Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.
Samia wants COVID-19 situation in Tanzania assessed
President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Saturday instructed the Ministry of Health to evaluate the situation of COVID-19 in the country so as to be in the position of advising the general public on how to go about preventing the deadly virus.
The Head of State gave the directive in Makunduchi, South Unguja in Zanzibar during the climax of the annual Kizimkazi festival that started on August 28. The festival aims at bringing citizens together, protecting and maintaining traditions and customs as well as encouraging the execution of development activities.
“When I was coming here, I and my fellows had our masks on, but upon my arrival at the venue, I was surprised to see that no citizen was wearing a mask,” said Samia during the event.
“This shows that people are tired of it,” she continued. “So, we are going to follow your [Ministry] instructions after evaluating the situation and inform us whether we should continue or rest a bit.”
She said that when she decided to take her mask off all the people in her convoy did the same.
“The ministry should, therefore, make the disease assessment and come up with suggestions over what should be the country’s next move of action,” she said.
President Samia, however, reminded citizens that COVID-19 still exists, urging those who haven’t taken their vaccination to do so.
Two Tanzanian women arrested in India for possessing drugs
Police in the Indian state of Goa have arrested two Tanzanian women at Anjuna in North Goa district for allegedly possessing drugs, the Indian press reported Sunday.
“In a joint later night raid conducted by Anjuna Police and ANC on Saturday, we have arrested two Tanzanian national women for possession of various drugs,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi was quoted as saying.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Catherine Hayuma, 25, and Bianca Shayo, 25, both native of Tanzania.
“Charas weighing 20 grams, LSD 0.04 grams and Cocaine weighing 2 grams, all valued at around Rs 60,000 in the international market was found in their possession,” the police said.
According to police both the accused persons were part of a racket involving the supply of various drugs to customers in Coastal areas of North Goa.
Road accident kills five, injures 56 in Shinyanga
At least five people died and 56 after an upcountry bus collided with a lorry at Ibadakuli in Shinyanga Municipality.
Acting Regional Police Commander of Mwanza, Leonard Nyandahu confirmed the accident saying that the deadly crash happened on Saturday morning, adding that the Super Najimunisa company bus was travelling from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza collided with the truck carrying sadine consignment.
The lorry was heading to Dar es Salaam, according to the authority.
Nyandahu said the accident was caused by the negligence of the bus driver who did not pay attention to road safety signs and speeding.
However, a survivor of the accident, Fred Mahina told the government-owned Daily News newspaper that after he saw the driver driving recklessly, he tried to advise him to slow down but his efforts proved futile.
“When we reached Morogoro, the driver was speeding and caused another accident… Passengers shouted at him to slow down but he ignored and advised us to keep praying,” the survivor said.
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