Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories in Tanzania which were reported on Friday, June 18, 2021.

Samia declares seven days of mourning following Kaunda’s death

President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Friday announced seven days of national mourning in honour of Zambia’s founding leader Dr Kenneth Kaunda who died on June 17, 2021, in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. A statement released by the director of presidential communications Mr Jaffar Haniu said that President Samia named the late Kaunda as “among the bravest and competent leaders to have ever lived in the African continent.”

Samia said that Mr Kaunda not only supported liberation struggles throughout the African continent but also was one of the founding members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).  “Tanzania will remember Dr Kaunda for his contribution in promoting the bilateral ties between our two nations which enabled the accomplishment of major and strategic projects, like the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) and Tanzania-Zambia Mafuta (TAZAMA),” said the statement.

Meanwhile, former Tanzania’s President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete said that he has received the news of the passing of Mr Kaunda “with shock and a deep sense of sadness and sorrow.” In a Twitter post, the fourth-phase president wrote: “Africa has lost one of its iconic leaders, a great Pan-Africanist, the only remaining of the Founding Fathers of the [Organisation of African Unity] OAU [now, African Union] and a fearless frontline fighter for the liberation of Africa against colonialism, white minority rule and apartheid.”

We also thought that you would like an analysis by The Chanzo’s contributor Leiyo Singo which shows the late Kaunda’s contribution to the global movement to decolonise fashion through his ‘Kaunda suit’ which inspired many throughout the continent. The analysis, Go, Kaunda, We Shall Keep Your Suit, is available here.

Sabaya returns to prison after a court appearance 

Former Hai district commissioner Lengai ole Sabaya and his four co-accused appeared before the Arusha Regional Resident Magistrate’s court yesterday, two of the six charges  were read to them.  Sabaya and his co-accused denied the charges and were returned to remand prison as the charges  are non-bailable.

Outside the courtroom was a multitude of people who expressed their dissatisfaction against Sabaya, ‘he has brought us a lot of pain, we want to see him’ one of the people in the crowd, the crowd couldn’t resist shouting at Sabaya when he first stepped outside the prison bus, ‘thieve, thieve, thieve’, they said. At 35 years age, Sabaya has managed to build a reputation as one of the most ruthless District Commissioner who used everything at his disposal, both legal or illegal to make people do his bidding, from torture, kidnapping, intimidation and other countless accusation against him.

Minister promises reviews of communications laws

Information and Communication Technologies minister Dr Faustine Ndungulile said yesterday that the government is planning to amend laws and regulations governing Tanzania’s communication sector in an attempt to create a conducive environment both for competition and control.

Mr Ndungulile made the remarks while officiating a meeting between his ministry and editors of various media houses in Tanzania. The meeting aimed at briefing editors on the new ministry’s responsibilities as well as plans and strategies to improve ICTs services in the country. The Minister also underscored the same sentiments of amending the laws when he participated in an evening Twitter- Space session on cyber-bullying.

DPP continues to drop Charges against individuals

The Kisutu Resident Magistrate Court yesterday set free popular businessman Marijan Msofe, 53, alias Papa Msofe alongside his four co-accused after the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) informed the court it does not intend to proceed with the case. Msofe and his co-accused faced five charges, including fraudulently obtaining Sh943 million.

Others involved in the economic sabotage case No. 124/2019 were Wenceslaus Mtu(49), Mwesigwa Mhingo (36), Josephine Haule (38) and Fadhil Mganga (61).

Govt: Over a thousand and a half acting civil servants unqualified 

Deputy Minister in the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government Mr Deogratius Ndejembi revealed in the parliament yesterday that the government understands that a total of 1,664 civil servants who currently serve as acting civil servants in various public offices are “unqualified.” Mr Ndejembi made the revelations in response to a question posed by Kibamba Member of Parliament Mr Issa Mtemvu from the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

In his question, Mr Mtemvu wanted to know from the government when exactly does it plan to promote those working at the capacity of acting. Responding, Mr Ndejembi said that the promotion has taken a long time because government employers have been found to employ unqualified civil servants to serve as acting officials in various departments without even obtaining permits from the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service Management and Good Governance.

Ndalichako welcomes inputs to improve Tanzania’s education system

And, are you an education stakeholder? If yes, education minister Prof Joyce Ndalichako is looking for you so that you can share your views on how to improve Tanzania’s education sector. Speaking yesterday in Dar es Salaam at a conference aimed at receiving opinions from key education stakeholders on how to make Tanzania’s education responsive towards the changing environment of the 21st century, Prof Ndalichako said that the government has opened a window for suggestions and recommendations as there have been a lot of discussions around Tanzania’s education and training policy as well as the country’s curricula.

Well, this is it for today. You may also be interested in our timeline leading to Tuesday’s release of 36 Muslim clerics who have been behind bars for nine years after being accused of committing terrorist attacks in the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar. And in case you are wondering what young people of Tanzania think of what President Samia is supposed to do to relieve them of their burden, this analysis will help you.

Thanks for reading this briefing, just letting you know that The Chanzo also receives stories and opinions from independent writers and analysts for publication. So if you want to have your say on our platform, or you have any suggestion on how we can improve this briefing, please contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com for further inquiries.