Inachekesha kumwona Mkapa akijiweka katika position ya u-underdog.... It is really funny!!!
URL:
http://dailynews.habarileo.co.tz/home/index.php?id=4813
HARRIETH KIAMA in Masasi
Daily News; Tuesday,May 27, 2008 @08:29
RETIRED President Benjamin Mkapa has broken his silence over alleged abuse of power while in office, dismissing such allegations as false claims by people out to settle scores with him.
Addressing residents at his home village of Lupaso in Masasi district, Mtwara region, Mr Mkapa said over the weekend that those accusing him were the same people who came asking for favours from him during his tenure as president.
"Do not listen to their lies … there is no truth in the allegations but only hatred … mostly from people who thought I would have favoured -- but didn't," he said amid applause from the villagers.
Mr Mkapa made the address shortly after handing out various medical supplies for a health centre run by the Catholic Church at the village. He said that he was not wealthy -- as his detractors allege would have everyone believe -- and told people to ignore such malice.
The retired president has come under an ugly spotlight lately following allegations that he conducted private businesses while still at State House, citing the newly established Tanpower Company Limited that owns majority shares in the Kiwira Coal Mine in Mbeya region.
According to the allegations, Mr Mkapa formed the firm jointly with former Energy and Minerals minister Daniel Yona, expecting the firm would rake in some 140m/- in daily capacity charges from the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) once Kiwira started generating electricity.
There are also reports that he pushed for a 15-year extension of a contract on behalf of Messrs Tanzania International Containers Terminal Services (TICTS) before expiry of a previous contract – of ten years – that would have expired in 2010.
"I am not that financially well-off … although I know that you hear and read a lot about this … I live on my pension benefits from the government, as does my predecessor, (Mzee) Ali Hassan Mwinyi," Mr Mkapa told the gathering, stressing that he couldn't even afford the price of the equipment he was donating – because he wasn't that rich.
"I spent my family savings to transport the equipment from Canada to Dar es Salaam … the government helped me transport it to this village. Where would I get the money to buy such equipment?" he queried.
He also used the occasion to encourage the villagers to cultivate a culture of living healthy lives by building latrines, using them and checking their health status regularly.