The late Daudi Mwangosi
BY ASHTON BALAIGWA
8th September 2012
Former Prime Minister, Frederick Sumaye Six days after the brutal murder of a journalist in Iringa, Former Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye has castigated police brutality, saying some of its officers were using excessive force and unnecessary weaponry.
Daudi Mwangosi, a reporter with Dar es Salaam-based Channel Ten, was killed on Sunday at Nyololo Village in Iringa where riot police are claimed to have fired tear-gas canisters, one of which reportedly hit him.
Former Prime Minister, Frederick Sumaye
One of the longest serving former premiers, Sumaye called for an in-depth analysis of the way police currently execute their duties so as to avoid loss of lives of innocent people.
Sumaye was categorical that he was against the use of excessive force, saying resort to such force had since claimed the lives of five people -- including Mwangosi who died on duty -- within a span of less than two years
The former PM made the remarks shortly after officiating at the closing ceremony of a our-day training session for editors and media executives.
He said he was personally aggrieved by Mwangosi’s death, laying blame squarely on what he termed the use of excessive force by the police, even when they already knew he was on his journalistic duty.
“I have been saddened by these two recent incidents … which occurred in Morogoro and the one in Iringa involving the killing of Mwangosi. What is the reason for this excessive use of force … at a place where wisdom could have been used to sort out matters?” Sumaye intoned.
He added that such excessive use of force often leads to hatred and chaos instead eliciting peaceful solutions, especially when firearms are deployed.
He added that the two incidents, both at public political rallies – notably those convened by opposition parties – only served to taint Tanzania’s image as a peaceful, tranquil and democratic country.
Sumaye wondered aloud why the police could opt for live firearms when peaceful alternative ways of dealing with demonstrators were available – so as to avoid negative consequences.
The former PM who also once served as minister for agriculture and MP for Hanang constituency has urged the police force to enhance communication and avoid destruction of houses and other property when dealing with public demonstrations.
H also stressed the importance of dialogue between the government and media to restore soured relations and avoid nasty incidents in future.
In the meantime, a Chadema Council of Elders has expressed concern over the killings engineered by government forces, especially the continued use of live bullets which eventually cost the lives of innocent people.
“The council is surprised that President Jakaya Kikwete keeps silent … he is the Head of State and Commander In-Chief of the armed forces … and the killings by government institutions keep on repeating now and then,” they said.
The statement from Chadema was signed by the council’s acting national general secretary Erasto Gwota
They council has called on the elders who served the government, particularly those form ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), to come out and advise the president on how to deal with the killings –all with a view to advising the president to take stern action against the police officers involved.
Mwangosi was killed on the spot in Iringa on Sunday September 2, 2012 while on duty at Nyololo village, where the opposition Chadema party was opening its branch when the police intervened and asked people to disperse.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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