Businesspeople Should Immediately Stop Dominating CCM

Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala

For a long time, there have been internal complaints within CCM that when leadership positions in the party are announced, it is extremely difficult for a poor person without money to succeed. This is because, within CCM, money is often the main weapon—used to bribe delegates and leaders at all levels, from Village Chairperson, Councilor, Member of Parliament, to members of the National Executive Council and even the Central Committee. This situation also exists in district and regional leadership positions: wherever there is an opening, money is used to secure it.

There are some poor individuals who manage to get through, but usually with sponsorship from certain wealthy individuals. Without money, a poor person cannot succeed—empty hands get nothing.

“You run for District Chairperson, you run for Regional Chairperson—I will give you money to bribe delegates, but once you win, protect me. I believe in 2025 I will run for Parliament, so safeguard my interests and my businesses.”

This is how things have been done for many years. Even talking about corruption within CCM can make you appear foolish, weak, or as someone exposing party secrets.

Currently, businesspeople outnumber farmers and workers in influence, because workers and farmers are poor and cannot bribe delegates. Businesspeople, however, can buy votes ranging from 10,000 to 5,000,000 shillings depending on the situation and position being contested. There is no secrecy here. Delegates have become accustomed to bribes, so when a candidate does not offer them, they become upset and say,

“Everyone should look out for themselves—we give you votes, you gain a position, and then each of us benefits until the next election.”

The problem is that businesspeople enter politics not to serve Tanzanian society, but to advance their business interests.

“A businessperson is in politics only to ensure the growth of their businesses and projects—nothing more.”

This reality is evident in the dispute involving Mr. Kepu, a CCM member from Ilala, Dar es Salaam. He used borrowed money to supply campaign materials for CCM and even mortgaged his building. However, the party failed to pay the debt on time, leading to the building being auctioned by the bank. It is alleged that the buyer is a member of the CCM National Executive Council.

“It would have been better if someone else had bought the building—why should it be purchased by a member of the CCM National Executive Council?”

People within CCM are studying business opportunities, while commercial conflicts are easily resolved in their favor.

Fortunately, Mwanakwetu personally knows Mr. Kepu well, having known him since his youth—he is like a relative. This matter must be spoken about openly. Those responsible include three parties: CCM for failing to pay the debt on time, the bank for auctioning the collateral (Mr. Kepu’s building), and the buyer, who is a member of the CCM National Executive Council.

Mwanakwetu insists that this issue must be addressed urgently, as it brings great shame to CCM in the eyes of Tanzanians—it is like being publicly exposed.

So what does Mwanakwetu propose today?

First, CCM should immediately pay the debt owed to Mr. Kepu. Second, once paid, Mr. Kepu should settle his debt with the bank, including any interest.Third, Mr. Kepu should have his building returned to him immediately. Fourth, CCM should be more careful in distributing leadership positions—first to farmers, second to workers, and third to businesspeople. Currently, businesspeople have grown dominant and have taken over leadership positions, even controlling decision-making in both the party and government.

This situation must come to an end. Otherwise, farmers and workers may abandon the party, seeing it no longer as their own, but as a party of elites who are only there to advance their business interests.