Zitto accuses Tanzania’s ruling party of ‘buying’ opposition leaders
What you need to know:
In recent weeks,Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania, has raised allegations that some government officials were involved in ‘buying’ opposition leaders so they would jump ship.
Dar es Salaam. Kigoma Urban Member of Parliament ZittoKabwe has become the latest opposition politician in Tanzania to accuse the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi(CCM) of luring opposition leaders to defect.
In recent weeks,Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania, has raised allegations that some government officials were involved in ‘buying’ opposition leaders so they would jump ship.
The accusation has, however, been refuted by CCM’s ideology and publicity secretary Humphrey Polepole who claimed that those defecting into the ruling party were doing so on their own volition after they were impressed with the performance of President John Magufuli.
MrKabwe, who the ACT-Wazalendo party leader, made the accusation while commenting on the first appearance Singida East MP TunduLissu in a video since the latter was hospitalized in Nairobi over 40 days ago following a gun attack he suffered at his Dodoma home on September 7.
“CCM is currently busy trying to shift public attention from your assailants by buying councilors and members of opposition on daily basis,” MrZitto noted in his post.
He added that the government was effectively repressing press freedom and political freedom.
“They are irritated by any opposing idea of getting us out of where we are struck now. When you come back, I believe you’ll be welcomed by completely new circumstances,” he lamented.
While MrZitto is making the accusation, a former secretary general of his party, Mr Samson Mwigamba,announced defecting to the ruling CCM. MrMwigamba made the announcement public today on October 19 at a press conference in the city.
Commentators have observed that the opposition in Tanzania has been passing through a very trying period, as its members and leaders face numerous court cases, limited space to practice politics and a general lack of freedom of speech.
On September 7, top government critic and president of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), MrLissu, was attacked by gunmen who sprayed over 30 bullets on his car injuring him seriously.
In a short voice message released by his party, Chadema, on Wednesday, October 18, MrLissu thanked God for sparing his life, saying he would have died on spot.
He also thanked Tanzanians from all walks of life for their prayers and support of all kinds during the entire time he has been hospitalized.
