Good morning!The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on 1st August 2024.
TLS demands respect for lawyers, decries unlawful arrests while performing their duties
The Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) has expressed concern over the disrespectful arrests of lawyers in front of the public, with some lawyers reporting harassment and being manhandled by police in front of their clients, which tarnishes the profession’s reputation.
Speaking in Dodoma on August 1, 2024, during the opening of the TLS Annual General Meeting, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of the society’s founding, the society’s President, Haroad Sungusia, noted that there have been tensions between the police and lawyers, with instances of lawyers being arrested without proper procedures or the opportunity to inform their colleagues.
“We have observed that the wave of lawyer arrests has significantly decreased recently, and we believe this issue will be fully resolved, ensuring that lawyers maintain their respect in the United Republic,” he said.
Sungusia emphasized that the process of addressing lawyers’ disciplinary issues is well known, eliminating the need for conflicts between lawyers and law enforcement officials.
“We request that the law enforcement agencies recognize the dignity of the lawyers before them. It is disheartening, Honorable Guest of Honor, to see a lawyer being disrespected in front of their client in court,” he added.
Responding to the issue of disrespectful arrests, Deputy Minister and Minister of Energy Dr. Doto Biteko, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan, stated that the country is governed by the rule of law and assured that the Minister of Constitution and Law, Dr. Pindi Chana, has heard and will address the issue.
“By the time we meet next year, this should no longer be a significant challenge. Lawyers, who are here to defend people and are considered officers of the court, deserve their respect,” he said.
President Samia officially launches electric train and SGR project
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially launched an electric train from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma on August 1, 2024, on its Standard Gauge Railway.
Addressing the launch, President Samia urged the employees of the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) to manage the organization with creativity, integrity, and strategic plans to operate the trains commercially, ensuring quick achievement of the intended benefits.
“It would be undesirable for the government to continue paying off debts incurred for the construction of the railway and purchase of equipment if the organization is not profitable. It would be better for the organization to operate profitably and contribute to debt repayment,” she said.
The President noted that one of the project’s impacts, already visible, is the reduction in buses on the roads. While this may be bad for businesses, it is beneficial for the country as it reduces accidents and allows better road transport control.
The modern train, launched on Thursday, cost TSh 10 trillion and is expected to travel at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour, meaning passengers will take approximately 2 hours to travel from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma.
These trains will have the capacity to carry 10,000 tons of cargo, equivalent to 500 cargo trucks, and are expected to connect Tanzania with landlocked countries, including Burundi, Congo, and Rwanda. Additionally, the project is expected to create over 15,000 jobs for locals. This launch follows the initiation of train services between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro in July this year.
The launch of the modern train was attended by various government officials, including District Commissioners, Regional Commissioners, retired leaders, the fourth-phase President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of Zanzibar Hussein Ali Mwinyi, political leaders, and journalists.
According to the Director of the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), the SGR currently transports an average of 7,000 people per day. Since the commencement of electric train services from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro on July 28 this year, 100,060 passengers have traveled, generating a total of Sh2.4 billion.
Following the start of train services from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma on July 25, 28,600 passengers have traveled, generating Sh744 million as of August 1, 2024. According to Kadogosa, a total of Sh25 trillion has been spent on the SGR project to date.
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