TANZANIA: Government promises tough measures over unrest
The government said yesterday it
was partly to blame for the escalation of violence in the country because its
approach in dealing with the chaos was wrong.
Home Affairs minister John Nchimbi
told the media in his office that there should no longer be leniency when
dealing with the perpetrators of violence and chaos.
told the media in his office that there should no longer be leniency when
dealing with the perpetrators of violence and chaos.
He said it was the wrong approach
to arrest demonstrators instead of dealing with the organiers of the chaos,
adding that from now on the government would crack down on those behind
political and religious disturbances to safeguard peace and tranquility.
to arrest demonstrators instead of dealing with the organiers of the chaos,
adding that from now on the government would crack down on those behind
political and religious disturbances to safeguard peace and tranquility.
Dr Nchimbi made the remarks in the
wake of the violence in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Following the violent
incidents, the minister said the government had also banned religious rallies
as another way of containing the situation.
wake of the violence in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Following the violent
incidents, the minister said the government had also banned religious rallies
as another way of containing the situation.
He also said police in Zanzibar
were questioning the leader of anti-union group, Uamsho, Sheikh Farid Hadi, on
his whereabouts after it was reported that he went missing for several days.
were questioning the leader of anti-union group, Uamsho, Sheikh Farid Hadi, on
his whereabouts after it was reported that he went missing for several days.
In a related development, the Dar
es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander, Mr Suleiman Kova, told The Citizen on
Sunday that 53 people had been arrested following Friday’s disturbances in Dar
es Salaam. He said the suspects would appear in court tomorrow and assured Dar
es Salaam residents of their safety.
es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander, Mr Suleiman Kova, told The Citizen on
Sunday that 53 people had been arrested following Friday’s disturbances in Dar
es Salaam. He said the suspects would appear in court tomorrow and assured Dar
es Salaam residents of their safety.
At the same time, the Tanzania
People’s Defence Force (TPDF) spokesperson, Col Kapambala Mgawe, defended the
role of the army in quelling Friday’s unrest. He said the army was allowed by
the country’s laws to intervene whenever national peace and security were at
stake.
People’s Defence Force (TPDF) spokesperson, Col Kapambala Mgawe, defended the
role of the army in quelling Friday’s unrest. He said the army was allowed by
the country’s laws to intervene whenever national peace and security were at
stake.
TPDF members were called in on
Friday to help deal with people who had attempted tp demonstrate to State House
to demand the release of Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda and 49 others who were
arrested and charged with various offences, including trespass, theft and
incitement.
Friday to help deal with people who had attempted tp demonstrate to State House
to demand the release of Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda and 49 others who were
arrested and charged with various offences, including trespass, theft and
incitement.
Meanwhile, opposition party
Chadema urged the government to consider talks as a way of arresting the wave
of unrest and violence.
Chadema urged the government to consider talks as a way of arresting the wave
of unrest and violence.
Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters
in Dar es Salaam, Chadema executive Council member Mabere Marando accused the
government of not taking appropriate measures at the right time to address the
problem.
in Dar es Salaam, Chadema executive Council member Mabere Marando accused the
government of not taking appropriate measures at the right time to address the
problem.
SOURCE: Citizen
Newspaper, Tanzania
Newspaper, Tanzania
