Tanzania’s Security Shake-Up: Joseph Butiku Demands Accountability As Violence Soars
September 11, 2024By Adonis Byemelwa
In a viral powerful appeal for national unity, Joseph Butiku, Chairman of the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation, yesterday 10th September 2024, issued a forceful call for Tanzanians to support President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s campaign against the escalating violence that has gripped the nation.
Butiku’s comments come in the wake of a high-profile abduction involving Ali Kibao, a well-known local businessman. This case has brought renewed scrutiny to Tanzania’s security apparatus and underscored the urgent need for effective measures from the nation’s security officials.
Butiku emphasizes that while President Samia is actively working to protect citizens and uphold national security, the success of these efforts is heavily reliant on the performance of key security figures. He is calling for a rigorous accountability framework to ensure that the Minister of Home Affairs, the IGP, and the Chief of the Intelligence Unit fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
The Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation, led by Butiku, reflects a growing public frustration with perceived shortcomings in the security sector’s response. The Foundation’s push for greater transparency and accountability aims to restore public confidence in the President’s efforts to combat crime.
Butiku asserts that although President Samia is making significant strides in addressing crime, the real impact of these measures depends on the efficiency and competence of the authorities responsible for law enforcement and national security. “The Minister of Home Affairs must ensure that our law enforcement agencies are adequately equipped and empowered to handle these critical issues,” Butiku said. “This includes overseeing the operational readiness of the police and removing bureaucratic delays or resource shortages that impede their effectiveness.”
The IGP, as the head of the police force, has been a focal point of Butiku’s critique. He emphasized that the IGP’s leadership is crucial in guiding the police force through this crisis. “The IGP must demonstrate decisive leadership,” Butiku said. “This means taking swift action to address any failures within the force, improving coordination with other security agencies, and ensuring that investigations are thorough and transparent.”
The Chief of the Intelligence Unit, responsible for gathering and analyzing information crucial to national security, also faced scrutiny from Butiku. “The Intelligence Unit plays a pivotal role in preemptively identifying and thwarting criminal activities,” Butiku explained. “The Chief must ensure that intelligence operations are effective and that critical information is promptly communicated to relevant authorities. Failure to do so undermines the entire security framework.”
Butiku’s criticism is not merely about assigning blame but also about ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to address systemic issues within the security apparatus. He called for a comprehensive review of the performance of these officials and urged the public and government to demand transparency and accountability.
“We need to create a culture of accountability within our security institutions,” Butiku asserted. “This includes regular performance evaluations and mechanisms for addressing grievances and failures. Only through such measures can we restore public confidence in our security forces and ensure that justice is effectively served.”
In addition to demanding accountability from these officials, Butiku also emphasized the importance of public cooperation. He urged Tanzanians to support the President’s efforts by providing accurate information about criminal activities and cooperating with investigations. “Our collective effort is crucial in the fight against crime,” Butiku stated. “We must work together to expose wrongdoers and support the authorities in their quest to bring them to justice.”
The Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation’s call for accountability resonates with broader concerns about the effectiveness of Tanzania’s security apparatus in dealing with rising crime rates. As the country faces these challenges, the Foundation’s push for a more accountable and responsive security framework reflects a growing demand for effective governance and protection of citizens.
In a related development, the push for a judicial inquiry into Tanzania's security issues has intensified following the high-profile abduction of businessman Ali Kibao. Prominent figures are now calling for a special commission to oversee the investigation rather than relying solely on the police.
Boniface Mwabukusi, Chair of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), has argued that the investigation should be handled by a specially appointed commission rather than the police. This call for a new approach reflects widespread concerns about the effectiveness of current investigative methods.
Legal scholar Professor Gamaliel Mgongo-Fimbo has supported this call, advocating for the creation of a judicial commission to conduct a thorough investigation. “While the police investigate Kibao's case, an independent body should also be involved, given the concerns that some might believe the perpetrators could be within the police force itself,” said Professor Mgongo-Fimbo.
Sheikh Issa Ponda, Chairman of the Shura ya Maimamu Tanzania, has also urged the formation of a judicial commission to examine abductions and killings. Freeman Mbowe, Chairman of Chadema, has joined the call for a judicial investigation into these incidents and the broader performance of security agencies.
Contrasting this view, Judge Mihayo has suggested that a special court for investigating suspicious deaths might be a more appropriate solution. In a recent statement, he argued that the Inquests Act of 2019 provides a robust framework for investigating deaths that occur under suspicious circumstances, including those in police custody or correctional facilities.
Judge Mihayo, who conducted similar investigations between 1970 and 1976, emphasized that the Inquests Act allows for such cases to be examined by a court under a magistrate’s supervision. Known as a "Corona Court," this court gathers evidence and refers cases to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) if criminal elements are found. “The role of the court is to detail the circumstances of the death, which aids the police in their investigations,” Judge Mihayo explained.
The Minister of Constitution and Law has previously addressed this topic, noting that such investigations have been part of Tanzanian law since before independence under the Inquests Ordinance. This framework was updated to the Inquests Act No. 17 of 1980 to reflect post-independence legal standards, with district and magistrate judges serving as coroners to handle controversial deaths.
The discourse surrounding the roles and responsibilities of key security officials highlights the need for a more robust approach to tackling crime and ensuring that justice is served. By holding these officials accountable and fostering greater public engagement, Tanzania aims to strengthen its response to criminal threats and uphold the rule of law.
SOURCE: PANAFRICAVISION
0 Comments