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Curbing stigma, discrimination vital in HIV/AIDS fight

By Simbarashe Msasanuri
Tanzania will next week join the rest of the world in marking the World Aids Day where humanity gets the chance to remember those who succumbed to the disease while at the same time looking at successes and failures in trying to mitigate the social anomaly.
It is unfortunate that up to now, a lasting solution remains elusive for the world and people continue to perish like poisoned cockroaches. It is saddening that behavioural change among people is subtle as many people continue to engage in reckless behavior.  It is an open secret that the world’s oldest profession remains popular and a lucrative business in this country despite the presence of the dreaded disease.
The situation in drinking joints and other places such as bars and brothels is not encouraging at all. A visit to these places reveals a sorry state of affairs where the gains in the fight against the pandemic seem to be reversed.
The state of affairs has forced the Tanga District Commissioner, Halima Dendegu, to launch a crackdown against commercial sex workers in the city this week. This according to her is meant to make sure that Tanga residents uphold moral values and at the same time reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The coming in of the dread HIV/Aids seems to have brought with it confusion to humanity. This has seen many people doing or saying absurd things about the virus that a normal thinking person will never dare. The problem of mystifying HIV/AIDS has contributed to the stigma and discrimination those who contracted the disease are facing.
So many people have been segregated, chased out of their lodgings or lost their jobs simply because they contracted HIV. It is a shame that stigma and discrimination continue to rear its ugly head at a time where the whole globe is supposed to unite in fighting a common enemy.
It is high time we deal with stigma and discrimination. There is no need to segregate those living with the virus because no one is immune to it. The problem with those people who segregate others is that they are living in darkness, they have never gone for an HIV test and they simply don't know their status. In most cases, it is a matter of a pot calling another pot black. Gone are the days of thinking that someone with the virus is an outcast especially if we do not know our status.
This leads to many people going into self denial when they later get tested and find out that they are HIV positive. I know of many people, including my relatives, who ended up dying, denying that they had the virus despite the doctors having told them so. They sought solace in witchcraft as they spent their fortune and time going around consulting traditional healers, who in most cases tell them what they want to hear. They are told that they had been bewitched by their relatives who are jealous of their progress in life. What a shame!
I think it is high time we demystify this disease and begin treating it like any other. We know that it is compulsory, in some countries, for children to undergo immunization against the five killer diseases such as polio, typhoid, measles and so on then why can't it be compulsory for HIV.
The secrecy surrounding the disease is the one that is killing us. If testing could be made compulsory and made mandatory that the results are not secretive as they are now, then all the mystery surrounding HIV will disappear and in the long run, will be treated as any other disease where people will be open about it. I believe that the reason we have a lot of stigma and discrimination is the fact that AIDS has been mystified and is viewed as taboo.
 Governments, throughout the world, especially in Africa should put in place laws compelling men and women to first of all get tested before getting married. Many lives could be saved that way as many people will get into their marriages knowing the status of their loved ones. This will then make them take precautionary measures and avoid infecting each other.
 A lot of ground still has to be covered in as far as fighting this disease is concerned. It only takes us to change the perception we have of the disease.
Ends

DSG: Changing lives of women, less privileged

Simbarashe Msasanuri

All roads led to the International School of Tanganyika (IST) recently where the Diplomatic Spouses Group (DSG) held its Annual Charity Bazaar with the aim of changing lives of the less privileged. It was a hive of activity at the school as thousands of people from different walks of lives, thronged the venue to play a part in the historic event.

The place was overcrowded and one could be forgiven to mistaken it for the Buguruni or Kariakoo market as people jostled to buy commodities on offer, whose proceedings were channeled towards charity.  The only notable difference was the type of people doing the shopping as top dignitaries and executives formed the bulk of the customers.

Second hand clothing, handcrafts, books, toys African attires and various other commodities were on display.

 Food lovers were not left out as different countries offered their traditional foods, giving the opportunity to those home-sick expatriates to have a feel of their delicacies. 

Parking space was a problem and some people had no option but to park far away from the school and finish the journey on foot. This quickly describes the atmosphere at this year’s bazaar, an event aimed at changing lives of the less privileged.

The Bazaar is a major fundraising event of DSG, supporting local initiatives which assist Tanzania’s most vulnerable citizens, most often women and children, physically and mentally challenged.

While officially opening the event, Asha Bilal, the wife of the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Mohammed Gharib Bilal, praised DSG for their life changing initiatives.

“The Diplomatic Spouses Group supports local initiatives that assist Tanzania’s most marginalized in society- women, children and the physically and mentally challenged. The Bazaar has been an enduring tradition for the DSG,” she said before adding that the work of the Diplomatic Spouses is an example for all of us and so relevant to the challenges today around the world.

“The work of the DSG is exemplary. From empowering women in Kagera, inspiring the disabled to create world class craft in Iringa, providing education to pastoralist girls in Arusha, literacy to Masaai women in Simanjiro to supporting street children in Dar es salaam and many others in society, the range and breath of DSG’s impact and influence on our society is unparalleled,”

She said the DSG’s collective consciousness has been instrumental in practically transforming the society in an important way such as inspiring and giving vigour to communities they support.

“The underlying principle of giving is that each one of us is charged with leaving the world a better place than we found it. To do that we have to use all the resources that we are blessed with – our material and intellectual wealth, the power and position we may be occupying in the community, and our personal spiritual strength and courage to make hard decisions about our situations and conditions, “ Bilal said.

The DGS Chairperson, Juliana Parroni, who is the wife to the Switzerland Ambassador to Tanzania, Olivier Chave, while addressing the same gathering, said the Bazaar has a special place in the diplomatic calendar of Dar es Salaam, adding that it was an opportunity to raise awareness of different countries’ handcrafts, food and culture as well as celebrating the traditions and culture of the host country.

According to her, last year’s Bazaar raised over 73m/- used to support 16 NGOs throughout Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

“The DSG strongly emphasizes accountability and follow through. Project selection and grant monitoring is carefully done by a special committee. Our grants are small but carefully targeted,” she said.

And, during an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily News,’ Parroni said that her organization targets projects with strong leadership, that are sustainable and that come from the community.

“We don’t fund individuals but NGOs through grants ranging between 5 to 15million/-. And, we target those projects that are too small for donours because it’s small groups that need support such as water projects, poultry projects for elderly women and so on,” she said.

She added that the money realized during Saturday’s event will be disbursed by March next year, where the group will go through all applications and come up with eligible beneficiaries.

Parroni went on to thank all the organizations that supported the event before heaping praise on Mrs Bilal and other top dignitaries who graced the event. She also hailed ambassadors for their support towards this cause.

She, however, urged Tanzanians to support the cause as many disadvantaged groups needed help.

Asked for a comment, the Switzerland Ambassador to Tanzania, Olivier Chave, said the event is very useful as it goes a long way in helping the disadvantaged.

“We have always supported this event and we had to import our traditional food from Switzerland for this event. As you can see the food is being served at our pavilion.

“Tanzania is united.  The idea is to come together, so many cultures, languages to achieve a common objective,” said Chave.

Last year’s event benefited 15 projects and some of the recipients include  Kidzcare, an orphanage based in Bagamoyo that had a security fence erected;  classroom furniture bought for Loreto girls Secondary School based in Mwanza; Emusoi Centre, benefited through the purchase of text books and dictionaries for the pastoralists girls in Arusha; A street children supporting organization, Makini, based in Dar es Salaam was provided with most of their basic needs as well as art projects, recreational activities and basic nutrition; Neema Crafts Centre that cares for disabled people was offered training  and employment opportunities in Iringa and WomenCraft of Kagera was economically empowered for the benefit of artisanal  women.

DSG is a non profit organization comprised of persons with diplomatic status in Tanzania and its mandate is to be a social and charitable organization which is non-political, non- governmental, and non-profit.

 

Neema Swai: A woman flying her dream

By Simbarashe Msasanuri

 It was on a Monday afternoon around 3 O’clock at Progress Flight Academy in South Africa, an aviation training institute, when a young female trainee pilot bubbling with confidence and the prospects of a dream come true, prepared to embark on her second solo flight.

 Everything looked normal and the weather was not only favourable but encouraging. After conducting her routine checks as taught by the lecturers and under the supervision of an instructor by the name Jolene, she headed for the cockpit and when she ascertained that everything was in order, the then 19-year-old lady switched on the engine ready to conquer the skies.

With a promising future ahead, the flight was important in that it added on to her flight hours, something that is important when one is considered for hiring as a pilot in the competitive aviation industry.  Since nothing was amiss with the Cessna 172 aeroplane, she quickly headed for the runway where in no time she started gaining altitude. The take off was smooth and one could have mistaken her for a fully qualified and experienced pilot.

Hardily a few minutes after takeoff, and after sighing a sign of relief for a job well done, the young lady got the shock of her life. She discovered that the fuel tanks of her plane were leaking and this signalled danger.  She had two options: to continue with the journey and let fate take its toll or to abort the flight and institute an emergency landing.

Even though the experience was as terrifying as that of a prisoner under death row coming out of the situation alive was not guaranteed, she did not panic. She gathered all the courage she could muster, coupled with the training she had undertaken and commandeered the plane back to the runway.

“I was really afraid but luckily my training was up to standard and I managed to perform as required (abort the flight),” she said.

But, as fate would have it and immediately after touching down, she realized that the aircraft's brakes were faulty, and it took the entire runway for it to stop. When the plane finally ground to a halt, without any eventualities, her colleagues and some lecturers were waiting for her, congratulating her for a courageous conduct. She had conquered her own world.

Though Neema confesses that the incident scared her and while she was still trying to come to terms with reality, the faulty aeroplane was taken for inspection. And, as if what had happened was not enough, the Chief Instructor at the Academy ordered that she be given another plane and continue with training.

“I was really scared and getting into another plane barely 30 minutes after another aborted flight was difficult. But, I gathered courage and managed to finish the solo flight that day without problems,” she said.

This reads like a fairy tale from a fiction story or a script from a Hollywood movie but is a true story of a young and dynamic Tanzanian pilot, Neema Swai, flying our skies today. Though the incident was scary and life-threatening, Neema never looked back; she had a dream to live.

Since her childhood, Neema's dream was to become a pilot, and she worked hard for it. Born in Arusha 25 years ago, Neema is a first officer with Precision Air (PW) Services and confesses that the sky remains the limit.

The soft-spoken Neema, is a Tanzanian young lady hailing from Machame in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region. In a bid to prepare her for the world ahead, her parents enrolled her at Juja Preparatory School in Nairobi, Kenya where the seeds of her dream were planted.

“At an early age I took aviation as a subject which was offered in my primary school and ever since I've always been fascinated by the aviation world and never saw myself doing anything else and with a very supportive family I managed to live my dream,” she said.

After completing her primary education in Kenya, she moved to Kabojja Secondary School in Uganda where she continued with her education. When she passed her Ordinary Levels, she was 16 years old then and was too young to join aviation school, so she had to enroll for Advanced Level where she studied Physics, Geography and Mathematics ( PGM).   

Neema remembers that when she told her parents that she wanted to be a pilot, they told her to study hard and pass with flying colours if ever she had hopes to be one.

And, after her high school in 2007, the second born to Mr Ellysoon Kirenga Swai and Mrs Sikudhani Mwenda Swai, joined Progress Flight Department in South Africa, for a one year aviation course, opening the doors for her to the male dominated profession.

Asked on whether she was afraid during her first ever flight, Neema said that, “No I wasn't, in fact I'd say I was very excited because finally my dream was in my grasp.”

When she graduated from the flight school, Neema started working at the age of 20. She is among eight women pilots working with Precision Air, and probably the youngest.

Armed with approximately over 2800hrs of flying experience Neema's day-to-day life is busy, flying passengers from one country to the other in East and Central Africa. To date, she has flown in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

Commenting on the most challenging airport within those she has landed, Neema said, “of all the airfields I've flown to I enjoy flying in to Bukoba, it's always a new challenge due to the adverse weather and runway length.”

“I am rated on the Cessna 172, Pipper Pa28,Pa30, ATR-72-500,ATR-42-500 and now the first and only ATR-42-600 in Africa and am lucky to be at Precision Air to be the first female pilot to fly it in Africa,” she added.

Balancing work and personal time is not a challenge for her, “I chose to be a pilot. So I have learned to balance things and I like it. My work is a bit of a challenge but it is exciting. I have been exposed to the rest of the world and I have gained a lot of experience.”

Neema says that though some careers are termed to be male dominated, it is time for women and the rest of the society to do away with that notion.

She however, said that there are many challenges and for a female pilot to gain the respect and approval in the aviation industry, “you work twice as hard as a male pilot due to the fact that it’s been a male dominated field.”

Commenting on women and careers, Neema said that self respect and motivation is essential in professional growth for any woman, adding that women are in a good position to tackle 'hard' professions such as engineering.

“Everyone has the capacity to perform well in various fields. All it takes is self respect and commitment. You will meet situations that will pull you down but that is normal. Keep your focus and you will succeed.

“It is through having this in my mind that I have come this far. I urge any other woman out there not to be fooled but to keep up their focus and spirits.  This is my fourth year working as a pilot and it is not the end. I have so much I would like to achieve,” says Neema.

The second born in a family of three is grateful to her family for the support they have given to her to come this far.

“I am grateful to my parents and siblings, elder sister Eshy and younger brother Kelvin. They have been my greatest inspiration all through. I could not be here without them,” she says, adding that families form the foundation of everyone's career.  

Neema's dream is to fly the Boeing 747 because it’s state-of-the-art and modernized aeroplane making it a dream for every pilot, and she also hopes to, one day, own an aircraft. “I want to use it to move around.”

In a bid to keep fit Neema had this to say, “well I swim, go to the gym and take power walks to keep me fit and ready for my long sitting hours.”

“Never settle for anything less than what you believe in always motive yourself towards your goals and dreams and remember to work hard towards it,” she concludes.

SHARO MILIONEA AMEFARIKI DUNIA

Msanii/Muigizaji/Mchekeshaji Hussein Ramadhani Mtioeti (27) maarufu SHARO MILIONEA amefariki dunia katika ajali ya gari jijini Tanga.
Kamanda wa Polisi Mkoa wa Tanga, Prudence Masawe, amethibitisha kutokea kwa ajali na kusema kuwa marehemu amefikwa na umauti baada ya gari lake aina ya Toyota Haria lenye namba za usajili T478DVR kuacha njia na kupinduka.

Hili ni pigo jingine kwa Tasnia ya Filamu nchini Tanzania, hasa ukizingatia kuwa juma lililopita alifariki msanii Mlopelo na wakati Sharo Milionea anafariki tayari tasnia hiyo ya bongo Move ipo katika Msiba mwingine mzito wa Mcheza Filamu John Steven anaetarajiwa kuzikwa kesho
Kamanda Massawe amesema kuwa tukio hilo limetokea majira ya saa mbili usiku wa Novemba 26, 2012 katika kijiji cha Maguzoni Soga Wilaya ya Muheza Mkoani Tanga.

Akisimulia zaidi RPC Massawe anasema kuwa marehemu alikuwa akiendesha gari hilo na alikuwa peke yake bila abiria mwingine na ajali kumfika akiwa katika kijiji hicho kilichopo kati ya segera na Muheza.
“Marehemu ndie alikuwa akiendesha gari lile, na lililopopinduika yeye alirushwa nje lkupitia kiooo cha mbele na umauti kumfika hapo hapo” alisema Kamanda Massawe.
Aidha Kamanda Massawe amesema msanii huyo alikuwa akitokea jijini Dar es Salaam na alikuwa akienda nyumbani kwao Muheza.

Inakumbukwa kuwa Msanii huyo aliyejizolea umaarufu mkubwa kwa staili yake ya utembeaji na uongeaji alipata alinusurika katika ajali nyinge mapema mwaka huu baada ya basi alilokuwa akisafiria la Taqwa kutoka nchi jirani ya Burundi kupata ajali Mikese mjini Morogoro Januari 5 mwaka huu akirejea Dar es Salaam.

Source: Daily Mitikasi

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Mwangosi’s killer lands in the dock

Iringa.
A POLICE officer appeared before the Iringa District Magistrate’s Court here yesterday charged with the murder of Channel Ten journalist Daudi Mwangosi on September 2, this year.


Before the District Principal Magistrate, Ms Dyness Lyimo, the accused, PC Cleophase Pasifious (23), with Registration Number G.2573, could not enter any plea as the court does not preside over murder cases.

The case was postponed until September 26 and the accused was remanded as he could not be bailed out.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, said in a statement released yesterday that preliminary investigations had established that the journalist died following the tear gas bomb explosion triggered by PC Pasifious.

The minister said the five-member probe committee headed by retired Judge Stephen Ihema would continue investigating the matter to find a permanent solution to the misunderstandings between the Police Force, the media and political parties in order to improve their relationships.

“Let all stakeholders now allow the law to take its course”, said the minister, pledging that he will continue to work closely with the media for the sake of peace and tranquility in the country.

The deceased was covering the inauguration of an office belonging to Chadema at Nyololo, Iringa when he died during skirmishes between the police and the opposition party’s members .

Meanwhile,Chadema has announced that it has filed a court case against the CCM Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Mr Nape Nnauye, following alleged remarks he made against the party (Chadema) on acquisition of funds from abroad.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday during a training workshop on how to formulate economic policies, the Chadema Secretary General, Dr Wilbrod Slaa, said that it was true that his party had supporters who gave them money but for capacity building for their leaders and supporters and not for campaigns and demonstrations.

Dr Slaa mentioned that the number of the case filed was 186 of 2012 and that it had been filed at the High Court and would involve other people as well.

“This is dirty propaganda that is aimed at misleading people. However, the truth is that these organizations that support us are not allowed to fund political campaigns nor political activities as it is against their laws but only do so in capacity building,” he said.

The Party’s Chairman, Mr Freeman Mbowe, chipped in to say that the aim of their party was to bring people together and not drive them apart.

The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Director, Mr Klaus Hedrish said that it wasn’t true that they were funding Chadema for their campaigns and other political activities but to build their capacity.

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48 killed in Kenyan clashes

At least 48 people have been killed in ethnic clashes in south-eastern Kenya, officials say.
The clashes in Tana River district, Coast Province, took place late on Tuesday between the Orma and Pokomo groups the region's police chief said.
Most of the dead were women and children, he said. Police have been deployed to the area.
The clash is the worst single incident since violence rocked the country after disputed polls four years ago.
Regional deputy police chief Joseph Kitur told AFP news agency that those killed were either hacked to death with machetes or burned alive when their huts were set alight.
The victims included 31 women, 11 children and six men, he said, describing it as "a very bad incident".
Violence between the two communities is often reported, but not on such a huge scale.
Our reporter says there is long-standing enmity between the area's pastoralist communities, who get caught up in a cycle of revenge killings over the theft of cattle and grazing and water rights.
In 2001, a series of clashes between the Orma and Pokomo left at least 130 dead in the same region.
The semi-arid region is one of the poorest in Kenya, with very little infrastructure or industry.
The government recently created a ministry to promote development in Kenya's arid and semi-arid areas, but there has been little improvement in peoples' lives, she adds.
Mr Kitur said the attack had been carried out by the Pokomo on the Orma, according to initial investigations.
Danson Mungatana, the lawmaker for the area, said the killings were the latest in a string of attacks and cattle raids and had been taken in retaliation for a previous incident.
"There have been problems simmering for a while," he told AFP

Another bus accident: 20 cheat death

JUST a week after several people perished in a road accident involving a Sabena bus, about 20 passengers who were travelling in a bus christened Airbus cheated death after the bus overturned at Ituangala Village in Sikonge District, Tabora Region yesterday.

The Sikonge District Medical Officer, Mr Samuel Malembeka, said that the hospital received 24 passengers who were in critical condition, saying two were referred to Tabora Regional Hospital.

“Two passengers including one woman whose arm was fractured were referred to Tabora Regional Hospital,” he said.

According to Mr Mtafsiri, who was one of the passengers, the Tabora bound bus overturned after knocking a log left on the road by unknown  people, suspected to be hijackers.  

Balozi Mahalu ashinda kesi ya Uhujumu Uchumi

MAHAKAMA ya Hakimu Mkazi Kisutu, leo imemuachia huru Bila hatia aliyekuwa Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Italia Profesa Costa Mahalu na Ofisa Utawala wa ubalozi huo, Grace Martin waliokuwa wakikabiliwa na kesi ya Uhujumu Uchumi na Kuisababishia Serikali hasara ya Euro 2 milioni.

Hukumu hiyo kwa Profesa Mahalu na Martin imetolewa na Hakimu Mfawidhi mkazi wa Mahakama ya Kisutu Mh. Ilivin Mugeta kwa kumuachia huhu mahalu ambaye alikuwa akitetewa na mawakili wakongwe Mabere Marando na wenzake.

Prof. Mahalu alikuwa akikabiliwa na mashtaka sita yakiwamo ya uhujumu uchumi na kuisababishia Serikali hasara ya Euro 2,065,827.60, katika mchakato wa ununuzi wa jengo la Ubalozi wa Tanzania nchini Italia.

Hukumu ya kesi hiyo iliyokuwa ikinguruma mahakamani hapo kwa miaka kadhaa sasa, imefikia tamati leo na Hakimu Mkazi Mfawidhi wa Mahakama hiyo, Ilvin Mugeta ambaye amekuwa akiisikiliza.

Awali, hukumu hiyo ilipangwa kusomwa Julai 11, mwaka huu lakini iliahirishwa kutokana na Hakimu Mugeta kukabiliwa na majukumu mengine. Kesi hiyo iliahirishwa na Hakimu Mkazi, Aloyce Katemana na kupanga kuwa hukumu hiyo itasomwa leo.

Kiongozi wa jopo la mawakili wa washtakiwa hao, Mabere Marando alisema jana kwamba anaamini kesi hiyo ambayo imechukua muda mrefu, leo inafikia mwisho kwa Mahakama kutoa hukumu.

Endapo Mahalu na Mwenzake katika makosa kama hayo yaliyokuwa yakiwakabili wangepatikana na hatia adhabu yake ingeweza kuwa kifungo kisichozidi miaka 15 jela.

Kwa mujibu wa Kifungu cha 60 cha Sheria ya Uhujumu Uchumi, Kifungu kidogo cha pili, Mahakama inaweza kutoa amri nyingine ikiwamo mshtakiwa kulipa fidia.

Hukumu ya kesi hiyo leo ilikuwa ikisubiriwa na kwa shauku si tu na Profesa Mahalu na wenzake ambao wangependa kujua hatima yao, bali pia na umma wote wa Watanzania ambao umekuwa ukiifuatilia kwa muda wote kesi hiyo.

Wakati wa utetezi, Rais wa Awamu ya Tatu, Benjamin Mkapa ambaye ununuzi wa jengo hilo ulifanyika wakati wa uongozi wake, alipanda kizimbani na kumtetea Profesa Mahalu na mwenzake, akidai kuwa mchakato wa ununuzi wa jengo hilo ulifuata sheria.

Mkapa katika ushahidi wake wa utetezi licha ya kudai kuwa mchakato huo ulifuata taratibu na kwamba ni yeye aliyebariki, pia alimmwagia sifa kedekede Profesa Mahalu akidai kuwa ni kiongozi mwadilifu na mwaminifu katika historia yake ya utumishi wa umma.

Akiongozwa na mmoja wa mawakili wanaomtetea Mahalu na mwenzake, Alex Mgongolwa, Mkapa alieleza mchakato wote wa ununuzi wa jengo hilo na malipo yake kwa kuwa lilinunuliwa kwa maagizo ya Serikali yake.

Wakati upande wa mashtaka ukidai kuwapo kwa uhujumu uchumi kutokana na kuwapo kwa mikataba miwili wakati wa ununuzi wa jengo hilo, Mkapa alidai kuwa aliifahamu mikataba yote hiyo na malipo kufanyika kupitia akaunti mbili tofauti.

Alieleza kushangazwa kwake kusikia kuwa aliyekuwa Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi wakati huo, Martin Lumbanga katika ushahidi wake alidai kuwa hakujua mchakato wa ununuzi wa jengo hilo, akisema hajui ni kwa nini Lumbanga alisema hivyo.

Mbali na Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa ambayo wakati wa ununuzi wa jengo hilo, Rais Jakaya Kikwete ndiye aliyekuwa waziri wake, Mkapa alisema wizara nyingine zilizohusika ni Ujenzi na ile ya Ardhi, Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi.

Alidai kuwa wizara zote hizo zilituma wataalamu wake kwenda kufanya tathmini ya thamani ya jengo hilo kabla ya ununuzi wake. Alisema taarifa iliyotolewa na Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wakati huo, Kikwete bungeni juu ya ununuzi wa jengo hilo ni sahihi.

Pamoja na mambo mengine, taarifa hiyo inaeleza kuwa jengo hilo lilinunuliwa kwa Sh.2.9 bilioni na kwamba hati za umiliki wake zilishawasilishwa wizarani na kupelekwa kwa Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali (CAG).

“Maneno hayo ni sahihi. Hayo ndiyo ninayoyajua mimi,” alisema Mkapa na kuongeza kwamba hajawahi kupata malalamiko kutoka Italia kuhusu ukiukwaji wa sheria wakati wa mchakato wa ununuzi wa jengo hilo wala kwa mmiliki akidai kuwa alilipwa pungufu ya makubaliano.

Akijibu swali la Wakili Mgongolwa kama alishapata malalamiko yoyote kutoka kwa CAG kuhusu ununuzi wa jengo hilo, alijibu kuwa hajawahi kupokea malalamiko hayo.

Akijibu swali la Wakili wa Serikali, Ponsiano Lukosi kama aliwahi kuuliza ni kwa nini mwenye jengo alitaka alipwe kupitia mikataba miwili, Mkapa alijibu kuwa hakuuliza kwa kuwa alichokuwa anahitaji ni kupata jengo.

Akijibu swali kwamba kama lengo la mwenye jengo kutaka kulipwa kwa mikataba miwili lilikuwa ni kukwepa kodi ya Serikali ya nchi yake, Mkapa alijibu: “Hilo ni tatizo lake na nchi yake, mimi nilikuwa nataka nyumba na nimepata nyumba, nasema Alhamdulillah.”

Pia Mkapa alisema anamshangaa wakili wa Serikali kudai kuwa pesa hizo kulipwa kwa awamu mbili kunaonyesha kwamba Profesa Mahalu alikuwa na lengo za kuzichukua na kuzitumia kwa masilahi yake... “Mimi nitashangaa sana kusikia hivyo na hasa nitakushangaa wewe maana Profesa (Mahalu) mimi namwamini.”

Utetezi wa Profesa Mahalu
Katika utetezi wake, Profesa Mahalu alikana mashtaka hayo na kudai kuwa alipofika katika ubalozi huo alikuta ofisi hizo zikiwa na hali mbaya hali iliyosababisha kutoa fedha zake za mfukoni na kununua samani zenye hadhi ya ofisi ya ubalozi.

Alisema aliyekuwa Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Kikwete pia alifika katika ofisi za ubalozi huo na kushuhudia hali hiyo mbaya na kwamba aliunga mkono hoja yake kwamba ofisi hiyo ni mbovu na akashauri ipatikane ofisi yenye hadhi ya ubalozi.

Alisema mwanzoni mwa Juni, 2001 Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara hiyo alimpigia simu akimpongeza kwamba maombi ya wizara yao katika bajeti ya kutaka kila ofisi ya ubalozi inunue jengo lake itapitishwa na Bunge.

Alidai kuwa Katibu Mkuu alimtaka yeye na maofisa wengine wa ubalozi kuanza kutafuta majengo. Alisema baada ya hapo aliwaagiza maofisa wake kwenda kutafuta majengo ndani na nje ya Jiji la Rome kwa ajili ya kulinunua.

Martin katika utetezi wake alidai kuwa, Balozi Mahalu hakuisababishia Serikali hasara ya Euro 2 milioni, bali alileta faida kwa taifa kwa kuwa na jengo zuri na kwamba anahitaji kupewa shukrani.

Akiongozwa na Wakili Marando kujitetea dhidi ya tuhuma zinazomkabili, Grace alidai: “Mheshimiwa kwa ufahamu wangu, Balozi Mahalu mashtaka yote sita yanayomkabili hakuyatenda, aliwasilisha mikataba miwili kama taarifa iliyofanyika kihalali.”

Pia Martin alihoji sababu ya upande wa Jamhuri kutomleta mmiliki wa jengo hilo la ubalozi kukana risiti hiyo au Mkurugenzi wa Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa (Takukuru), Dk Edward Hosea kuulizwa juu ya ununuzi wa jengo hilo akidai walikwenda nchini humo kufanya uchunguzi.

Balozi Profesa Mahalu akizungumza na waandishi wa habari mara baada ya kushinda kesi yake katika mahakama ya kisutu leo.

Tanzanian woman jailed 15 years for drug trafficking

A Tanzanian woman will spend 15 years in jail for attempting to smuggle 6,9kg of heroin with a street value of over US$200 000. Fatima Musa Saguti was nabbed at the Harare International Airport before boarding a Kenyan Airways flight destined for Ghana on June 27.
The heroin was valued at US$207 000.

Saguti denied the charge of unlawfully dealing in dangerous drugs when her trial opened before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.
She claimed that her fiance’s Zambian friend had given her the suitcase containing the dangerous drug to take to Ghana to his fiancée and was not aware of the contents.

After a fully contested trial, the court convicted Saguti of the offence in aggravating circumstances due to overwhelming evidence.
In Zimbabwe, crimes involving such drugs attract a mandatory sentence of not less than 15 years.
In passing sentence, Mr Mahwe noted that Saguti was part of a syndicate of drug traffickers, considering that the heroin was brought from Zambia.
He said she committed a very serious offence and in the absence of special circumstances, the offence attracts a mandatory sentence of not less than 15 years.

“The accused said she was sent with the suitcase by someone, surprisingly she did not check the contents to see if they tallied with the weight,” said Mr Mahwe.
“She said she was in Zimbabwe for five days but failed to tell the court where she was residing. She said she came into the country to look for her customer since she is in the business of buying and selling red-bull (an energy drink) but she also failed to reveal the identity of the said customer.

“With this conduct, the accused knew what she was doing and there are no special circumstances to warrant the court to disregard the mandatory sentence in her case,” he said.

Prosecutor Ms Memory Mukapa had earlier urged the court to impose a mandatory sentence on the basis that the way the offence was committed.
She said it was a well-planned crime.
Ms Mukapa said if it was not for the detecting machine at the airport, Saguti could have escaped unnoticed.

The prosecutor further told the court that Saguti’s passport showed that she was using the Zambia-Zimbabwe-Tanzania route frequently. - The Herald

I won't resign over Zanzibar boat accident - Mwakyembe

TRANSPORT Minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe has maintained that he would not resign following the sinking of MV Skagit near Chumbe Island recently.

Winding up his budget estimates for 2012/2013 yesterday evening, Dr Mwakyembe said neither his ministry nor the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) share blame in registration of the ill-fated ship.

He explained that Zanzibar, through the Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA), registered the ill-fated ship and that his ministry had no authority over the registration.

“My authority ends at Chumbe Island and I have no authority in Zanzibar. Sumatra has registered about 100 ships to strictness of the law but this is not the case in Zanzibar,” the minister said. The National Assembly endorsed the budget estimates yesterday evening.

Government bans Mwanahalisi newspaper

A prominent newspaper, Mwanahalisi has been banned indefinitely by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. The newspaper will not be published with the effect from 30 July, 2012.

The acting director of Tanzania information services, Mr. Fabian Rugaimukamu said that the newspaper was banned for a trend of writing news and features that are inflammatory and fabricated.

“This aims at causing lack of faith to the state bodies by the citizens which endanger the peace and tranquility in the country.” He said.

He added that in its recent editions, Mwanahalisi newspaper edition No. 302 of 11 to 18 July, No. 303 of 18 to 24 July and No. 304 of 25 July to 01 August and the other previous editions have been publishing news and features that threaten the society.

Zanzibar deregisters 3 boats, suspends one

Zanzibar has deregistered three vessels and suspended one in a bid to tighten screws on the legislation and operation of marine transport 10 days after a fatal boat accident killed at least 116 people.

 The Acting Director for Zanzibar Maritime Transport Authority- Mr Abdallah Hussein Kombo , while addressing a press conference in the Isles said, “Mv Seagull, Mv Kalama, and Mv Sepideh have been de-registered and are not allowed to operate in Zanzibar territory, while Mv Kilimajaro III has been temporarily stopped due to expiry of life raft.”
 He said that his office is now working closely with Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) from Tanzania Mainland to inspect all vessels in Zanzibar so that only seaworthy ferries are allowed to operate.
 “Kilimanjaro III will resume services after improving its sea survival facilities,” he added.

 He said that Mv Seagull and Mv Kalama sister to the fatal Mv Skagit, and Mv Sepideh have been deleted from the list of Zanzibar sea vessels “because the boats are dilapidated and have had frequent breakdowns.”

 Kombo informed journalists that Mv Seregenti, which has also had repeatedly experienced mechanical faults in the sea, is still under investigation and that under the period of scrutiny the boat is “allowed to carry 350 passengers and 50 tonnes of cargo less its capacity of 800 passengers and 100 tonnes respectively.”

 He said that Azam Marine Transport Company is expected to import a big ship from Greece next month; the move is expected to ease transportation between Unguja (Zanzibar and Pemba currently facing sea transport problems.

Ghana’s President John Atta Mills dies

Ghanaian President John Atta Mills has died. He was 68.
President Atta Mills, who was suffering from throat cancer, died yesterday in Accra. A statement from his office said President Atta Mills died a few hours after being taken ill, but did not give details.

“It is with a heavy heart . . . that we announce the sudden and untimely death of the President of the Republic of Ghana,” the statement said.
Mr Atta Mills ruled the West African country since 2009. The BBC’s Sammy Darko, who was at the military hospital in Accra, says Mr Atta Mills’ voice had been degenerating in the last few months.
A presidential aide told Reuters yesterday that the leader had complained of suffering from pains on Monday evening and died yesterday afternoon.

According to the Ghanaian Constitution, Vice-President John Dramani Mahama is to take over as interim leader. Presidential elections are set for December in a country seen as a rare example of stable democracy in West Africa.

The late president had recently travelled to the United States for what had been described as a routine medical check-up.

President Atta Mills took over as Ghana’s president in January 2009.
He narrowly won the vote in 2008 by a less than 1 percent margin against a candidate from the party of incumbent John Kufuor, widely respected for having bowed out following his two terms in office. In July last year, President Atta Mills was nominated to be the ruling National Democratic Congress party’s presidential candidate for December 2012 elections.

The primary nomination represented the first time in the country’s history that a sitting president competed for his own party’s nomination.
President Atta Mills beat his only rival in the party primary, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, the wife of ex-military leader Jerry Rawlings.

Ghana recently joined the ranks of the world’s large-scale oil producers.

A Western-educated university professor specialising in taxation, President Atta Mills served as the country’s vice-president from 1996 to 2000.
He was the leftist National Democratic Congress nominee for the presidency on three occasions: in 2000, 2004 and 2008. — BBC-Reuters-AFP.

Zanzibar boat accident death toll soars to 94

THE death toll in last week's MV Skagit boat accident in Zanzibar yesterday reached 94, after 16 more bodies were recovered in different parts of Unguja Island and Bagamoyo in Coast Region.
Minister of State in Zanzibar Second Vice-President's Office, Mr Mohamed Aboud Mohamed, told journalists that 11 bodies were recovered along shores on Unguja and five were found in Bagamoyo.
“Bodies that were recovered along shores in Bagamoyo will be buried at the area,” the Minister explained.

Earlier the Zanzibar Police Force Spokesperson, Inspector Mohamed Mhina, said 11 the bodies that were recovered in Zanzibar were buried in one area in  the outskirts of Zanzibar town.
He said the burial was supervised by the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF), the Police Force, KMKM, Jeshi Kujenga Uchumi (JKU) and Volunteers.

“In Zanzibar the bodies were recovered at Pungume, Fumba, Chumbe Isles and along Funguyasini shore in Unguja,” Inspector Mhina explained.

Meanwhile,  individuals, firms and agencies have so far donated 320m/- to the disaster funds, Minister Mohamed said yesterday.

“Several people, private institutions, public institutions, and international organisations have sent condolences messages and funds to Zanzibaris. We thank them,” Mohammed said when briefing legislators about the sunken Mv Skagit last Wednesday killing at least 94 people.

The China Consular General in Zanzibar Ms Chin Limun has been among the latest people to convey condolence and donation to Zanzibaris as she promised that her country will continue supporting the
islands development.

Ms Chin and a representative from China Railway JiangChang Engineering Company Limited and Beijing Construction
Engineering Group, handed over 5m/-, each, to the second vice president Ambassador Seif Ali Iddi.

European Union (EU) Director for Africa and Caribbean Ms Fransisca Mosca also met Ambassador Iddi to convey her condolence, saying “EU is together with Zanzibaris at this time of grief.”

Source: The Daily News

Zanzibar forms team to probe Mv Skagit disaster

AS many people including legislators commend Mr Hamad Masoud Hamad for resigning from the post of Minister for Infrastructure and Communication, the Zanzibar President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein has tasked an investigation team, headed by High Court Judge Abdulhakim Ameir Issa, to probe the July 18, 2012 boat disaster which killed at least 78 people.

It is the same team which probed the Sept 10, 2011 ferry disaster which led to the loss of at least 203 lives while several are still missing.

The team consists of officials from the judiciary, defence/security service, and maritime corporations.
The ten-member probe team includes TPDF Navy commander Major General Said Shaaban Omar, Commander of the Zanzibar navy (KMKM) Hasan Mussa Mzee, Captain Abdallah Yussuf Jumbe, Captain Abdallah Juma Abdallah, and Advocate Salum Toufiq Ali.
 The other members are Captain Hatib Katandula, Ms Mkakili Fauster Ngowi, Mr Ali Omar Chengo, and Lawyer Shaaban Ramadhani Abdallaah, who becomes the secretary of the commission also in the team.

Meanwhile Shein yesterday sworn-in Mr Rashid Seif Suleiman as the new minister for Infrastructure and Communication.
CCM and CUF Officials concurred that the resignation was an indication of political maturity and development in democracy where leaders accept responsibility.
 “Hamad has shown political maturity. It is respect to him, his electorate, his party (CUF) and the Government of National Unity (GNU). Other ministers should learn from Hamad,” several lawmakers said in the House.
ENDS

Zanzibar minister quits over boat disaster

ZANZIBAR President Ali Mohamed Shein yesterday accepted the resignation of the minister responsible for marine transportation, Mr Hamad Masoud Hamad, over the last Wednesday’s ferry boat accident that killed 78 people and left 66 still missing. About 290 were on board.

Mr Hamad, Minister for Infrastructure and Communication, tendered his resignation as an accountability measure. He had on Saturday told a news conference that he was not responsible for the accident although many people were blaming him.

 The Secretary of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Council (Cabinet), Dr Abdulhamid Yahya Mzee, said in a statement last night that a Member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives for Ziwani (CUF) replaces Mr Hamad, also from CUF.

 This is the first time in recent years that a minister is resigning as an accountability gesture.

 Mr Hamad’s resignation followed a stormy session in the House on Monday and last Friday over the ministry’s responsibility over the boat accident, 7 miles, south of Chumbe Islet, while on its way from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar.

Source: The Daily News 

Zanzibar boat accident death toll now 73

The Zanzibar boat accident death toll has risen to 73 following the discovery of five more bodies yesterday. It also coincided with people gathering in the Islands for  special prayers.

President Jakaya Kikwete and his Zanzibar counterpart Ali Mohamed Shein led hundreds of mourners including leaders and relatives of the victims of the last Wednesday at a special dua for the casualties, survivors and for grieving families.

The dua to remember those who died and injured in the MV Skagit accident was held at Mushawar Mosque, Mwembeshauri in Zanzibar, where the leaders and clerics asked for patience.

 “This is the time of grief, we need to show love to the victims and the dead by praying for them,” said Sheikh Omar Kabi, Mufti of Zanzibar.

 Other leaders who attended the prayer include: Dr Mohammed Kharib Bilal (union Vice President) Ambassador Seif Ali Idd (Zanzibar Second vice president), and Mr Amani Abeid Karume (retired Zanzibar President).

Capsized Zanzibar boat’s manager arrested

The police are holding Seagull Manager Mr Omar Hassan Mnkahonje (50  in connection with the Zanzibar boat accident that claimed more than 60 lives.

MV Skagit that capsized near Chumbe Islet in Zanzibar on Wednesday afternoon.

The Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander, Suleiman Kova told journalists yesterday that Mr Mnkahonje’s explanation about the ill fated boat was the cause of the arrest and he will be assisting the police in the investigations.

“There are a number of issues that came to light in connection with ill-fated boat, and the police have arrested the manager of Seagull company owners of the capsized boat. And, he is going to assist with the investigations,” he explained.

Commander Kova said the investigation into the ill fated boat is being done in collaboration with the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) and other stakeholders.

Commander Kova also hinted that there were possibilities of overloading as the number of passengers is suspected to have been more than 300 listed in the boat’s manifesto.

Zanzibar boat accident death toll now 65

THE death toll of the Zanzibar boat disaster has risen to 65, while over 100 are still missing.

The Zanzibar Minister for Infrastructure and Communication, Mr Hamad Masoud,  during a joint press conference said, “This was purely an act of God and we can’t be blamed. Even meteorologists failed to detect the waves. Normally February and July are dangerous months to travel at sea and we have restricted transport during night.”

Masoud added that all unidentified bodies will be buried by the government and the State will meet all the costs.

 About 40 bodies have so far been identified and buried by relatives; other bodies would be buried by the government while efforts to identify a body of a person believed to be a foreigner continues.

Among the rescued people were foreigners from Netherlands: Paul Smeulders, Jaapuan der Hegder, Eline Van NistelRooj, Jua Maouche, and Inge Van Herugnen; Germany: Bernd van Rewnnings, and Bastian Van Rennings; Belgium: Joris Gielen, and Elvira Feyen; and from the US are Hilary Strasburger, and Lauren Dent.

In another development, the European Union (EU) is supporting the ongoing rescue operations in Zanzibar, the UK ambassador Diane Corner said in a statement, while the US ambassador Leahant Alfonso said that his country had donated medicines and other equipment.

Zanzibar boat accident a national disaster - Kikwete

President Jakaya Kikwete has sent a condolence message to the President of Zanzibar Dr Ali Mohamed Shein and all Tanzanians following a boat tragedy which hit Zanzibar on Wednesday.

According to a press statement availed by the Directorate of Presidential Communication (State House), President Kikwete was profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of life after the ferry capsized  about 14 nautical miles from the Port of Zanzibar while heading to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam.

He expressed his condolences to the revolutionary governments of Zanzibar and people of the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar and the families of the victims, saying it was a national disaster.

“I stand together with the people of Zanzibar at this tragic moment, I express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and friends, as well as to the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar,” the statement said.

 Kikwete also commended rescue teams for their efforts in rescuing people and recovering dead bodies. He also declared three days of mourning effective today with the national flag flying at half mast.

  

Holding on for dear life

Some of the survivors of the ill-fated MV Skagit wait for help while on top of the capsized and slowly sinking ship. 31 people have so far been confirmed dead while rescue operations continue.

Zanzibar boat accident: Tanzania declares three days of mourning

Tanzania has declared three days of mourning following a boat tragedy in Zanzibar yesterday.

The accident so far has claimed 31 lives while over 200 are still missing.

Relatives helplessly wait as rescuers salvage for survivors in Zanzibar

The Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Policy, Co-ordination and Parliamentary Affairs,

 Hon. William Lukuvi, announced in parliament this morning that the country will have three days of national mourning for all those affected by the accident
So far, 31 bodies have been retrieved, 38 rescued and over 200 are still missing in the Zanzibar boat accident.

The boat, MV Skagit capsized near Chumbe Islet in Zanzibar, 13.8 nautical miles from Zanzibar port yesterday  afternoon.

The boat which had 251 passengers plus 9 crew on board and was heading to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam.

 MV Skagit capsized after being hit by strong winds accompanied by heavy waves.
It is also alleged that a the boat was sailing at high speed and this might have contributed to its capsizing.

Zanzibar boat accident death toll rises to 31

Latest updates from Zanzibar reveal that 31 people have been confirmed dead. According to a journalist who attended the scene 13 of the discovered bodies had been identified and will be ready for burial tomorrow.

He also confirmed that according to eyewitnesses who are survivors of the accident, the boat capsized after it was hit by strong winds and they also blamed it on speed. 

They said the boat was sailing at high speed and this might have contributed to it capsizing.

Meanwhile, according to him, the rescuing operation has been stopped because the rescuers lack equipment that enables them to work in darkness.

He also said that among the 31 dead bodies, one is of a visitor while the rest are presumed to be Tanzanians.

The rescue operation will continue tomorrow though chances of finding survivors are diminishing.

Ill fated Zanzibar boat, MV Skagit’s fact file

The two boats MV Skagit and MV Kalama before they were bought by the Tanzanian company

The ill fated MV Skagit together with MV Kalama were Class ferries and high-speed passenger vessels built for Washington State Ferries (WSF) in 1989.

The Skagit and Kalama were the only ferries in this class. Both vessels were permanently docked after WSF was directed in 2006 to end its passenger-only service, and in 2011 they were sold and expected to be transported to Tanzania where they have been providing service between the mainland and Zanzibar.

 The m.v. SKAGIT was designed to carry a maximum of 230 passengers.  The passenger-only ferry and a sister, the KALAMA were constructed in 1989 at Halter Marine in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

The original design of the boats was based on vessels that serviced off-shore oil rigs in the Gulf OfMexico.  An extra deck of superstructure was added to accommodate additional passengers.  Theboxy design of the cabin decks and the low twin funnels on either side gave the ferries a rather ungainly appearance. 

 The SKAGIT went by the official number: D949140, call sign: WAA6309  and had a length of 112 feet, beam of 25 feet and a draft of  8 feet.   The pair were ordered for service on Puget Sound but were laid up on arrival when there were no funds available to operate them.  With the Loma Prieta earthquake in the San Francisco Bay area, the twins were loaned to that city to ferry passengers while the Bay Bridge was temporarily closed.  After returning north, the 25 knot ferries entered service but met with complaints regarding erosion caused by their large wakes and their propensity to roll in the waves. 

They ultimately met with success when the route was transferred between Vashon Island and downtown Seattle.  Washington State Ferries decided to discontinue their passenger-only service after the summer of 2009 with the SKAGIT and KALAMA being declared surplus.  In an interesting move, the state tried unsuccessfully to sell them on eBay.  They were finally sold in 2011 and taken to Tanzania where they operated for the Seagull Company between the mainland and Zanzibar.

Two different leading news agencies have reported the ferry to be the m.v. SKAGIT/KALAMA, although it does appear that it is in fact the SKAGIT that is either ”mostly submerged” or fully sunk.

State of the boats

The state finally has sold two of its discarded passenger-only ferries, the Kalama and the Skagit, to the African nation Tanzania.

The ferries have been docked and inactive since September 2009. The Legislature ordered the state to get out of the passenger-only ferry business in '06.

The two ferries had been sold to a boat broker in Port Coquitlam, B.C., which sold them to Tanzania. They will be put in service between the mainland of Tanzania and the Zanzibar archipelago. They were sold for $400,000 combined, far below the $900,000 value the state said they were worth in December 2009.
 

Marta Coursey, spokeswoman for Washington State Ferries, said the two boats will be taken to Africa by cargo ship.

The state had hoped to sell the two 112-foot boats locally, but when that failed, it placed them for auction on eBay, asking $300,000 each, with no success. The ferries were built in New Orleans and purchased in 1989 for $5 million.

Ferry historian Steve Pickens said the Kalama and the Skagit were the first two passenger-only boats the state built. They were supposed to go into service in 1989 but were tied up because there was no money to run them. Following the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989, the two vessels were sent to San Francisco and served commuters crossing the bay while the city's bridges were repaired.

Chanzo:www.seattletimes.nwsource.com