Kigoma North MP, Zitto Kabwe, yesterday named the Minister for Home Affairs, Lawrence Masha, as the one who presented the proposal on how to ruin the business muscle of IPP`s Executive Chairman, Mr Reginald Mengi, at a high ranking meeting involving a number of senior cabinet ministers.
Talking to The Guardian on Sunday yesterday, Zitto said he had evidence to the effect that Masha tabled the suggestion that Mengi`s media outlets were in the forefront of fighting corruption, which was giving the government a very hard time, hence strategies be put in place to bankrupt Mengi, and consequently weaken his media.
But, Minister Masha strongly denied the claims by the Kigoma North legislator, insisting that the latter should prove beyond reasonable doubt by submitting his evidence to the concerned authority.
Zitto said he had no agenda in supporting Mengi personally, but said he cannot keep quite when he witnesses efforts to punish a patriotic Tanzanian who has been in the forefront of fighting grand corruption because of his love for his people.
Furthermore, he said the media in the country has been doing a tremendous job of uncovering graft and fighting grand corruption, and therefore it is the duty of all patriotic Tanzanians to stand up for the media and press freedom.
Zitto declined to reveal the names of ministers who attended the meeting, saying he would do so when the right time comes, but insisted that the plot against Mengi was there.
He was speaking from Buchosa constituency where he had just held a public rally dubbed `Operation Sangara`, launched by Chadema last month to strengthen his party across the country.
The MP made it clear that he was ready for any legal actions, but insisted that Mr Masha was the author of the move to silence the IPP\'s Executive Chairman, adding that he had very clear evidence to prove his claims.
He also challenged the minister to resign if proven beyond reasonable doubt that he was the man behind the ill-conceived plan to \'destroy\' Mr Mengi and his business empire.
Contacted yesterday about the claims by Kigoma North MP, Mr Masha said, ``I have no problem as long as he(Zitto) submits evidence to prove these serious allegations against me.``
``I don`t have a problem with Zitto`s words. However, I am asking that they all present evidence that I planned a secret move to fleece Mengi.
If they dont trust me, they can take their evidence to the President, or the Prime Minister or even call international media and present it to them. If proven, I will resign immediately,`` Masha said.
The minister clarified that the seven days ultimatum he had given Mengi to present the evidence, was actually aimed at protecting him, but wasn`t a threat as reported yesterday.
In another move, Chadema`s Director of Youth Affairs John Mnyika, while opening the party`s youth forum in Dar es Salaam yesterday, urged youths to stand firmly on the war against corruption without succumbing to threats such as the ones levelled against Mengi.
``In my view, Masha has overreacted by asking Mengi to present evidence within seven days. How come when Reverend Christopher Mtikila accused Mengi of being among the killers of late Chacha Wangwe, Masha didn`t say anything?
We are very surprised by Masha`s statement, we think he would have investigated before claims before making such statement, `` Mnyika said.
He reminded Chadema youths that it was their responsibility to fight for the truth on behalf of the society and that when they see one of the young leaders making a mistake, they should be in the forefront to correct him/her.
He insisted that the fight against corruption still requires a big push, for only 10 per cent has been tackled so far.