Good morning!The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on August 21, 2024.

108 people arrested in Lamadi-Simiyu protests against child abductions

Protest erupted in Lamadi in the early hours of the day against the lack of accountability from the Police over reports of abductions in the area. Residents complained that several of their children went missing with some being found dead without proper response from the Police.

While some residents have confirmed that several people are feared dead after being shot by the police during an attempt to disperse protesters in Busega, Simiyu Region on August 21, 2024, Busega District Commissioner Faiza Salim stated that she has not received any reports of fatalities during the protests. She further clarified that during her four months in office, she has not received any reports of missing children.

Speaking to journalists after the protests, she said that the police are holding 108 people in connection with the protests, which began early Wednesday morning and disrupted various community activities for over five hours.

“You have seen the impact stones were thrown at me and other officials, they even tried to burn the police station. Tear gas had to be used because they blocked all the roads, destroyed infrastructure, and vandalized shops. As the authorities we cannot allow,” said Faiza.

“I have not received any reports of deaths; there may be minor injuries, and after we conclude the operation, we will provide a full report. So far, we have arrested 108 people, and we are taking them to court.”

Various videos of injured residents from Simiyu have continued to circulate online, with some residents claiming that there are reports of people feared dead due to the incident.

It is reported that the police used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the protesters who marched to the police station. The gathering led to more than 100 officers being called in from the regional headquarters to reinforce efforts to control the situation.

Mashimba Songoma, Chairman of the Makanisani Hamlet, speaking to the press about the protests in Lamadi, Busega District, claimed that residents have been reporting incidents of missing children to the police, the District Commissioner’s Office, and the Ward Executive Officer, but have not received any responses.

“Until yesterday, nothing had been done, not even a meeting, to provide us with any information from the district commissioner, the OCD, or the ward executive officer. That is why the residents protested; they have the fundamental right to know what is happening at the police station and why these people are disappearing,” said the chairman.

Additionally, a resident of Lamadi Ward told The Chanzo that the situation of missing children in the small town of Lamadi has become unbearable. He explained that despite residents going to the police to seek help, they have received inadequate responses.

 “Just today, I received a letter from the school where my child studies, instructing me to accompany my child to school and only leave after ensuring they have arrived safely or boarded a vehicle. Here, every two days, you hear that someone’s child has gone missing, and the police do not provide answers. Do you think this is right?” explained the resident, who requested anonymity.

Recently, there has been a rise in incidents of people going missing, with some found murdered and others not found at all in various parts of the country. This situation has continued to raise concerns among residents in different areas, fearing for the safety of their children.

Pressure mounts over the fate of missing  activist Deusdedith Soka and his two colleagues

Activists on Social media are demanding authorities in the country to release youth activist Deusdedith Soka who was taken by a group of men on August 18, 2024, in the Buza area alongside two colleagues Jacob Godwin Mlay and Frank Mbise.

Soka and Mlay are both leaders of the opposition party CHADEMA in Temeke, while Frank Mbise is a commercial motorcycle driver who used to work for Soka.

In a statement released on August 19, 2024, CHADEMA has called for the Police to release Soka and his colleague immediately. CHADEMA reported that his mobile number which was under Police custody since September 2023 and was never re-activated was used to share text that the activist was planning to go outside the country because of infighting in his party.

Many of his close associates have reported that Soka and his colleague were arrested by the Temeke Police led by OCCID, however, in several media reports Police have denied the claim.

On August 13, 2024, Soka left messages on his X account that his life was in danger. This came shortly after he was released from detention alongside other CHADEMA members who were arrested as they were heading to Mbeya for the official party’s youth day celebration event. An event that was canceled following the mass arrest of CHADEMA members and leaders.

“The truth that I will make clear before God, my activist friends, my fellow leaders, my brothers, relatives, friends, and everyone around the world, according to the information I have received, there is a plan to harm me and make me disappear completely from this world,” said Soka.

He added: “They have already started the first step, which is to identify me by my face and where I live. The next stage will be to quietly capture me and make me disappear. The reason is because I am radical. I encourage the youth, our God is alive and lives forever. If it happens, do not cry or be saddened, but let it give us the courage to fight and reject betrayal.”

Soka was also calling for a demonstration against a series of abductions and disappearances that have become widespread across the country, he and his fellow youth activists had proposed for the demonstration to commence on August 26, 2024.

Soka’s disappearance is the second case in the past month, CHADEMA is still searching for its missing Rukwa leader, Dioniz Kipanya who went missing on July 26, 2024.

CHADEMA’s officials say before his disappearance he was contacted by people who claimed were coming from the Rukwa’s Regional Police Commander. Police in Rukwa deny claims of abduction and say they are working with his family to find his whereabouts.

Many people have associated his disappearance with his activism online, including his July 17, 2024 post where he criticized the length of the President’s convoy.

Ngorongoro Maasai’s demonstration enters its fourth day

Ngorongoro Maasai demonstrations against discrimination, denial of basic services, and plans to evict them from their ancestral land continued yesterday, making it the fourth day of the protest which has gathered thousands of Maasai in the area.

The demonstration comes as the government has announced the delisting of all wards and villages in Ngorongoro. Earlier in the day yesterday, some community leaders complained to the media that some vehicles with basic supplies from Karatu were denied entry into the area.

Community leaders and the government had agreed on a plan to have four days to come up with a solution regarding their complaints. In this agreement, community members agreed on a seat in areas that do not interfere with tourist movement, unlike the first day when the protesters blocked the main Ngorongoro-Serengeti road.

The protest is the latest in a series of actions against a government relocation plan aimed at moving 110,000 Maasai from Ngorongoro to Msomera, Sauni, and Kitwai—over 300 kilometers from their current homes.

The government argues that the relocation is essential to preserve the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. While officials maintain the relocation is voluntary, they have hinted at future legislation that would prohibit any residents from remaining in Ngorongoro.

The government has offered to build new homes to encourage voluntary relocation for those who agree to move to Msomera. By April 2024, the government reported spending Tsh. 286 billion on the relocation effort which has resulted in approximately 8,364 residents moving since July 2022.

High Court to rule whether PO-RALG should oversee November local govt elections

The High Court in the city will on Thursday hear a petition that three Tanzanians have filed seeking leave to challenge the recently made local government elections announcement indicating that the relevant minister will oversee the elections due to happen on November 27, 2025.

Bob Chacha Wangwe, Bubelwa Kaiza, and Ananilea Nkya have filed a petition against the Minister of State in the President’s Office—Regional Administration and Local Governments (PO-RALG) and Attorney General, arguing that the announcement is illegal as the minister has no mandate to coordinate, organise, and supervise the civic elections.

Mohammed Mchengerwa, the respective minister, announced on August 15, 2024, that Tanzanians on the Mainland will go to the poll on November 27, 2024, to vote for local government representatives, including street, village, and hamlet chairpersons and members of their respective consultative councils in elections that aim to transfer power to the people.

However, Judge Wilfred Dyansobera will hear miscellaneous civil cause No. 19721 of 2024, in which the petitioners’ attorney, Mpale Mpoki, will ask for the court’s permission to challenge the legality of the minister to supervise the elections. 

Mr Wangwe told The Chanzo that he and his co-petitioners believe that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the sole authority in the country to undertake the assignment. They’ll appeal to the court to grant them leave to challenge the legality of the government’s announcement in the presence of a law that directs otherwise.

“The 2019 experience shows that the PO-RALG cannot supervise the local government elections in free and fair manners,” Mr Wangwe, a human rights activist, said in an interview. “We cannot expect a minister with vested political interests to oversee a fair and just electoral system. We want the INEC to supervise the elections.”

Massive irregularities marred the 2019 civic elections, including arbitrary disqualification of opposition candidates and many other mistreatments, which forced the main opposition party, CHADEMA, to withdraw.  As anticipated, the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) “won” in a landslide, taking 99 per cent of all contested seats. 

Read the full story here

Communication expert and a Doctor testify in Yombo girl gang rape case

The trial of four suspects accused of gang rape of a young girl from Yombo, Dar es Salaam, continued on August 21, 2024,  marking the third consecutive day of hearings at the Dodoma Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Speaking after the case was adjourned, the defense attorney, Godfrey Wasonga, said that the proceedings are not as they are portrayed online. He emphasized that the outcome could go either way, meaning that anyone could win or lose. Attorney Wasonga explained that today’s session involved hearing from two witnesses: a communication expert from the Police Headquarters and a doctor.

“Today we concluded yesterday’s testimony where Mr. Alfred, a communication expert from the Police Headquarters in Dar es Salaam, finalized giving his testimony. We had the opportunity to cross-examine him on behalf of the defendants,” explained Godfrey Wasonga.

“We also had another witness, a doctor, who stated that he examined the victim. We interviewed with him from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM,” Wasonga further elaborated.

This rape and sodomy case, number 23476/2024, involves four suspects: MT. 140105 Clinton Honest Damas, known as Nyundo, a soldier from the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), Amin Lord Lema, Nickson Idala Jackson, and C.1693 Playgod Edwin Mushi, a prison officer.

The four were brought to court after a video surfaced showing them committing acts of rape and sodomy against a girl who identified herself as being from Yombo, Dar es Salaam. The incident is reported to have occurred in the Swaswa area of Dodoma in May 2024.

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