Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on September 04, 2024.
CCM distances itself from former Longido DC’s election-rigging remarks
The ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has stated that it does not need to rely on unfair advantages to win various elections, including those for local government, villages, and sub-villages, and has urged its leaders to prepare their speeches when addressing the public carefully to avoid unnecessary controversies.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, to CCM and government leaders in Arusha, the party’s Secretary for Ideology, Publicity, and Training, Amos Makalla, emphasised that CCM cannot be propped up in elections.
On September 1, 2024, a video clip circulated online showing former Longido district commissioner Marko Henry Ngu’mbi admitting to widely held concerns that CCM, with the help of the country’s security forces, interfered in elections in favour of its candidates.
Mr Ngu’mbi told the councillors he was addressing that their elections are thanks to extralegal efforts by CCM to rig elections, including disqualifying opposition candidates so that CCM candidates can run unopposed. He also revealed that some of these rigging activities occur in the forests, a statement he couldn’t clarify.
Ngu’mbi’s remarks caused public uproar, leading President Samia Suluhu Hassan to revoke his appointment and replace him with Mr Salum Kali. According to Mr Makalla, the Head of State’s move is commendable.
“The speech he made does not reflect CCM’s stance,” Mr Makalla, sporting Maasai traditional robes, said during the meeting. “We ask leaders to carefully plan their speeches and write them properly instead of making up stories. Why would you go into the wilderness? What were you doing there?”
Makalla further stated that CCM has no reason to go into the wilderness, suggesting that Ngu’mbi went there alone to collect herbs or engage in other activities.
“He mentioned something about the bushes; I’m saying that he ran out of things to say and started coming up with his own words, which have nothing to do with us (CCM). Those are his issues; it was more of a conversation than actual news,” Makalla added.
“As the CCM spokesperson, I assure Tanzanians that the party is well-prepared for the local government and general elections next year, and we will win. We don’t need to wander aimlessly because we have a strong structure from the ward level and a good manifesto. We don’t need any unfair advantage,” said Makalla.
Ngu’mbi is the second official to be dismissed after commenting on election rigging. In July 2024, Nape Nnauye was also sacked following his statement suggesting that rigging is an option to ensure election victory, a claim that was also immediately denied by CCM after his dismissal.
Another witch doctor kills two, police hold him for investigation
The Police Force is currently detaining three individuals, including a traditional healer, Mtila Ausi, also known as Shehe Mtila, a resident of Tunduru District, who is suspected of murdering two businessmen from Songea in the Ruvuma region.
A statement released on September 4, 2024, by Police Spokesperson David Misime, identified the murdered businessmen as Raymond Hyera, also known as Ray (25), a resident of Msamala in Songea Municipality, and Riziki Mohamed (30), a resident of Mjimwema, Songea.
“The Police are holding Shehe Mtila (the traditional healer), Omary Abdallah, and Amini Sanga, who is a fellow businessman. The investigation revealed that when they left, they headed to Mbinga to see the healer, but when officers arrived, they were not found,” said Misime.
Misime stated that the initial investigation found that the two businessmen were last seen with their colleague, Amini Sanga (26), who was initially untraceable.
The statement explains that during the police investigation, Shehe Ausi and Omary Abdallah were eventually apprehended in Dodoma’s Makole area, where they revealed the businessmen’s location.
“After interrogation, they admitted that the businessmen had come to their home accompanied by their colleague, Amini Sanga, to obtain medicines to help their businesses prosper,” part of the statement read.
“What happened next is that they were given water to drink, which caused them to become weak and ultimately led to their deaths.”
The statement added that after the businessmen died, their bodies were taken and buried in the Mdinguli forest in Mtangashari village, Tunduru District.
The police received reports of the businessmen’s disappearance on August 3, after their relatives reported them missing at the Songea Police Station, noting they had been unaccounted for since July 31, 2024.
This incident marks the second in less than two weeks, following an event on August 26, 2024, when another traditional healer in the Singida region was arrested on suspicion of killing ten people and burying them. According to the police, the healer, Nkamba Kasubi, is expected to be charged in court soon.
Tanzania, China, and Zambia agree on the improvement of the TAZARA railway
Tanzania, China, and Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the improvement of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) to enhance the transport of goods and passengers between Tanzania, Zambia, and other parts of East and Central Africa.
The signing ceremony took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 4, 2024, and was witnessed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema.
A press release from the Tanzanian State House explained that President Samia highlighted the importance of this agreement for regional development after the signing.
“This agreement is a crucial step towards improving our transport and trade infrastructure, which is a vital link between our countries,” the statement reads. “Our relationship with China is longstanding and historical; we must continue to strengthen it for the benefit of our people.”
This event occurred during President Samia’s official visit to China, which began on September 2 and is expected to conclude on September 6, 2024. Samia is in China, participating in the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.
Additionally, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised China’s commitment to strengthening this strategic partnership and pledged that China is ready to continue working with Tanzania and Zambia for sustainable development and the welfare of the people.
The single-track railway, TAZARA, built between 1970 and 1975 with an interest-free loan from the Chinese government, symbolised China’s support for newly independent African nations. Its main goal was to help Zambia export copper and cobalt without relying on colonial Rhodesia or apartheid South Africa.
During construction, over 160 workers, including 64 Chinese nationals, died after bee attacks. Although once Africa’s longest railway, the line has deteriorated over time. In December, it was announced that China Civil & Engineering and Construction, the company behind the original project, would assess its revitalisation feasibility.
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