Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Monday, January 29, 2024.

Activist Mdude Nyagali reportedly prevented from leaving Tanzania for Kenya

Human rights activist Mdude Nyagali complained on Monday that authorities at the Tanzania-Kenya Namanga border prevented him from leaving the country for Kenya after informing him that he needs a special permit from law enforcement organs before leaving Tanzania.

Nyagali, who doubles as a member of the opposition party CHADEMA, arrived at the border around 8 AM, where immigration officers detained him immediately after handing over his passport for processing, at first giving no reason for the detention except that they were carrying out orders from “above.”

He was later informed that there was a travel ban against him, and was handed over to the police at the border, where he spent two hours for interrogation. He was later released after being informed that the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) had issued the order, but it had already expired.

Full story here.

Tanzania cannot afford to remain a graveyard for old European, Asian cars

Over the decades, Tanzania witnessed a surge in the import of used cars from Europe and Asia. While this trend offers accessible transportation options for many Tanzanians, it has concurrently given rise to concerns regarding environmental impact, safety, and a sluggish embrace of technological advancements.

In 2017, the East African Community (EAC) proposed a recommendation to limit the importation of cars to those not older than five years. However,  only Kenya has fully embraced this suggestion among EAC’s member states. 

Remarkably, there are no age restrictions for imported used cars in Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Uganda.

Full analysis here.

Zanzibar vows to intensify fight against sextortion

The director of prevention with the Zanzibar Anti-corruption and Economic Crime Authority (ZAECA), Bakar Hassan, vowed on Sunday to intensify the fight against corruption, saying it will target all entities, including authorities, that abuse their powers to obtain sexual favour.

Mr Hassan made the commitment while speaking with women rights activists in Zanzibar under the umbrella of the Zanzibar Female Lawyers Association (ZAFELA) and the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA)- Zanzibar, ZAECA

“We now have a better law after recent improvement in the House of Representatives approved by President Husein Mwinyi,” Region Weekly quoted Hassan as saying. “We have been empowered to investigate all forms of corruption, including sextortion.”

Sextortion is a form of corruption and gender-based violence, and it occurs when a person with entrusted authority abuses this authority to obtain a sexual favour in exchange for a service or benefit that is within their power to grant or withhold.

Mr Hassan pointed out that ZAECA Act No. 5 of 2023, sections 50-52, mention different kinds of corruption, including soliciting or offering sexual favours, and that if guilty, the offender can face imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years but not more than ten years with a fine of not less than Sh15 million but not more than Sh20 million.

He said that they will also carry out surveillance and investigate sex corruption within the government and non-governmental institutions and provide adequate protection for witnesses and whistleblowers, who will help in reporting such offences to the agency.

He further emphasised that ZAECA is committed to providing education to ensure awareness of the improved law among citizens so that they can report all suspicious corruption practices, including demand for sex for a job or services.

The director informed the women’s rights activists that the authority has significant powers to handle such cases with utmost confidentiality.

He also said the new law penalises officials who violate ethical standards during their duties.

He stressed the importance of public understanding and avoidance of such offences, as they deprive individuals, especially those in vulnerable positions, of their rights to employment, promotions, and other entitlements.

“Public awareness is still needed, and the task of curbing these acts of corruption, including sexual corruption, is not solely ZAECA’s responsibility, but requires the participation of every institution and individual, given that prevention is better than cure,” Mr Hassan added.

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