CCM, CUF fire shots

Dar es Salaam. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and opposition Civic Union Front (CUF) yesterday traded blames over recent chaos which dominated swearing-in ceremonies of local government leaders in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, among other regions.

While CCM point an accusing finger to the opposition parties namely CUF and Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), CUF blamed the government and the ruling party for fuelling chaos and wanted the minister of State responsible for Regional Administration and Local Governments, Ms Hawa Ghasia, to resign.

Addressing a press conference, the CCM Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Mr Nape Nnauye, the chaos caused injuries to some of the leaders elected last month. He said for instance that in Mwanza Mr Christopher Mgeta from Ibungilo Street and Mr Pascal Charles from Kitangiri A street in Ilemela District were beaten injured during swearing in ceremony.

In Dar es Salaam, Mr Nnauye noted, Mr Sultan Jeta of Ukwamani in Kawe constituent was roughed by the opposition parties supporters while at Msisiri A street in mwananyamala ward, Kinodnoni District Mr Juma Mbena had is hand brocken in similar situation.

But speaking with reporters in a separate conference held at CUF headquarters, the Deputy Secretary General (Mainland) Ms Magdalena Sakaya said that the government had its hand in the chaos. He said the government did was it did in favour of the ruling CCM.

“Ruling party has used the government to push for changing of results which were previously announced by the Returning Officers,” she said adding that this went hand in hand with forcing the swearing-in of the local leaders who did not win.

She detailed that this was done using people under Ms Ghasia docket to push for what the CCM wanted, which is putting its candidates in the winners list.

“There are vivid examples that this thing was planned, how come a person who was defeated appear for swearing-in ceremony? Above that the person has all the needy documents proving that he/she is the winner,” queried Ms Sakaya.

She mentioned some of the streets which their election were postponed but there were people (from the leading party) appeared for swearing-in ceremony as Mwinyimkuu street at Mzimuni Ward, Kinondoni area, Ukwamani at Kawe Ward also in Kinondoni District.

In Ilala District the streets which were involved include Kiwalani Street at Migombani Ward, Kigogo Resh at Gongolamboto ward and Malapa Street at Buguruni Ward.

According to Ms Sakaya, if the Minister will not step down, CUF will convince other Ukawa members so that they (during the coming Parliamentary seating to start at the end of this Month) will convince them to vote for no confidence of upon the Minister.

The Citizen efforts to get a response form Ms Ghasia ended in futile as she did not pick her phone when called; later she was sent an SMS which she did not respond to.