Seif defiant despite CCM accusation

Seif defiant despite CCM accusation

The Civic United Front (CUF) secretary general Mr Seif Shariff Hamad
By Hawra Shamte and Salma Said, Zanzibar

The Civic United Front (CUF) secretary general has vowed to sustain his campaign of 'educating the people on their rights' despite accusations that he is inciting the masses.

Mr Seif Shariff Hamad has been criticised by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) fueling chaos in the isles and there has been calls that he be investigated.

"If they say that educating people on their rights is instigation, then I will keep on instigating them," Mr Hamad insisted.

Speaking to reporters at Kisiwandui in Zanzibar yesterday, a CCM official, Mr Vuai Ali Vuai said Mr Hamad was to blame for troubles that marred voter registration, especially in pemba.

"He has been instigating his followers to engage in illegal activities� he keeps on insisting that all the people should be registered while he knows that the law forbids those who have not been residing in the isles for three consecutive years to vote,"he said.

"CCM is requesting both the Union and Zanzibar governments to closely follow his statements , but we also call on the international community and diplomats here to be aware of Maalim as a threat to peace in the Great Lakes region," he said.

But Mr Hamad said he was not concerned with what the CCM leader said, warning that the isles government would be answerable in case anything happened.

"Citizens have vowed that if they are not given Zanzibari identity cards no one will be registered, because the IDs issue has been illegally incorporated in election laws," the CUF secretary general said.

He said the Constitution required that the eligibility to vote in Zanzibar was being 18 years and above and being mentally fit. He wondered why an adult of 70 years, born and brought up in Zanzibar was being denied his right to acquire an ID.

He alleged that people from Mainland were being given Zanzibari identity cards, but not Wahadimu of Tumbatu and Indians who have been in Zanzibar for centuries.

"Where is justice here?" Maalim Seif queried.

The leader of Official Opposition in the Parliament Mr Hamad Rashid Mohamed supported his boss, noting that the law did not recognise the IDs as being a requirement for one to vote.

He said it was unfair to accuse Maalim Seif of breaching peace instead of blaming those in breach of the constitution.