IPP Executive Chairman Dr Reginald
journalists ( not in picture) during a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Photo: Tryphone Mweji
The IPP Executive Chairman, Dr Reginald Mengi has expressed concern over his safety following allegation leveled against him by a local tabloid which also implicated the State House.
At a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Dr Mengi refuted those allegations saying that he was shocked and saddened over the allegation that he planned to cripple Jakaya Kikwete’s government and deal with him after his presidential period expires.
He said he was disappointed with the State House Directorate of Communications and Government Information Services (Maelezo) for their silence regarding the alleged accusation of economic sabotage levelled against him since the tabloid had allegedly sourced their information from the State House.
Dr Mengi said he was also worried over President Kikwete’s alleged statement promising to fight him (Dr Mengi) after his presidential period elapses, saying that he was now fearing for his life.
“My fear arises from the fact that the relevant authorities have remained silent for more than three weeks after the article was published without providing any clarification over the matter,” he said.
Dr Mengi said he knew how meticulous the relevant authorities were in clarifying anything concerning the President but he was surprised to see these institutions remained silent and left the allegations to spread.
On March 23 this year, a local tabloid Taifa Imara accused Dr Mengi of sabotaging country’s economy and President Jakaya Kikwete’s government.
The article published by that paper with a title ‘Zitto amchongea Mengi kwa JK, among other things, claimed that the former Kigoma North MP and ex-chairman of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) Zitto Kabwe had told President Kikwete that Dr Mengi is the person who is undermining the government.
According to the article which states that its source of news came from the State House, further said that Zitto met the president shortly after he submitted the PAC report on Escrow scandal.
It further said Zitto was also among the people who were tempted by him to frustrate the government and that Dr Mengi had promised to defeat President Kikwete with all his power.
“My fear on this is because the president is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces and his statement as it was quoted by the paper (Taifa Imara) that he will deal with me can be considered as a command to destroy me,” he said.
This paper contacted Director of State House Communications Salva Rweyemamu to clarify the matter but he did not pick up the phones. Zitto Kabwe’s phone was also not available.
Director of Information Services Assah Mwambene could not be reached for comment as he replied in a messege that he was in a meeting.
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