Tanzania: Police deny allegations of human rights abuses in Lindi

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Tanzania: Police deny allegations of human rights abuses in Lindi

10:20 CAT | 23 Dec 2020

Police on Monday denied political opposition allegations of human rights violations in security operations in Lindi Region.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and Training, Liberatus Sabas, said there were some children who abandoned school in order to join criminal groups which operated in Kibiti and later in northern Mozambique.

“There are children who have been arrested in their attempts to cross the border, while others managed to enter the neighbouring country,” said Mr Sabas.

Dar es Salaam. Police on Monday denied political opposition allegations of human rights violations in security operations in Lindi Region.

Lindi regional police commander Mtatiro Kitinkwi said recent police activity in Liwale District was a normal security operation that did not violate human rights.

Opposition parties CUF and ACT-Wazalendo in separate occasions reported that one person was killed, several others wounded and scores displaced during the performance of the operation.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, ACT-Wazalendo chairman in Lindi Region, Isihaka Mchinjita, said the party’s women wing stronghold secretary Aziza Kibou was killed and her husband Mawazo Magumba – who is the party’s branch secretary in the village – was seriously injured.

He said the midnight operation at the Misufini and Bondeni hamlets in Kibutuka village saw Mr Nassoro Pingili and Salumu Manjocho arrested.

“It seems police are planning to cover up the killings by requesting family members to collect the deceased’s body for burial without being provided with the post-mortem report,” he said.

According to him, family members are puzzled and have requested for legal and psychological support after police have restricted involvement of stakeholders including party leaders in the saga.

Opening the opposition CUF conference on the constitution and independent electoral commission on Sunday, national chairman, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba said the crackdown has inflicted fear among citizens who have abandoned their houses and hide themselves in the bushes.

“Party’s deputy secretary general, Magdalena Sakaya, who was sent to console our members in the district following election violence has failed to return on time because of what is going on. Therefore, she will not be with us here today,” he said.

On Monday, Ms Sakaya was unavailable yesterday to provide updates of the situation.

But, RPC Kitinkwi said no incident of peace disruption was recorded during the arrest operation in the area.

“What I can confirm is the operation was executed on December 19, 2020. However, there was no incident of disruption of peace and human rights violations as reported,” he said over the phone.

However, he declined to provide more details including confirming death, injuries and arrests, promising to provide a comprehensive report during a press conference after returning from the journey.

But, on Sunday, Mr Mchinjita condemned the incident, asking law enforcers to stop harassment and violence against civilians that contravene with police’s legal obligations in executing its duties.

“The Liwale Officer Commanding District (OCD) should be accountable on what happened. Legal and disciplinary measures should be extended against perpetrators of the killing,” he demanded.

According to him, law enforcers shouldn’t interfere with a medical investigation aimed at establishing the cause of Ms Kibou’s death.

“Police should stop harassing citizens in the region, particularly in Liwale and Nachingwea districts. They should professionally execute their duties and as stipulated in the constitution,” he said.

About 37 people were arrested on October 30, this year following election chaos in Liwale and Nachingwea districts on the Election Day: 13 suspects from Liwale and 24 from Nachingwea districts.

Chaos led to massive destruction of individual and public properties, including houses and vehicles of the Liwale Constituency MP Zuberi Kuchauka.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and Training, Liberatus Sabas, said there were some children who abandoned school in order to join criminal groups which operated in Kibiti and later in northern Mozambique. “There are children who have been arrested in their attempts to cross the border, while others managed to enter the neighbouring country,” said Mr Sabas, reiterating the law enforcement’s call on parents to closely monitor movement of their children always.

He said despite the fact that security at the border has been maintained to normalcy, citizens should take precautions ahead of end of the year festivals as police and security agents beef security in the area.

By Louis Kalumbia