwaa umiliki wa Kiwira Coal Mines Ltd. kwa nguvu za Ikulu ya Rais Mkapa, iliingia mkataba na Shirika la Ugavi wa Umeme nchini TANESCO wa kujenga mtambo wa kuzalisha umeme kwa kutumia mkaa wa mawe na kuiuzia umeme TANESCO. Mkataba huo utainufaisha kampuni ya Kiwira Coal Mines Ltd., na kwa hiyo Rais Mkapa, familia na washirika wake wa karibu kwa kiasi cha dola za Marekani milioni 271 kwa wakati wote wa mkataba

11. RAIS JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE

Rais Jakaya Kikwete amekuwa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kuanzia Desemba 2005. Kabla ya kuwa Rais, Mheshimiwa Kikwete alikuwa Waziri wa Mambo Nje na Uhusiano wa Kimataifa kuanzia 1995 hadi 2005, Waziri wa Fedha 1994 hadi 1995 na Waziri wa Maji, Nishati na Madini kuanzia mwaka 1990 hadi 1994. Kama Waziri wa Maji, Nishati na Madini, Mheshimiwa Kikwete alishiriki moja kwa moja katika kusaini mikataba mibovu ya madini na makampuni ya madini ya kimataifa ambayo kwayo taifa limeendelea kupoteza utajiri mkubwa na kuinyima Serikali uwezo wa kifedha wa kuhudumia wananchi. Kwa mfano, mnamo tarehe 10 Aprili 1990, Major Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete aliingia mkataba wa madini ya kampuni ya SAMAX Limited ambapo kampuni hiyo ilipewa leseni ya kuchimba dhahabu katika eneo la Lusu, Wilayani Nzega Mkoa wa Tabora. Matokeo ya mkataba huo, maelfu wa wachimbaji wadogo wadogo wa dhahabu waliokuwa eneo hilo waliondolewa kwa nguvu na vikosi vya FFU na bila ya kulipwa fidia yoyote. Hadi leo wananchi hao hawajalipwa fidia yoyote licha ya miaka zaidi ya kumi ya kufuatilia haki zao. Baada ya kutwaa utajiri wa dhahabu wa eneo hilo, SAMAX Limited iliuza eneo hilo kwa kampuni ya Ashanti Goldfields ya Ghana kwa dola za Marekani milioni 253. Ashanti Goldfields nao wakauza eneo kwa kampuni ya Resolute Limited ya Australia kwa kiasi kisichojulikana cha fedha za kigeni. Resolute Limited ndio waliojenga na wanamiliki Mgodi wa Dhahabu wa Golden Pride ulioko eneo la Lusu, Nzega hadi sasa na ambao ulifunguliwa mwezi Novemba 1998.
Mnamo tarehe 5 Agosti 1994 Luteni Kanali Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete aliingia tena mkataba na kampuni ya madini Kahama Mining Corporation Ltd., kampuni tanzu ya kampuni ya Sutton Resources ya Canada. Ijapokuwa mkataba huu unaonyesha wazi kwamba ulikuwa unahusu eneo la Butobela Wilaya ya Geita Mkoani Mwanza, mwezi Agosti mwaka 1996 Kahama Mining Corporation wakisaidiwa na vikosi vya FFU walivamia eneo la Bulyanhulu, Wilaya ya Kahama Mkoani Shinyanga na kuwaondosha kwa nguvu watu takriban laki nne waliokuwa wakiishi na kuchimba dhahabu katika eneo hilo. Baada ya kutwaa eneo hilo kwa nguvu za kijeshi, Sutton Resources iliiuza Kahama Mining Corporation na Bulyanhulu kwa Kampuni ya Dhahabu ya Barrick Gold Corporation ya Toronto, Canada kwa dola za Marekani milioni 280. Leo hii Bulyanhulu ni moja ya migodi tajiri kwa dhahabu katika Bara la Afrika

Saturday, September 23, 2017

ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN TANZANIA: POLICE INTELLECTS IN TANZANIA: AN EYE TO THE CRITI...

ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN TANZANIA: POLICE INTELLECTS IN TANZANIA: AN EYE TO THE CRITI...: INTRODUCTION Safety in favor of the independent mind in Tanzania is in the brink, it has disappeared. Lives had been lost and individuals ...

POLICE INTELLECTS IN TANZANIA: AN EYE TO THE CRITICS ONLY

INTRODUCTION Safety in favor of the independent mind in Tanzania is in the brink, it has disappeared. Lives had been lost and individuals had disappeared forcefully and neither murder nor enforced disappearance or assassination attempt has been or are going to be prudently investigated or its report put in public and bring the responsible perpetrators into into account. The murder, assassination attempt and disappearance happens in peacetime, when one would expect the rule of law to triumph and to see law enforcers earn their money by doing their job honestly. The citizens would expect to be entitled to know how and why our colleagues were killed, disappeared and assassinated, who has been or will be held liable for their deaths, attempt assassination and disappearance and to what extent those tragedies were connected with the victims’ views about the issues encountered by our nation for the recent years. Since the ascendance of power of Magufuli, there has been a rise in repression with disappearance of these who criticized his PhD status, opposition meetings banned, newspapers shut down and journalists, artists threatened for criticizing his administration and now gun attack against the most dependable lawmaker in the state capital become the recent alternative to shut down criticism on the growing authoritarianism. BEN FOCUS RABIU WA SAANANE Take the example of the abduction and enforced disappearance of BEN RABIU FOCUS WA SAA NANE, whose name is on the victims’ list and whose disappearance was mourned by the entire nation. Yet, after almost one years that we count his absence, the enforcement machinery reached nowhere to bring the perpetrators of the heinous act into books. There is something apparent, the disappearance has lot to do with his activism and analysis that almost catched public opinion from thousands of Tanzania of all cadres and walks of lives in regards to Magufuli personal Academic certificate authenticity (PhD ya Korosho as Ben simply put it). Almost two month before the disappearance, Ben was active on social media criticizing the modalities from which, Magufuli PhD was attained. While Ben pat back the scrutiny of the academic certificate initiated by Magufuli himself, he was of different opinion and straightforward, all public workers and leaders of all walks of life Magufuli inclusive must be subject to the scrutiny. Less than five days before the report of his disappearance, Ben posted the threats to his life levied against him for publicly criticizing the president academic career. Through his facebook account he made it public that, his life are in danger, and posted one of these sms threatening him, he also reported the threat to the police. The police did nothing and as of now, the IGP is of the opinion that, they expect the well wishers to provide crucial information to get them trap these responsible. They are resting, waiting the well wishers to avail the information. TUNDU LISSU ATTEMPT ASSASSINATION IN THE STATE CAPITAL The lawmaker, the most fierce critics of the Magufuli government, Tundu Lissu, has had a series of face-offs with the government before the shocking assassination attempt. Lissu has been arrested at least seven times within eghth month of 2017, accused of insulting the president and disturbing public order, among other charges. Lissu accused Magufuli of building "a system based on favoritism, nepotism, tribalism and regionalism." For these opinion he faces a "hate speech" charge for his "insulting words that are likely to incite ethnic hatred,". At times, Lissu accuses and criticised Magufuli for creating "climate of fear which reigns everywhere." His most recent arrest before the gunshot were in July, charged with hate speech after calling Magufuli a "dictator" and in August after revealing that a plane bought for the national carrier had been impounded in Canada over unpaid government debts. The police intellects perceived his press release on the Bombardier scandal as an incitement and seditious that deserve him to be behind bars. Lissu statement was subsequently approved by the government spokesperson one day after but accused to have been liaising with the purported enemies of the state. Something of crucial imperative is that, in the same press that Lissu talked about bombardier, he publicly accused persons send by IGP SIRRO and the head of State intelligence unit Mr Kipilimba to have been hunting him everywhere including holly places as in churches for almost more than three weeks. This was more or less three weeks before the shocking attack which suggest, the lawmaker for more than six weeks was running against his assailants baptized by the law enforcement as “unknown people (watu wasiojulikana)”. Prior to gunshot attack, president Magufuli himself said it in public these turning hostile against the (hopeless) movement he initiated, police knows how to deal with them, “you will not survive”. After the information become viral that the Lawmaker was attacked by gunmen but alive, Magufuli purportedly condemned the shooting and ordered the country’s security forces to investigate the incident. Magufuli statement on tweeter said “I have been saddened by reports of the shooting of Hon. Tundu Lissu. I pray for his quick recovery,” “Law enforcement agencies should hunt down all those involved in this barbaric act and bring them to justice.” This statement remind the 1991 statement issued by the then president of Kenya Arap Moi on the disappearance of the foreign minister Robert Ouko Nothing was heard thereafter from him about the incidence but these below him in the executive and the titular leaders of the other arms of the government either tried to delay serious attempt to rescue his life or come in public to condemn the call for the independent probe on this heinous conspiracy, unfortunately, the Country CJ joined the crusade to interrupt any international probe that had been called in regards to the attack. The same CJ almost one week before the gunshot attack, issued the statement that, these who will join the Law society president on the strike call upon the bombing of the IMMA Advocates will be haul over the coals. Any sane person must have seen the CJ comment as injudicious, imprudent and unexpected to be uttered from the mere judicial officer leave alone the CJ. Giving regards to the circumstance of the attack and the subsequent contact of the entities accused by the lawmaker before the foreseeable attack, one may easily approve the CHADEMA's vice president Abdallah Safari who said the "only inference for ordinary Tanzanians is that the police and the government are involved in this attempted assassination". By all sense of possibilities, the law enforcement with President John Magufuli personally keen consultation played a role in the gun attack that wounded an outspoken politician, the chief legal advisor of the main opossitional party, the most reputable lawmaker in the history of the country, the chief whip of official opposition, the president of the law society, a fierce critic of President John Magufuli’s government and one of the most eminent lawyer and activist in the country. The subsequent demeanor of the titular leaders of the government arms is suggestive, all arm of the government seems were involved in the heinous conspiracy that tested the life of Law Society president. What is unknown is who was holding a gun and shoot but who send them they are very much known and it’s the government high official approved by Magufuli personally. Other incidences THE ATTACK ON IMMA ADVOCATES MURDERS NOT PROBED i. THE MURDER OF ALPHONCE MAWAZO ii. DR MVUNGI iii. PROF MWAIKUSA iv. MWANDISHI GAZETI LA RAI DAUDI MWANGOSI THE ATTACK OF OTHER CRITICS i. ULIMBOKA ii. ABSALOM KIBAMBA CHARGES AND INTEROGATION OF HUMAN RIGHT DEFENDERS i. Onesmo Olengurumwa

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Tanzania: Opposition MP Tundu Lissu wounded by gunmen

Top opposition figure suffers multiple gunshot wounds by unknown attackers at his residence in Dodoma city. The motive of the shooting was unclear [File: AFP] A prominent opposition member of parliament in Tanzania has been shot and "seriously wounded" by unknown attackers at his residence in the administrative capital, Dodoma, according to officials. Tundu Lissu, 49, underwent emergency surgery after being shot in the abdomen on Thursday. James Kiologwe, a doctor at Dodoma regional hospital, said he was in stable condition. "Lissu has suffered multiple gunshot wounds," Tumaini Makene, spokesman for the main opposition CHADEMA party, said shortly after the incident. "We strongly condemn this attack and are closely monitoring his condition." Mwigulu Nchemba, Tanzania's home affairs minister, confirmed the incident and Lissu's condition, adding that the government would issue a statement after receiving a medical report. The motive of the shooting was unclear. Gilles Muroto, regional police commander, said an investigation was under way. "We are asking fellow citizens with information to help us," he said, adding that initial enquiries were focusing on a car believed to had followed Lissu to his home. Fierce critic Human rights groups condemned the shooting as a "cowardly attack". "This cowardly attack on one of Tanzania's most fearless and prominent politicians raises concerns about the safety of all dissident voices in the country, at a time when space for dissent is quickly shrinking," said Sarah Jackson, of Amnesty International. "This heinous crime must not be swept under the carpet ... The authorities must take steps to reassure Tanzanians and the world that his shooting was not politically motivated." Lissu, a fierce critic of President John Magufuli and his government, is the president of the Tanganyika Law Society. He has previously been arrested by police on several occasions and charged with incitement. In July, he was arrested and later released after having called Magufuli a "dictator" over alleged attacks on the opposition and the media.

Magufuli central critic, Opposition lawmaker Tundu Lissu shot, wounded in Tanzania: Party

Tanzanian opposition lawmaker Tundu Lissu, a fierce critic of President John Magufuli's government, was shot and wounded by unknown assailants at his residence in the administrative capital Dodoma on Thursday, his party said. "Lissu has suffered multiple gunshot wounds and is being treated at the main public hospital in Dodoma," Tumaini Makene, spokesman for the main opposition CHADEMA party, said. CHADEMA said in a separate statement the incident took place at his Dodoma residence on Thursday afternoon. "We strongly condemn this attack and are closely monitoring his condition," the statement said. Lissu, who is also the president of the Tanganyika Law Society and opposition chief whip in parliament, has previously been arrested by police on several occasions and charged with incitement. He was arrested in July and later released after having called Magufuli a "dictator". The motive of the shooting is unclear. Tanzania police's spokesman was not immediately available for comment.