BAK
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 11, 2007
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...or will this be another form of Usanii? Let's wait and see
Corruption probe: No one will be spared, says JK
THISDAY REPORTER
Dar es Salaam
PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete has made his first public statement on the state of corruption in Tanzania since the infamous 'List of Shame' was released last month, declaring that no one will be spared in the ongoing investigations into widespread graft allegations.
The president has asserted that the government will probe each and every corruption allegation and take appropriate legal action against anyone implicated, regardless of his or her position or authority in government.
According to a statement issued by State House in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Mr Kikwete made the remarks in Arusha on Tuesday night during a fund-raising event for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT).
He sought to answer critics of the government's effectiveness in fighting high-level corruption, saying the government could not rush into taking action before investigations are concluded.
The president said it was wrong to convict someone of corruption based on mere allegations, without investigating such allegations and prosecuting the suspects before a court of law.
''Even the PCCB (Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau) cannot pass judgment on suspects arrested on corruption allegations,'' he stated.
In a veiled attack on opposition leaders, he criticised 'some politicians' for spreading allegations of corruption against other people and branding them criminals despite the presence of proper law enforcement agencies to investigate such allegations.
''There is no law of the jungle here. Ours is a country that treasures the principles of rule of law and good governance,'' Mr Kikwete said.
He added: ''Let's not reach a situation where we will all become detectives, arresting officers, prosecutors and judges all rolled into one. For the sake of national unity, let's not go there.''
The president reiterated that the PCCB and other law enforcement organs, have been directed to conduct thorough investigations on the corruption allegations and were doing so within specified legal limits.
Mr Kikwete, who is also Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) national chairman, said he had also ordered the PCCB to crack down on corruption within the ruling party and other sections of society without fear or favour.
Earlier, Bishop Thomas Laiser of the Lutheran Church saluted the president and his government for their resolve in fighting corruption in the country.
The president's remarks on corruption come against the backdrop of a national debate over the 'List of Shame' unveiled by opposition Member of Parliament Dr Wilbrod Slaa, that links some prominent public leaders with corruption allegations.
Some of those named in the list, including Energy and Minerals Minister Nazir Karamagi, Treasury Permanent Secretary Gray Mgonja and Water Ministry PS Patrick Rutabanzibwa, have already made public statements to defend themselves against the allegations.
Corruption probe: No one will be spared, says JK
THISDAY REPORTER
Dar es Salaam
PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete has made his first public statement on the state of corruption in Tanzania since the infamous 'List of Shame' was released last month, declaring that no one will be spared in the ongoing investigations into widespread graft allegations.
The president has asserted that the government will probe each and every corruption allegation and take appropriate legal action against anyone implicated, regardless of his or her position or authority in government.
According to a statement issued by State House in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Mr Kikwete made the remarks in Arusha on Tuesday night during a fund-raising event for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT).
He sought to answer critics of the government's effectiveness in fighting high-level corruption, saying the government could not rush into taking action before investigations are concluded.
The president said it was wrong to convict someone of corruption based on mere allegations, without investigating such allegations and prosecuting the suspects before a court of law.
''Even the PCCB (Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau) cannot pass judgment on suspects arrested on corruption allegations,'' he stated.
In a veiled attack on opposition leaders, he criticised 'some politicians' for spreading allegations of corruption against other people and branding them criminals despite the presence of proper law enforcement agencies to investigate such allegations.
''There is no law of the jungle here. Ours is a country that treasures the principles of rule of law and good governance,'' Mr Kikwete said.
He added: ''Let's not reach a situation where we will all become detectives, arresting officers, prosecutors and judges all rolled into one. For the sake of national unity, let's not go there.''
The president reiterated that the PCCB and other law enforcement organs, have been directed to conduct thorough investigations on the corruption allegations and were doing so within specified legal limits.
Mr Kikwete, who is also Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) national chairman, said he had also ordered the PCCB to crack down on corruption within the ruling party and other sections of society without fear or favour.
Earlier, Bishop Thomas Laiser of the Lutheran Church saluted the president and his government for their resolve in fighting corruption in the country.
The president's remarks on corruption come against the backdrop of a national debate over the 'List of Shame' unveiled by opposition Member of Parliament Dr Wilbrod Slaa, that links some prominent public leaders with corruption allegations.
Some of those named in the list, including Energy and Minerals Minister Nazir Karamagi, Treasury Permanent Secretary Gray Mgonja and Water Ministry PS Patrick Rutabanzibwa, have already made public statements to defend themselves against the allegations.