Mengi na vita zidi ya ufisadi papa

Bishop Dr Martin Shao of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) Northern Diocese, has challenged Tanzanians to be bold in the fight against corruption by naming people suspected of soliciting and receiving bribes.

Dr Shao gave the challenge at the weekend during a special Mass held at Kisereny Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region.

“Everybody in this country has the right to fight corruption. However, not everybody has the guts to attack people suspected to be taking bribes.

Let us support the few who have been given the powers by God to fight corruption,” Bishop Dr Shao.

He commended the IPP Executive Chairman, Reginald Mengi, for taking courage to name suspects of grand corruption.

He said such courage should inspire other people. “We commend you a lot…..please never go back, continue with that spirit,” he said.

Dr Shao appealed to Tanzanians not to vote for corrupt candidates in the coming general election, saying corrupt leaders would hinder development.

He said he was optimistic that by the grace of God, Tanzanians would win the war against corruption.

Bishop Shao also lashed out at people, he said were spreading rumours that Mengi was planning to vie for the presidential post in the coming years.

Dr Shao said Mengi had never dreamt of becoming a president and would never contest for any political post.
“If Mengi was planning to vie for president, he would ask us to vote for him but he has never.

The assistance he gives is aimed at helping Tanzanians to attain their development goals”.

He said Mengi’s enemies would hardly succeed because many people support him. Dr Shao added that Christians at Kisereny Diocese were praying for Mengi every day.

Mengi, who also attended the Mass, said ever since he named the corrupt sharks, state organs had been harassing him.

He said he had been asked by state organs and private institutions to give the evidence of his allegations.

Mengi gave the list of institutions which have interrogated him as the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau, Police Force, Inspector General of Police, Tanzania Communication and Regulatory Authority and the national intelligence committee.

He said despite all the harassment, he would never stop the fight against corruption.

Mengi said he was being supported by the Almighty God, President Jakaya Kikwete and fellow Tanzanians.

“I have created a lot of enemies since I entered this war. I request you to pray for me so that my enemies do not succeed,” he said.

Mengi said that fighting corruption was not an easy task but he believed that one day Tanzanians would win.