Tendwa’s departure delights parties

Dar es Salaam. Opposition parties yesterday welcomed the retirement of Registrar of Political Parties John Tendwa.

State House said in a statement that Mr Tendwa had been succeeded by Mr Justice Francis Mutungi.

Speaking to The Citizen in separate interviews yesterday, opposition leaders accused Mr Tendwa of stifling multiparty democracy and favouring the ruling CCM.

Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) chairman Augustine Mrema said openly favouring CCM was one of the retired registrar’s biggest weaknesses.

“We thank God that his term has come to an end because he was a hurdle to political pluralism in the country…democracy stagnated during his time in office,” said Mr Mrema, who is also the Vunjo MP and once served as Home Affairs minister.

Civic United Front (CUF) Director of Information Abdul Kambaya said Mr Tendwa was slow in making decisions.

“You will recall that Mr Tendwa failed to enforce the Election Expenses Act by not taking action against errant political parties and their members,” he said.

Chadema Senior Information Officer Tumaini Makene said CCM was the biggest beneficiary of Mr Tendwa’s 12-year stay in office.

“He openly favoured CCM. It is on this account that Chadema stopped cooperating with him,” he said, adding that his retirement would open a new chapter in multiparty politics.

But academicians who spoke to The Citizen praised Mr Tendwa.

Dr Benson Bana, a political scientist at the University of Dar es Salaam, said Mr Tendwa achieved a lot during his term in office despite many challenges.

“I appreciated his independence and tolerance. He did well and it’s now time to let a younger person like Judge Mutungi take over,” Dr Bana said.

Prof Tolly Mbwette, the Open University of Tanzania Vice-Chancellor, said the problem was not Mr Tendwa but flawed laws and systems.

“Mr Tendwa was a man of integrity. He was steadfast in his decisions, and, understandably, this did not endear him to many political parties, particularly those in the opposition.

“Weaknesses in registration laws were a source of conflict between opposition parties and Mr Tendwa. We should capitalise on the constitution review to come up with better statutes,” Prof Mbwette noted.

But political party leaders said the system of appointing the registrar was also to blame for some of the office’s shortcomings.

Mr Kambaya said the Registrar of Political Parties was supposed to be an independent custodian of democracy, but this was impossible as the official was appointed by the President, who also doubles as the CCM chairman.

“It’s impossible for the registrar to be independent in the current set-up. His hands are tied due to the fact that he is appointed by the chairman of a political party,” he said.

Chama Cha Kijamii (CCK) Secretary-General Renatus Muabhi said appointing lawyers or judges to the position was wrong, noting that the post should be given to political scientists instead.

Political leaders who spoke to The Citizen said they hoped Mr Justice Mutungi’s appointment would open a new chapter in relations between political parties and the registrar’s office.

Mr Makene said the opposition was optimistic Justice Mutungi would breathe new life into political pluralism.

“His qualifications and experience are impressive. He has climbed quickly up the judiciary ladder. We’re optimistic, but we have to wait to see how he fares in his new role,” he said.

Mr Mrema said he hoped Mr Justice Mutungi would transform democracy in Tanzania.

“He will succeed if he treats all parties fairly and equally and cooperates with them for the sake of democracy in Tanzania,” he said.

Mr Kambaya said Mr Justice Mtungi should put the national interest before anything else.

“He should not follow in Tendwa’s footsteps as this could plunge the nation into turmoil. We expect to see an end to the favouritism of CCM,” he said. Mr Tendwa was appointed registrar in 2001, succeeding Mr George Liundi. Known for his abrasive and confrontational style, Mr Tendwa frequently clashed with opposition parties.

He recently threatened to strike Chadema off the register if the party went ahead and conducted security training for its youth and cadres.

The draft constitution unveiled in June by the Constitutional Review Commission proposes that the registrar’s office be under the electoral commission.

Article 187 of the draft proposes that presidential Registrar of Political Parties nominees be vetted by Parliament.