Presiding Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Tanzania Rt. Rev. Malasusa is washing his dirty hands with his tears.


The Secretary of EAWM a Lutheran Austrian Development Association writes the following statement in reply to a newspaper article published today in Tanznia. The article follows the statement of the EAWM secretary.

"As general secretary of an Austrian church NGO, who terminated collaboration with ELCT in 2006, I can only smile about the words of the Presiding Bishop of ELCT. There is the problem of systemic corruption in ELCT. A short look at the website of the Lutheran Mission Co-operation (www.lmc.or.tz) will show that a lot of programmes and projects are pending and mission financial statements or sufficient reports.From my own experiece I know, that the former ELCT SCD Bishop Shadrack Manyiewa was responsible (there are independent audit reports !) for the embezzlement of minimum EUR 280.000 Euros (= 420.000.000 TSH) and he has to face NO legal action.Parts of ELCT leadership and some northern partners from Germany are knowing very well that there is a network of nepotism, systemic corruption and abuse of human rights in ELCT - when Rt. Rev.Malasusa is now bemoaning, he is either very naive or he tries to wash his dirty hands with his tears !Gottfried MernyiVienna, Austria

"The original article is published at:

http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2008/03/11/110129.html

Cleric bemoans grand corruption 2008-03-11 10:09:30

By Judica Tarimo, just back from Zanzibar

The Head of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT), Bishop Alex Malasusa, has expressed disappointment over high-profile graft and massive embezzlement of national resources by few people at the expense of millions of poor Tanzanians.The bishop made the remarks on Sunday at a fund-raising function for construction of the ELCT mission branch at Mwanakwerekwe Parish in Zanzibar.``I am really disappointed by these people. They embezzle public funds while millions of Tanzanians are suffering from hunger and lack of basic needs,`` he said.According to the cleric, the majority of Tanzanians are facing critical socio-economic problems-lack of reliable transport, food, clean water, quality health services and other essentials services because of financial constraints triggered by massive mcorruption and embezzlement of funds by a greedy few.He urged those involved to fear God, change their behaviour and work honestly and diligently for the benefit of all.``These people must be concerned with the welfare of majority of Tanzanians rather than enriching themselves and their families. They need to put the interest of the nation ahead and not abuse public office,`` said Bishop Malasusa.The fund raising attracted clerics from ELCT and other church denominations, believers from different sects, ordinary people and prominent personalities including IPP Executive Chairman Reginald Mengi and Managing Director and owner of Dar Express Bus Services Company Ltd, Yudica Mremi.A total of 65m/-, being pledges and cash money, was collected during the occasion.The church had targeted to raise a total 50m/- for the envisaged project. Mengi and Mremi were among the contributors.Addressing the congregation, Mengi appealed to religious leaders to advise people who wanted to confess for squandering public funds to return the stolen money first.``When these people come to you to confess, you should tell them to return the money. Before accepting their confession, you need to ask them `have you returned the money`? said Mengi.He said clerics and religious leaders generally, were better positioned to enlighten corrupt leaders who had siphoned public resources and funds to return the money.``If this money is returned, the church will be relieved of extra responsibility of engaging in public services delivery such as education, health, and other social and economic development engagements,`` he said.Mengi also appealed to church goers and other Tanzanians to cultivate the culture of giving to others as a gesture of thanking God who created the wealth and money possessed by today�s people.``Always ask yourself why me. You are eating while others are suffering from hunger. Why me? You are dressing while others have no clothes.Why me? You are physically fit while others are disabled. Why me? So, you have to thank God who gave you by giving to the have-nots,`` he said.

SOURCE: Guardian