The Kwela Member of Parliament, Dr. Chrisant Mzindakaya
MORE details have emerged about the concealed business interests of the Kwela Member of Parliament on the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) ticket, Dr Chrisant Mzindakaya, in the country’s tourist hunting industry, which suggest that the lawmaker may have a direct conflict of interest in tabling a private members motion in Parliament on the allocation of hunting blocks.
According to latest THISDAY findings, the MP has been linked to a controversial tourist hunting company Tanzania Hunting Safaris Ltd-- whose South African director, David van der Meulen, fled the country in December 1996 without paying a $372,980 (approx. 500m/-) debt to the government.
In 1996, the Wildlife Department stopped issuing hunting licences and other services to Tanzania Hunting Safaris due to an accumulated debt that the company had failed to settle, but Dr Mzindakaya on behalf of Tanzania Hunting Safaris negotiated with the Wildlife Department and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, and gave verbal and written assurances that he will follow up and make sure that the company paid the debts provided the Wildlife Department continued issuing hunting permits and services to the company.
Dr Mzidakaya (pictured) failed to honour his assurances and this resulted in the debt of Tanzania Hunting Safari to the Wildlife Division to increase, reaching $372,980.
This company failed to settle its liabilities to the Division of Wildlife and Dr Mzindakaya in his letter with reference number ECG.4/WL.8/7 dated December 18, 1996 guaranteed the settlement of the liability which he never did, say government sources.
Thus far, government officials say the lawmaker has not been able to assist the government to recover the estimated 500m/- from Tanzania Hunting Safaris.
The Wildlife Division wrote a letter to Mzindakaya on February 3, 1998 with reference NO: GD/T.80/53/63 asking the MP to facilitate payment of the company’s debt, but he has since been unable to secure recovery of the funds.
’’I have been directed to inform you that the Division (of Wildlife) is requesting settlement of more than $372,980 owed by Tanzania Hunting Safaris whose whereabouts is not known,’’ said the letter signed by one senior wildlife officer on behalf of the Director of Wildlife.
The letter seen by THISDAY added: ’’As the consultant (Mzindakaya) of the company we advise you to let the Wildlife Division know procedures of payment of the money, including availing us information on the whereabouts of the company.’’
’’The Department (of Wildlife) is banking on your co-operation in making sure that the money is recovered as other legal measures against the company are being taken,’’ said the letter.
Kwa undani zaidi wa habari hii bofya hapa
Kwa habari nyingine inayoshabihiana na hii bofya hapa
Wadau mnaionaje hii?Kuna uonevu hapa?Kuna ukweli?Kama ndiyo tunakwenda wapi?
Mwanasosholojia; niruhusu nitoe maoni juu ya haya tunayosikia kuhusu Mzee wa Mabomu!!
ReplyDeleteKusema haki ni wanasiasa wachache waliopo siasani kwa sasa ambao hawajihusishi kwa namna moja ama nyingine kudidimiza uchumi wetu! Tanzania imekuwa ikitafunwa kwa miongo mingi sasa na wageni ambao wameweza kufanya hivyo kw akusaidiwa na watanzania wenyewe!! Mvunja nchi ni mwana nchi mwenyewe kaka! Hatutakaa tuone maendeleo kama hatutaacha dhana ya ubinafsi na kutaka kujikusanyia mali na mtazamo wa kutajirika kwa njia zisizo halali!! Hebu jiulize, hivi pilika pilika za siasa hazichoshi watu? Tangu mimi sijaanza Chekechea pale Police Line Morogoro huyu mzee alikuwa tayari yupo kwenye siasa za bongo, tena akiwa RC!! Lakini leo miaka takriban 30 (miongo mitatu) eti bado tu yupo kwenye siasa…kuna nini huko?? Sasa hizo taarifa za kifisadi ndiyo zinatupa mwanga kuwa watu wanatafuta nini huko, si zaidi ni mali tu kaka!! Wanajidai wanatetea wanyonge, uongo mtupu!! Ni kiini macho tu kumbe tumewajua wanachotafuta, wanatumia migongo yetu kujilimbikizia mali na kutuacha sisi hohe hahe dhoofu l’hal!! Kama kweli hakuna mgongano wa kimaslahi hapo hebu mzee wa kazi asimame kidedea aeleze nini kilichojiri hasa!! Wakati huyo msauzi anatimua kwa nini hajalipua bomu? Kazi ipo kaka, lakini kwa ujumla naona sasa mzee mzima amekalia bomu la kutoka Afghanistan…….