Lissu names MPs in LAPF ‘cash scam’

“This can compromise the duty of the legislature of supervising the government and its various institutions including LAPF,’’.PHOTO|FILE 

By Katare Mbashiru ,The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

“We have been preferring the MPs from the ruling party because if we prioritise those from the opposition we might be regarded as people who want the opposition to ascend to power,’’ said the LAPF director general.

Dodoma. Singida East MP Tundu Lissu on Saturday named fellow legislators and ministers who have allegedly been requesting money from the Local Authorities Pension Fund (LAPF) in order to boost their political mileage in their constituencies.

As a result, Mr Lissu said, the aid from LAPF makes it difficult for MPs and ministers to fully apply their mandate of supervising and criticising the entity when it fails in its functions.

Mr Lissu further revealed documents that show how over Sh22 million was paid out in a bid to implement various projects in the MPs’ constituencies so as to drum up support from the electorate.

“This can compromise the duty of the legislature of supervising the government and its various institutions including LAPF,’’ Mr Lissu said.

LAPF director general Eliud Sanga yesterday admitted to The Citizen that the MPs and ministers whose names were exposed by Mr Lissu had received financial support from the pension fund adding that most of them used the money in ways that suited them politically.

Mr Lissu said he intended to move a private motion in the august House to ask it to form a select committee that would investigate the matter and submit a report before it.

Some MPs whom Mr Lissu mentioned include Ms Betty Machangu (Special Seats-CCM), deputy minister for Community Development, Gender and Children Pindi Chana, deputy minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Angella Kairuki, Ms Livingstone Lusinde (Mtera), Mr John Komba (Mbinga West), Ms Eugenia Mwaiposa (Ukonga) and Mr Aliko Kibona (Ileje).

The list also includes Mr Goodluck ole Medeye (Arumeru West), minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy Coordination and Parliament) William Lukuvi, Works minister John Magufuli and Deputy Speaker Job Ndugai.

“We have been preferring the MPs from the ruling party because if we prioritise those from the opposition we might be regarded as people who want the opposition to ascend to power,’’ said the LAPF director general.

Mr Sanga, however, said such opposition MPs as Joseph Mbilinyi (Mbeya Urban) and Pastor Peter Msigwa (Iringa) had also made similar requests. The two could not be reached for comment.

However, Ms Machangu told The Citizen that Mr Lissu was a liar adding that it was none of his business.

“Social security funds ought to help the community and there is nobody who is prevented from asking for assistance from these institutions,’’ said Ms Pindi Chana, for her part
 

She said that there were no laws that barred any MP from seeking aid that would help his or her voters.

But Ms Kairuki declined to comment when contacted to give clarification on the matter.

“I think it is better that you contact Lapf because they are the ones with the discretion to dish out money,’’ she insisted.

For his part, Mr Lusinde said there was no cause for alarm because MPs ought to ask for money from different sources in order to help their people.

“The money I requested was for a fund raiser and we requested from different sources with organisers,’’said Mr J