Zimbabwe: Press Release on Court Judgment on 2% Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (18.09.2019)

Statement of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General David Shearer Briefing to the Security Council on South Sudan, 18 September 2019 (18.09.2019)

Opinion: Is the 64th CPC another car scandal in the making?

When Ofwono Opondo today said the Parliament bought 80 cars for the upcoming 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC). I could help to recall the previous similar event at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2007. As with that time the sudden need for buying car for a short time period comes up.

Not only the reckless spending on visitors coming for a conference, but also the lack of tenders and procurement protocol. Just like last time, when the CHOGM taskforce just enforced a bid through a company owned by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kuteesa. Who knows what happen this time around. Who owns the company that was procured from and by what protocol was it made?

Because, now the amount of cars is much more. We can wonder if they will be is idle and left behind, as the 30 BMWs left at the Ministry of Works and Transport post 2007. As the CHOGM cars was already not the newest model, but a two year old. Whose tender was questionable at best. Even the President questioned it in a letter back-in-the-day.

Therefore, when the Press Conference today, says the “Parliament” aka the state bought 80 cars or vans for the event. So, let it be clear, the Value for Money is peanuts and the usage minimal. The state would have been better off, renting all rentals and not buying. Which means they have to find ways of using them. Unless, they plan to store them of site at MoTW.

Surely, the VIPs could have used the old ones and leased cars. They don’t newly minted cars fresh from the factory or unused even. They surely just want to arrive and on-time to the conference itself. But, the government want to splash out money like no tomorrow.

We remember the procurement scandal surrounding the CHOGM. The state should be more careful with their ways of buying these cars. There is no proof of value of money, neither the way the tenders nor the budget was for it. Lastly, not plan for usage or whose need for these post-CPC.

That seems like a mismatch of work and also questionable spending at best. When the same government has done the same stunt a decade ago. It should be obvious, that they could have the capacity to do this again.

So, be warned… it is a scandal in the making, unless Ofwono knows something we doesn’t as it is not like the documents, the proof and purchase methods are proven at this point. Unless, a Parliamentary PAC is looking into it or the Auditor General looks through the paperwork. Which we only will know in the next budget year or something. Peace.

EFF notes the Testimony at the Zondo Commission against a Journalist paid by State Security, R. Munusamy (18.09.2019)

Russian Probe: Rep. Nadler letter to White House Counsel Cipollone -We informed the White House that Lewandowski’s #CronyPrivilege was complete nonsense (19.09.2019)

Somalia: Political Parties Press Statement in Response to the Galmudug Communique (17.09.2019)

RDC: AG Mumba Mukomo – Communique de Officiel (17.09.2019)

Zimbabwe Council of Churches: Deteriorating Human Security Situation and Deteriorating Economy (16.09.2019)

Zimbabwe: Health Apex Council Resolved (17.09.2019)

Tanzania: Sebastian Atilio gets into trouble by revealing to much

President John Pombe Magufuli is already someone you don’t cross or question. His the almighty overlord, that you just love and cherish. His the brightest and most unique leader ever to live on planet earth. Why do I know that, because everyone who writes critical of him or has expose of his government ends behind bars(!!).

That is why Magufuli is so special. The Tanzanian bulldozer and correctional officer, who checks if people are on probation or following protocol to do their profession. If they fail a piss-test or doesn’t write the stories he want. Be sure that you’ll end behind bars.

There are several journalists who has been behind bars and are awaiting final court dates. As the state a revamp on silencing critics. It doesn’t matter if your an MP, radio DJ or freelance writer. No, if you cross the path of CCM and Magufuli, expect the full fury.

Sebastian Atilio is the latest victim, as he was arrested on the 7th September 2019 for spreading “fake news”. He wrote a story, exposing that the state was giving (relocating villagers) land to accomodate Uniliver Tea. That was clearly a story, that the CCM didn’t want in the press.

Now that they have arrested and detained Atilio, this story will be known and the questions will now arise. Since, it is more likely that the company was approved to move the villagers from their land.

Because, not so long ago, Mr. President was saying this: “We have been moving backwards due to undue bureaucracy in some of government executives, leading to delays in achieving the envisaged goals, I therefore call upon all the government executives to avoid bureaucracy in executing their duties” (Tanzania Daily News . ‘Tanzania: Unilever Tanzania Impresses Magufuli’ 11.04.2019).

So, seemingly he would make it for the company to operate in Tanzania and generate more money. Since he wanted this earlier in the year. So, anticipate that the efforts done earlier has effects now. Especially, when someone shows the real actions made to prepare and ensure that Unilever Tea get more space to grow and to facilitate their new factory. That would make sense, actually common sense.

We are just seeing another victim of the state. Another journalist into trouble for exposing the rot, the corruption and the inner-works of the Magufuli administration. Peace.