Mwinyi: Ministers who opt to quit should be truthful
Zanzibar president Hussein Mwinyi speaks during a recent event. Photo | File
What you need to know:
- Mr Simai, who also serves as the Tunguu Constituency MP, submitted his resignation letter to President Mwinyi on January 26, citing challenging working conditions.
Mr Simai, who also serves as the Tunguu Constituency MP, submitted his resignation letter to President Mwinyi on January 26, citing challenging working conditions.
However, Dr Mwinyi said resignation decisions are taken by political leaders in terms of accountability after differing with the government, cautioning that people should be truthful by detailing the actual reasons behind their decisions.
He said in 2011, he tendered a resignation letter to President Jakaya Kitwete expressing his decision to step down as Defence and National Services minister due to bomb blasts at the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) camp number 511 located in Gongo la Mboto.
“The decision was rejected by then-President Jakaya Kikwete. He said the incident was an accident that had no reason for someone to resign,” said Dr Mwinyi at the Zanzibar State House during the swearing-in of newly appointed ministers and deputies.
He said problems facing the docket supervised by a minister could lead to his or her resignation, citing what happened in 2012 when the Communication and Transport minister Hamad Massoud resigned due to an accident that involved MV Spice Islander.
He said in 1976, in the second phase, President Ali Hassan Mwinyi resigned from the helm of the Home Affairs Ministry due to the murder of elderly people that occurred in Shinyanga Region.
“Nine years later, he became the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, who served for 10 consecutive years,” he said.
Dr Mwinyi said such decisions were taken to protect the country’s respect and that of First Phase President Julius Nyerere.
“According to procedures, an appointing authority needs to be informed first. The decision will be made public only upon his approval,” he insisted.
Another reason that could lead to the resignation of the minister is disagreement with decisions made by the government in the respective sector.
“Once you are against the decisions made, you will be required to step down, but you will be required to be truthful when you publicise your decision, even if it is because of a conflict of interest,” he said.
“If something has been restricted but you are involved in trading the same commodity, inform the public and be truthful, even if there is a conflict of interest. Tell the public that I’m also an importer of the banned product,” he said, insisting that ministerial positions were temporary.
He said a minister will be respected for truthful statements, even if the truth is associated with a conflict of interest in the bar business after beer imports have been banned.
Contacted yesterday, Mr Simai said traditionally it is not wise to question or alter what the President has said in the media, probably if it was during the CCM sessions.
“However, I would like to provide a few details. I was appointed minister to serve the Zanzibaris in the tourism sector, which accounts for 75 percent of the Isles economy. It is the lifeblood and a very critical area for Zanzibar,” he said.
He said the President (Mwinyi) has insisted on truthfulness during his resignation, something he considers himself to have done.
Mr Simai said he tendered his resignation letter and revealed that the working environment wasn’t supportive enough for him to efficiently supervise the sector and meet expectations.
Furthermore, he said his resignation would provide the President (Mwinyi) with a better opportunity to pick someone who would better assist him in meeting his expectations.
“Those are the three truths that have been insisted upon by the Honourable President. Regarding rushing to the media after tendering resignation letters, it is well known that the public should be informed,” he said.
“A minister is a public servant. Therefore, the honourable president is right, and that is what I have done. I have written a resignation letter and informed the public,” he added.
The ministers who took oaths of office yesterday are the new Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, Mudrick Ramadhan Soraga; Minister of State, Office of the President—State House, Ali Suleiman Ameir; and the new minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Shaaban Ali Othman.
The deputies are Finance and Planning, Mr Juma Makungu Juma; Lands and Housing Development, Salha Mohamed Mwinjuma; and Water, Energy, and Minerals, Zawadi Amour Nassor.
