[Tanzania-English]Hefty fines for ‘Viroba’ defiance

THE ban on sachet-packed liquor popularly known as ‘Viroba’ starts today. And, heavy penalties of up to three years imprisonment or fines amounting to 5m/- or both will be imposed on those found consuming, distributing or producing the hard liquor packed in plastic sachets.

However, five producers of the liquor have filed a case with the High Court in Dar es Salaam in a bid to prevent the implementation of the government directive.

Addressing journalists, the Minister of State in the Vice- President’s Office, Union Affairs and Environment, Mr January Makamba, said those found consuming and in possession of the sachet will be required to pay a fine of not less than 50,000/- or go to jail for three years.

“Importation of the hard liquor in plastic sachets will amount to not less than two years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding 5m/-. “Those found producing it will either go to jail for two years or pay a fine of 2m/- and as for the ones who will be caught distributing, storing and selling they will go to jail for three months or pay a fine of 100,000/-,” said Mr Makamba.

He pointed out that the exercise to follow up implementation of the ban will be enforced countrywide beginning on Wednesday through defence and security committees and environmental management committees at all levels.

“After the exercise, the committees will be obliged to present reports to the President’s Office - Regional Administration and Local Government and the Vice- President’s Office.

Mr Makamba noted that implementation will consider Section 8(1) (b) and 14 of the Environmental Management Act, 2004 all together with its guidelines and the Intoxicating Liquors Act No Act 28 of 1968 (deals with licensing).

According to an advertisement issued on February 20, this year, more time will be issued to legitimate producers who will demonstrate their readiness to move to bottle containers technology and in turn be able to meet several conditions of obtaining a permit before yesterday.

“We have received nine applications from producers, will make an announcement tomorrow to name those that have met the conditions,” he said.

He observed that majority of the producers have expressed concern that the exercise was implemented on a short notice and they had already ordered plenty of raw materials of which are stored in warehouses.

“It is thus a fact, reports regarding the matter were issued in the National Assembly of May, 2016 session and on several occasions and there is proof of the process,” observed the Minister.

Reports regarding the government’s intention to ban sachet-packed liquor on January 1, 2017 had obtained a wider coverage by various media outlets. For that matter, the move was delayed by two months since the first announcement.

“If any producer had ordered raw materials, produced or stored the liquor or taken a loan for the same purpose, the person has done that willingly knowing the impact,” Mr Makamba stressed.

He remarked that the government had not been served with any notice so far, cautioning those that want to take the matter to court that necessary steps were long taken to arrive at the current move.

“The government has the right to issue directives on how things should be run in the country if it sees it fit,” he noted. Hefty

source:http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/48812-hefty-fines-for-viroba-defiance

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[Tanzania-English]High Court stops Bank from enforcing 300bn/- award

THE High Court yesterday stayed the proceedings for enforcement of award by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), requiring the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) to pay Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (SCBHK) over 330bn/-.

That was after Judge Ama Munisi took into consideration submissions presented by Advocate Majura Magafu for TANESCO, who informed the High Court that his client, TANESCO, had already petitioned the Higher Chamber of ICSID Tribunal, seeking annulment of the award.

He argued that TANESCO had filed two applications in the ICSID, one for Annulment of the Award and the other for stay to enforce it. The advocate, thus, sought suspension of proceedings filed, pending determination of the said two applications before the ICSID.

Advocates Samah Salah, for SCBHK and Joseph Makandege, for Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL) and Pan African Power Solution Limited (PAP), also added their weight to the prayer by the counsel for TANESCO, to quash the proceedings, until the international Tribunal decides the two applications.

Mr Makandege, being as sisted by Learned Advocates Melchisedeck Lutema, Augustine Kusalika, Joseph Sungwa, Kay Felician, James Yarah and Saada Kiveya, all for IPTL/ PAP, strongly submitted that it would be a futile exercise for the court to precede with the current enforcement proceedings by SCBHK in view of annulment cases filed by TANESCO and pending before the ICSID.

He, however, quickly pointed out that his clients (IPTL and PAP) reserved their rights to continue pursuing their pendings before the High Court, challenging the earlier enforcement proceedings initiated by SCBHK should TANESCO’s annulment cases in the ICSID fail.

Before the High Court, SCBHK has filed two applications, Miscellaneous Civil Application No. 687 of 2016, seeking registration and enforcement of the Award; and Miscellaneous Civil Application No. 745 of 2016, seeking impoundment of IPTL capacity charges payable by TANESCO and deposition of the same to the High Court pending hearing and final determination of their Enforce ment Proceeding.

On the other hand, IPTL and PAP have also filed the two applications in the High Court, namely, Miscellaneous Civil Application No. 801 of 2016, applying for leave to intervene in the bank’s applications; and Miscellaneous Civil Application No. 802 of 2016, seeking stay of SCBHK’s two applications.

In these two sets of applications, TANESCO is one of the respondents.

source:http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/48818-high-court-stops-bank-from-enforcing-300bn-award

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[Tanzania-Swahili] January Makamba na maagizo ya Serikali kwa wanaotengeneza pombe za VIROBA

Serikali imepiga marufuku rasmi utengenezaji na uuzwaji wa Pombe ambazo hufungwa katika vifungashio vya mifuko ya plastiki maarufu kama “VIROBA” na kuagiza kuanzia sasa watengenzaji wa pombe hizo watafute utaratibu uliotengenezwa na serikali kwa kuzifunga katika chupa zinazoweza kurejeshwa.

Agizo hilo linasema zinatakiwa kuwa na ujazo usiopungua milligram 250 ambapo atakayebainika kukiuka masharti ya kanuni hizi atawajibishwa kulipa faini, kufungwa jela au yote kwa pamoja kwa mujibu wa kanuni.

source: millardayo.com

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[Tanzania-swahili] Freeman Mbowe arudishwa Polisi usiku huu

Sakata la dawa za kulevya bado lipo kwenye vichwa vya habari Tanzania ambapo Jumatatu ya February 20 2017 imemuhusu Mwenyekiti wa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo CHADEMA Freeman Mbowe aliyefika Polisi kwa mahojiano.

Jioni ya Jumatatu Mbunge huyo wa Hai Kilimanjaro alichukuliwa na Polisi kwenye msafara wa magari yasiyopungua matatu ambapo iliripotiwa baadae kwamba Polisi walikwenda kufanya upekuzi kwenye nyumba zake Kawe na Mikocheni kwa mujibu wa Afisa habari wa CHADEMA.

Msemaji huyo wa CHADEMA Tumaini Makene alithibitisha Polisi kupekua nyumba zake na kuandikisha maelezo ya majirani ambapo akasema kwenye mida ya saa sita usiku huu Polisi wamemrudisha Mbowe kwenye kituo cha Polisi kati na wamemfungulia jalada la Uchunguzi…

source: http://millardayo.com/br20/

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[Tanzania]13 on ‘police watch’ over drugs

THE Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam has placed under police supervision 13 people for alleged involvement in narcotics as Interpol Tanzania hunts for more details of a Tanzanian woman, Pamela David Kiritta (41), recently arrested in India with illicit drugs valued at 11bn/-. Almost all the suspects put under police watch at the court are local music and movie industry stars.

Conspicuously missing from the list was Wema Sepetu, a former Miss Tanzania in 2006. Wema was last week summoned by the police for interrogations in connection with the illicit trade but was not among the suspects brought at the court. No details were given for her absence.

Two principal resident magistrates reached such a decision after granting an application by the prosecution, seeking the suspects “to be given binding orders with sureties for them to be in good behaviour’’ for the period not exceeding three years.

In a separate development, the Head of Interpol in Tanzania, Mr Gustavus Babile, and Commander of the Police Anti- Narcotics Unit, Mr Mihayo Msikhela, informed the ‘Daily News’ that the Tanzanian woman does not feature on the database of suspected drug dealers.

“We have written to the Indian police seeking more details about the woman but they are yet to respond; it is a procedural matter, which should take between one and two weeks,” Mr Babile told the ‘Daily News’ in a telephone interview. Mr Msikhela, on the other hand, said the Indian police had contacted him after the arrest, suspect that the Tanzanian who was arrested with a Zambian national, Ms Thelma Mkandawire (38), could be part of a well-organised drug trafficking cartel in Asia.

“Other arrangements are being conducted through the Interpol office in Tanzania and we hope we will have more information in the near future. Initial investigations have revealed that the woman does not feature on our list of suspected traffickers,” the anti-drug police head stated.

At the Kisutu court yesterday, the suspects were brought in two different sets, the first comprising Ahmed Hashim, alias Petit Man, Said Masoud Linnah, alias Said Alteza, Nassoro Mohamed Nassoro, Bakar Mohamed Khalif and Lulu Abbas Chelangwa, alias Luludiva.

The second group included Hamidu Salum Chambuso, alias Dogo Hamidu, Rajabu Salum, Romeo George Bangura, alias Rumijons, Cedou Madigo, Khalid Salum Mohamed, alias TID, Johana Johannes Mathysen, Rechoel Josephat and Anna Patric Kimaro, alias Tunda. Principal Resident Magistrate Cyprian Mkeha presided over the first set, while Principal Resident Magistrate Huruma Shaidi conducted the proceedings of suspects in the second group. Both appearances were attended by several people believed to be supporters and relatives of the suspects.

However, after granting the prosecution’s application, the first group received tougher conditions as compared to the second one. Suspects in the first group were ordered to execute bond of 20m/-each with one reliable surety, who would sign bond of similar amount.

The suspects were also ordered to report to the Central Police Station in the city twice a month and that such order would remain in force for three years. Before imposing such orders, the magistrate rejected an application by Advocate Albert Msando that his clients should not be ordered to report to the police.

Mr Mkeha ruled that there was no any other way the suspects could be monitored on their behaviour without reporting to the police. He pointed out further that before their arraignment, there was no doubt that the suspects were subjected to interrogation by the police.

The second group, before Magistrate Shaidi, got lenient conditions, as the suspects were required to execute personal bonds without sureties of 10m/- . They were also required to report to the police station twice a month, but such order would subsist for only one year.

Earlier, Senior State Attorney Nassoro Katuga had asked the court to grant the application considering the affidavit sworn by Superintendent of Police Denis Mujumba, who is in charge of Anti-Drugs Unit of the Dar es Salaam Police Special Zone.

The senior police officer stated in the affidavit to support the application that in the course of his duties, he received information from impeccable sources that the suspects were involved in illicit drugs in the city of Dar es Salaam.

According to the affidavit, once the suspects are left free without executing bond of good behaviour and monitored by the police, it could result into a breach of the peace in the society.

Advocate Msando had in principle not resisted to the application, but was quick to point out that the affidavit deposed by the police officer was in blanket form and contained insufficient information to warrant his clients to show reason why they should not be reprimanded.

The arraignment of the suspects come just a day after President John Magufuli ordered the crackdown on narcotic drugs, directing the defence and security forces to apprehend all suspects -- irrespective of their status.

http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/48399-13-on-police-watch-over-drugs

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[Tanzania]Poor quality of MSD warehouses ignites heated debate in house

THE government pledged here yesterday that it would work on claims that the Medical Store Department’s (MSD) warehouses are in poor standards, jeopardizing the quality of stored drugs.

Health, Elderly and Children Minister Ummy Mwalimu, responding to a supplementary question by Ms Halima Mohammed (Special Seats-CUF), said: “We have received the concern of the honourable MP, we will work on it.” The legislator had sought to know the steps taken to address the problem, which the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) highlighted in his 2015/16 report

. Earlier, the Deputy Minister, Dr Hamisi Kigwangala said the warehouses were in high standard, with certification from the International Standards Organisation (ISO) which also evaluates their quality, annually.

“Let me speak authoritatively as Deputy Minister, our warehouses are of high standard, considering that drugs are high valuable goods that need extreme care,” said Dr Kigwangala, prompting the intervention of the Deputy Speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson, reminding him that the backbencher’s question was based on the CAG’s report, not mere assumptions. In the basic question, Mr George Lubeleje (Mpwapwa- CCM), decried the bureaucracy through which the government channels funds to MSD.

“Why does the government gives MSD money through the treasury instead of disbursing all the amount directly to the department to address the drug shortage,” he asked.

During this financial year, MSD has been allocated 251bn/- for drug purchases. Dr Kigwangala said the current system under the law requires that only the central government be receiving its share from the budget directly, not its agencies. He also dismissed claims that the country was in shortage of drugs in the public hospitals, saying currently the drugs availability stands at 84 per cent.

http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/48403-poor-quality-of-msd-warehouses-ignites-heated-debate-in-house

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[Tanzania]Arusha game firm boss, nine others held for illegal stay

THE Director of Tanzania Game Trackers, Michael Allard, and nine other suspects working for the hunting establishment have been arrested here for allegedly staying and working in the country without the necessary permits.

The establishment, abbreviated as TGT, is a hunting concession operating at Ngaramtoni ya Chini section of Arumeru District, Arusha Region, while Allard is said to be a French national, whose stay here has raised many questions.

The Arusha Regional Labour Officer, Mr Yusuph Nzugille, has confirmed the arrest of nine foreigners, naming some as Hendrikus Van der Goot from Netherlands, Cliff Durell Hunter, hailing from South Africa, Nana Grosse Woodley from Germany, Nicolas Care Theresa Hartmann from Germany.

It has been reported that the suspects had illegally forged relevant residential and working permits that enabled them to stay, live and conduct their daily operations in Tanzania since 2015. The Labour Department here has in recent days been combing the entire area, flushing out aliens.

Others who fell in the same trap include Priya Shah from the United Kingdom, Chinnadurai Vellaichamy from India and Wesley Khamasi Guyavi from Kenya.

Their illegal stay in Tanzania, according to officials here, has caused the country to lose millions. According to Mr Nzugille, his department was prompted to take action in line with new regulations that stipulate that all working permits should be issued by the Commission for Labour under the Ministry of Labour while the Immigration Department is left to deal with residential permits only. “We had initially arrested 13 suspects but after conducting investigations, four others were released.

The remaining nine needs to be investigated further,” said the senior labour official. Reports here have it that a certain official at the Immigration Office here must have assisted the suspects in acquiring permits believed to have been forged.

The advocate representing the accused, Mr Wilfred Mawalla, said his clients were innocent because they had no way of knowing that the documents were not genuine as they had been prepared by a government official.

The Deputy Commissioner for Immigration in Arusha Region, Mr Vitalis Mlay, said his office was aware of the situation but pointed out that a special task force has been fitted from the headquarters in Dar-salaam to investigate the case as well as the suspected Immigration officer alleged to have helped the nine foreigners acquire those documents.

source:http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/48402-arusha-game-firm-boss-nine-others-held-for-illegal-stay

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[Tanzania] Expansion works on four airports for EIB approval

EURORPEAN Investment Bank (EIB) is set to decide on a proposal to upgrade and expand four airports, which are lined-up for fund receipt after completing the initial stage of scrutinising the contractors.

The EIB had agreed to fund a special programme of transforming transport links to remote regions of Kigoma, Kagera, Tabora, Shinyanga and Sumbawanga by committing 50 million Euros (over 100bn/-) in long-term funding, spanning over 20 years.

Improvement of the five airports is expected to enhance international safety standards, provide all weather operation and expand the facilities to cater for projected growth. Speaking in the National Assembly here yesterday the Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication Engineer Edwin Ngonyani said only four airports will benefit from the funding.

He told legislators that Sumbawanga Airport was among the four airports that will receive the EIB funding. Responding to a question by Bupe Mwakang’ata (Special Seats--CCM) who wanted to know when will the construction of Sumbawanga airport be completed, Eng Ngonyani said plans are underway to upgrade the airport and build the terminal building with funding from EIB. He named other airports lined up for expansion as Shinyanga, Kigoma and Tabora.

“We’re waiting for no objection from the creditor, EIB, regarding the contractor. The tender was announced since August last year and selections were made in October.

The examination report has been submitted to EIB to approve the project,” explained the deputy minister, saying the compensation to evictees who have paved way for the project are at the final stage.

In June last year, EIB Board of Directors approved 7.4 billion Euros of new financing of 38 projects across Europe and globally.

The bank, the European Union’s long-term lending institution, has agreed to provide 50 million Euros in longterm funding to enhance the country’s limited air transport infrastructure, which impedes economic growth.

source:http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/48404-expansion-works-on-four-airports-for-eib-approval

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[Tanzania]Muhimbili to start local kidney implants March

MUHIMBILI National Hospital (MNH) by the end of March, this year, will start local kidney transplantations, it has been confirmed.

Speaking to ‘Daily News’ yesterday, MNH head of Communication Department, Mr Amiel Eligaesha said the exercise was supposed to start last month but was delayed, adding that it is part of the government’s plan to cut down the number of patients travelling abroad for the same treatment.

“Due to some reasons including delays in procurement procedures...the service failed to pick up last month, however we have received all the required equipment and by the end of March, it will be in operation,” he pointed out.

Mr Eligaesha cited theaterroom as having also delayed the start of the operations last month, saying: “Currently, the surgery room is now almost okay and installations of some key machines and equipment are also in the final stage.”

In another development, he pointed out that a team of some 18 doctors were sent to India to familiarise themselves with kidney transplant practical and have equally returned back in the country.

The announcement has come as a great relief to thousands of Tanzanians who have been worrying of sending their patients abroad for such treatments which will now be sourced locally.

Statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows about 4,533 Tanzanians died of kidney failure in 2011. However, medical experts warn that the number has significantly gone up now due to changes in lifestyles which influence infections related to the disease.

Symptoms of kidney failure are due to build-up of waste products and excess fluids in the body which as a result may cause short of breath, lethargy, swelling, confusion and abnormal heart rhythms.

source:http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/48407-muhimbili-to-start-local-kidney-implants-march

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[Tanzania]Times FM to run FGM campaign every week

THE government has unveiled a special radio programme on anti-Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) campaign that will be aired by a Dar es Salaam based Times FM Station, reiterating that collective efforts are still vital to curb the problem.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ms Sihaba Nkinga, said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the programme will be part of a Five-Year National Anti-FGM campaign.

While launching it she said : “The radio programme will help to raise awareness in the public on adverse effects of FGM.” Statistics indicate that 35 per cent of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 are victims of the Gender Based Violence (GBV) and 15 out of 100 girls in the country have undergone FGM, further said the Permanent Secretary (PS) during the ceremony to mark also the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

Ms Nkinga pointed out that some outdated practices were behind the major cause of FGM in the country and urged parents and guardians to protect their girls against the menace.

“It is vital for the community to execute its roles properly and take good care of children for their wellbeing,” she added. Ms Nkinga further noted that statistics from the Police show that incidents of rape reached 3,444 in 2015, and that out of 14,561 cases of assault in the same year, abusive language was at the top.

A senior official from Save the Children, Ms Jasminka Milovanovic, said the radio programme will help the community to understand the needs of children and provide them with a platform to air their views. She urged members of the public to join hands with the government to support the anti-FGM campaign.

On his side, Times FM Station Director, Leule Nyaulawa, said the programme will be on air 24 times every week.

source:http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/48387-times-fm-to-run-fgm-campaign-every-week

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[Tanzania]Students drop subjects as more aspire to learn

SIX more secondary schools have expressed interest to learn Chinese as a key language for study, which brings to 14 the number of schools teaching the language in their courses of instruction.

The Confucius Institute (CI) Director at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Prof Zhang Xiozhen, said here over the weekend that there was growing demand for Chinese language among students across the country.

“We’ve received requests from six secondary schools – in Arusha, Musoma, Lindi and Mtwara – who wish to introduce Chinese language as a subject this year,” the CI Director said during a contest organised specifically for for secondary school students.

The contest saw a Form Five student Baobab School based at Bagamoyo, Evance Salema, emerging overall winner in a contest that pitted six secondary schools - Mtwara Technical Secondary School, St Mathew Secondary School, St Christina Secondary School, King David Secondary School and Baobab Boys and Girls Secondary Schools.

Evance, who is taking PCB, said he was interested in learning Chinese because of the many opportunities it opens, arguing the language expands one’s scope of opportunities for graduate studies.

“With Chinese you could land a job in Chinese firms investing within the country as well as acquiring scholarships to China for further studies,” said the student, who is aspiring to study medicine.

Baobab Secondary School Director Mr Halfan Swai said many of his students were dropping other languages in preference for Chinese, among others taught at the school: French, Arabic, Chinese and English -- which is compulsory. “Students have shown interest in Chinese language with majority dropping other languages in favour of Chinese,” Mr Swai said.

source:http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/48389-students-drop-subjects-as-more-aspire-to-learn

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[France]Former French president faces trial

A French judge has ordered ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy to stand trial in an illegal campaign finance case.

Mr Sarkozy faces accusations that his party falsified accounts in order to hide 18m euros (£15m; $20m) of campaign spending in 2012. Mr Sarkozy has repeatedly denied that he was aware of the overspending.

He lost the 2012 race to Francois Hollande, and failed in his bid to run again in this year's upcoming presidential election.

source: http://bbc.in/2kmA5nw

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[Tanzania]Simba face tricky Fed Cup tie

SIMBA have been handed a fascinating Azam Sports Federation Cup round of 16 tie with African Lyon while holders Young Africans were drawn against minnows Kiluvya United.

The draw for the round of 16 of the ASFC, scheduled to kick on February 24, produced some exciting allpremier league fixtures. Last season’s runners-up Azam will host Mtibwa Sugar at Azam Complex in a thrilling all-premier league affair with Kagera Sugar taking on Stand United at Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba.

Two more matches will be played on the day whereby Ndanda FC will visit the Mighty Elephant at the Majimaji Stadium in Ruvuma whilst Arusha’s Madini FC will be up against JKT Ruvu at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha, while Mbeya dwellers will be treated to a mouthwatering derby on February 26 with Mbeya City taking on the city’s rivals Prisons.

Mwanza residents should also brace for a thrilling derby between Mbao FC and Toto Africans at CCM Kirumba on the same date. Giants Simba, who are desperate to return to international football, are scheduled to play African Lyon on March 1 at the National Stadium. Having crashed out at the quarterfinal stage last season, Simba will certainly go all out seeking to win the competition, whose winner represents the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.

But they will be aware of the kind of opposition they will be up against having already faced this Lyon twice in the league this season. Lyon inflicted Simba’s first defeat of the season, winning 1-0 but the Reds won the reverse fixture.

Joseph Omog charges sailed into the last 16 of the Azam Sports Federation Cup with a routine 2-0 win over Polisi courtesy of Pastory Athanas and Mohamed Hussein’s strikes. In the last of the eighth ties, defending champions Yanga will be expected to make an easy work of Kiluvya United when the Premier League leaders face the Dar es Salaam minnows on March 7 at the National Stadium.

George Lwandamina’s Yanga side kicked off their ASFC title defence campaign with a 4-1 rout of First Division League (FDL) side Ashanti United 4-1. Yanga clinched the previous year title after thrashing Azam FC 3-1 in the final game at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Despite losing the final, Azam secured the ticket to represent Mainland Tanzania in CAF Confederation Cup as Yanga also emerged Premier League champions. With Premier League title race a tight two-horse race between Simba and Yanga, ASFC remain the only hope for a ticket to bear the country’s flag at international competitions for the rest of the chasing pack.

Top flight elites of Azam FC, Mtibwa Sugar will be expected to mount a serious challenge for the Federation Cup glory against the two big wigs of domestic football.

But as Coastal Union proved last time out after making it to the semis despite their destitute league position, one should not bet against the likes of Kagera Sugar, Mbeya City, Mbao FC, Prisons and Toto African posting an upset along the way.

source:dailynews.co.tz

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[Kenya]NASA will change Kenya, says Raila Odinga

Opposition leader Raila Odinga yesterday pledged the National Super Alliance (NASA) will reform the country within 90 days if it wins the next elections. Raila, who addressed members of the Maasai community from Samburu, Kajiado and Narok, and the Ilchamus from Baringo also received Jubilee MP Moitalel ole Kenta who left Jubilee.

Ole Kenta was elected on President Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA party. Speaking during his tour of Narok County, Raila termed NASA the antidote for the ills that have been affecting the country under the Jubilee administration, including corruption, tribalism and marginalisation. He accused Jubilee of lack of political goodwill to fulfill promises it made to Kenyans four years down the line due to runaway corruption.

“It is just six months for Jubilee to go home yet it is not keen on delivering its pledges. They promised you laptops, employment, roads and health. Have you seen them?” Raila asked the crowd. He said tribalism is rampant in government appointments. “Those who are not allied to those in power are shortchanged regardless of their level of qualifications. Tribalism is a major problem in the Jubilee government. Names determine whether you are gong to get hired or not.” Raila accused Jubilee of misplaced priorities arguing while health workers and university staff are on strike, Jubilee leaders are busy dishing millions in harambees. Raila who was accompanied by ODM legislators Abdikadir Aden (Mbalambala), Charles Mong’are (Mugirango South), Kanchori Memusi (Kajiado Central) and Kajiado Governor David Nkedienye also said his government will implement the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission(TJRC )report. “The TJRC report has been lying in Parliament. It has not been debated and President Kenyatta is not keen to implement it. As as result, communities such as the Maasai who have suffered as a result of historical land injustices continue to wait for justice to be done,” Raila said. He accused the President of being behind the failure, by Parliament, to debate the report and claimed a directive was issued that the report should not be implemented. Ole Kenta is the second MP to ditch Jubilee after Narok West’s Patrick Ntutu joined Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto-led Chama Cha Mashinani.
Read more at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001228376/nasa-will-change-kenya-says-raila-odinga

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[Somalia]Al Shabaab execute four men accused of spying in Somalia

Al Shabaab militants in Somalia publicly beheaded four men accused of spying for the country's Western-backed government, the United States and neighboring Kenya, residents in the south of the Horn of Africa country said. The al Qaeda-linked group confirmed the executions, which took place on Sunday after the men were found guilty by an al Shabaab court in Jamame district of lower Jubba region, some 70 km (43 miles) north of Kismayu.

"The court ruled on their cases and four of the men were executed publicly in Jamame District according to the Sharia this (Sunday) afternoon," Mohamed Abu Abdalla, al Shabaab’s governor for the Jubba region, told Reuters, without elaborating on the method of execution. "The four men admitted they were spies." In areas under its control, al Shabaab has carried out executions, floggings and amputations after summary trials in cases ranging from espionage to theft.
Al Shabaab has been fighting for years to drive out African Union peacekeepers, topple the central government and impose its own harsh interpretation of Sharia (Islamic law) in country

Read more at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001228434/al-shabaab-execute-four-men-accused-of-spying-in-somalia

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[Tanzania]Tanzanian woman held in Delhi over 11bn/- ‘fine quality’ cocaine haul

A TANZANIA woman identified as Pamela David Kiritta (41) is among two people who were nabbed last Friday in India with four kilogrammes of ‘fine quality Colombian cocaine,’ with a street value of US 500,000 dollars (about 11bn/-), ac-cording to media reports from New Delhi.

Ms Kiritta was arrested by India’s Narcot-ics Control Bureau (NCB) alongside a Zambian national Thelma Mkandawire (38) at a hotel in Mahipalpur.

The anti-narcotics bureau says the seizure is the third haul in the past month.

Contacted for details yesterday, Tanzania’s Head of Interpol, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Gustavus Babile, said he was unaware of the arrest but pledged to make a follow-up on the matter.

Reports indicates that NCB officials fficials are still searching for a South African national to whom the women were sup-posed to deliver the consignment.

The Zambian woman is said to have flown to Delhi from Abu Dhabi on a Euro-pean Airline flight.

A cavity in the bottom of her travel bag held the cocaine, which were packed in a plastic bag.

“After the woman reached the Indira Gandhi International Airport the NCB team had her under surveillance,” disclosed Madho Singh, Zonal Director for NCB.

He added: “Our team fol-lowed her when she left the airport and reached at hotel in Mahipalpur.

Sometime later, another woman reached the hotel to receive the consignment. Our team stepped in and inter-cepted them both.”

Officials in India said Ms Kiritta told her interrogators that she was staying at an apartment in Vasant Kunj since January, this year and was working on behalf of a man from South Africa

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania]TSN scribe, CCM official die in road accident

MOSHI-BASED correspondent for ‘HabariLeo’, Arnold Swai, was among seven people who were killed in a road accident in Rombo District yesterday.

The incident occurred at Mwika Mawanjeni area in Rombo District, Kilimanjaro Region; after, according to eye- witnesses, a Mitsubishi Fuso truck with failed brakes rammed onto a Toyota Hilux FWD vehicle in which Swai and six others were in.

The truck overturned during the impact. The correspondent and other party cadres were travelling from Rombo District, heading back to Moshi, after attending celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

Eye-witnesses feared the death toll could go up as there were some passengers trapped in the cargo section of the overturned truck.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Plans to inspect over 35,000 small-scale mines underway

THE government is planning to carry out massive inspec-tion of over 35,000 licensed small-scale mines amid seri-ous shortage of professional mining engineers and inspec-tors.

Acting Commissioner of Minerals, Engineer Ally Samaje, told this newspaper recently in Geita that his ministry had around 60 mining engineers countrywide who cannot manage to undertake the task even if they were overstretched.

Engineer Samaje said the collapse of small mines like the Nyarugusu accident could be curbed in large extent if a substantial number of mining would be employed to bridge the current gap.

He said the inspection of mining sites across the country was crucial due to the fact that many of the licensed mines were operating under dubious circumstances apart from ap-plying a very poor technology.

“The Nyarugusu incident has once again reminded us of the crucial need to carry out regular and intensive inspec-tions on almost 35,000 small miners countrywide, over 1,000 of whom are in Geita Region,” he said.

Mr Samaje was still unsure when the huge gap of mining inspectors will be reduced as request of their employment were turned down in the past due to shortage of resources.

Apart from the licensed mine sites, Engineer Samaje said the Ministry of Energy and Minerals was also work-ing out strategies to identify unlicensed mining sites al-ready attracting thousands of intruders for illegal mining activities.

Available estimates show that the country has over two million people conducting mining activities countrywide save for the unlicensed ones which call for deliberate ef-forts to save them from different hazards, he said.

He disclosed another ambi-tious plan where the govern-ment in collaboration with the World Bank will procure seven processing plants that will be installed in seven centres for professional pro-cessing of gold and other minerals.

“This plan is at advanced stage and demonstration areas will be sup-plied with those machines as we fight hard to curb illegal and haphazard processing of mineral products from our small-scale mines,” he said.

He mentioned the cen-tres to be installed with the plants as Katente in Bukombe District, Geita Region, Buhemba in Mara Region, Mpanda in Katavi Region and Chunya in Mbeya Region.

Others are Kyerwa in Kagera Region, Kiomoni in Tanga Region and Masaga-sa in Mtwara Region, with gold, tin, limestone and salt being some of the minerals that will be processed, get-ting rid of local and danger-ous processing currently undertaken.

While the plants will help in monitoring the amount of precious mineral products and quality, they will also save small miners from using toxic chemicals like mercury that despite being prohibited was still used in many sites as part of the processing methods.

According to Eng Sama-je, small-scale mining in the country is estimated to produce over 20 tonnes of gold, half of that produced by small-scale mines and giant mining companies produce around 40 tonnes a year.

However, the larger portion of the mining products produced by small miners were not recorded at all for the time being, denying the country revenues needed to finance its development project.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania]Cheats to be flushed out of offices

THE government’s effort to weed out unqualified workers has taken a new turn with the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Ms Angelah Kairuki, announcing that next month all employees who failed to submit their academic certificates for verification will be sacked.

She said in the National Assembly on Friday evening that a major crackdown on unqualified workers would take place on March 1. “We have given them enough time to submit the certificates and alternatively, we asked them to hand over even their examination index numbers, but still couldn’t do so.

Because of this, we are going to fire them,” she stated. She told the National Assembly that the Fifth Phase Government is determined to ensure that only qualified civil servants remain in their jobs, insisting that anyone with no academic qualifications would be sent packing.

Ms Kairuki stated this when responding to issues relating to good governance and public service as highlighted in the report presented by the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and Local Government in the National Assembly.

She said the government has been insisting that its employees hand over academic credentials, particularly Form Four and Form Six certificates and professional certificates. The verification exercise started in October, last year, during the issuance of national identity cards. There are workers who heeded the directive, but others are yet to do so.

Alternatively, she said, in order to be fair in sacking the employees without certificates, the government has allowed them to submit their index numbers which will enable it to trace their examination results.

“With the index number, the government in collaboration with the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA), will be able to verify whether a worker has the genuine certificate or not,” she stated.

After completing the exercise of collecting the certificates, the next step would be evaluating the number of workers in government institutions and consider measures to be taken against deceitful workers who used fake certificates.

She noted that the exercise is designed to flush out cheats and remain with skilled personnel who were employed in accordance with their qualifications. The upshot is for the government to offer quality services.

So far, 1,595 public workers who had contributed to the existence of ghost workers have been punished, 16 among them were from nine government ministries and the remaining 1,564 were from local government authorities.

Some of the MPs who contributed to the report, including Ubungo lawmaker Saed Kubenea (CHADEMA) and Mbulu MP Fratei Massay (CCM), urged the government to fast track the verification of the certificates, arguing that the exercise has taken so long to complete. Ms Esther Mihawe, a member of the committee, who tabled the report, said the issue of ghost workers has been a big problem.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania]Mobile phones ruin academic pursuits

WHILE some school-going youths increasingly spend more time chatting on mobile phones or engage in internet betting games, the two best performers in the recently released 2016 Form Four National Examination results spent their time reading text books.

Both Alfred Shauri, the country's top best performer from Feza Boys (in Dar es Salaam) and the second best and top girl performer Cynthia Mchechu from St Francis (in Mbeya), attributed their success to studying hard, determination and praying.

Alfred has positive things to say about social media which is the most modern way of communicating and meeting new friends but warns against spending too much time on them.

He said there is a lot of things that can be learned from new technologies stressing that developing countries should accept the positive changes brought about by the developments as the new medium of communication. He adds: "The only problem is the time invested in social media. Communication gadgets have a lot of things that can build or destroy anyone.

It is true that spending more time on social media will impact negatively on academic pursuits. I use them to learn and communicate with friends, but I don't spend much time on them," he explained. He added: "I am in boarding school but when I go home I see how youths get engrossed in social media, often spending too much time chatting to an extent that they do not interact with people or go out with friends. This is the drawback in social media otherwise it is a good tool for communication."

On romantic relationships, Alfred says they can only interfere with studies if the students in question lose focus on their academic priorities. "I know male students who have girlfriends and they did very well in these exams getting division 1. One needs to set their priorities and focus on them.

But if one dedicates all his or her time on the relationship, then they will surely lose out in education," he explains, adding that he doesn't have one. Alfred was born in Bukoba in 1998 but moved with his parents to Moshi where he enrolled at J.K. Nyerere Primary School in 2006, but later he moved to Dar es Salaam with his mother and other siblings when she was transferred. His father was transferred to Iringa.

He joined Mlimani Primary School and in his last year of primary education (2013), he got an opportunity to do an inter-primary exams conducted by Feza Boys Secondary School and his good performance earned him a slot at the prestigious school. "After Standard Seven national exams I was selected to join Ilboru Secondary School but I opted to join Feza Boys instead," he explained.

The third born in the family of four children attributes his success in school to hard work, prayer and determination to do better. Although he did not expect to lead countrywide, he expected to do very well in the exams.

Alfred comes from a studious family, the first born is studying at New York University, the second born sister is in Mauritius doing her first year in university and his younger sibling is in Isamilo secondary Mwanza.

Cynthia Mchechu from St Francis Girls in Mbeya region, who emerged second best and top girl performer in the country, attributes her success to studying hard and prayers since she joined Form One.

"When we joined Form One we were advised to start praying for the final exams, for both good health and the exams. So I did that and continued through to Form Four and I believe God had a hand in my passing the exams," she explains.

Cynthia was among top five students throughout '0' levels and she was sure like Alfred that she would sail through with good marks. "I knew I would pass the examination but not to this extent of being the top girl and second overall in the country, " she explained.

She added that the good relationship between students and teachers at the school also contributed to the success. Cynthia's parents played a major role in her success encouraging and prodding her to work harder whenever she got lower marks.

This increased her determination to do better. Although she was a day scholar during lower primary education, she asked her parents to take her to a boarding school and they did. "In boarding school you get more time to study.

In boarding school there is no TV, meaning more time for studying. It was my decision to go to boarding school, I asked my parents to take me to a boarding school and I am happy that they did," she added.

On social media and romantic relationships, Cynthia says there's time for everything and although she doesn't dislike the new technologies, she cautions that they can be distracting. "The problem with a lot of us youths is that we forget that we will have time to do these things in future.

Some sleep very late because of social media. The important thing is to have determination; to set priorities and work hard to achieve success, she says.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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