Popular opposition MP Zitto Kabwe posted his farewell speech to his blog, after his request to deliver it to Parliament was denied. Photo: Facebook
Embattled Member of Parliament (MP) Zitto Kabwe gave his farewell speech — intended to be delivered to Parliament — on his blog Friday, March 20 after he was denied the opportunity to speak.
Kabwe, who was last week booted out of his party Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) after losing a court case against his party, says it is unfair to voters that politicians can lose their representative role whenever the party decides.
“That a political party can strip off ones membership and automatically lose their representative role is one of the biggest constitutional errors that we have continued to embrace. I have always protested this and will always protest parties’ dictatorship against the peoples wishes,” says Kabwe.
The constitution gives too much power to political parties in determining the fate of politicians, he says.
In his farewell speech, Kabwe quips that even though he has always been a die-hard protester of the constitutional directive he nevertheless respects the document and is thus left with no choice but relinquish his seat.
Last week, Chadema lawyer Tundu Lissu announced the decision to kick Kabwe out, citing the party constitution which says members who take their own party to court will be relieved of membership if they lose the case.
Although Kabwe said is yet to receive an official notification from the party, he believes a decade of his service as a MP is enough.
In his speech, Kabwe also noted with pride two of the debates he led before Parliament on the escrow scandal and taxation of mining firms.
The representative for Kigoma North joined Chadema at the age of 16 and was elected a member of parliament in 2005 at age 29.
He has thanked his party for grooming him and provided him a platform to serve his constituents.
