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'Activists accuse police of violating suspects’ rights'
The main opposition in Zanzibar, Civic United Front (CUF), is embroiled
in a scuffle with the office of the directorate of public prosecutions
(DPP) with claims that its arrested members have been
denied bail and legal representation.
Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday national coordinator of Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) Onesmo Olengurumwa said the coalition in collaboration with Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) learnt that seven people were being held in police custody for nine days accused of spying offence.
Olengurumwa said they were told that the accused were arrested for allegedly engaging in communication with a Swedish blogger, Susana Nurduland who is a champion in reporting on violations of human rights and land disputes that occur in Loliondo.
“We request the police in Arusha and other security organs to release the suspects who are still in custody for more than a week or take them to court because denial of bail and legal representation is against the law,” he said.
When The Guardian contacted Arusha Regional Police Commander, Charles Mkumbo, he said that three of the suspects will be arraigned in court today. He said the interrogation on the three accused was complete but did not avail their names.
The officer said others were still in custody for further interrogation and will be taken to court when investigations are complete.
“This is case is very important. Police are continuing with interrogation of the suspects and three of them will be taken to court tomorrow (today),” he said.
Olengurumwa named the accused still being held in custody as former lawmaker Mathew Oletiman, Ward councilors Yanick Ndonyo and Ndina Timan, chairman of Mundoros local government Joshua Makko, director of Ngorongoro Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) network Samweli Nangiria and two other activists Supuk ole Maoi and Clinton Kairung.
He appealed to international human rights stakeholders and the judiciary to intervene and condemn the violation of human rights and for advocates to unite and fight for their rights to legally represent people without giving up.
LHRC advocate Hamis Mkindi said what is happening unconstitutional and should not be condoned
denied bail and legal representation.
Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday national coordinator of Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) Onesmo Olengurumwa said the coalition in collaboration with Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) learnt that seven people were being held in police custody for nine days accused of spying offence.
Olengurumwa said they were told that the accused were arrested for allegedly engaging in communication with a Swedish blogger, Susana Nurduland who is a champion in reporting on violations of human rights and land disputes that occur in Loliondo.
“We request the police in Arusha and other security organs to release the suspects who are still in custody for more than a week or take them to court because denial of bail and legal representation is against the law,” he said.
When The Guardian contacted Arusha Regional Police Commander, Charles Mkumbo, he said that three of the suspects will be arraigned in court today. He said the interrogation on the three accused was complete but did not avail their names.
The officer said others were still in custody for further interrogation and will be taken to court when investigations are complete.
“This is case is very important. Police are continuing with interrogation of the suspects and three of them will be taken to court tomorrow (today),” he said.
Olengurumwa named the accused still being held in custody as former lawmaker Mathew Oletiman, Ward councilors Yanick Ndonyo and Ndina Timan, chairman of Mundoros local government Joshua Makko, director of Ngorongoro Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) network Samweli Nangiria and two other activists Supuk ole Maoi and Clinton Kairung.
He appealed to international human rights stakeholders and the judiciary to intervene and condemn the violation of human rights and for advocates to unite and fight for their rights to legally represent people without giving up.
LHRC advocate Hamis Mkindi said what is happening unconstitutional and should not be condoned
Angry mob lynches two Kenya suspects'
Buruna Marwa Kimune (38) and Daniel Marwa (30) residents of villages of
Gokeharaka and Masangura Kurya district in Kenya were killed on
Wednesday last week after they were severely beaten by residents of
Nyabisanga Village, Pemba Ward in Tarime District for plotting to carry
out a robbery with two of their colleagues who were armed with firearms
and managed to escape.
The Ward councilor for Pemba, Ngocho Seronga and the local leader for Nyabisanga village, Sagamo Nyamang’ondi said a suspected group of thugs from Kenya were reported to have entered the village while equipped with firearms and that they were spotted by the residents at night in the village.
It is also reported that the residents started informing each other of the presence of the group and managed to trace them and caught two of them while others managed to cross into Kenya.
The group is said to have been wreaking havoc in the villages bordering Kenya by attacking and stealing various items.
It is also reported that one of the residents Mtongori Waikama was recently robbed off 19 cows.
Tarime-Rorya Special Zone Police Commander Andrew Satta confirmed the incident and said investigations into the matter are underway.
He urged residents to stop taking the law in their hands and instead should report suspects to the police.
In another incident, two residents of Mpakani surburb have died after reportedly taking sachets of hard liquor popularly known as viroba.
Elias Samuel (22) and Mwita Paulo (20) were found dead on Thursday last week in the house in which they were living together.
Police said investigations into the matter was ongoing and that their bodies are preserved at Tarime district hospital mortuary together with those of two slain Kenyans.
The Ward councilor for Pemba, Ngocho Seronga and the local leader for Nyabisanga village, Sagamo Nyamang’ondi said a suspected group of thugs from Kenya were reported to have entered the village while equipped with firearms and that they were spotted by the residents at night in the village.
It is also reported that the residents started informing each other of the presence of the group and managed to trace them and caught two of them while others managed to cross into Kenya.
The group is said to have been wreaking havoc in the villages bordering Kenya by attacking and stealing various items.
It is also reported that one of the residents Mtongori Waikama was recently robbed off 19 cows.
Tarime-Rorya Special Zone Police Commander Andrew Satta confirmed the incident and said investigations into the matter are underway.
He urged residents to stop taking the law in their hands and instead should report suspects to the police.
In another incident, two residents of Mpakani surburb have died after reportedly taking sachets of hard liquor popularly known as viroba.
Elias Samuel (22) and Mwita Paulo (20) were found dead on Thursday last week in the house in which they were living together.
Police said investigations into the matter was ongoing and that their bodies are preserved at Tarime district hospital mortuary together with those of two slain Kenyans.
'Magufuli appoints Nyantahe NDC board chair to replace Mzindakaya'
A press statement issued yesterday by Chief Secretary, Ambassador John
Kijazi, said Dr Nyantahe’s appointment would start with effect from July
20, 2016.
Before his current appointment, Dr Nyantahe was the chairman of the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI).
He fills the position that was recently left vacant by Dr Chrisant Mzindakaya who willingly announced his departure from the position.
Speaking to journalists recently, Dr Mzindakaya (76), who revealed he tendered his letter of resignation and early retirement to President John Magufuli, said advancing age was the main reason behind his decision to quit, although he still felt mentally and physically strong.
In doing so, Mzindakaya becomes the first reasonably high-profile personality to relinquish a key public service posting of his own free will under the keen watch of President Magufuli, who has already subjected a good number of senior public officials to compulsory ‘retirement’ for various administrative shortcomings in the eight and a half months he has been in power.
The former long-serving member of parliament, deputy minister and regional administrator said he was retiring for no other reason than the fact he felt it was “the right thing to do” after years of service in successive governments.
“I served 13 years under Mwalimu Julius Nyerere in addition to 10 years as a regional commissioner under President Ali Hassan Mwinyi. Then I requested President Mwinyi to relieve me of my duties as residents of Kwela constituency in Rukwa Region asked me to represent them in Parliament, a responsibility I undertook for 45 years until I retired voluntarily,” said Dr Mzindakaya.
“Under the same spirit, I found it necessary to seek approval from President Magufuli to relieve me of my duties as chairman of NDC. The nation is blessed with highly qualified individuals who should also be given a chance to lead such institutions,” added Dr Mzindakaya.
“It is not proper to cling to power. I am old and doing what I believe is the right thing to do as a man of principle. All leaders are not here to stay. Men and women will go but the nation will remain forever,” he said.
He stepped down with a year remaining on his third three-year tenure as NDC chairman. He said his decision gave him comfort and peace of mind and wished NDC well in further advancing key development projects such as the Mchuchuma coal and Liganga iron ore mines in the Southern Highlands.
Before his current appointment, Dr Nyantahe was the chairman of the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI).
He fills the position that was recently left vacant by Dr Chrisant Mzindakaya who willingly announced his departure from the position.
Speaking to journalists recently, Dr Mzindakaya (76), who revealed he tendered his letter of resignation and early retirement to President John Magufuli, said advancing age was the main reason behind his decision to quit, although he still felt mentally and physically strong.
In doing so, Mzindakaya becomes the first reasonably high-profile personality to relinquish a key public service posting of his own free will under the keen watch of President Magufuli, who has already subjected a good number of senior public officials to compulsory ‘retirement’ for various administrative shortcomings in the eight and a half months he has been in power.
The former long-serving member of parliament, deputy minister and regional administrator said he was retiring for no other reason than the fact he felt it was “the right thing to do” after years of service in successive governments.
“I served 13 years under Mwalimu Julius Nyerere in addition to 10 years as a regional commissioner under President Ali Hassan Mwinyi. Then I requested President Mwinyi to relieve me of my duties as residents of Kwela constituency in Rukwa Region asked me to represent them in Parliament, a responsibility I undertook for 45 years until I retired voluntarily,” said Dr Mzindakaya.
“Under the same spirit, I found it necessary to seek approval from President Magufuli to relieve me of my duties as chairman of NDC. The nation is blessed with highly qualified individuals who should also be given a chance to lead such institutions,” added Dr Mzindakaya.
“It is not proper to cling to power. I am old and doing what I believe is the right thing to do as a man of principle. All leaders are not here to stay. Men and women will go but the nation will remain forever,” he said.
He stepped down with a year remaining on his third three-year tenure as NDC chairman. He said his decision gave him comfort and peace of mind and wished NDC well in further advancing key development projects such as the Mchuchuma coal and Liganga iron ore mines in the Southern Highlands.
'Businessman questioned at PCCB offices,then in court'
Yusufali was charged at Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es
Salaam along with four other people with defrauding the government of
billions of shillings in tax revenue.
The case yesterday appeared for mention where prosecution led by state attorney Mutalemwa Kishenyi and Leonard Swai from PCCB asked the court to allow them to take the accused for further interrogation.
"We are asking the court to allow the accused Yusufali to be taken for further interrogation and we promise to bring him back to the court before the official working hours are over," Mutalemwa asked the court.
Principal Resident Magistrate Huruma Shahidi granted the request and handed over the accused to PCCB officials.
After the interrogation, at around 5:30 the accused was brought back to the court along with another person that they were supposed to appear before the court with fresh charge relating to tax revenue evasion.
However, PCCB failed to read the charge due to court working hours were over and Yusufali was remanded in custody until today while his co accused was taken by the PCCB officers.
Yusufali, a director of Farm Plant Limited and his co accused are facing 199 counts of various offences including occasioning loss to the government of over 15.6bln by evading value added tax (VAT).
Apart from Yusufalii, other accused are Alloyscious Mandago, Isaack Kasanga, Taherali Sujjaudin and Mohammed Kabula.
In the case Yusufuli is charged with is charged with 179 counts of forgery, 15 counts of uttering false documents while the accused Mandago and Kasanga are charged with one counts of forgery.
The accused Teherali and Kabula are also charged with one count of forgery.
Alloyscious Mandago, Isaack Kasanga, Taherali Sujjaudin and Mohammed Kabula.
They were appeared in court early this Month and were not allowed to enter plea because the court has no jurisdiction to hear the economic crimes cases.
Principal resident magistrate Huruma Shahidi adjourned The case until August 5 this year when it is coming for mention.
According to the prosecution the investigation into the case is not complete.
The case yesterday appeared for mention where prosecution led by state attorney Mutalemwa Kishenyi and Leonard Swai from PCCB asked the court to allow them to take the accused for further interrogation.
"We are asking the court to allow the accused Yusufali to be taken for further interrogation and we promise to bring him back to the court before the official working hours are over," Mutalemwa asked the court.
Principal Resident Magistrate Huruma Shahidi granted the request and handed over the accused to PCCB officials.
After the interrogation, at around 5:30 the accused was brought back to the court along with another person that they were supposed to appear before the court with fresh charge relating to tax revenue evasion.
However, PCCB failed to read the charge due to court working hours were over and Yusufali was remanded in custody until today while his co accused was taken by the PCCB officers.
Yusufali, a director of Farm Plant Limited and his co accused are facing 199 counts of various offences including occasioning loss to the government of over 15.6bln by evading value added tax (VAT).
Apart from Yusufalii, other accused are Alloyscious Mandago, Isaack Kasanga, Taherali Sujjaudin and Mohammed Kabula.
In the case Yusufuli is charged with is charged with 179 counts of forgery, 15 counts of uttering false documents while the accused Mandago and Kasanga are charged with one counts of forgery.
The accused Teherali and Kabula are also charged with one count of forgery.
Alloyscious Mandago, Isaack Kasanga, Taherali Sujjaudin and Mohammed Kabula.
They were appeared in court early this Month and were not allowed to enter plea because the court has no jurisdiction to hear the economic crimes cases.
Principal resident magistrate Huruma Shahidi adjourned The case until August 5 this year when it is coming for mention.
According to the prosecution the investigation into the case is not complete.
Defiance: Mbowe calls for nationwide demonstrations
THE chairman of the opposition CHADEMA party, Freeman Mbowe, yesterday called for nationwide protests and public rallies, accusing President John Magufuli's government of backsliding on democracy and the rule of law.
Mbowe declared September 1 this year a day of "defiance" and urged
supporters of Tanzania's main opposition party to stage demonstrations
across the country to protest against what he described as a blanket
police ban on political activities.
The Tanzania Police Force last month banned all political rallies and demonstrations indefinitely, saying it had received intelligence reports suggesting that the opposition planned to use the rallies to call for the launch of a campaign of civil disorder in the country.
But Mbowe said yesterday that CHADEMA's central committee has now ordered the party to stage nationwide public rallies and protests to defy the "undemocratic and unconstitutional" police ban.
"Since public rallies and political activities are our democratic right ... CHADEMA is hereby declaring Sept. 1 this year a day for public rallies, including demonstrations, across the country," he told journalists yesterday in Dar es Salaam.
"We will hold these public rallies in defiance of the order issued by the president and police."
CHADEMA and other opposition parties under the UKAWA coalition group last month called for nationwide rallies to protest against the government's decision to ban live televised parliamentary debates.
Police swiftly outlawed the planned demonstrations for security reasons and has since maintained on several occasions that the ban was still in force.
Mbowe said yesterday that CHADEMA would follow procedure, which requires the party to officially inform the police about its planned public rallies and demonstrations, but warned authorities against interfering in the process.
Magufuli last month told opposition parties not to stand in his way by trying to derail implementation of his 2015 election promises through destructive politics.
The president urged opposition parties to conduct their activities in formal political bodies such as Parliament instead of staging public demonstrations.
Magufuli has since come under scathing attack from opposition leaders who have accused him of banning political activities in the country.
Some opposition party leaders claim that Magufuli is showing "dictatorial tendencies", but the president has publicly rebuffed them by saying "I am not a dictator."
The commissioner of police for training and operations, Nsato Marijani, was non-committal yesterday when asked by The Guardian if police would allow the planned Sept. 1 opposition protests to take place across the country.
“We will carefully analyse the country’s security and political situation to see if the proposed demonstrations and public rallies would result in civil disobedience or not," he said.
"If we are satisfied that the demonstrations will be peaceful, then we will let them go ahead."
The spokesman of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, Christopher ole Sendeka, could not immediately comment yesterday on the move by the opposition party.
“I'll need some time to go through what they (CHADEMA) are planning to do then I will have something to say," he remarked.
The police ban on political meetings and rallies has sparked criticism from activists and democracy crusaders who describe it as unconstitutional.
The United States ambassador to Tanzania, Mark Childress, has also expressed concern over the government's decision to ban political meetings. In a message to Tanzanians on July 4, he said:
"I am mindful when Tanzanian voices raise concerns about the closing of democratic space, whether that be the banning of political rallies or restrictions to televising the sessions of Parliament. I believe the fight against corruption – an admirable goal of great importance to both our nations – need not be waged at the peril of debate, dissent, or free speech."
"In fact, it is this very creative tension between competing ideas that makes democracies stable, prosperous, and representative of the people."
The United States, which is Tanzania's largest bilateral development partner, in March cancelled aid worth over 1 trillion/- to the country under the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) programme due to concerns about the conduct of the Zanzibar election rerun and enforcement of the Cybercrimes Act.
Mbowe declared September 1 this year a day of "defiance" and urged
supporters of Tanzania's main opposition party to stage demonstrations
across the country to protest against what he described as a blanket
police ban on political activities. The Tanzania Police Force last month banned all political rallies and demonstrations indefinitely, saying it had received intelligence reports suggesting that the opposition planned to use the rallies to call for the launch of a campaign of civil disorder in the country.
But Mbowe said yesterday that CHADEMA's central committee has now ordered the party to stage nationwide public rallies and protests to defy the "undemocratic and unconstitutional" police ban.
"Since public rallies and political activities are our democratic right ... CHADEMA is hereby declaring Sept. 1 this year a day for public rallies, including demonstrations, across the country," he told journalists yesterday in Dar es Salaam.
"We will hold these public rallies in defiance of the order issued by the president and police."
CHADEMA and other opposition parties under the UKAWA coalition group last month called for nationwide rallies to protest against the government's decision to ban live televised parliamentary debates.
Police swiftly outlawed the planned demonstrations for security reasons and has since maintained on several occasions that the ban was still in force.
Mbowe said yesterday that CHADEMA would follow procedure, which requires the party to officially inform the police about its planned public rallies and demonstrations, but warned authorities against interfering in the process.
Magufuli last month told opposition parties not to stand in his way by trying to derail implementation of his 2015 election promises through destructive politics.
The president urged opposition parties to conduct their activities in formal political bodies such as Parliament instead of staging public demonstrations.
Magufuli has since come under scathing attack from opposition leaders who have accused him of banning political activities in the country.
Some opposition party leaders claim that Magufuli is showing "dictatorial tendencies", but the president has publicly rebuffed them by saying "I am not a dictator."
The commissioner of police for training and operations, Nsato Marijani, was non-committal yesterday when asked by The Guardian if police would allow the planned Sept. 1 opposition protests to take place across the country.
“We will carefully analyse the country’s security and political situation to see if the proposed demonstrations and public rallies would result in civil disobedience or not," he said.
"If we are satisfied that the demonstrations will be peaceful, then we will let them go ahead."
The spokesman of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, Christopher ole Sendeka, could not immediately comment yesterday on the move by the opposition party.
“I'll need some time to go through what they (CHADEMA) are planning to do then I will have something to say," he remarked.
The police ban on political meetings and rallies has sparked criticism from activists and democracy crusaders who describe it as unconstitutional.
The United States ambassador to Tanzania, Mark Childress, has also expressed concern over the government's decision to ban political meetings. In a message to Tanzanians on July 4, he said:
"I am mindful when Tanzanian voices raise concerns about the closing of democratic space, whether that be the banning of political rallies or restrictions to televising the sessions of Parliament. I believe the fight against corruption – an admirable goal of great importance to both our nations – need not be waged at the peril of debate, dissent, or free speech."
"In fact, it is this very creative tension between competing ideas that makes democracies stable, prosperous, and representative of the people."
The United States, which is Tanzania's largest bilateral development partner, in March cancelled aid worth over 1 trillion/- to the country under the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) programme due to concerns about the conduct of the Zanzibar election rerun and enforcement of the Cybercrimes Act.
