Escrow saga dominates sermons on Christmas

Bishop Michael Hafidh of the Anglican Church in Zanzibar delivers a sermon during the National Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) Chrismas Mass at the University of Dar es Salaam yesterday.  PHOTO | VENANCE NESTORY 

In Summary

• A few days after President Jakaya Kikwete delivered his verdict on the controversy, the debate around it refuses to die, with several bishops making it their central theme in sermons that followed prayers held to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
• The debate refuses to die, with bishops making it the theme of sermons that followed  prayers held to  celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ

Dar es Salaam. The Tegeta escrow scandal continued to reverberate far and wide yesterday, dominating Christmas sermons across the country.

Days after President Jakaya Kikwete delivered his verdict on the scandal, the debate around it refuses to die, with several bishops making it their central theme in sermons that followed  prayers held to  celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. 

The bishops’ message delivered in packed churches and in open grounds during mass was that Tanzanian leaders were running out of time to tame widespread corruption that they warned had driven the public to the edge.

They also want the public to hold their leaders accountable and engage them in a manner that would bring positive change in governance and economic prosperity for all.  

The Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Dr Alex Malasusa, said he was worried by the blatant courage to engage in corruption among political leaders and civil servants.

 “While other families cannot afford a meal, others are talking about personal billions of shillings. Leaders are not accountable; they are busy trying to clear their names after embezzling public funds,” he said.

Bishop Michael Hafidhi of the Zanzibar Anglican Church told President Kikwete not to condone corrupt public leaders.

 “The President should not feel ashamed to take head on those who fail his government.”

In Mbeya, Catholic bishop Evarist Chengula urged the youth to join politics and fight for polices that would guarantee peace, security and development.

 “It is time for you to engage yourself fully in politics by joining the right political party whose policies aim to bring peace, harmony and tolerance among people of different ideologies. Don’t join a party that embraces graft, selfishness and embezzlement of public funds,” he said.

He said happiness is history to majority of Tanzanians today after losing  peace of mind due to what they see their leaders do. He said the country’s social and economic goals have lost directions because of shortsightedness of those in leadership. 

Bishop Telesphor Mkude of Morogoro Diocese said it was good that the Tegeta escrow account scandal was brought to light and hoped Tanzanians can learn a lesson or two from it.