Dar es Salaam Tanzanian Infrastructure Minister Andrew Chenge has resigned
amid local media reports of corruption in a controversial radar purchase
involving British defence contractor BAE Systems.
Chenge was the fourth minister on graft charges linked to
the case this year.
A statement from President Jakaya Kikwete's office said Chenge's resignation was
accepted on Sunda y. "In his letter, Chenge said that in addition to allegations
made against him, the love for his country and party had forced him to step
aside," the office said.
Chenge was not immediately available for comment.
Local media said he was being investigated after more than $1m was found in an
offshore account believed to be linked to a controversial 2002 radar deal
between the government and defence contractor BAE Systems.
Local media said Chenge, who was attorney-general at the time, denied any
wrongdoing. Critics of the deal said the radar system was
expensive, obsolete and unnecessary *1 for Tanzania .
The prime minister, Edward Lowassa, resigned along with his cabinet in February
in connection with a parliamentary probe into a 2006 contract with a US company
for emergency power generation.
Lowassa said he had been denied an opportunity to defend himself before the
committee investigating that deal.
Kikwete replaced his central bank governor, Daudi Ballali, in January after an
audit found that more than $100m had been paid out irregularly to 22 firms in
2005.
Communications director Salva Rweyermamu said: "This is the wise decision at
this time when the matter is under investigation."
Chenge, who visited India and China as part of Kikwete's delegation, promised
upon his return to Dar es Salaam last week to co-operate with investigators,
including the Tanzania Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau.
With acknowledgements to Reuters
and Business
Day.
*1Expensive and obsolete - just like
the Hawks for the SAAF.
The Gripens on the other hand are 4th generation state-of-the-art, expensive and
unnecessary.
It seems that pigs and troughs are simply everywhere.