TEC ‘powerless’ on Kilaini, Nzigilwa

Dar es Salaam. Only the Pope can determine the fate of two senior Catholic clergymen said to have received part of the Sh306 billion withdrawn from the Tegeta escrow account,  according to Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) vice president Severin Niwemugizi.

Speaking to The Citizen from Ngara yesterday, Bishop Niwemugizi dismissed reports that Methodius Kilaini and Eusebius Nzigilwa, the auxiliary bishops of Bukoba and Dar es Salaam, respectively, had been summoned for questioning. He added that TEC had not and would not  summon any religious leader for questioning over the matter.

“As a senior TEC leader, I can confirm that no one has been summoned for questioning so far and we don’t intend to do so.

“It’s only the Pope who has the authority to summon bishops....I wish to make it clear that there is no provision in the Roman Catholic system in this country that provides for the summoning of bishops for questioning.  TEC does not have such powers, which rest with the Vatican,” said Bishop Niwemugizi, who heads the Rulenge-Ngara Diocese.

Bishop Kilaini and Bishop Nzigilwa  received Sh80 million and Sh40 million, respectively, from Mr James Rugemalira, a former shareholder in Independent Power Tanzania Limited.  The money was transferred to the bishops’ accounts at Mkombozi Commercial Bank, which is operated by the Catholic Church.

Bishop Niwemugizi said the Vatican only launched disciplinary proceedings upon satisfying itself that a bishop had committed a serious transgression.

However, he could not say whether the Vatican had information about the two Tanzanian bishops.

“I don’t know if the Pope is aware of this matter.  As you are aware, I’m in Ngara and the Pope is in Rome,” he said. Bishop

Nzigilwa declined to comment on the matter after leading Christmas Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Dar es Salaam last Thursday.

“We are celebrating Christmas...let’s stick to this as I prepare an explanation about the issue you are interested in. I will give it to you once it is ready,” he said.

The two bishops were among a number of people named in Parliament as beneficiaries of the escrow account money.

Others include Prof Anna Tibaijuka, who was sacked earlier this month by President Jakaya Kikwete, who said there were ethical questions after Sh1.6 billion was transferred to the personal account of the former minister of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development.

Mr Frederick Werema resigned as Attorney General on December 16, saying his advice to the government regarding the transfer of IPTL ownership was “misunderstood”.

Energy and Minerals Permanent Secretary Eliakim Maswi was suspended last week pending a new investigation into his role in the controversy.

The escrow account saga dominated Christmas sermons last week.

A few days after President Kikwete delivered his verdict on the matter, several bishops made it their central theme in sermons that followed prayers held to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The bishops’ message delivered in packed churches and in open grounds during mass was that Tanzanian leaders were running out of time to tame widespread corruption that they warned had driven the public to the edge.

They also want the public to hold their leaders accountable and engage them in a manner that would bring positive change in governance and economic prosperity for all.

The Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Dr Alex Malasusa, said he was worried by the blatant courage to engage in corruption among political leaders and civil servants.

“While other families cannot afford a meal, others are talking about personal billions of shillings. Leaders are not accountable; they are busy trying to clear their names after embezzling public funds,” he said.

Bishop Michael Hafidhi of the Zanzibar Anglican Church told President Kikwete not to condone corrupt public leaders.

“The President should not feel ashamed to take head on those who fail his government.”

In Mbeya, Catholic bishop Evarist Chengula urged the youth to join politics and fight for policies that would guarantee peace, security and development.

“It is time for you to engage in politics by joining the right political party whose policies aim to bring peace, harmony and tolerance among people of different ideologies. Don’t join a party that embraces graft, selfishness and embezzlement of public funds,” he said.

He said happiness is history to majority of Tanzanians today after losing peace of mind due to what they see their leaders do. He said the country’s social and economic goals have lost directions because of shortsightedness of those in leadership.

Bishop Telesphor Mkude of Morogoro Diocese said it was good that the Tegeta escrow account scandal was brought to light and hoped Tanzanians can learn a lesson or two from it.

“A thief always does not want people to know their wicked ways but the lesson to learn from this escrow matter is that we can track use of public funds. I want to say that this should not end here but until when what is public is refunded.”

The Bishop of the Central Tanganyika Diocese of the Anglican Church, Dr Dickson Chilongani, said President Kikwete’s speech on the escrow scandal had raised more fear among hopeless Tanzanians.

Evangelical preacher Anthony Lusekelo reiterated that the funds in the escrow account was public as stated by Parliament. “I heard President Kikwete’s speech from the beginning to the end and want to disagree that the money belonged to IPTL. But that may be the end and I now leave it to God.”