Mkapa’s saga: Here is plan ‘B’

Recent news of the seizure of properties and money worth over $ 60,000,000 from former Zambian rulers cannot pass without being echoed and commended altogether.

This May 2008 saw one big jump in fighting corruption in Africa. In the neighbouring country of Zambia, it was reported, the authorities succeeded to nab and forfeit mammoth amount of public money stolen and stashed by former rulers-cum-looters led by former president Fredrick Chiluba.

It’s surreal especially when one remembers how Chiluba was exulted to power by the voice of the mass that he turned against! This noble deed has been reached at while Tanzania is buffeted by big scandals involving big shots led by former president Benjamin Mkapa.

Due to the size and weight of our culprits, especially former head of state, his wife, son, daughter-in law and friend, there have been conflicting views on what to be done.

On the one hand there are those saying our constitution provides immunity to the former president. To these Mkapa’s sins are a political matter thus trumped up on!

On the other hand there are those who oppose this stance and take it as misconstruing and abuse of the constitution, and even the immunity.

Now that a commonwealth country, like ours, has decided to take a bull by its horns, what else are we waiting for? If Chiluba whose imbroglio was not enhanced by any open known wrong doing save the revelations by his former wife, can face such music, what of our former president whose involvements in grafts can be clearly and openly adumbrate? Refer to illegal take over of Kiwira Coal Mine, among other many other stinking scams.

I have never read anywhere showing Chiluba signing bogus investment contracts just like ours. His was rat-like stealing by accumulating. This, however, does not exonerate Chiluba. But if graft committed in Zambia and Tanzania is compared, chances are Mkapa can score higher marks of being corrupt than Chiluba.

When Levy Mwanawasa, handpicked and thought to be Chiluba’s stooge exulted to power, many thought: he would protect his predecessor. Chiluba too, thought he would rule by proxy. What a mistake!

Kikwete was not handpicked by Mkapa unless this was done behind the curtains. If Mwanawasa- who was picked by Chiluba- would stand by the people instead of his mentor, why should Kikwete stand by Mkapa against the people?

I remember Kikwete saying: his government is not like a shared business. He meant it. He has no proscriptions of dealing with anybody. So he would act without any string attached on him. Is this so theoretical or practical? How he will deal with Mkapa clearly tells what he truly meant. His seriousness, courage and comportment are the only things Tanzanians ask for at this trying time.

Kikwete has all guts and reasons -shall he wish- to stand by the people who voted him save that there are those saying one thing hampers him. It is the mess resulting from his own government that has been dogged by many scandals in the period of the short time it has been in power. Kikwete needs to do something to thwart this presumption and assumption.

In Malawi chances are one day former president, Bakili Muluzi, will face the consequences just like Chiluba. Handpicked Bingu wa Mutharika has already shown his clouts and love to the nation by standing by the people as opposed to his mentor. This also tosses a challenge to Kikwete whose ascendancy to power was geared by his popularity though then.

Now that Tanzanian authorities have been playing ping-pong as far as dealing with Mkapa is concerned, shall it not heed the voices of the people, the people might decide to seek other means to see to it that justice is done.

During the ’apartheid America’ in 60s when African-Americans were segregated in their own country almost in every walk of life, National Association for Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) did not barge. It took the challenge before the court where the unthinkable was achieved. For the pillar of racism in Jim Crow- the law affirming racism, was quashed by the court. And this became the genesis of struggles that saw African-American emancipated.

I am thinking of registering a firm that will look into this.

Therefore, the hoi polloi who in essence are the losers in this brain game, can organize themselves and sue Mkapa if the government does not want to do so. Or it can take a bi-approach of taking to streets.

The recent episode where some youths were arrested after jeering Mkapa can tell the people the long way to go ahead of us. I recently read news when the Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda was saying: they will protect Mkapa to see to it he is not degraded. Well done. Mkapa deserves that. But what of the citizenry the authorities are ignoring and arresting? Is it the same myth that when you shout thief! Thief! in Tanzania you’re arrested in lieu of the actual thief?

If this is so, then where are we being driven to? Again Pinda’s words send mixed signals on where his stand his in this. Mkapa has money on top of power. Why doesn’t the government let him make and defend his case? I think the government is vested with the power to serve the people who entrusted power to it instead of individuals even if they were once head of the state.

This way fighting corruption looks like a mockery, especially when a common man is punished for enjoying his constitutional rights such as jeering and demonstrating. What the youths did was an eye-opener for the government had it been responsible and reasonable. Where should they air their views and before whom if the government is acting as a ’bouncer’ for Mkapa

My indelible question has always been, Mkapa has immunity. What of his wife, son, daughter-in law, friend and other associates? Let us face it point blank. Mr. Government stop self deception. We need Mkapa before the court. For it is its constitutional preserve. Why don’t you stop being a prosecutor, witness, juror and above all conspirator?


Source: Thisday May 15, 2008.