Tanzania: Drama as CUF Legislators Walk Out of House
Zanzibar — THE Zanzibar house of representative session opened here with the swearing-in of Mr Hussein Ibrahim Makungu as the new legislator for Bububu Constituency leading to CUF members marching out of the House in protest.
As Makungu stood on the podium to take oath before the House Speaker, Mr Pandu Ameir Kificho, all CUF members present in the House walked out while CCM members jeered them chanting, "CCM and Makungu."
Makungu expressed disappointment over CUF legislators' failure to respect him, while the CCM chief whip in the House, Mr Salmin Awadhi Salmin, said CUF's move has tarnished relations at a time of promoting the Government of National Unity.
CUF members have vowed not to cooperate with the new legislator because his victory was doubtful. Circumstantial evidence including the presence of violent armed soldiers on the polling day was enough to prove that the elections were rigged.
CUF has filed a petition with the High Court, and most of the party legislators yesterday could not be drawn into explaining their decision to walkout. Commissioner of Police- Zanzibar, Mussa Ali Mussa has distanced his officers from being part of the said brutality during the by-election.
CCM's candidate, Hussein Ibrahim Makungu "Bhaa" won by 3371 votes, followed by Mr Issa Khamis Issa (CUF) with 3204, who refused to sign the results sheet in protest.
Other candidates who contested were Ms Zuhura Bakar Mohamed (ADC)- 45 votes, Mr Juma Metu Domo (SAU)- four votes, Mr Seif Salum Seif (TADEA)- three votes, Mr Abdulrahaman Hamad Said "Kidosho" (AFP)- eight votes, Mr Suleiman Abdallaah (NRA)- one vote, Mr Haroun Abdallah Said (NCCR-Mageuzi)- three votes, and Ms Mtumwa Jabir Seif (Jahazi-Asilia)- seven votes.
The Civic United Front (CUF) are blaming their main rivals CCM, soldiers from the defence forces (TPDF), and forces from Zanzibar special unit (Vikosi) mainly (KMKM and JKU) for violence including shooting of a man named Juma Mohamed Mmanga.
CCM's Deputy Secretary General- Zanzibar, Mr Vuai Ali Vuai, dismissed as not true that his party cheated during the elections, "it was free and fair, and it is a sure seat for CCM. Unfortunately CUF is responsible for the unrest and injuring many people and damaging properties including several cars."
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