Donald Lukele
The Vice Chairman of the main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), Tundu Lissu, has threatened to publicly name the bigwigs causing the high prices of sugar and other commodities.
He indicated that these bigwigs are pressuring importers to increase prices for their own benefit.
Read More:Chadema Members Demonstrate in Mbeya for Reforms in Gov’t.
Lissu made these remarks yesterday while addressing residents of Babati after participating in a demonstration.
“Sugar importers are told that for every kilogram, there should be an extra fee of Sh. 200 for the leader from the State House,” he claimed, adding that if they dispute this, one day he will reveal all those involved, thus causing the prices of sugar and other commodities to rise.
“The price of sugar is increasing because all products are being marked up due to the leaders, which is why we are suffering from the rising prices of commodities,” he said.
He also mentioned that levies and exploitation of citizens start from the government because nothing is passed by Parliament without starting there, giving examples such as phone charges.
Regarding the calculator [possibly referring to taxation], he said it continues to harm workers because they cannot strike since the Tanzania Federation of Labour (TUCTA) inherited it from what was formerly the Tanzania Trade Union Congress (JUWATA) under the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
Lissu said if the constitution were good, workers would not face problems with the calculator. He said a new constitution would eliminate autocracy and bring about a free Parliament.
Former Secretary-General of CHADEMA, Dr. Willibroad Slaa, addressing the meeting by phone, said despite having 60 years of Union, a pregnant woman going to deliver is asked to pay Sh. 100,000.
Dr. Slaa apologized for not participating in the demonstrations due to his troubled feet. He asked them to register digitally to participate in the local government elections.
Lawyer Boniface Mwabukusi raised the port scandal by saying whether they like it or not, the sold port will be returned.
Mwabukusi said they would organize demonstrations to return the port, which will be done by the power of the public.
