Case in which NGO accuses donor stalls for absence of magistrate

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

Absence of magistrate at Kinondoni Resident Magistrate’s Court on Friday stalled a case involving Swedish International Development Agency, IOGT-NTO-Movement and a Tanzanian Non Government Organization (NGO).  

 IOGT-NTO-Movement is accused of breaching a contract it signed with the non-governmental organization called Sober-Tanzania in a civil case No. 37.

The case was postponed on the grounds that the Kinondoni Resident Magistrate Athumani Nyamlani who is hearing the case was not available. 

  

The Swedish agency is accused of “abruptly and un-procedurally” cutting funds to Sober-Tanzania, which is devoted to fighting drug abuse in the country, including alcohol drinking. 

  

According to documents tendered in court, the NGO sued IOGT-NTO-Movement for terminating funding-contract without following conditions and procedures, as provided for in the contract the two parties signed on February 7, 2010.

The Swedish agency had agreed to finance Sober-Tanzania’s three-year project, between 2010 and 2012 but the Tanzanian NGO submitted that the contract was terminated without notice on September 19, 2011.

  

The documents submitted by the NGO showed the contract termination was executed by the IOGT-NTO-Movement-East African Region, Regional Representative. 

  

As a result, the NGO claimed it has been subjected to serious financial crisis including debts, failure to pay salaries and rent. 

  

Recently, local media reported that Sober-Tanzania received funds for only one year (2010) and abandoned the NGO. The case has been adjourned to October 22, 2012 when it will come for hearing. 

  

This reporter witnessed at the court before the adjournment a lawyer from IMMA Advocates Co. Ltd representing the respondent, verbally attacking Secretary General of the Sober-Tanzania, Fabian Nkingw’a, claiming that he had been speaking about a matter that was still in court. 

  

However, in a brief response, Sober secretary general said “don’t ask me that question…you have to ask the media which published the reports.”

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY (16/09/2012): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=45875