CCM denies Nchimbi ethics committee summons

DAR ES SALAAM: THE ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has dismissed reports that Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi has been summoned before the party’s Ethics Committee, saying it has no official communication confirming the claim.

CCM Secretary for Ideology, Propaganda and Training, Kenani Laban Kihongosi, rejected the reports on Wednesday during an interview with Clouds FM’s Power Breakfast programme in Dar es Salaam.

He said CCM follows its Constitution and regulations when handling disciplinary and ethical matters, and that any official summons would be communicated through the appropriate party channels.

Mr Kihongosi, however, said appearing before the Ethics Committee was a normal internal procedure and should not automatically be interpreted as wrongdoing.

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He explained that members summoned before the committee are given an opportunity to respond to questions and present their side of the matter before any decision is made.

“CCM does not recognise one another by positions but by membership. For you to be a cadre of the party, you must have a CCM membership card,” he said.

He said the committee has the authority to summon any party member, regardless of their position, whenever there are matters that require disciplinary or ethical review.

Mr Kihongosi added that disciplinary action could only be taken after a member had been heard and found to have breached the party’s Constitution or regulations.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the violation, he said, sanctions could range from a warning or reprimand to expulsion from the party.