RUCCI
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 6, 2011
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Ukawa chairman Mr Freeman Mbowe.
The Constituent Assembly yesterday ended the debate on the proposed new constitution with a dramatic attack on members of the Coalition of Defenders of People's Constitution (Ukawa) who have threatened mass protests across the country over the manner in which the process has been conducted.
The move came barely a day after Ukawa leaders took a swipe at Constituent Assembly (CA) chairman Mr Samuel Sitta that he was bulldozing the ongoing Katiba-making process without taking into consideration that billions of tax payers' money was being lost while it was already known that the Assembly would not deliver the anticipated Supreme Law.
Most members of the CA, including Cabinet ministers, took to the floor of the house to lash out at the coalition and their leaders whose boycott of the assembly in Dodoma since April has ignited divisive political passions across the country.
Meanwhile, it also emerged yesterday that the police has summoned the leader of official opposition and Ukawa chairman Mr Freeman Mbowe reportedly for questioning over reported plans for countrywide public protests over the process to re-write the new constitution.
Mr Mbowe together with Civic United Front (CUF) Chairman Prof Ibrahim Lipumba and the NCCR-Mageuzi counterpart Mr James Mbatia are galvanizing public opposition to the CA-led Katiba process. He revealed in Dar es Salaam that the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Mr Isaya Mngulu had sent him a text message yesterday directing him to report to the police headquarters for unspecified reasons.
"This morning I have received a message from the DCI wanting me to report to his office, I know this follows my statement yesterday but I told him that I am still leading the party's meetings. I will go when I am done," he said, adding that his stand would remain firm.
"As I have earlier said, this is risky but I am ready for anything," said Mbowe.
At the weekend, Mr Mbowe, who was re-elected as Chadema national chairman, directed leaders of the party at district levels to organise members in their respective areas to embark on non-stop protests.
He said the demonstrations would be a must regardless whether the police would allow them or not, noting that the members should be prepared for police attacks.
The decision to organise countrywide demonstrations came in the wake of proceeding of the CA despite the recent agreement between the political parties and President Jakaya Kikwete, that the CA be called off until after the 2015 General Election.
When contacted, DCI Mngulu confirmed that he sent an SMS to Mr Mbowe asking him to get in touch after calls failed but did not mention the reason. The DCI's message read: "Honourable. Good morning. I called you but not reachable. Please let's communicate."
Mr Mngulu said even as he sent him the SMS, he did not receive any feedback from him. However, Mr Mngulu declined to mention the reason for asking for dialogue with Mr Mbowe, noting that he would only tell Mr Mbowe as the responsible person and not the media.
In Dodoma, Mr Sitta reiterated that the proposed draft would be ready before October 4 when the Assembly comes to an end. He said that on Thursday this week the drafting committee which is led by Bariadi East Mp Mr Andrew Chenge would table before the House the propose Katiba draft.
"This is going to be a historic day because we will show Tanzanians that we have delivered what they really expected from the CA as well as proving wrong those who have been attacking us from outside this House," he said, adding that MCAs would vote in favour or against the proposed draft from September 29 to October 2 to beat October 4 deadline when the life of the Assembly comes to an end.
Yesterday, almost all members who made their contributions spent more time attacking Ukawa leaders in absentia. They accused Ukawa of allegedly seeking to make the country ungovernable by creating a crisis. They said such moves were selfish and politically motivated.
Minister of State (Prime Minister's Office, Investment and Empowerment), Dr Mary Nagu, said the public should ignore Ukawa, saying they did not wish well the nation.
She said CA members who have remained in the House were focused and committed to form new constitution that will serve the nation for more than 50 years to come." Ukawa have no mandate to form the new constitution, the public must understand that demonstrations cannot produce the new constitution," she said.
Minister of State in the President's Office for Public Service and Management, Ms Hawa Ghasia, said CA members should be the ones to suggest changes to accommodate this year's local government elections and next year's General Election.
"The proposed changes to the current constitution must be made by CA members; we cannot allow a few politicians who walked out of this House to do that job," said Ms Ghasia, in response to calls for minimal amendments to the current constitution to aid the 2015 elections. She also warned Ukawa against demonstrations.
Hamad Rashid Mohammed (Wawi-CUF) and Augustine Mrema were among opposition law makers who also took a swipe at Ukawa, with Hamad labeling them inciters out to distabilise the country. He accused them of power mongering.
Mr Maklesia Pawa asked the government to reject the proposed amendments in the current constitution to include independent candidates, challenging of presidential election results in court, the president elected after garnering 50 per cent plus one votes, as well as having an independent National Electoral Commision, saying they were already included in the proposed draft.
Mr George Simbachawene said there was a need to test the percentage of patriotism that opposition parties' leaders had urging people to snub their call to stage countrywide demonstrations to push for suspension of the on-going CA.
Another member, Mr Said Nkumba, said he was shocked by the decision by Ukawa leaders to organise countrywide demonstrations.Mr John Komba said Mr Mbowe was declaring a State of Emergency which lies in the powers of the President only.
who is the commander-in-chief.
Mr Fahmi Dovutwa said Ukawa leaders were attacking Mr Sitta because he snubbed their request to ensure that their agenda were incorporated in a new chatter.
The entire debate in both the morning and evening sessions yesterday was dominated by a debate on Ukawa leaders with Vunjo MP Mr Augustine Mrema stuning the House after he said that Ukawa members were infiltrating groups of people in his constituency since they walked out of the Assembly in April.
"I am now requesting that Tanzania Kwanza go to Vunjo to help me because Mr James Mbatia who is from Ukawa wants to take my constituency," he said.
Earlier, the Constituent Assembly almost came to a standstill yesterday after one of its members, Mr Ali Keissy, uttered words that did not go down well with Zanzibar members who claimed they were aimed at killing the union.
Source: The Citizen
http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/oped/Police-summon-Mbowe-as-CA-ends-debate-with-attack-on-Ukawa/-/1840568/2453964/-/22dkah/-/index.html