Nape’s parting shot reveals deep divisions within govt

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Mr Nnauye, whose appointment was revoked by President Magufuli held an open air press conference that was preceded by dramatic clashes and exchange of words between him and security officers who had orders to block his meeting with journalists.

Dar es Salaam. Remarks by the sacked information minister Nape Nnauye that his removal was similar to ‘sowing of a seed of standing for rights of the people’ laid bare growing tension and possibly deep disagreement within the government and the ruling party CCM.

Mr Nnauye, whose appointment was revoked by President Magufuli held an open air press conference that was preceded by dramatic clashes and exchange of words between him and security officers who had orders to block his meeting with journalists.

Addressing reporters from the roof of his Toyota Land Cruiser V8, visibly tempered Nnauye said: “For a seed to grow it must first fall in the ground and rot. Now, the seed that I sow will for sure ripen,” said Mr Nape.

The writing for Nape’s removal was on the wall just a day after he released a report of a five-member committee to investigate night raid of the premises of Clouds Media Group (CMG) by Dar es Salaam regional commissioner Paul Makonda in attempts to force presenters to air a video clip of his liking.

Mr Nape visited Clouds Media hours after the incident and strongly condemned the actions of the RC and formed the team whose report, he said, would be presented to President Magufuli, Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.

However, a sense of shock and disbelief shrouded the nation after President Magufuli rejected calls for the sacking of Mr Makonda when he laid a foundation stone for construction of the Ubungo interchange, saying he would not cave in to pressure to remove him.

When releasing the report on Wednesday, Mr Nape was predicting his own fate when he told reporters that he knew the price he would have to pay for forming the team and ensure justice prevail.

It took less than 24 hours before the State House Directorate of Communication released a statement that President Magufuli had made minor cabinet reshuffle.

A senior lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, said Mr Nnauye’s remarks gave clear indication that there could be other cabinet ministers who were not in support of many decisions by President Magufuli.

“It’s Mr Nnauye who was behind the banning of Bunge live broadcast but soon after he started defending rights of the people he was labelled enemy of the government,” he said.

Prof Gaudance Mpangala of Ruaha Catholic University College (Rucu) said Mr Nnauye’s remarks showed Tanzania seriously lacked rule of law and democracy.

“Before raiding the media organization, Mr Makonda faced accusation of forging academic credentials but surprisingly the President sacks an innocent minister leaving in office the RC who faces criminal accusations,” he said.

Mr Nnauye’s remarks yesterday left many questions than answers as to what will be his next move of action and what ‘the reaping of the seed he sow’ would mean to the government and the ruling party, CCM.

Appealing to the youth to stand firm and defend what they believe was right, the Mtama MP said:

“Tanzania is our country, Mwalimu Nyerere (the founding father of the nation), Mzee Kawawa (Rashid) and his colleagues like Mzee Nnauye (Moses) lived in this country and passed. What we need to ask ourselves is what type of Tanzania we are leaving to our future generation?”

Mr Nnauye who survived police arrest said he received the news of his removal with a clean heart and that he held no grudges with the Head of State over the decision.

He said since President Magufuli didn’t consult him before naming him a cabinet minister he had no obligation to consult him when reshuffling the cabinet.

“This message should go to the Tanzanian youth; we have nothing to fear except the fear itself. It is nonsense for someone to come with a pistol against me. Do they know how hard we have fought for this country?” he questioned.

He went on: “I believe some of you have been hurt by the decision, but you need to know that life should continue, things are under control. It isn’t the right time to distort the country, there are so many good things coming. Nape is so small when compared to the worth of this great nation,” he said.

“Since the ministerial position has gone, Mtama Constituents should expect my full time service and that promises I made during the 2015 general election will be implemented,” he added.

Yesterday, journalists thronged Protea Court Yard at Oyster Bay at 2pm ready to hear from Mr Nnauye only to be told by the hotel manager that the meeting could not be held there as they received orders from the police to stop the event.

Soon after his arrival one police car blocked the exit to the hotel using their cars, with two plain clothes police officer trying to prevent him from addressing the press. One officer was seen unleashing his pistol as he tried to force Mr Nnauye getting back to his car.

Mr Nnauye refused to obey the ordered and addressed the press at the car packing lot.