Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on September 02, 2024.
Controversial Clause in Anti-Corruption Bill Removed
The government has agreed to remove a clause from the proposed Anti-Corruption Amendment Bill that was criticized by human rights activists and members of parliament. The decision was announced on September 2, 2024, by the Minister of Public Service Management and Good Governance, George Simbachawene, during the parliamentary debate on the bill in Dodoma.
The amendment in question, found in Clause 10(b) of the 2024 Anti-Corruption Amendment Bill, proposed that anyone found demanding or soliciting sexual favors in exchange for services would also face prosecution. This clause faced strong opposition immediately after the bill was tabled in parliament.
The clause further stipulated that if a person was found guilty, they could be fined, imprisoned, or face both penalties.
On August 31, 2024, the Tanzania Network Against Sexual Corruption issued a statement to the press, warning that if the proposed amendments were passed, the law would effectively legitimize and perpetuate the misuse of authority by punishing victims of sexual corruption, thereby silencing them and undermining efforts to combat such corruption.
The network emphasized that Section 25 of the 2007 Anti-Corruption Act is sufficient and does not require any amendments, as it is adequate in protecting victims of sexual corruption. This section of the 2007 law protects victims by holding senior officials accountable for abusing their positions of power to solicit and receive bribes, including sexual favors.
Witnesses in ‘Sodomy and Gang Rape’ Case Reach 10
The Dodoma Resident Magistrate’s Court has so far heard testimony from ten witnesses in a criminal case involving four defendants accused of gang rape and sodomy of a young woman residing in Yombo Dovya, Dar es Salaam.
As of August 30, 2024, six witnesses had testified, including the alleged victim, who was identified in court as XY. On Monday, September 2, 2024, four more prosecution witnesses testified before the Chief Resident Magistrate, Zabibu Mpangule, bringing the total number of witnesses to ten.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, defense attorney Meshack Ngamando stated that the case is proceeding well, with the defense lawyers having had the opportunity to listen to and cross-examine the witnesses presented by the prosecution.
“The case will continue tomorrow, health permitting, and the prosecution will continue to bring their witnesses. This case will be heard continuously until the prosecution has finished presenting their witnesses. If the defendants are found to have a case to answer, we will present our defense in court,” said Ngamando.
The defendants in this case include Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (JWTZ) soldier of service number MT 140105, Clinton Damas, also known as Nyundo, Prison officer of service number C.1693 Praygod Mushi, Nickson Jackson ‘Machuche,’ and Amin Lema, also known as Kindamba.
It is noteworthy that the defendants were first brought to court on August 19, 2024, where they were charged with two counts before Chief Resident Magistrate Zabibu Mpangule, to which they pleaded not guilty.
Government Opposes Injunction Against PO-RALG Overseeing Local Government Elections
A team of government lawyers has presented reasons for opposing a lawsuit seeking to prevent the President’s Office—Regional Administration and Local Governments (TAMISEMI) from overseeing local government elections. The lawyers argue that the application filed in court lacks legal merit.
The legal team, led by Solicitor General, Marck Mulwambo, along with Erigi Rumisha and Ayubu Sanga, contended that the application, submitted by the Director of the Tanzania Constitution Forum (JUKATA), Bob Wangwe, Bubelwa Kaiza, and Annanilea Nkya, violates Rule 5(2)(d) of the Miscellaneous Amendments Act and Regulations.
These arguments were made on September 2, 2024, before High Court Judge Wilfred Dyansobera. Lawyer Sanga argued that not everything should be part of an affidavit, only what is required by the mentioned rule, which outlines how to file for judicial review.
The case, No. 19721 of 2024, which has been adjourned to Tuesday, September 3, for further hearing, was filed by Bob Chacha Wangwe, Bubelwa Kaiza, and Annanilea Nkya against the Minister of State in the President’s Office—Regional Administration and Local Governments (PO-RALG) and the Attorney General. They argue that the minister’s announcement is illegal, as the minister does not have the mandate to coordinate, organize, and supervise civic elections.
Mohammed Mchengerwa, the respective minister, announced on August 15, 2024, that Tanzanians on the Mainland will go to the polls 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 aimed at transferring power to the people.
President Samia Appoints and Transfers Some of Her Aides
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has made several appointments and transfers of various leaders, including District Commissioners and District Administrative Secretaries.
A statement from the Presidential Directorate quoted Chief Secretary Ambassador Moses Kusiluka, announcing the appointed leaders as follows: Lieutenant Colonel Fredrick Faustin Komba has been appointed as the District Commissioner of Rufiji; Mohamed Mussa Mtulyakwaku has been appointed as the District Commissioner of Uyui. Prior to this appointment, Mtulyakwaku was the District Administrative Secretary of Kwimba.
Additionally, President Samia has appointed Olivanues Paul Thomas as the District Commissioner of Ludewa. Before this appointment, Thomas was the District Administrative Secretary of Mafia.
The statement from the Presidential Directorate also mentioned that President Samia has transferred Halima Habib Okash from Bagamoyo District to become the District Commissioner of Chemba; Gerald Romuald Mongella has been transferred from Chemba to be the District Commissioner of Kaliua; and Dr. Rashid Mohamed Chuachua has been transferred from Kaliua to be the District Commissioner of Kigoma.
Other transfers include Salum Hamis Abdallah Kali from Kigoma to become the District Commissioner of Longido, Shaibu Issa Ndemanga from Lindi to Bagamoyo, and Victoria Charles Mwanziva from Ludewa to Lindi.
Further transfers include Abdallah Mussa Mwaipaya from Mwanga to Mtwara, and Mwanahamisi Athumani Mukunda from Mtwara to Mwanga. Emmanuela Kaganda Mtatifikolo has been transferred from Arumeru to become the District Commissioner of Babati, while Lazaro Jacob Twange has been transferred from Babati to become the District Commissioner of Hai.
Additionally, Amir Mohamed Mkalipa has been transferred from Hai to Arumeru, and Dr. Khalfan Boniface Haule has been transferred from Musoma to become the District Commissioner of Rorya.
Moreover, President Samia has appointed Macrice Mbodo as the Postmaster General of the Tanzania Postal Corporation (TPC). Mbodo’s appointment fills the position left vacant by Maharage Chande, whose appointment was recently revoked.
At the same time, Mr. Mick Lutechura Kiliba was appointed as the Secretary of the Public Service Recruitment Secretariat. Before this appointment, Mr. Kiliba was a Senior Officer in the President’s Office at State House; and Mr. Eliud Betri Sanga has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Dr Salim Ahmed Salim Archive: A Digital Memoir About Africa
Africa may have been blessed and enriched with many things, but I would presume that one of the continent’s proudest and most valuable blessings is the pure, genuine and remarkable soul and gem, in the name of Dr Salim Ahmed Salim – an indeed proud son of Africa!
As a teen, I was often encouraged to learn and follow in Dr Salim’s footsteps. Upon growing up and gaining consciousness, I would wonder how and what would make one imagine that I had anything within me to walk along the path and steps of this incredible treasure born in the islands of Zanzibar.
Out of sheer curiosity, through all conventional and unconventional means and channels, I explored Dr Salim and definitely became a proud and unashamed fan. Just like how I admired Zinedine Zidane Zizzou’s eloquence, artistry, and touch of finesse on the football pitch, I developed similar, if not extraordinary, admiration for Dr Salim’s brilliance, charisma, and silky and unreal touches within the political and diplomatic fields. Salim is, to me, the Zizzou of Diplomacy, and Zizzou is the Salim of football!
Fast-forward to 2015. Subsequent to Dr Salim’s influence, I graduated from the then Mozambique-Tanzania Centre for Foreign Relations, now Dr Salim Ahmed Salim Centre for Foreign Relations; around the same year, an online landmark issue titled Salim Ahmed Salim: Son of Africa was released and published.
Full story here
Beyond Promises: Are President Samia’s 4Rs Falling Short?
When I was a child, I loved following my mother everywhere she went, whether it was to the shop, the market, or sometimes even to work. Whenever she wanted to leave me behind, she would cleverly instruct me to put on my shoes. But by the time I returned, she had already slipped away.
I would cry and cry, but when she came back, whether, with gifts or empty-handed, I would run to her with open arms, forgetting the small betrayal and the disappointment that had left me powerless.
Now, as I reflect on the promises of resilience, reconciliation, reforms, and rebuilding made by our Head of State, Samia Suluhu Hassan, I can’t help but feel the same way—deceived yet somehow still clinging to hope, even as the reality unfolds tragically differently from what we were led to believe.
Since President Samia assumed power, the 4R philosophy of reconciliation, resilience, reforms, and rebuilding was touted as the guiding framework for her administration.
These pillars were presented as the pathway to healing a nation that had been fractured by years of political strife, economic hardship, and social discord.
At face value, the 4R strategy seemed like the light at the end of the tunnel for many Tanzanians, offering hope for a more open, fair, and democratic society. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
Full story here
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