Tanzania PM, Mizengo, faces resignation over $120m fraud

The prime minister of Tanzania, Mizengo Pinda, has been brought under parliamentary pressure to resign his position, following allegations of fraudulent payments worth $120m (about N21 billion) to an energy firm and top government officials.

According to a parliamentary watchdog committee, Pinda has failed to properly oversee the management of government finances.

The committee also called for the resignation of two influential ministers of his government, although they have alongside Pinda denied any wrongdoing.

In October, donors to Tanzania, including Japan, the United Kingdom, the World Bank and the African Development Bank, were reported to have suspended about $490m in aid over the allegations.

Jakaya Kikwete, the fourth president of the country who took office in 2005, vowed to tackle corruption in government, but a lot of critics have accused him of failing to live up to his pledge.

The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party dominated parliament in a special session to discuss the public accounts committee’s call for Pinda’s resignation, despite his efforts to hinder the session.

The committee’s investigation revealed that funds had been taken from a government account, paid to an energy firm and then given to various government ministers.

The committee also demanded the resignation of Frederick Werema, attorney general of the country and Sospeter Muhongo, energy and minerals minister.

A BBC reporter said the committee reflects the public mood by calling for the resignation of the government officials, with people pointing out that $120m could buy 40 million school desks or finance the studies of 10 million pupils.