Good morning!The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on 30 July 2024.
TRC apologizes for technical issue that left new SGR train stuck for two hours
The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has apologized for the delay of its train, which was traveling from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, after it was halted for two hours between Kilosa and Kidete stations on July 30, 2024.
“Preliminary reports indicate that such faults are usually caused by animals (monkeys) or birds (owls) when they touch the overhead catenary system. The fault caused a power outage at substation number 7 (Godegode) due to what is technically known as an ‘Instantaneous Overcurrent Protection Trip’ at around 10:20 PM,” explained a statement issued by the Head of Public Relations, Jamila Mbarouk, today, July 31, 2024.
TRC said that their technicians restored power at around 12:30 AM, and the journey to Dodoma resumed, with the train arriving at around 1:57 AM.
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train began operations on the Dar es Salaam-Morogoro route on June 14, 2024, transporting over 600 passengers. Another route from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma was launched on July 25, 2024, with over 1,000 passengers on board.
President Samia is expected to travel on the SGR train from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma tomorrow, August 1, 2024.
SGR train to transport 10,000 tons of cargo at Once
The Minister of Transport, Prof. Makame Mbarawa said that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) trains will have the capacity to transport 10,000 tons of cargo at once. He explained that this is equivalent to the load carried by 500 trucks, highlighting that this mode of transport will help prevent road damage, increase revenue, and promote economic and social development by providing reliable transport services.
“The sectors directly impacted by the SGR are business, tourism, industry, agriculture, fishing, and livestock keeping. It is a matter of pride, and we must ensure that each one of us is at the forefront in using, maintaining, and protecting our railway for the benefit of future generations,” Mbarawa said on July 30, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, while speaking to journalists about the launch of the train.
The launch, expected to take place on August 1, 2024, will occur 49 days after the commencement of SGR services from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, which began on June 14, 2024, one month ahead of the directive given by President Samia on December 31, 2023.
Mbarawa said that the government has so far spent USD 3.138 billion (approximately TZS 8.4 trillion) on the construction of SGR infrastructure for the two segments from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro and Makutopora to Dodoma, totaling 722 kilometers. He emphasized that the SGR is currently one of the most critical sectors in the country.
Mpina’s battle with Bashe and Speaker Tulia intensifies, files three lawsuits
A panel of lawyers representing Kisesa MP, Luhaga Mpina (CCM), has filed three constitutional lawsuits at the High Court Sub-Registry in Dar es Salaam. One of these lawsuits challenges the decision to suspend the MP from attending 15 parliamentary sessions.
Speaking separately on July 30, 2024, Mpina’s lawyers, led by Dr. Rugemeleza Nshala, the former President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) and Mpina’s attorney in the sugar import permits case, said the legal and constitutional perspectives will soon be clarified.
“This is the first case by Luhaga Mpina, who has invoked Article 26 (2) of the Constitution, which requires every citizen of the United Republic of Tanzania to ensure that the law and constitution of the country are followed. When one perceives that the law and constitution are not being followed, they can go to court and file a case,” explained Dr. Rugemeleza Nshala.
In this sugar import permits saga, Mpina has sued the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, the Sugar Board, ITEL Industries, Zenji Industries, the Minister of Finance, and the TRA Commissioner for granting VAT (Value Added Tax) exemptions without proper procedures and failing to demand and collect taxes from those granted sugar import permits.
Among the three lawsuits filed by Mpina, one accuses the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General of denying him the right to represent the people of Kisesa and all Tanzanians for 15 parliamentary sessions. Mpina believes he was unjustly removed from parliament contrary to the law.
Mpina was expelled from parliament on Monday, June 24, 2024, after the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Rights, Ethics, and Powers, Ally Makoa, informed the parliament that Mpina was found guilty of disrespecting the Speaker’s authority and parliamentary proceedings.
This came just days after Mpina raised the sugar permits scandal, accusing the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, of providing false information in parliament. Parliament argued, Mpina was supposed to table the evidence before the Speaker and not to the press.
Kombo Mbwana denied bail
Kombo Mbwana, a 29-year-old who had been missing for nearly a month before the Police Force announced that they were holding him, was brought before the Tanga District Court on July 30, 2024, and charged under the Electronic and Postal Communications Act.
Despite the Chief Magistrate of the court, Moses Maroa, announcing that bail was available under the conditions that Kombo have two guarantors who would each sign a bond of TZS 2 million, with letters from their residential area leaders and national IDs, the police blocked the bail. They presented an affidavit from the Regional Crime Officer (RCO) of Tanga, requesting that the accused not be granted bail because the investigation of the case is not yet complete.
Additionally, Kombo’s lawyers opposed the request, and the court instructed them to submit a counter-affidavit by August 12, 2024, when the court will hear the matter.
In criminal case number 19759 of 2024, Kombo faces charges of failing to provide sufficient information about his SIM card details, contrary to section 126 of the Electronic and Postal Communications Act. He is also accused of failing to register a SIM card that was previously owned by another person and failing to report changes regarding the SIM card.
Before being brought to court, Kombo had been missing since June 15, 2024, after being taken from his home in Kwamsala Village, Handeni District, Tanga Region, by unknown individuals. On July 14, 2024, the Acting Regional Police Commander of Tanga, Zakaria Bernard, announced that he was being held by the police.
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One Response
“Kombo Mbwana, a 29-year-old who had been missing for nearly a month before the Police Force announced that they were holding him”
Is this not violation of law by the police? Any action taken?