BY QUEENTER MAWINDA
24th June 2013
Shaweji Mketo, CUF deputy director for organisation and elections, told the media over the weekend in Dar es Salaam that the demo will seek to condemn heavy-handed tactics that are a source of the public outcry on police brutality.
The demonstration intends to condemn brutality of epic proportions and excessive use of force by police officers in controlling political and economic controversies in the country.
Mketo said the use of excessive force has exposed the low professionalism and brutality of the police, urging reforms and an overhaul of security organs in the wake of extrajudicial killings took place.
Referring to the Arusha bomb attack during a Chadema rally and the formation of a probe team to investigate the matter, Mketo recommended that the government should oversee full transparency of the investigation and public release of the report so that effective actions can be carried out against those responsible.
He said the police have overstepped their authority and sought to defend law enforcers for harming unarmed citizens, hence the demonstration will pressurize the government to take immediate measures to put an end to the brutality of police officials including shooting to kill, punching and pillage witnessed in Mtwara region.
However he said some government officials have misled Tanzanians on the prime intention of the people of Mtwara on their stance on the construction of a gas pipeline to Dar es Salaam.
He said complaints issued by the people of Mtwara arose from various unfinished projects carried out by the government in previous years like the Geita Gold Mining experience that left people empty handed.
Mketo said the government’s decision to construct the pipeline gas didn’t underscore the views and opinions of Mtwara residents.
The government should have put Mtwara citizens on a round table discussion and try to come up with a solution that would be acceptable to all so as to create awareness rather than allowing the police to use force to disperse crowds.
He said the demonstration will be held as soon as a permit from the police is obtained, emphasizing that the constitution has guaranteed the manifestation of political views taking place in a peaceful manner.
“Obviously, it is part of democratic values on which people have the possibility to express their views freely and in a peaceful manner,” he emphasized.
According to Mketo, the government is expected to send a highly placed representative to receive the demonstration.
The demonstration which is expected to take place on on Saturday will begin at Buguruni petrol station and mark the final point at the State House. CUF chairman Professor Ibrahim Lipumba is expected to lead the demo.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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