I’ll continue to serve CCM, Tanzanians, says Nahodha

Zanzibar.Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, who was last week sacked as Defence and National Service minister, has said he will continue to diligently serve the ruling CCM and the people. He made his pledge on arrival at CCM’s Mjini Magharibi Region office in Zanzibar yesterday where he was greeted by dozens of party members.

Mr Nahodha is among four ministers sacked by President Jakaya Kikwete last week after a parliamentary committee presented a report detailing abuses, torture, extortion and murder during the Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili (Operation Eradicate Poaching).

Also dismissed were Mr Khamis Kagasheki (Natural Resources and Tourism), Mr David Mathayo (Livestock and Fisheries) and Mr Emmanuel Nchimbi (Home Affairs). They were relieved of their duties following a fierce debate in Parliament during which MPs from the ruling CCM and Opposition demanded justice for victims of the operation.

Mr Nahodha said what had happened was not unusual, adding that it would not discourage him from selflessly serving the nation and the people of Tanzania.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, who is facing mounting pressure to resign, said over the weekend that he would be willing to discuss his fate after the end-of-the-year holidays.

Speaking by telephone from his Kibaoni home village in Mlele District, Katavi Region, Mr Pinda said he wanted some peace and quiet during the festive season after a tumultuous parliamentary sitting during which a select committee tabled an explosive report that led to the sacking of the four Cabinet ministers last week.

Several MPs called for the Prime Minister’s resignation, accusing him of dereliction of duty in his capacity as the most senior minister in the Cabinet. But Mr Pinda asked to be left alone until after the holidays when contacted by The Citizen. The report detailed gross human rights abuses by security forces and government officials during the operation that was meant to stamp out the slaughter of elephants in the country’s national parks, game reserves and other protected areas.

Several MPs from across the political divide appealed to President Jakaya Kikwete to sack Mr Pinda following the revelation of atrocities committed during Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili.

Mr Pinda admitted in Parliament that the operation was generally conducted in a “disgraceful” way and many of the acts of those charged with protecting Tanzania’s wildlife were “totally unacceptable.”