Khatibu turns hostile as journalists quiz him over graft allegations

The Minister of Information, Culture and Sport Seif Mohamed Khatib yesterday turned hostile to journalists and completely refused to respond to questions on corruption at a meeting he called to refute opposition claims.

Minister Khatib said at a news conference that the government cannot be driven by the opposition, and that the President knows what he is doing.

`Besides, we have investigation institutions presently probing the allegations before those implicated to court. That`s the government stance,` said Khatib.

Khatib was referring to a coalition of opposition parties reaction to President Jakaya Kikwete`s statement issued on Wednesday, accusing them of being investigators, enforcers, prosecutors and judges of officials implicated in corruption allegations in government circles.

The coalition, Chadema, Tanzania Labour Party (TLP), Civic United Front (CUF) and NCCR-Mageuzi issued a statement on Thursday to the effect that the President`s statement demonstrated government failure to respond to the corruption allegations and embezzlement of funds in the public sector.

But yesterday, Khatib branded opposition leaders as `jobless lot` with nothing to do apart from spreading meaningless and unfounded allegations.

He said the government had a lot of pressing issues to attend, and it was working hard to show wananchi tangible achievements realized in ten years time.

`We are trying to beat up development goals because we are accountable and responsible to wananchi, unlike the opposition who are not answerable to anybody,` said the minister.

On countrywide tours by government ministers, Khatibu said the visits were meant to mobilize and sensitize people on development agendas, and the funds spent in the tours are allocated in the 2007/08 budget.

Khatib said ministers� tours were strategically designed to induce development in education and other sectors and not otherwise.

The tours by ministers have been a subject of fierce criticisms, as opposition leaders describe them as embezzlement of the highest order.

Media reports claim that the ruling CCM has resorted to the countrywide tours as a strategic tool to clarify on what they called, opposition`s distorted information on corruption and embezzlement of funds in the government system.

Khatib dismissed these claims and became furious when journalists demanded clarifications on the media claims.

`What kind of journalists are you, and why do you ask meaningless questions? I will not respond to that question,` a vividly upset minister said.

President Jakaya Kikwete on Wednesday accused the opposition of being investigators, enforcers, prosecutors and judges of officials implicated in corruption allegations in government`s circles.

The opposition parties want the government officials accused of corruption to resign and pave way for independent investigations