By Habel Chidawali, The Citizen Correspondent
(email the author)
Posted Thursday, August 22 2013 at 10:54
Posted Thursday, August 22 2013 at 10:54
In Summary
Dodoma. The Constitutional Review Commission
(CRC) has been accused of preparing the Draft Constitution that aims at
creating opportunities for some of its members to hold positions in the
leadership of the country in future.
The accusations were made by one of Dodoma Ubran District Constitution Forum member, Mr Jaffer Mwanyembe.
Mr Mwanyembe, who is also a Chama Cha Mapinduzi
(CCM) parents’ wing chairman for Dodoma Region, said that the CRC had
intentionally included clauses that aim at enabling the former Prime
Minister, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, to contest for presidency in the coming
2015 General Election.
The statement led to a hot debate between members
of the CRC and wananchi. The CRC members who were led by Mr Ally Salehe
wanted Mr Mwanyembe to prove his claims.
“We should avoid talking issues that we cannot
prove, I would like the member to give us tangible evidence to support
his accusation that this team has drawn the draft that aim at favouring
Dr Salim,” said Mr Salehe.
He said the accusations were not true and that wananchi should avoid listening to rumours.
Another forum member, Ms Jesca Mkuchu, said that
the statement was vague and probably aiming at tarnishing the CRC’s good
image and Dr Salim himself.
She said that wananchi should concentrate on
contributing about constructive issues that would help the team to come
up with good constitution.
“I do not see any connection on this, but my
fellow has already said, it would be better if the forum member provides
us with evidence on what he claims,” she said.
Responding, Mr Mwanyembe maintained that there was
no doubt on the matter since it was clear that Dr Salim was being
prepared to contest for Union presidency after approving the three-tier
government system.
He said the CRC must go back and rewrite the draft since the majority supported the two-government format.
