Energy and Power Development minister Elton Mangoma yesterday apologised to the Senate for failing to appear before the august House after he was summoned four times, saying he had not personally received the invitation letters.
The Senate Committee on Peace and Security had threatened to press contempt of Parliament charges against Mangoma for snubbing it.
The committee chairperson, Rushinga Senator Damien Mumvuri, yesterday said Mangoma had failed to respond to invitations from Parliament since March 28 this year.
“We have raised a complaint against Minister Mangoma after we invited him four times, but he failed to turn up,” Mumvuri said. “On four different occasions — March 28, May 9, June 11 and June 20 — on all these dates, the minister failed to appear before Parliament.”
In response, Mangoma said: “I have not had any communication from this office. Anybody could have received the letter, but I didn’t. I apologise and I am sorry for that. It was never deliberate.”
Mumvuri said the committee would institute investigations into Mangoma’s claims. Mangoma is now scheduled to appear before the same committee on Wednesday next week.
