Lissu escapes jaws of death

Dar es Salaam. Chadema MP Tundu Lissu, who suffered multiple shots and was severely wounded by unidentified assailants, is no longer in the jaws of death, the party’s chairman, Mr Freeman Mbowe, said on Friday.

Mr Mbowe told reporters at his first press conference since Mr Lissu’s attack a fortnight ago that a team of doctors treating the outspoken Singida East MP had assured them that the serious gunshot wounds he sustained were no longer a threat to his life.

Holding a medical report issued by nine doctors ranging from orthopaedic trauma surgeons to plastic surgeon specialists, Mr Mbowe said Mr Lissu would one day return home walking on his feet to continue the struggle.

“Lissu never lost speech until the moment he was being taken to the theatre room. He is mentally fit and sound. We have been assured he will come back home to continue his work,” Mr Mbowe told the press conference. He added: “There is no one single nerve that was damaged by the bullets. Even the doctors treating him cannot figure out how that happened. That is a miracle!” he said.

Mr Lissu had just left the Parliamentary building and driven to his Area D residence in Dodoma on September 7, when unidentified gunmen stopped near his residence and started shooting at his tented Toyota Land Cruiser targeting his front seat.

At least 38 bullets targeted his car of which eight hit the firebrand opposition politician and President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS).

No one has been arrested over the attempted assassination of Mr Lissu and the police have formed a team to investigate a recent spate of gun attacks in the country.

Yesterday, Mr Mbowe pointed an accusing finger at security organs, saying their conduct after the deadly incident suggested that they might be in the know of the whole story.

“Our number one suspect are the security organs of this country. All indications of the incident, statements from leaders, hesitations by some leaders and unreasonable restrictions on people, to a right thinking person will not have difficulty to say security organs do not have a hand in his matter,” said Mr Mbowe.

He said his party had lost confidence in local investigators and called on the government to invite independent foreign forensic investigators to probe the attack.

“Alphonse Mawazo was attacked and killed in a day broad light by people known to everyone, but no action has been taken…It is the second year since my assistant Ben Saanane disappeared over a year now, but no answers. If you do not know about this allow forensic experts to come and investigate,” he said.

“In the circumstances we cannot hide our reservations that our number one suspect are the defence and security organs. Previous incidents of that nature and how the authorities dealt with it make us have this belief,” he said. He noted that it was not that the security organs were incapable of conducting forensic investigation into incidents like Lissu’s attack, but they have been reluctant to do so on matters involving Chadema.

“The FBI, Scotland Yard and the Israelis are ready to come. What they need is just invitation from the government,” he said.

Mr Mbowe also accused the National Assembly of halfheartedly cooperating in ensuring quick and successful treatment of Mr Lissu. He said the Parliament had even delayed disbursing Sh42 million raised by legislators for the treatment of Mr Lissu.

He said Sh204 million had so far been raised by people in and outside the country. “All this money is in our hands except Sh43 million raised by the Parliament. It has never happened an MP falling seriously sick and MPs are individually made to raise money for treatment instead of the government,” he said. “Treatment of an MP is not a favour, but the Parliament is duty bound to do so and Lissu is an MP, who was attacked and wounded, while on duty,” he said.

However, later in the evening the Parliament released a statement refuting the allegations. According to the statement, the money was deposited in Nairobi Hospital’s account on Wednesday.

He also expressed concern for the police’s decision to arrest people, who organised public prayers for Mr Lissu and those, who went to various hospitals to donate blood on the call by their party.

“I am saddened that we wanted our people to donate blood as thanksgiving and help other people, who will find themselves in need of blood, but the police went to arrest people lying on hospital beds donating blood,” he said.

At least 18 Chadema supporters were arrested at Temeke Hospital, where they went to donate blood and were locked up for two days before they were freed.

“People are barred from meeting and praying for a quick recovery of Lissu. Do they intend us to meet at the funeral?” he queried.

Mr Lissu is expected to start a second phase of his treatment in Kenya, which will involve rehabilitation to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder. He hinted that it would take longer than many expected before Mr Lissu returned to normal.