MOTORCLES SANGA RAGES

The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) in Arusha has recommended disciplinary action against some of its senior leaders for inviting President Jakaya Kikwete to hand out motorcycles allegedly donated by corrupt people.

Two weeks ago, President Jakaya Kikwete declined to distribute 19 motorcycles worth Sh24 million donated to the party by businessmen one of whom is now alleged to have a role in the External Payment Arrears account (EPA) scandal. He was invited by CCM�s regional Political Committee.

The disciplinary actions proposed by the party's Ethics Committee have already been forwarded to CCM headquarters in Dodoma for further deliberations.

The recommendation, however, seems to split CCM regional leaders with a faction opposing it on premises that the donations were made in good faith and that the businessman at the centre of the controversy had been contributing to the party years before EPA.

One member of the faction opposing the recommendations for disciplinary action said: "This is unjust because the alleged controversial businessman donated to the party over Sh2 million at Impala Hotel here in Arusha shortly before the 2000 general election. Now why don�t they talk about that?"

He said if investigations were carried out on CCM's connection with EPA suspects, the party would find itself in big trouble.

"We expected that party leaders in Arusha would be praised for their innovations that have helped to get these motorcycles," said another cadre who supports the businessman.

Reliable reports have shown that most of the regional Political Committee members who invited the President for the motorcycle hand out ceremony had submitted written apologies but the Ethics Committee maintain that disciplinary measures must be taken against them.

Members of the Ethics Committee who discussed the recommendations are Arusha CCM�s chairman, Mr Onesmo Ngole, the Secretary, Mr Mohamed Mbonde, members of the National Executive Committee (Nec) in Arusha region Elishilia Kaaya, Loota Sanare, the Arusha regional commissioner, Mr Isdori Shirima and Samwel Urassa.

By Juma Mussa, Arusha.