THE BIG STORIES IN TOWN: October 2012

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Juju now a threat to national security

When communities are obsessed with witchcraft beliefs, all sorts of freaks should be expected. Social experts warn that killings linked to witchcraft are gradually becoming the new form of threat to the right to life. PHOTO | FILE

Dar es Salaam. Witchcraft is the new threat to national security, say commentators and religious leaders as a recent count reveals at least 200 people have been murdered in superstition-related killings over the past nine months.
Experts are worried that current strategies to rein in the problem are failing. They are calling for rapid interve tion and want the government to come up with a workable plan to protect wananchi’s right to life. This anxiety comes in the wake of reports from all over the country that say more people are being brutally attacked and murdered on allegations of sorcery. For many communities these recurrent
incidents pose a very real threat to peace, particularly in rural areas. Over 1,400 people suspected of engaging in witchcraft have been killed between January 2010 and September this year according to the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC).
Most of them – 600 – were murdered between January and November last year. During the same period a year earlier 579 citizens lost their life in gross nationwide violations of due-process simply because they were thought to be sorcerers.
People with albinism have been targeted out for particularly gruesome treatment. To cater for a booming albeit macabre trade in their body parts which are falsely believed to possess “magical properties,” 64 albinos have been brutally murdered and their parts hacked off across the country between 2007 and September 2012.
Observers say these numbers would easily have doubled if cases of witchcraft-related attacks had not been reported. They blame widespread ignorance, poverty, life difficulties and a growing sense of disillusionment for this tragic phenomenon.
Entire communities have been wrecked by these unjustified killings, according to experts. They say this pervasive belief in the supernatural is standing in the way of progress.
“What you see today is an expression of ignorance and poverty in our communities,” former University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) don Dr Simeon Mesaki told The Citizen on Sunday in a recent interview. Ignorance perpetuates a false belief in the supernatural according to the anthropologist.
The witchcraft trade becomes even more acceptable when it is as commercialised as it is in Tanzania, where individuals are willing to pay a king’s ransom to fortune tellers or traditional healers who can “detect an evil person,” said Dr Mesaki.
He feels the nation is fast approaching a tipping point as witch hunters become even more brazen. More needs to be done to reverse this alarming trend according to him.
One strategy would be to make “improving lives” and “law enforcement” top priorities in the national agenda. “We need to improve health delivery, nutrition, education and to address population growth and climate change if we want to uproot these beliefs (in witchcraft),” said Dr Mesaki. The justice system has failed to eradicate witchcraft-related violence because it is too inefficient according to him. “The killings go on and on because cases are never heard. The judicial process moves too slowly to actually have an impact,” he said.
Laws on witchcraft also need to be adapted to current circumstances. “We have to have reforms if we want to blot out institutionalised beliefs in witchcraft and sorcery,” said Dr Mesaki.
For LHRC executive director Ms Helen Kijo-Bisimba superstition is simply a function of economic inequality. “Citizens are desperate and as you know, a desperate person would do almost anything,” she told The Citizen on Sunday. “It’s all about the economy,” she said. “Our country is so wealthy (so really) there is no rationale for anyone to engage in witchcraft. If one is busy and they make enough money to live on our superstitious beliefs will automatically melt away,” said the human rights activist.
Witchcraft-related murders are particularly chilling because they point to a freewheeling nation that allows anarchy to destroy entire communities, says the LHRC director. “It is going to be very difficult to govern this country if the trend continues,” she said. According to her neither government nor civil society take the witchcraft issue seriously. “We have organisations fighting the death penalty and for the rights of women and children but we do not have one that works to end witchcraft killings,” she told this reporter.
Independent global studies have revealed that on average Tanzanians believe in juju more than most other nationals in Sub-Saharan Africa. A 2008 survey by the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project of the United States shows that although many Tanzanians are religious, a lot of people still believe in witchcraft and evil spirits. The very same people that go to mosques on Fridays and to churches on Sundays are making offerings to ancestors and visiting witch doctors according to the Pew-Templeton study. Many more believe in reincarnation and in other elements that are the cornerstone of traditional African faith systems.
In the five-member East African Community (EAC) Tanzanians were said to be the most superstitious and ranked third across the board after Senegal and Mali. The study, titled Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in sub-Saharan Africa, was conducted in 19 countries across the continent.
Nine out of every 10 respondents from Tanzania told Pew-Templeton researchers that religion is important in their lives, yet an overwhelming 60 per cent said they consulted traditional healers when they or someone close to them got sick. They also admitted to keeping amulets and other ‘magical’ tidbits in their homes and to taking part in ceremonies to honour their forefathers.
The survey involved some 1,504 Tanzanians of whom 907 were Christian and 539 Muslim. It established that although many Tanzanians are deeply committed to Islam or to Christianity they continue to cherish traditional beliefs and practices.
For some like UDSM sociologist Dr Datius Rweyemamu faith and witchcraft killings have very little to do with each other. He argues that the rise in superstition-related murders is a consequence of failure in delivering essential social services.
“If we had proper health services and a working education system we would not have seen this much violence,” he said in an exclusive interview with The Citizen on Sunday. “Organs that are supposed to provide basic social services are in shambles forcing citizens to find alternative solutions to their problems,” added the UDSM don.
Tanzanians are overwhelmed by economic problems and poverty so they look to witchcraft to solve their problems according to him. He is worried that these beliefs are so pervasive that they are getting in the way of law enforcement officers doing their jobs.
“These things are becoming a way of life. We’ll soon start seeing magistrates perverting justice because they are afraid they’ll be bewitched – remember these people are a product of a society that has embraced witchcraft,” said Dr Rweyemamu.
The Auxiliary Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Bukoba Methodius Kilaini takes Dr Rweyemamu’s argument a step further: He argues that witchcraft killings are a consequence of a get-rich-quick mentality among Tanzanians today. Citizens are rushing to juju men in droves in their quest for a sure-fire shortcut to wealth.
“When one is obsessed with wealth, religion plays second fiddle,” he said. He suggests that government institutes statutes that restrict the activities of traditional healers whom he blames for fuelling the killings of innocent citizens.

Lil Wayne hospitalised

Lil Wayne was reportedly hospitalised after suffering “seizure-like symptoms” on a flight yesterday.
The rapper’s private jet was forced to make an emergency landing in Texas after he became unwell during the flight.
According to US website TMZ, Wayne suffered “seizure-like symptoms” on the plane, and was rushed off to a local hospital for treatment when he touched-down.
Although no more details appear to be available at the moment, and there has been no official word from his camp, the star is reportedly “doing better”.

Diddy gets treatment for multiple injuries P Diddy has issued a statement thanking fans for their support after he was in a car crash in LA. A picture turned up of Diddy lying on the ground after the smash and today, there was confirmation that he sustained multiple injuries to his neck, ribs and collarbone. The music mogal’s chauffeur-driven Cadillac Escalade collided with a Lexus outside the Beverly Hills hotel on Sunset Boulevard and images of the vehicle online show its damage. Diddy refused offers of an ambulance at the time but his spokesman has since revealed that he did get medical treatment: “He is currently receiving treatment for these injuries from his physicians and would like to thank all of his fans for the outpouring of support that he has received since the accident.”

P Diddy has issued a statement thanking fans for their support after he was in a car crash in LA.
A picture turned up of Diddy lying on the ground after the smash and today, there was confirmation that he sustained multiple injuries to his neck, ribs and collarbone.
The music mogal’s chauffeur-driven Cadillac Escalade collided with a Lexus outside the Beverly Hills hotel on Sunset Boulevard and images of the vehicle online show its damage.
Diddy refused offers of an ambulance at the time but his spokesman has since revealed that he did get medical treatment:
“He is currently receiving treatment for these injuries from his physicians and would like to thank all of his fans for the outpouring of support that he has received since the accident.”

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Bensouda to seek court’s help if Kenya withholds data

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda addresses the press in Nairobi on Thursday/CFM

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 25 – International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has expressed optimism that the Kenyan government will supply her office with crucial information that it requires before the deadline of submitting evidence to the court in January next year.
Addressing a press conference after visiting Internally Displaced Persons in Nakuru, she revealed that she was given assurances that the information will be submitted on time during a meeting with President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“I conveyed concerns regarding delays in the government’s response to a number of OTP (Office of the Prosecutor) requests related to our investigations. They assured me of their willingness to ensure timely and effective execution of the pending requests and instructed the Attorney General and the Cabinet Sub-Committee (on the ICC) to facilitate expeditious responses to my office’s requests,” she said.
Despite being sure she will get the information, she said she may be forced to file an application before judges if Kenya fails to cooperate by releasing information required by investigators.
Bensouda made it clear that the information was critical in delivering justice to the victims and also giving the accused persons a fair trial.
In regard to a possible presidential runoff, Bensouda said the court can only agree to change the trial dates depending on whether any of the accused – two of whom are interested in the top seat – make an application.
“It will depend on the merits of the request like any other applications by parties and judges will always ask for the other parties to comment on that,” she said.
Kenya’s Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto who are seeking the presidency are among four suspects facing trial at The Hague.
The two others are former Civil Service chief Francis Muthaura and journalist Joshua arap Sang.
In her meeting with Chief Justice Willy Mutunga on Wednesday, Bensouda was informed that a committee was already working on a special division of the High Court to deal with lower and middle level perpetrators.
Apart from that, she was also able to raise concerns over intimidation and threats to victims and witnesses which the government pledged to deal with to ensure their safety.
Earlier on Thursday, Bensouda assured IDPs in Nakuru that their concerns, including discrediting witnesses lined up at the trial, will be passed over to the judges hearing the Kenyan cases.
The ICC Prosecutor is on Friday expected to tour Kiambaa in Eldoret where people were burnt alive in a church during the 2008 post election violence before winding up her five-day visit to Kenya.

Poor diet causes spina bifida, mothers told

A call has been made on women to cultivate the habit of balancing their diet to help them avoid preventable diseases and malnutrition.

Speaking at the international day for children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus (SBH), which means having water in the brain, the executive director of the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) Prof Lawrence Museru said the absence of folic acid found in greens and potatoes among expectant mothers was a major cause of SBH among infants.

Consumption of sweet potatoes, cassava and vegetables or folic acid vitamins is essential to expectant mothers in order to mould a healthy child free from diseases like hydrocephalus, the specialist noted.

He urged society not to stigmatize children or families suffering from SBH as it often causes family separations, touching off single parent families and rampant poverty, as child patients require extra care.

“Children with SBH need support from family to community level as they have physical disabilities. They need support to perform their daily duties,” he stated.

One of the major challenges of eliminating the disease is scarcity of health centers owing to their location in urban areas, while rural areas have an immense problem due to ignorance.

However, MOI brain orthopedic surgeon Dr Remery Mchome said the disease can be cured and prevented through provision of health education among the public.

Dr Mchome said initially many children lost their lives as patients lacked access to quick health services. Cultural misconceptions hinder campaigns against the disease as parents link the disease to witchcraft, he said.

The main cause of spina bifida is yet to be known, but it is thought that 80 percent of cases are a result of lack of folic acid (folate) in an expectant mother’s diet, while hydrocephalus stems from blockage in the natural drainage system of the fluid in the brain.

About 95 percent of children born with spina bifida contract hydrocephalus, with SBH a lifelong condition where the patient may need help and support throughout his/her life. At times such patients live a normal and healthy life with some minor problems, he added.

MPs want urgency certificate for benefits bill

John Mnyika

The war over amending recent social security funds legislation is far from over as a member of Parliament now wants President Jakaya Kikwete to use powers vested upon him to order the government to bring the Bill to Parliament under a certificate of urgency.

John Mnyika (Ubungo-Chadema) cried foul yesterday, saying the government has defied the order of the House that wanted it to bring the Bill under a certificate of urgency.

He said that on August 6 MPs agreed that the Social Security Amendment Bill be presented to the House under such a certificate but reports gathered showed the Bill would be tabled as routine legislation.

Under the certificate of urgency a Bill is read once and then MPs can debate it.

A major weakness in the Bill is the presence of the clause that mentions members of the Parastatal Pensions Fund (PPF) as the sole beneficiaries of premature withdrawal of membership, shutting out members of other pension funds, he said.

The latter the Local Authorities Pensions Fund (LAPF), Government Employees Provident Fund (GEPF), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF).

He also lamented the weakness shown by Minister for Labor Gaudencia Kabaka, Attorney General Fredrick Werema and the Social Security Regulatory Authority (SSRA) director general Irene Isaka, saying they did not effectively implement   recommendations and the government’s promise to the House.

The MP urged the president to ensure compliance with the MPs’ demand and authorize a certificate of urgency, as well as preparedness to approve review of the Act to enable early   withdrawal of benefits to all social security funds.

Parliamentary standing order no 80 provides that any bill tabled under a certificate of urgency will not brought to Parliament unless such a certificate is signed by the president.

If the president will not have signed the certificate and if the government will not submit the bill to Parliament according standing order No 93, the House cannot start debating it in the same sitting that it is read for the first time.

The vocal MP also demanded that the president moves to nullify advertisements by SSRA that new applications for withdrawal of benefits have been suspended for six months.

Waiting for the Social Security (Amendment) Act is not supposed to be used as a reason for suspending the right of applying for benefits when one is in need of the same, as this amounts to suspending workers’ rights, the legislator underlined.

The new Act passed by the House in April provides that one seeks benefits only in attaining the voluntary retirement at 55, but the previous Act allowed workers not yet 55 and out of formal employment to apply for withdrawal, or if they are much below 50, to wait for six months in view of getting another job, before they are eligible to seek premature benefits.

In the Social Security Laws Act No. 5 of 2012 members of all pensions funds were barred from accessing their terminal benefits until they reached voluntary retirement age of 55 years, which sparked a furore with trade unions once it was declared to be law.

MPs approved those amendments by merely trusting their good intention, but after trade unions came up against the Act, legislators said they had ‘overlooked’ the specific provision.

Kisarawe legislator Seleman Jafo (CCM) tabled a private member’s motion asking the House to order the government to review the Bill.

Minister for Labour Kabaka then promised the House that an amendment Bill would be tabled in the November parliamentary meting. However, the Bill to be tabled in the House has been seen targeting only PPF members.

Zanzibar president talks tough on religious unrest

Dr Ali Mohamed Shein

Zanzibar’s regime yesterday declared that its patience against troublemakers who have recently staged violence by using the umbrella of Islamic religion is over—warning that it would deal authoritatively with errant religious preachers.

The Indian ocean archipelago has experienced three anti-government protests so far this year; the latest, in mid-this month, saw one police officer killed, roads blocked and shops closed across the capital, Unguja City.

The group behind the demonstrations, Uamsho (the Association for Islamic Mobilization and Propagation), has plastered messages across the capital agitating for the archipelago’s independence. One such message, "if the coat doesn't fit, take it off", refers to disbanding the United Republic of Tanzania, which was born out of the 1964 union of Zanzibar and the mainland area of Tanganyika.

But, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, President and Chairman of the Isles Revolutionary Council, yesterday came out clean, saying his administration would deal decisively with “anyone who breaches public peace”, adding that his regime could no longer condone such meddlers.

Dr Shein issued the stern warning in his speech at an Eid Baraza, during the climax of the Haj celebrations at the Bwawani Hotel.

Noting that government patience had been pushed to the limit, the president is quoted to have made a resolve never to tolerate such religious zealotry.

He said the government is “tired” of current acts aimed at disrupting public order and that his administration would have “no mercy” on anyone behind them.

This is the first time the highest leader on the Isles has directly linked current disturbances in the Isles to the self-styled Islamic revival group, Uamsho, which he also accused of occasioning damage to public infrastructure and vandalism of personal property.

The president also put the killing of a police officer, Corporal Said Abdulrahman, of the crack field force unit (FFU) squarely on the shoulders of Uamsho religious zealots. He stressed that the governmet would ensure – through all means possible – that public security and peace were restored to the Isles.

Above all, the president he would also deal use the same state security institutions to deal with any other disruptive elements in the Isles – emphasizing noe would be above the law.

To date, seven top leaders of Uamsho have been arraigned in court.

Dr Shein has meanwhile made an impassioned plea to the people not to get tempted to join the few individuals out to cause chaos in the country – warning that joining forces with such people was a crime punishable by law. He reiterated his resolve to deal with any such elements in order to protect other law-abiding citizens.

He has assured the general public of maximum protection to individual lives and properties, saying all the security forces were on high alert. He also offered condolences to the bereaved families and people who lost property during the disturbances.
Meanwhile, Mwinyi Sadallah from Zanzibar reports that Zanzibar Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance has advised the government to form a team to probe claims by Islamic Revival Forum leader Sheikh Farid Had Ahmed (41) that he was abducted, to get truth.
The commission floated the advice yesterday after police denounced involvement in the alleged kidnapping of the leader who went missing on October 16 and resurfaced two days later.
Commissioner Zahor Juma Khamis said the probe committee would help get the truth over Sheikh Farid’s claims, including clearing the air about the matter.
He said the allegations over the abduction have attracted the attention of the local and international community, creating feelings of mistrust among the public, especially police and citizenry.
“The commission would like to advise the government to form a probe team to investigate the matter and come up with a report that would be made public,” said Commissioner Khamis.

Premier league standings tricky

s the tenth round of the Mainland premiership unfolds this weekend, four top placed teams are separated by just three points.

Holders and leaders Simba survived a scare mid this week when Azam failed to capitalize on their floppy performance after drawing with Ruvu Shooting before their own fans at the Chamazi Stadium.

Too clustered is the leader board as Simba who have 19 points have a slim cushion over second placed Azam by just a point, two over third placed Young Africans and three over Coastal Union who have 16 points.

The bunched standings bring the league into high tension as a slip up by one team would ignite a strong repercussion on the standings table.

This weekend’s matches, particularly those lined up tomorrow, would throw the league wide open among the top five positions.

Yanga and Azam have an opportunity to change the trend of the league should either side win tomorrow’s matches in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, respectively.

Yanga meet stubborn JKT Oljoro who will be at their Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha while Simba host unbeaten Azam at the National Stadium in Dar.

Yanga might leapfrog into the league summit should they beat Oljoro and hope for Simba to float at the hands of the ice-cream makers.

A win for Simba would temporarily halt Yanga and Azam in their quest to lead the premiership standings now coming closer to the half way mark.

However, with a match in hand Azam still have huge opportunity to explore and push the rest of the teams o the sidelines on condition they post victories and not drop points through draws or losses.

Unpredictable Azam have a unique habit of displaying poor performance against unheralded sides.

Fourth-placed Coastal Union, who will be visiting Azam Complex for their away match against troubled Ruvu JKT, are in pole position to give headache to the three top placed teams in the standings depending on their performance.

The Tanga top flight side has lost only one match at the hands of Ruvu Shooting after brilliant display to treat their home fans fairly.

Coastal have won four and drew as many matches with the only blemish when they lost to the Coast Region’s Shooting.

The clustered points in the standings are likely to tilt other middle table positioned teams at the end of the tenth round matches.

Mantra extols uranium pluses at minerals indaba

Mantra Tanzania Managing Director, Asa Mwaipopo

Mantra Tanzania and its shareholders are committed to developing the Mkuju River Project in spite of the continuing depressed uranium market after the Fukushima event, the company’s managing director Asa Mwaipopo has declared.

Presenting a paper on Tanzania’s uranium potential during the Tanzania mining, energy, oil, gas and infrastructure Indaba 2012 that kicked off in Arusha yesterday, he said that project will be a win-win situation to the company and the country at large.

The Mkuju River project will be regulated on the basis of the country’s 2010 Mining Act which among other things addresses the need to raise royalties, he said, noting that the project shall make Tanzania a leader in Africa and among the top 10 in the world for uranium mining.

Apart from diversifying the minerals sector, the project will generate direct and indirect cash flows to Tanzania in excess of $640 million over a period of 12 years and also attract FDI in Tanzania excess of $1 billion for the entire period in auxiliary investments, he said.

The project will be developed in accordance with set safety and environmental standards to ensure minimal risks when the mining starts, he stated.

He however said the biggest challenge for the company is to educate communities surrounding the project and the country at large on the benefits that may come along, helping to win public support.

Earlier, the deputy minister for the Energy portfolio, George Simbachawene, re-affirmed the government’s commitment to support the project because of its economic viability.
“We will go-ahead with mining uranium in areas proved to be with enough mineral resources. We can only consider not doing so if research indicates that mining of the mineral affects the eco-system.

“If for instance we get reports that there are enough mineral resources for instance at the AICC building where I am standing right now, we will have no option but to demolish AICC and go on with the project,” he said.

The three day event brought together key players in the mining industry, including ministerial agencies, company executives, various organisational heads and other interested groups.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tanzania signs bilateral air services pact with Germany

Dr Harrison Mwakyembe

Tanzania and Germany have signed a bilateral air service agreement (BASA) to allow airlines from either side to operate in the other country.

Information availed to the media midweek said that Transportation Minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe signed the agreement while on a visit to Germany recently.

The contract aims at increasing the number of airlines from Germany to Tanzania and to provide opportunities for registered Tanzanian airlines to fly to Germany.

It is similarly intended to provide opportunities for tourists from Germany and other travelers to travel from Germany to Tanzania and back directly without passing through neighbouring countries.

Speaking to this reporter, a ministerial official said that the contract will also decrease the cost of air transport between Germany and Tanzania.

“This contract will also increase our airport revenues and the country’s economy in general,” he said, noting that after the agreement was signed it must be ratified by parliaments of the two countries.

Dr. Mwakyembe has pledged to revive operations of the ailing national airline which for years has been staggering back and forth in its route capacity and management.

Airspace is a natural resource which belongs to countries just like land, water, minerals, forests, et cetera. In other words, a big firmament of the airspace above the territory of the United Republic of Tanzania is within her jurisdiction. This principle applies to all sovereign countries around the world. The management and regulation of the airspace in this country is vested with Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).

All resources are exploitable and are governed by certain principles. Just like surface transport between countries is administered under certain laws and bilateral agreements, the same applies to air transportation (movement through airspace) which in this case is governed by what is known as Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs). BASAs are generally negotiated and contracted between two parties although recently there has been a trend to conduct BASAs on a multilateral framework like is the case with the European Union (EU).

Germany is one of Tanzania’s longest standing friends, with relations between both countries traditionally friendly. The country was first a German colony, ‘German East Africa’ (Deutsch-Ostafrika) along with Rwanda and Burundi, separated in 1918 at the end of WW1` which Germany lost.

Tanzania and Germany share the conviction of enhancing welfare of people in peace and security. In line with the good relations between Germany and Tanzania, the government of Germany is committed to the development of Tanzania.

Germany is among Tanzania’s biggest donor countries focusing its technical cooperation on the sectors of health, water and good governance as well as broader budget support.

“In all these sectors Germany acts in close coordination and cooperation with its European partners and international donors. Altogether, Germany has supported the development of Tanzania with about 1. 8 billion euros since 1964,” a ministerial statement indicated.

Friday, October 26, 2012

UN Council to sanction M23 leaders

M23 rebel group soldiers patrol last Saturday in Rangira, near Rutshuru. Two rebel groups active in the Democratic Republic of Congo's restive east, the M23 and FDLR, have formed an alliance and clashed with the country's military, an army spokesman said recently. PHOTOS | AFP

By The Citizen Correspondent
United Nations, Saturday. The UN Security Council said yesterday it intends to sanction leaders of M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and implicitly threatened Rwanda and Uganda, accused of arming the movement.In a confidential report seen this week by AFP, UN experts charged that Kigali and Kampala were arming and supporting the M23 rebels, whose members are former fighters in an ethnic Tutsi rebel movement theoretically integrated into the Congolese military under a 2009 peace deal.
They also accused Rwanda's defence minister, General James Kabarebe, of being the "de facto" commander of the rebellion in the eastern DR Congo.
In a statement, the council fully backed the UN experts, strongly condemned "any and all external support to the M23" and expressed concern at reports showing that such support continues to be provided to the M23 by neighbouring countries, an implicit reference to Rwanda and Uganda.
"The Security Council expresses its intention to apply targeted sanctions against the leadership of the M23 and those acting in violation of the sanctions regime and the arms embargo," it said.
"The Security Council demands that any and all outside support to the M23 as well as other armed groups cease immediately," the 15-nation council added.
The council asked all states in the region to condemn the M23 rebels, work with Congolese authorities to disarm the rebels and other armed groups, and cooperate with UN experts.
The experts' report is to be formally submitted to the Security Council next month.
The Security Council's strong stance comes one day after the UN General Assembly elected Rwanda as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. It begins its two-year mandate in January.
The M23 rebel fighters were incorporated into the DR Congo army in 2009 as part of a peace deal in the troubled, mineral-rich eastern region. They quit the army this year in a dispute over salaries and poor conditions.
In its statement yesterday, the Security Council also asked Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to come up with proposals for reinforcing the ability of MONUSCO, the UN mission in the DR Congo, to "implement its mandate." (AFP)

Moro Police boss defiant after defeat

Morogoro Police’s player is challenged by Didier Kavumbagu of Young Africans during their Vodacom Premier League match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday. Right is Kavumbagu’s teammate David Luhende. Yanga won 3-0 . Photo |michael matemanga

By Majuto Omary
The Citizen Reporter
Dar es Salaam. Morogoro Police head coach John Simkoko remains confident his team will find their way out of trouble despite yet another setback in their Vodacom Premier League match against Young Africans.
“It’s too early in the season to hit a button of pressure,” the unflappable coach said in an interview with The Citizen after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at the National Stadium.

Questions have been raised over Simkoko’s future following the law-enforcers’ embarrassing start to a league campaign.
While some feel that Wednesday’s defeat, the seventh for Morogoro Police this season, is a clear indication that they will not avoid relegation when the league comes to a close early next year, Simkoko remains defiant, arguing that the result is not at all indicative of his team’s abilities.

“I think we played well. We managed to put them at bay at one point in the second half but suddenly found ourselves down 3-0,” Simkoko, one of the oldest coaches in the Mainland Premier League, said.
“I have a number of quality players at my disposal, it’s only lack of confidence that cost us dearly in our last seven matches,” he insisted.

Police have been far from impressive this season. They have been marking time at the bottom of the 14-team league since the kick off of the top flight league.

They have two points after nine games, 17 behind league leaders Simba and 15 adrift of Yanga.
Other teams that bank on a miracle to avoid relegation are Mwanza’s Toto African and African Lyon, who are 12th and 13th after as many matches.

While Morogoro Police, African Lyon and Toto African battle for survival, it is now a three-horse race for the title involving pace-setters Simba, Azam FC and Yanga.

After a wobbly start to the league, Yanga have been improving after every game. They are now third with 17 points, one behind second-placed Azam FC and two adrift of Simba.Simkoko assured Morogoro Police fans that their first win this season will come on Saturday at the expense of Ruvu Shooting at Chamazi complex.

On Wednesday, Ruvu Shooting forced Azam FC to a one-all at the Chamazi venue, and it is unrealistic that struggling Police will beat them on Saturday.

10 arrested over killing of Mwanza police boss

Liberatus Barlow

The Citizen Correspondents
Mwanza. Police here have released the names of 10 suspects in the killing of Regional Police Commander Liberatus Barlow on October 13. at Kitangiri area.The men, who were arrested in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, gave conflicting accounts of the killing—the first that he was part of a love triangle and the second that a crime syndicate wanted Mr Barlow out of the way.

Addressing the media, Director of Criminal Investigation Robert Manumba said the arrest of the suspects was a major step towards solving the puzzle of Mr Barlow’s killing. Flanked by the Inspector General of Police Said Mwema, who flew to Mwanza yesterday, Mr Manumba named the main suspects as Muganyizi Petro, 36, a native of Kagera, and Chacha Mwita, 50 and a native of Mara Region. Magige Marwa, Edward Masota and Bhoke Mwita were arrested in Dar es Salaam.

Mr Manumba declined to name those arrested in Mwanza on the grounds that they could interfere with the ongoing investigations. In total, seven of the 10 suspects are being held in connection with the killing. “Our end of the investigation is almost complete,” he said. “Those arrested have provided important clues and evidence that the killing was an expert job. We’re trying to get it done as quickly as possible and be as thorough as possible.”

Commander Barlow was shot dead on October 13 at around 1am by assailants dressed as members of a community policing group as he was dropping off a woman identified as Dorothy Moses at her home in Kitangiri area.
Mwanza Regional Commissioner Evarist Ndikilo told journalists a day after the killing that there were indications that the killers knew Mr Barlow and had monitored his movements.

Thousands of Mwanza residents turned out to pay their last respects to Mr Barlow at Nyamagana stadium. They were led by Regional Commissioner Ndikilo, the minister for Home Affairs Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi and his counterpart from the Prime Minister’s office (Policy and Coordination), Mr William Lukuvi. Local politicians and government officials were in attendance. Also present were representatives of the security and defence forces.

The body was later flown to Dar es Salaam, where his former colleagues, family and friends also had a chance to pay their last respects. He was buried in Kilema village in Kilimanjaro region on October 17.
Ms Moses, who is a teacher at Nyamagana ‘B’ Primary School in the city, is being held at Kirumba Police Station for questioning.

Mr Manumba vowed earlier that he would leave no stone unturned until the killers were brought to book. But later confessed to The Citizen that the investigations into the assassination were getting more and more complicated and those held for questioning had not given any clues, making it difficult to charge them.

An investigator from the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), who preferred to remain anonymous, had earlier told The Citizen that the killers could have been professional hit men since they did not leave any traces behind.
Reported by Frederick Katulanda, Sheilla Sezzy

Prisons` players hurt in accident

Tanzania Prisons players and officials were involved in a road accident on Wednesday night when they were on their way to Tanga to honour their weekend match against hosts Mgambo JKT.

The Mbeya-based top flight side have eight of their players severely injured when their driver in Toyota Coaster mini-bus veered off the road to avoid a head-on collision at Hale.

The team’s head coach Jumanne Chale said their mini-bus skidded three times causing injuries to the rest of the players and officials o board but the eight were severely affected.

Team striker David Motika, who was admitted at Bombo Regional Hospital’s intensive care unit, has however been released yesterday afternoon.

Other players who were seriously injured include Ramadhan Katamba, Issa Mwantika, Lugano Mwangama, Khalid Fungabreki, Daudi Masungwe and Sino Agustino.

Chale said the accident was serious and they just thank God to escape death under miraculous circumstances.

Midfielder Diego Magai said their mini bus avoided the head on collision as a result of high-speed lorry coming in the opposite direction switching full light that blinded their bus driverIt was not immediately known whether their weekend fixture against Mgambo JKT will be pushed back or not as there was no official communication from the Tanzania Football Federation by yesterday afternoon.

Prisons are sixth placed in the standings table with 13 points having won three matches, drawing four and losing twice in their nine appearances.

Stakeholders differ on Dar commuter train fares

TRL wants adults charged 800/-, students 100/-

Passenger lobby proposes 300/- per trip

Stakeholders have proposed varying commuter fares at a Sumatra-sponsored meeting as launch of the Dar es Salaam city train services nears.

The fare proposals were submitted yesterday in Dar es Salaam by the commuter train operators, Tanzania Railway Limited (TRL), who proposed a fare of 800/- for adults and 100/- for students per trip.

Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara), on the other hand, proposed 700/- for adults and 100/- for students.

However, the Sumatra Consumer Consultative Council (CCC) proposed 350/- for adults and 150/- for students while a passenger lobby (CHAUKA) proposed 300/- for adults and 50/- for students.

TRL principal commercial manager Hassan Shaban said each TRL train is expected to carry 900 passengers per route.

He clarified that there will be six coaches per trip, one coach reserved for students and the remaining five for adults.

Shabaan said there will be three rounds in the morning and another three in the evening, making a total of 12 trips per day.

“TRL expects to carry a total of 10,800 passengers per day comprising 9,000 adults and 1,800 students, children,” said Shaban.

The commercial officer said the expected revenue was 7.4m/- per day, adding that estimated operational costs would be 916,000/- per day and maintenance cost would be 2.7m/- per day. He said other costs were estimated to be 2.1m/- per day.

Sumatra CCC executive secretary Oscar Kikuyo said that at the proposed 800/- fare most passengers would not use the service.

Kikuyo said at the set amount from Ubungo to the Station a passenger will be required to use 38,400/- per month, which he said was too high compared to 14,400/- on commuter buses per month.

For his part, Transport minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe stressed that Dar es Salaam commuter train services will commence next week on October 29 at 06.00am.

Dr Mwakyembe made the remarks yesterday when opening the Tanzania Railways Limited (TRL) master workers council in Dar es Salaam.

“At last the Dar es Salaam commuter train will start operating next week, and I’ll be the one to launch it. This milestone has been reached because of your contribution to ensure the services go well,” he said.

For his part, TRL managing director Kipallo Kisamfu said the workers should know that good performance of the railway depended on their creativity and accountability.

In another development, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) stated that it was today going to conduct the third trial run of its commuter service.

A statement availed to this paper from Tazara said the trial run would be taking place two days before the official launch on Sunday.

“This follows two earlier successful trial runs in September and October,” it said

Abdallah Shekimweri, the regional general manager, said the trial run would be the last one before the service comes on stream.

“We expect the Deputy Managing Director, Damas Ndumbaro, to grace the occasion," the statement said.

Recently, Transport deputy minister Dr Charles Tizeba told reporters in Dar es Salaam that the project would start with six train coaches, which were being repaired at the Tanzania Railway Limited (TRL) workshop.

"I am satisfied with the progress of renovating the train wagons at the TRL workshop. Nine train wagons are about to be completed," he said after he paid an abrupt visit to the workshop.

He said the project would be carried out jointly by TRL and TAZARA and that the former would provide the project with 12 train coaches while the latter would chip in 14 wagons.

He said the Tazara train will ferry passengers between Makanga at Pugu in Ilala municipality and Kurasini in Temeke municipality, saying the train will stop at Tazara station on its way to Kurasini.

Young Scientists Tanzania Exhibitions launched

The Irish Embassy through its Irish Aid in collaboration with Pearson Foundation has launched a Young Scientists Tanzania Exhibition in Dar es Salaam as part of its economic development programs in the country with more than 100 schools participating.

The event was hosted by participants from various schools from different regions of Tanzania showcasing their scientific talents in fields of; Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. The aim of this exhibition is to encourage science education in the country by bringing together students from across Tanzania to exchange ideas and also learn from scientific firms.

“This exhibition will help us improve our scientific skills and in the long run, raise our living standards,” said Nicholas Clinton, a student of Mirongo Secondary school, Mwanza while demonstrating how to protect a house from being hit by lightning using domestic materials such as charcoal and salt.

Among other exhibitors, were private science and technology training institutions like the Institute of Physics (IOP) UK, which has recently opened a training centre in Morogoro, which focuses on delivering the right approach of teaching science related subjects to secondary school students.

“During a pilot study in Morogoro, we realized that most teachers lack simplified teaching skills hence making it difficult for students to easily learn and understand new concepts,” said Obeid Sitta, teaching director and logistics organizer for IOP. Other demonstrations included testing sound waves and how to generate electricity power through the use of wind by students from Olorieni Secondary School, Arusha.

Speaking to the media, the third secretary to the Irish Ambassador, Nicholas Michael explained that this exhibition was a complimentary project of Irish Aid which mainly focuses on supporting the government in terms of funding the Agricultural and Health sector.

“We have been holding the same kind of Science and Technology exhibitions in Ireland since 1985 and it has developed many young talents and improved our economy greatly. Therefore, as part of our development programs we wanted the same for Tanzania,” he said.

The Young Scientists Exhibition is a major annual event in Ireland, starting with 240 exhibitors in its first event in 1985 to 550 exhibitors in 2011 of the total 1700 entrants. The exhibition also includes an overall prize of 1ml /= and 10 laptops to the best school exhibitor and an education trip to Ireland.

Premiership trio in relegation web

African Lyon

Premiership trio of African Lyon, Toto Africa and Police Morogoro are kicking off the tenth round this weekend with all of their coaches spending sleepless nights on how best to move out of the relegation web.

While Police Morogoro have plunged deep into the relegation tunnel and would take at least two wins in a row to disengage, Toto and Lyon have relatively soft workload to accomplish the task.

The cops from Morogoro have paltry two points and are still searching for their first league win of the season.

The team lost seven of their fixtures to lodge deep into the unpleasant zone.

Coach John Simkoko has a huge workload to plot resurgence firepower enough to move out of the drop-off zone.

Going by the standard they displayed during their match against Yanga at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam mid this week, the cops from Morogoro are still being given the benefit of doubt to excel.

The troubled side meets stubborn Ruvu Shooting at the Mabatini Stadium in Mlandizi tomorrow.

Shooting is a good team and the cops should work beyond the call of duty if victory is their prime target.

Lyon will be at home to visiting Kagera Sugar at the Chamazi Stadium on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam after losing to Coastal Union in Tanga during one of the mid-week premiership fixtures.

Lakeside boys of Toto Africa will also be at home to visiting Mtibwa Sugar who are having a torrid season to endure as they gaze the relegation borderline with just two-point cushion.

Toto might drag Mtibwa Sugar into relegation tunnel for the first time since the Morogoro team won the premiership berth if they win this home fixture.

At home to Tanzania Prisons are rookies Mgambo JKT who have won three of their four previous fixtures to cause some ripples in the standings table.

Mgambo have proved a tough team to beat, particularly after their dramatic three-back-to-back wins and a barren draw with holders Simba over the weekend.

Actor`s murder case adjourned

Elizabeth Michael, popularly known as Lulu

The Kisutu Resident Magistrate court in Dar es Salaam yesterday adjourned the case facing actress Elizabeth Michael, popularly known as Lulu, who is charged with murder over the death of a domestic film star, Steven Kanumba, until November 5, this year.

Prosecution led by Principal State Attorney Tumaini Kweka informed the court that the investigation into the case is still in progress.

The case was brought back to Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court before Resident Magistrate Augustina Mmbando last month to proceed with the main suit after an application by Lulu’s counsel Peter Kibatala, who wanted the court to determine the accused person’s actual biological age.

Thereafter the prosecution side also filed an application to the Court of Appeal seeking the court to review proceedings and the ruling by High Court Judge Fauzi Twaibu, who had ordered the two parties to present evidence that would enable him to rule whether Lulu was under-age or not.

Earlier, the Court of Appeal suspended the decision of the High Court of investigating Lulu's age saying that Judge Twaibu erred in making the decision that Lulu’s age be investigated.

Reading the ruling before a panel of three justices, High Court Registrar Zahra Maruma said according to the Court of Appeal ruling,

“If he found any inadequacy he was supposed to bring back the file to the Kisutu Court with instructions and not giving out the decision that the age be investigated.”

The decision was reached after the panel of three Judges heard the arguments submitted by both sides following an application filed by the prosecution side that requested the Court of Appeal to make a legal reference to the decision of the High Court.

In June this year, the High Court accepted an application by a panel of advocates defending the actress and directed that her age be investigated.

Maruma said Judge Twaibu did not have the authority to make such a decision and instead he should have used his reference powers.

The prosecution filed an application to the Court of Appeal seeking the court to review proceedings and the ruling by High Court Judge Twaibu, who had ordered the two parties to present evidence that would enable him to rule whether Lulu was under-age or not.

Judge Twaibu made the ruling after an application by Lulu’s counsel Kibatala, who wanted the court to determine the accused person’s age.

Premier league standings tricky

As the tenth round of the Mainland premiership unfolds this weekend, four top placed teams are separated by just three points.