Lazy workers to be arrested, remanded

RUKWA Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Zelothe Steven Zelothe, has directed the Sumbawanga Officer Commanding District (OCD), Mr Mashenene Mayila, to set up a special room where negligent and defiant civil servants will be locked up for 48 hours.

Mr Zelothe issued the order here yesterday on his second day surprise visit to Sumbawanga Bus Terminal insisting that he will never tolerate negligent, lazy, defiant and corrupt civil servants. He added that their days are numbered.

At the bus terminal the RC was irked by the foul smell and filthy environment that posed a health risk to the passengers. “I don’t want to hear people complainingabout filth at the main bus stand. This should be the last time.

“I will never hesitate to take to task any negligent , indolent, defiant and corrupt civil servants,” he said.

The RC, therefore, directed the Sumbawanga OCD to make sure that the room was set up for such civil servants because they have the power of holding them for 48 hours.

He, however, ordered four municipal officials who spent the night in lawful custody to supervise the cleanliness exercise at the main bus terminal before they were set free.

A day before he made a surprise visit at the bus terminal and directed the Sumbawanga District Commissioner (DC), Mr Halfani Haule, to arrest and remand four municipal servants for 24 hours for their failure to supervise and maintain cleanliness in their respective areas.

The RC was troubled to see the toilet pits at the main bus terminal flooded with human waste. Reports had it that the main bus terminal, that is right at the heart of Sumbawanga Town, was stinking.

Waste remained uncollected for weeks and caused discomfort to passengers and other users. The civil servants who were remanded for more than 24 hours included Sumbawanga Municipal Environment Officer , Mr Hamid Masare.

Others were Katandala Ward Executive Officer, Mr Charles Kalulunga; Sumbawanga Municipal Health Officer at Katandala Ward, Mr Edes Kakusa and Katandala local government officer, Ms Maria Ntara.

After he heard complaints from main bus stand users who echoed their sentiments, Mr Zelothe directed the acting Sumbawanga Municipal Director (MED) , Mr Saad Mtambule to ensure that the bus terminal is clean.