Jee wa Zanzibari na wapenda haki tutakaa kimya kwa dhulma
hii?
Address to the Nation by the
President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa, Dar
es Salaam, 3 February, 2001
Dear Compatriots,
It is my duty to address you on
the events which took place from the 26th to 28th of last month; events which
plunged our country into a very sad and tragic state.
There is a senseless debate going
on about the number of our people who died in the riots that took place in Zanzibar and Pemba on
those days. Our friends in CUF party are great experts in propaganda and
fabrications. In this they have been encouraged and assisted by the media in
and outside our country. It has been as if some people are pleased that Tanzania Pemba , which no
one has seen. Pure lies.
The government is in a better
position than any body else to know the number of people who died and we have
been giving official information every now and then. Up to now it is only 22.
But the real tragedy is not in the numbers; our hearts bleed because it was not
necessary for their leaders to sacrifice them; we would bleed just as much for
one person as for 100 killed. This kind of death is not in our culture; it is
not in our traditions or in our experience. With all our political differences,
these are our citizens, they are our brothers and sisters. Let us pray that God
rests their souls in peace.
For people to lose their lives
because one person or a group of persons want power contrary to the wishes of
the majority, is a great shame to our country and it has tarnished our history
of opposition politics.
Dear Compatriots,
For nearly 30 years Tanzania Zanzibar Tanzania
In 1992 we believed that our unity
and solidarity were strong enough that we could introduce a multi-party
political system without adversely affecting those positive attributes of
unity, nationhood, dialogue, national interests and development. We asked the
people and eight out of ten said that the time had not come for introducing a
multi-party political system. When I now look at the events of the last week, I
ask myself time and again whether the people did not have better foresight than
than we who were in government did.
The problem, in reality is not
that of a multi party democracy, because in its principles it is a good system.
The problem lies in policies and leadership of some of the political parties.
There are, for example, leaders
who established political parties not because they had better policies or
better strategies for bringing about development or for the defence of national
interests including national unity, but because of personal political ambitions
which they could not realise through CCM.
After failing to win the consent
of the people in the last General Election, and as they themselves declared
during the campaign, now they are resorting to violence, as a way to reach
their objectives and exhorting their members to fight against the state. They
declared that if they did not win there would be bloodshed. The government is
greatly saddened that indeed blood has been shed. And those are poeple who want
to be leaders of this country. Let us ask ourselves over and over again, dear
compatriots, why do they want leadership, and for whose interests? On the part
of government, we shall carry out thorough investigations and bring before the
law all those that were the cause of this great destruction, because our
country is governed by a Constitution and by law.
The right to demonstrate.
Dear Compatriots,
Let me now turn to the question of
the right to demonstrate. There are those who ask; if the Constitution grants
this right, why does the government deny it to CUF? There are nations of the
mighty and human rights organisations which tell us – as if we ourselves do not
know – that it is a basic right for people to hold demonstrations and political
meetings. We also know this and on our own volition we are signatories to
international Agreements relevant to those rights. We do not, however,
susbscribe to any agreement which condones breach of the law; which condones
killing police officers, which condones training individuals on how to fight
the police; which allows violent demonstrations with people carrying machetes,
stones, acid, arrows, petrol bombs and other weapons. With the encouragement of
CUF this is what happened in Zanzibar and Pemba . And most important of all no agreement condones
attacks on police stations with the objective of tearing down the national flag
and stealing weapons.
The mighty ones and our political
opponents are quick to condemn government for the steps it took to restore
peace; but they are tongue tied when it comes to what forced the police to take
the steps they took to save their own lives and to maintain the peace, security
and tranquillity of law abiding citizens and their property.
I repeat; according to the
Constitution of our country, the right to hold demonstrations and public
political meetings is recognised and respected. But as with all other rights,
this one too has limits. And those limits have been defined in different laws
arising out of that Constitution and passed by Parliament that was elected by
the people. It is not sufficient to only read the constitution, it is necessary
to also read the laws and procedures that emanate from the Constitution and
which define the uses and limitations of the rights included therein.
The freedom and right of one
person, one society or group of persons stop where the exercise of that freedom
and right interferes with the freedom and rights of others. That is why, while
everyone has the right of speech, if you make noises all night, your neighbours
have the right to take you to court for disturbing them. That is also why, in
addition to the right to start political parties, we do not allow a political
party based on religion, or tribe. The exercise of freedom and rights without
any limitation is the start of chaos and the break down of peace.
So, I want to emphasise the point
that the right of the people to demonstrate and to hold meeting has not and
will not be abrogated. What we ask for is that the legal procedures and
practices established for ourselves should be respected. We do not, and will
not stop deomnstrations and meetings because of any ill intention or because of
any political objective; we shall do so only where we are convinced that the
planned demonstrations and meetings will end up in breach of peace.
Regrettably, our experience with meetings and demonstrations of some of the
political parties, and notably CUF, is not good. Either the leaders ofsome of
those parties are not able to restrain the behaviour and conduct of their
members, or they themselves encourage them to create trouble and to fight
police officers who are there to secure peace and security of the people and
their property.
Police powers to prohibit
demonstrations
Dear Compatriots,
Let me now address the issue of
the powers of the police to prohibit demonstrations or public meetings
organised by political parties. I do so because there are those who claim that
the police do not have those powers. Our country is governed by law; so please
bear with me as I explain what the laws of our country say about this matter.
The Police Force, according to
Police Law is vested with the responsibility of ensuring that there is peace,
security and tranquillity in our country. In order to discharge that
responsibilty the Police Force has been given full responsibility to control,
supervise all meetings and demonstrations irrespective of whether they are
political or not. It has also been given legal powers under the Political
Parties Act to control public meetings of the political parties.
Unde that law, any political party
that wishes to hold a public meeting or organise a demonstration, is required
to give notice to the head of the police at that area no less than 48 hours
before, stating the name of the party, date and venue as well as objective of
the meeting or demonstration.
But at the same time, the Police
have legal power, after receipt of notice to prohibit a meeting or
demonstration by issuing a stop order. That order is justified under the law
and to disobey it is a criminal offense.
When such a situation develops,
the Police have the responsibility of breaking up that demonstration or meeting,
arresting those concerned and bringing them before a court of law. That is the
rule of law, and that is the basis of the requirement for respect of orders
given according to the law.
But the stop order is not given
without reason or given at the whim of the police. Among other reasons the
police can stop a meeting or demonstration if:
i) There is a plan to use the
meeting or demonstration to commit an illegal act or;
ii) There is a great possibility
of the meeting or demonstration leading to a breach of peace.
If the political party that gave
the notice does not agree with the decision of the police, they have the
opportunity to appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs whose decision is final.
That is the rule of law and is the only procedure that is legal in the exercise
of the right of political parties to organise demonstrations and hold public
meetings.
Dear Compatriots,
Perhaps I should also explain the
powers of the police to use weapons. The Police Act explains the different
situations in which a police officer is allowed by the law to use weapons.
Among those situatios are the following:
i) A Police officer is allowed by
law to use a weapon against a person who is using force to obstruct the arrest
of another person; and
ii) A Police officer is allowed by
law to use a weapon when he/she believes that his/her life or the life of
another person is in danger and there is no other way of saving it.
Furthermore, a police officer,
like any other citizen, has power under the Penal Code to defend him/herself to
protect his/her property from destruction. That same law gives the police
officer the right to use a weapon to protect his/her life or the life of
another person against an illegal assault.
So, it is clear that Police
officers have the right and full responsibility under the law to control and if
necessary to ban or stop deomonstrations and public meetings, but they can only
do so on grounds laid down by law. To demand the right to hold a demonstration
even if people will be killed, when there are peaceful means to arrive at what
you require, is to abuse and disrespect our dignity and is a clear breach of
the law.
A political party with good
intentions, which wants its demonstration to be civil, peaceful and orderly
will co-operate with the police. For it is the police that has been given by
the law the responsibility of protecting the security of citizens and their
property. A political party that calls for nation wide demonstrations at the
same time, clearly does not want police co-operation. For the objective of
giving police notice is that they should ensure there is security. It is clear
our police force has no ability to provide security for demonstrations taking
place all over the country at the same time.
There is no government anywhere in
the world which cares for the security of its citizens and their properties
which would allow demonstrations of unruly people carrying weapons. The truth
is that these were not peaceful demonstrations. Those who died were not on the
road in a peaceful demonstration. It is those who wanted to attack police
stations and steal arms, those who took part in the slaughter of a police
officer, those who wanted to wrestle arms from police officers who were on
patrol. That is the truth. Our police officers do not kill people for no
reason.
Only a few days ago I returned
from Davos in Switzerland US , Poland , France ,
Australia
Dear Compatriots,
After seeing the aggressive
preparations, after listening to the threats from CUF leaders and after making
thorough investigations for which we have ample capacity, our Government saw
clearly that the demonstrations could not have been for any good purpose or
peaceful. What took place is evidence and confirms our assessment.
I would like to ask those who
rushed to condemn the government, from private individuals, different
institutions, academicians, embassies and human rights activists; who among
them have better ability than government to investigate how those who want to
stage demonstrations have prepared themselves? And if they do not have the
ability why do they rush to condemn the government without first seeking
government explanation? But because we are Africans, it is assumed that we are
all the same in torturing people and disregarding human rights. Every one
demands rights; and we in Government, why are we not given the right to be
heard? Instead, only media and statements of people who were very far from the
scene of the events are the ones that are given prominence. Is that what is
called rights?
How many people were killed by the
Police?
Dear Compatriots,
CUF’s language of spilling blood
did not start today. During the campaign we warned the people in connection
with that conduct which if not checked in time could remove CUF from being a
political group to being a criminal one. That is why last year when I was
winding up my party’s campaign I reminded people that the blood of Tanzanians
is very precious; it is not shed lightly. Now we have seen them training in
terrorist methods and we have seen them trying to take by force weapons from
armouries of our security institutions. It would not be surprising if such
people were to go outside to look for arms. Our responsibilty is to defend this
country, its people and their property. And we were elected by the people. We
did not arrive at the positions of responsibility that we occupy through use of
arms.
Many of those that were killed
wanted to take the weapons from the hands of police officers, wanted to kill
police officers and occupy police stations as they sang “We have come to take
our weapons.” Every peace loving Tanzanian must ask him/herslef the question:
arms for what purpose? And if they had obtained those weapons what would the
situation in the country be like?
As a result of being overwhelmed,
exhaustion of riot quelling materials, fear of losing lives of many police
officers and preventing occupation of police stations which would have given
CUF opportunity to acquire more weapons, our police officers were forced to use
live ammunition. In other words all procedures for controlling riots were
followed to the letter.
In contrast to what happened on
the islands, on mainland Tanzania
Police use of excessive force
Dear Compatriots,
There are people in and outside
our country and representatives of foreign countries who rushed to claim that
even with CUF’s provocation, the police used excessive force.
First, I would like to state that
our police force is very well trained and one of the subjects which they are
taught is respect for human rights, the first one being the right to life. You
must also not forget that Pemba and Zanzibar
The marchers, in addition to
bringing down and burning CCM flags, also brought down the national flag. When
people bring down the flag of the republic, we must ask ourselves, for what
reason; and what flag do they want to raise in its place? The one that was
lowered in 1964? When they take up arms, what is their objective? In preventing
this, what amount of force is adequate? What is the borderline in the defense
of our republic and the lives and security of the majority? If you were a
police officer and you saw your colleague’s head chopped off as if it was that
of a chicken and those who did it were pursuing you, what would you have done?
If you were the head of a police station and saw a huge group coming to take
over your station demanding weapons, what would you have done after all efforts
to stop them were exhausted?
It is easy in the comfort of your
home to criticise the police. But the truth is that only one at the scene of an
event can assess what level of force is necessary and sufficient op prevent
loss of lives, occupation of police stations and stealing of weapons.
Reasons for demonstration as
stated by CUF
I would now like us to consider
those things which CUF stated were the reasons for their wanting to stage a
demonstration. They stated two major things. First, they want a re-run of the Zanzibar
The question we must ask ourselves
is whether carrying weapons, killing police officers and wanting to forcefully
occupy police stations as well as bringing down the flag of the republic are
the best and legal ways to arrive at those objectives.
Since its promulgation, our
Constitution has been amended thirteen times, and where those amendments are
done is well known; it is in Parliament and in the House of Representatives.
For that is where the real representatives of the people are to be found. Why
don’t their representatives and their Members of Parliament propose those
amendments in the constitutionally designated meetings for that purpose? Anyone
who seeks power using a machete can not be a democrat, but some of us tolerate
those people and give them big heads. Time has come for every citizen to wake
up and ask himself or herself, where do these people want to take our country?
The demand for a re-run of the
election does not have any foundation and even if there had been one, we would
have to ask ourselves whether the method they chose to present their demand was
correct and legal and whether it was in line with our traditions. In making a
judgement on this, I ask you wananchi to keep the following in mind which is
the truth.
First, after the failure to
implement the agreement brokered by the Commonwealth in respect of the Zanzibar
Electoral Commission, the question of its structure and leadership was
discussed between the then President of the Revolutionary Government of
Zanzibar and who is the CCM vice chairman, H.E. Dr. Salmin Amour on one side,
and CUF’s secretary-general Seif Shariff Hamad on the other. That is the truth.
That after those consultations, CUF participated in the election which was
supervised by that Commission is sufficient evidence that they were satisfied.
How can it be, that today there is a reason to start riots of that magnitude
and these deaths?
Two, all political parties, CUF
included, participated at all stages in the elections- from voter registration,
campaigns and the election itself, knowing fully well the laws and procedures
that were being used, according to the law, governed that election and its
supervision. They began their antics immediately they sensed the prospect of
defeat. That is the truth. Had they been sure of winning they would not have
started those disturbances.
Three, both CCM and CUF had their
complaints about voter registration. Both made formal representations to the
Electoral Commission about the procedures used. Both sides were not satisfied
with some of the decisions of the Commission, but we both continued to
participate in the election.That too is the truth. Why should the disturbances
start after the election?
Four, the shortcomings on election
day in 16 constituencies, were not at all in favour of CCM, because they
concerned many consitutencies which are CCM’s strongholds and before that of
ASP and even in colonial times. Can any intelligent person believe that CCM
could be the cause of those problems? What is more, it is CCM that made a
formal complaint concerning those distrubances. President Karume went personally
to the Electoral Commission to lodge a complaint and to ask what was going on.
CUF did not appear to be unduly concerned and instead they concentrated on the
next stage in their strategy, to demand a transitional government and a new
election. And that too is the truth.
Fifth, our country is governed by
the rule of law. And existing law states that only the Electoral Commission is
empowered to decide whether the shortcomings and mistakes that were committed
deprived the people of their right to vote sufficiently for it to require a
re-run of the election.
Sixth, despite the disturbances
for the first time in the 16 constituencies in Zanzibar
When the election was re-run in
the 16 constituencies most of them being in the Mjini Magharibi region, 69.5%
turned out to vote and most peacefully too. In some of the countries that are
critical of us and which demand a re-run of the Zanzibar
Seven, there is no argument or
legal reason to repeat the election in Zanzibar
If we are not happy with existing
institutions, laws or election rules and procedures, there is a place to go ask
for the changes we want to see, and where they have power to make those
changes. Even we, in CCM, are not happy about everything. But we do know the
place for making changes; where the legitimate representatives of the people
meet, and that is the Parliament of the United Republic
I, request you seriously, fellow
Tanzanians to open your eyes. Perhaps we have been so used to peace and tranquillity
that we believe everybody has good intentions with regard to our country. The
truth is that a political party that can start disturbances such as took place
in Zanzibar and especially Pemba
can not mean well. And if our government is not vigilant, there will soon be no
difference between us and other African countries where people routinely kill
one another. Our government sees far, and it has state instruments to enable it
to know what is going on and what preparations are being made. Trust us, listen
to us and help us. Do not defend what you do not know fully. Emotions do not
build, they mostly destroy. And remember it may be too late when we finally
wake up to it.
Newspapers will write, foreign
nations will make statements and ambassadors in Dar es Salaam
Relations with foreign countries
Dear Compatriots,
One of the things that annoy me a
great deal as an individual and as your President is this aid stick that is
held over us as if we were children. To champion good governance is a very fine
thing, but when aid that is directed towards the needy, whose objective is to
increase our capacity to end poverty is used like a stick you use to discipline
a child, any self respecting person and any nation that deserves to be called
independent can not accept it.
On our African continent, I
believe I am one among leaders who has seriously tried to lay down foundations
of good governance and respect for human rights. I have done so not to please
the mighty, but bearing in mind our history and following my own conscience
with regard to justice, equality, and love between human beings.
Today, in defence of peace and
security in our country, and in defense of the cardinal principle that power
and responsibility must derive from the people and not by taking up arms, my
government is now threatened with withdrawal of aid. But as we Tanzanians
always say it is better to be poor in freedom than being rich in slavery.
I, therefore, want to promise you,
dear compatriots, that as your President, elected by you with 71.4 percent of
the votes cast, shall not sell my conscience, your dignity and your freedom for
the price of aid. I am certain you will join me in refusing to sell our right
to make our own decisions as a free nation. Our poverty is in our pockets; it
is not in our brains. We are poor, but we have our human dignity and self
respect.
Where do we go from here?
Dear Compatriots,
After the disturbances at the end
of last week, our country is getting back to normal. I pray to God that we may
continue in peace, because we have a lot of work ahead of us, fighting poverty
and building our economy.
But it is not enough to pray to
God. We, ourselves, must build understanding amongst us, work hard, build
tolerance and work hand in hand to restore calm all over the country.
I speak with self confidence
because most of you are with me. And I know that one of the tasks you gave me
is to defend our unity, our union; to fight against religious and ethnic
divisions and to ensure that there is peace and tranquillity in the country. It
is also my responsibility to make sure that politics remain politics and not
civil war; and the strongest pillar of peace and stability is the practice of
dialogue and not the machetes of demonstrators. For there are those who think
that because CCM members and their supporters are quiet, they are incapable of
organising demonstrations to demand that their government should not be
disturbed, and that change of government must wait until the next election.
I should also remind you that in
our African culture the rights of society and nation are above those of the
individual. As your President, I shall do my utmost to protect both rights –
individual rights and those of society and nation. But where there is conflict
between the two, the rights and interests of society and nation will always
prevail. That is our culture and customs and we intend to maintain them.
President Karume and I have
promised to do everything in our power to make sure that the conflict situation
that prevailed over Zanzibar
In my new year address to the
people I expressed my worry that our country is too taken up with politics. I
said,
“We shall not develop if we
continue to spend all our time in endless political meetings, from one election
to another. Endless politics and demands for endless demonstrations and
meetings do not leave us with room for liberation, politically and especially
economically.”
I am unhappy that some of my
political opponents spread the lies by saying so I have banned political
meetings and demonstrations. That’s not at all true.
If there is anoy one with any
doubt, I want to repeat that the right of holding political meetings and
demonstrations is enshrined in our Constitution which I swore to protect and
uphold. It will continue to be respected, but keeping in mind definitions and
rules and regulations laid down by laws enacted by the legally constituted parliament.
The legal requirement of 48 hours notice before holding public meetings and
demonstrations is ample proof that that right exists and is respected, but also
that there are legal procedures to be followed in its exercise.
In the present circumstances,
without any doubt, you will agree with me that it is not prudent for the police
to permit another demonstration until we are certain that peace and
tranquillity are fully restored. But for public meetings, I do not want the
police to pose an obstacle. As usual they should satisfy themselves that there
shall be peace. I believe, if the police are firm and prepare themselves well,
political meetings can be held even today. But no demand should be made to hold
meetings simultaneously all over the country and at the same time. The
important thing is that meetings should be held in conditions in which the
police will easily be able to control them and ensure they do not end up in
disturbances or riots. I repeat. We must practice civilised politics and also bear
in mind our culture and traditions.
According to those values and
traditions it is wrong to be disrespectful to a government that is in power
because of the mandate derived from the people. Our Parliament, House of
Representatives and President Karume and I, did not put ourselves in these
positions of responsibility. The people placed us there. You cannot say you
respect people but refuse to respect the Governments that they put in power
through their votes.
The habit of giving the Government
ultimatums when one does not have a mandate that is derived from the vote is to
ignore our values and traditions.
I, personally, am not afraid of
any facts or of any debate. I think you all know me in this. And I am not at
all worried, for I was elected with an overwhelming majority to lead this
country, as indeed was my party. Therefore my party (CCM) and I always welcome
new ideas, new thoughts, and new advice as long as they are positive.
We want to build a strong
foundation for political opposition governed by the principle of argumentation
and not opposition through insults and weapons. And when we succeed to build a
system, procedures and strong commitment to political discussion and debate
among political parties, then multiparty democracy in our country will have
matured. We, in CCM, and before it, TANU and ASP, have always maintained the
policy of self criticism and self correction. We did it in the era of one party
political system; we shall continue to do so in the multi party system.
That is why we did not want to
rush into making amendments to the Union Constitution last year. From the
recommendations of Judge Kissanga’s Committee, we only decided to deal with
those that would improve the conduct of the 2000 General Elections. We decided
that the other important matters would be dealt with after the General
Elections. Before the work could start we were given 90 days ultimatum and the
disturbances started.
I still think we have time to
return to the beginning. I ask the political party leaders, even those that
have little representation in Parliament to return to that line. Let us work
together to strengthen the foundation of democracy – civilised democracy –
democracy based on the principle of “giving it to the majority” but ensuring
that “the minority are also heard”.
And as President and CCM Chairman,
I am ready to listen. But it is difficult to listen to an argument being made
through pressure; an argument being advanced through distrubances during
demonstrations; an argument that is made using abusive and derogatory language.
In a situation of tranquillity I am ready to listen to those who recognise me
as President of the United Republic of Tanzania and who recognise H.E. Karume
as president of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government.
A proposal has been made for there
to be a meeting of political party leaders. I am ready, not only to speak to
the Chairpersons of those political parties but to other stakeholders as well.
But meetings of top political leaders are carefully prepared for; they are not
just held because someone has demanded a meeting, perhaps just so as to have
the fame of a picture with the President. We shall be expected to discuss
important matters concerning our nation and its fate. Therefore the meetings
must be well prepared for and the discussions focused and seriously researched.
I have instructed the CCM Secretary-General to contact the Secretaries-General
of all properly registered political parties in order to establish a structure
and format for in-depth talks that will encompass all issues, but without
emotion or insults. When the structure and format are completed, I am prepared
to enter into talks with the Chairmen of other political parties and if
necessary any other players. On one condition, those parties should openly
condemn the use of intimidation, riots and arms in political activities.
Furthermore, those talks should acknowledge the fact that the authority that
can make amendments to the consitution and enact laws is in the Parliament and
in the House of Representatives.
Conclusion
Dear Compatriots
God Bless Africa
God Bless Tanzania
Thank you for listening to me.
Appendix D
A Chronology of Events Which Were
The Cause of Deaths
1. Zanzibar
On 26/01/2001 in the afternoon
after the Friday prayers, a big crowd of people who were coming from the Mwembe
Yanga mosque met seven police officers who were on patrol in a police vehicle.
Those people surrounded the police officers and started throwing stones at
them. The police officers fired in the air and those people dispersed. Later
there was a report that one person had been killed by a bullet when the police
officers were firing shots in the air. 12 people from among that crowd were
arrested after re-enforcement of the police.
On 27/01/2001 in the morning at
Mkunguni in Zanzibar
On 27/01/2001 at Mchangani in Zanzibar
On 27/01/2001 in the Komba Wapya
area in Zanzibar town at the Jumuia ya Waarabu mosque a group of 15 CUF
follwers were caught inside the mosque with bottles of acid, machetes and
knives which, it is believed, were to be used to attack police officers.
On 27/01/2001 at Vikokotoni and
Mchangani, Mjini Magharibi region, secretaries of those wards were attacked by
CUF followers, beating them and their families with clubs, stones and wooden
planks and inflicting them with wounds. The reason given for their being beaten
was that during voter registration for the General Election, those Ward
secretaries had been tough and refused to register those who did not follow the
regulations according to law.
On 27/01/2001in the Bwawani area,
one person, a CUF follower was caught with a pistol without ammunition as he
was preparing to go to join his friends in the demonstration.
On the night going into 28/01/2001
at Mjini Magharibi in Zanzibar town, one wing of the building housing secondary
school and universities curricula offices at Shanghai Old Post Office was
bombed but there was no big damage or loss. That bomb is believed to have been
placed there by CUF followers. No one was injured.
On 27/01/2001 at the Kwahajitumbo
area, a vehicle of Television Zanzibar with registration No. TZB 9010 Toyota
2. Pemba
On 26/01/2001 around 01.45 hours
at Jondeni, Mkoani Pemba district, the house in which the Officer Commanding
District, SSP Rajab Salum lived was completely destroyed by petrol fire causing
loss of property valued at 4 million shillings.
On 27/01/2001 early in the morning
in Kaskazini Pemba region, police officer E 8510 PC Haji of Police Wete was
attacked and felled with a stone by 2,500 CUF followers who had assembled at
Mtemani Wete with the plan of taking over the police station. After stoning him
they cut off his head with a knife. This police officer was killed in a most
brutal way.
After the savage murder of PC
Haji, the highly charged crowd of CUF followers took to the road towards the
headquarters of Wete Police chanting, “we are going to collect our weapons”.
When police officers at that station saw the crowd coming they fired rubber
bullets at them, hoping they would turn back to no avail. They fired tear gas
at them but the mob kept advancing. At that point police officers fired live
ammunition in the air but that did not help either. When they saw they were
being overrun, they aimed their fire at the rioters legs but as the crowd was
large bullets hit and killed six people on the spot. 21 others and 6 police
officers were wounded.
On 27/01/2001 in Chakechake, CUF
followers grouped themselves at a place called Machomanne and prepared to march
toward Tibirizi. When the police saw that procession which comprised about 1000
people, they tried to stop it by firing rubber bullets at them but they did not
halt and instead continued to advance towards the police throwing stones at them
and using machetes and clubs to attack them. When the police officers fired
tear gas at the marchers, the gas was blown back to their faces because of the
wind’s direction. The police officers were forced to use live ammunition to
dispense those people. It was later found that 4 people who have not yet been
identified were killed. 30 people were wounded and 53 were arrested. Some of
those that were arrested had lethal weapons such as machetes, petrol bombs and
clubs with nails stuck in them. Some of them wore diving goggles in order to
prevent tear gas from their eyes.
On 27/01/2001 about 6,000 CUF
followers invaded the police station at Micheweni and surrounded it from the
Northern, Southern and Eastern directions. Police officers fired tear gas at
them as well as rubber bullets but the attackers continued to advance. Some of
them wore plastic bags in order to avoid tear gas. When the police officers
realised that tear gas was not stopping them they fired live ammunition in the
air to frighten them but they were not daunted; they continued to advance. At
that point the police officers were forced to defend themselves and fired at
the attackers who scattered thereafter, leaving 4 people dead. 22 people and 3
police officers were wounded. 22 people were arrested. The attackers carried
acid, machetes, arrows, slings and petrol bombs.
On 27/01/2001 at Wete, a group of
CUF followers attacked the office of the Ministry of Agriculture setting it
alight but through the efforts of the police and good citizens the fire was put
out before causing any damage. The same group caused big damage to the hotel in
Wete by breaking glass windows with stones. There are also CCM posts which were
damaged by the stone throwers.
·
These were
just a pack of lies mr MKAPA and if you are reading this story right now I want
you to understand that we, as Zanzibaries, will never forgive you for your ill
action of killing innocent and poor human being as you did. We are holding you
and your ruthless government as fully responsible for those unspeakable actions
and remember “one day yes”.
You and your dictatorship
governmrnt were not acting or following the rule of law as you claimed,
insteady, you were using police and army inorder to silent people and force
them to do things in your way. How many CUF leaders who engineered that illegal
demostration with intetion to kill police officers as you claimed were jailed
for their actions by the court of law?
World have seen more ruthless and
arrogant people than MKAPA in recent years but where are they now? how many,
right now as I speak, appearing in court for what they did when they were in
power?
Obviously, every thing has
beginning and an end, and mr MKAPA, you will continue to be judged for your
actions
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