CUF, CCM want IPTL scandal suspects axed

Both the ruling party and major opposition Civic United Front (CUF) are calling on all officials implicated in the Tegeta 306bn/- escrow account scandal to voluntarily resign before they are publicly kicked out of office.

Additionally, CUF wants all accounts that have so far received funds from the Tegeta escrow account frozen and also on the remaining amount in the escrow account.

Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday, CUF National Chairman Professor Ibrahim Lipumba advised the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau to start investigating all officials implicated in the scandal.

“For the investigation to be free and fair, first, the culprits should resign,” he said.

“In case they are directly linked, other procedures including dragging them to court will follow…it is important that PCCB takes action immediately before some of the culprits leave the country,” he urged.

In a related development, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has also called for ‘strict legal action’ on all persons implicated in the scandal.
CCM Ideology and Publicity secretary, Nape Nnauye, maintain that the party’s stance is, ‘everyone should carry his/her own cross and leave the party untainted and strong.’

Addressing a public rally yesterday at the Ilulu grounds in Lindi at the close of an eight day official visit of CCM’s Secretary General Abdulrahman Kinana to the region, he said ‘the party’s stance is that all those involved should leave the party.’

“Our party is strong and follows procedures when taking action against wrong doers within the party,” he added.

“We are dealing with all corruption scandals including the Tegeta escrow account…if you are trusted with a leadership position it is a must to adhere to leadership ethics and if one fails the party will take action against them,” he said.

In a related development, Methodist Bishop for the Dodoma Diocese, Joseph Bundala, proposed the death penalty or life imprisonment for all found guilty in the Tegeta escrow account scandal.

Speaking to The Guardian yesterday in the capital, the Bishop maintained that the country needs harsh laws ‘especially on public leaders who are sworn in by the President’ the cleric urged.

“They vowed to be at the service of the country in a trustworthy manner but they have gone against their vows by embezzling public funds for their own benefits while the wananchi are dying for lack of medicines,” the bishop decried.