OUTRAGEOUS!
Grave excavation rampant as Dar runs
out of burial space
By Kizito Makoye & Angela Mazula
The accute shortage of burial space in Dar es Salaam has reached monumental
levels as desperate residents are forced to excavate congested graves to find a
place for burying their loved ones, uncovering remnants of the dead bodies in
the process.
Most middle-class people in the city are increasingly embarrassed and outraged
by the distressing situation they encounter in the cemeteries when their
relatives pass away. But they have very little option but to bear with it.
“We are very disheartened by the situation in our cemetery here. There is
nothing we can do, no where else we can go. It is pretty expensive to transport
the bereaved bodies to the outskirts for burial. The only option is to look for
space even if it is small so that the body can be laid to rest,” lamented Juma
Maulid, a resident of Sinza.
The Express investigation conducted this week in Kinondoni, Sinza, Mwananyamala,
Chang’ombe, Upanga, Temeke and Ubungo revealed that official cemeteries
designated to those areas are already full and congested. However, the residents
of the respective places keep digging graves.
The situation is even ghastly at Sinza Makaburini; despite the fact that there
is virtually no space at all, there is a huge demand for burial space. Residents
keep digging the same place for they want to leave no stone unturned.
Initially, the Sinza cemetery was divided between Christians and Muslims.
However, it is now hard to tell the distinction due to grave congestion, leaving
the place in total disarray.
The Express can establish that the increasing demand for burial places makes
grave excavation a lucrative business. This reporter spoke with some brave young
men, who are normally hired by bereaved families to dig a grave for between for
Tsh. 20,000 and Tsh. 30,000.
Most relatives of the dead persons do not involve themselves in the exercise as
they are too ashamed to uncover decomposed dead bodies.
“Admittedly, the area does not deserve any more bodies as it is already full, we
often see dead people’s bones while digging…we are forced to push it further so
that some body else can be buried. We are not worried, it is business,” said one
Mussa Omari.
A cross section of Sinza residents, whose relatives had been buried at similar
location, have expressed concern that it is now hard to identify the tombs of
their loved ones because of frequent excavation, leaving the area in a total
mess.
Noticeably, the situation has been aggravated by the HIV/AIDS scourge. A lot of
people in the city are reportedly dying of AIDS-related illnesses, doubling the
demand for burial space in the recent past.
The Express found that the major reason why people still scramble for burial
space in an already congested area is money as they often cannot afford
transport costs travelling to designated areas such as Segerea.
Except for tribesmen like Chaggas and Hayas, who are traditionally bound to
transport their dead relatives in their homeland for burial, most people still
bury their kin in Dar es Salaam.
The well-known Kinondoni Cemetery is reported to be overcrowded, too. However,
there unscrupulous wealthy people have taken over some space and reserved it for
their families. The “booked space” some times has names of relatives with
already dug out graves awaiting the dead bodies!
The Dar es Salaam City Council maintains that there is still some burial space
left, however most middle class people have lost confidence believing that the
area is for the rich.
An anonymous source told The Express that “normally those who buy the area
ensure that they get enough space for the entire family. That means the tombs
are for the father mother and children.”
According to the source, the payments and permits for ownership are issued by
the Dar Council, and occupation numbers are placed in the areas. It is said,
however, said that burial place can be obtained for Tsh.1,500.
“Because of increasing demand for burial space, the occupants are likely to pay
more,” the source said.
A resident of Magomeni, Ashura Omary, lamented: “It true we face problems when
it comes to funeral because whenever they dig at the Magomeni cemetery they find
remains.” She further said that most Christians and Muslims are confused about
where to bury their dead. Some are even confused that the Kinondoni cemeteries
are meant for wealthy people, she added.
The situation seems to be getting out of hand and some residents have had
conflicting ideas on possible construction of crematorium centres where dead
bodies can be incinerated. The thought, however, does not seem to conform with
Tanzanian tradition, customs and religious faith.
The reason why cremation in countries such as Sweden has come about is limited
space and the fact that the design of cemeteries has changed. For the past 40
years, people have opted for being buried in remembrance parks created in
cemeteries, rather than having their own gravestones.
With passing time, people find that they do not have enough time to visit their
relatives’ individual graves, let alone take care of the grave; planting flowers
and make sure it looks neat and tidy. Also, the feeling that it is necessary to
visit relatives’ graves has vanished.
Visiting a remembrance park, which is taken care of by the cemetery staff and
where the ashes of the deceased are randomly buried, has become a popular
option.
The first cremation in Sweden was done in October 1887. The authorities had
recognised the limitation of space, but to gain the acceptance of the people
they spoke of the hygienically advantages of cremation and that it was more
ethical than burying the whole body.
The Catholic church stipulates in Canon 1176 Section 3, “the church earnestly
recommends that the pious custom of burial be retained; but it does not forbid
cremation unless this is chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian
teaching.”
Sheikh Suleiman Gologosi of Bakwata is against the whole idea of body cremation,
dismissing that the designated areas for graves are over crowded. He argued
there are still areas where cemeteries can be allocated, including Mbagala and
Kongowe on the outskirts.
“It is inconceivable that there are no places for cemetery. It is for the
municipal council to locate areas for Muslims and Christians, where the dead can
be laid to rest,” he asserted.
He argued that said body cremation is contrary to Islamic faith and totally
unacceptable. “Various countries have their stance on cremation but the whole
idea of cremating a body and remain with ashes for burial does not conform
either with Islamic laws or the national culture,” he observed.
Gologosi agrees that the death toll is rising day by day and as a result most
people find it difficult to secure places for burial. He counters that the
municipal council has the responsibility to allocate burial space and prevent
inconvenience.
Asma Hamisi is of the opinion that cremating the dead ones is a sign of
infidelity.
Another resident Irene Harrison said taking dead bodies for burial to the
cemetery is normal but admitted now there are very few places to bury the dead.
The Municipal Council is the responsible authority with mandate to handle such
issues, she said. However, she reiterated that incinerating bodies is
unacceptable.
Fr. Stefano Kaombe of the Roman Catholic Church said that most cemeteries in the
city were allocated during the colonial era. However, he said the congestion
being experienced in major cemeteries should not be taken as a reason to justify
body cremation. After all, there are still places where the dead can be buried,
he pointed out.
He said the city planners were taking the cemetery issue rather lightly, “why
should there be a petrol station every where and not cemetery,” he demanded.
At Mbweni area, where the government has allocated 25,000 plots for residential
houses, there is virtually no space allocated for cemeteries.
Great Lakes Summit on Burundi
NO NEW TWIST
By Kizito Makoye and Rupa Parekh
Condemning the callous attack on the United Nations refugee camp in Gatumba,
Burundi on August 13, leaders of the Great Lakes region gathered in Dar es
Salaam for a regional summit, resolved to declare Palipehutu-FNL, the rebel
group that orchestrated the violence, a terrorist organisation.
In a joint communiqué issued at the end of the 22nd Summit of the Great Lakes
Regional Peace Initiative on Burundi, the leaders urged the African Union and
the UN Security Council to support this decision and invoke conventions and
protocols on combating terrorism in this regard.
Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Jakaya
Kikwete read out the decisions taken at the summit in front of the international
media at Royal Palm Hotel yesterday.
Dar es Salaam seemed overwhelmed and gratified by the presence of Africa’s top
political luminaries on one stage. Among those who attended the summit were
South African President Thabo Mbeki, Mozambiquan President Joaquim Chissano,
President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila, Zambian President
Levy Mwanawasa and Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye.
Others were Uganda’s Vice President Prof G Bukenya, Deputy President of South
Africa and facilitator of Burundi peace process Jacob Zuma, Rwandan Foreign
Minister Charles Murigande, and Ambassador K Sinegiorgis of Ethiopia.
President Benjamin Mkapa chaired the meeting on behalf of Ugandan President
Yoweri Museveni, who was not present at the summit.
As already speculated in the media, African governments seemed unwilling to get
more involved in what is seen as one of the continent’s most intractable and
tragic wars.
The summit called upon the transitional government of Burundi to ensure that an
Independent Electoral Commission is put in place by August 29, 2004. “Within
three weeks of the establishment of the Independent Electoral Commission, the
Burundi national assembly should decide on the draft constitution,” read the
communique. It continued, “On failure to do so, the President of the Republic of
Burundi should send the draft Constitution to the referendum or to the
Implementation Monitoring Committee to invoke Protocol II Article 15.7 of the
Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement”.
As for power sharing in Burundi, the leaders noted the consultations on power
sharing that had taken place in Bujumbura among the Burundi parties, and
endorsed the Power Sharing Agreement signed in Pretoria on August 6, 2004, as an
“appropriate compromise and mechanism for ensuring ethnic balance in the spirit
of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement”.
The summit endorsed the agreement by signatories of the Pretoria Power Sharing
Agreement that the provisions of the Agreement should be incorporated in the
Constitution of Burundi, voted through a referendum and other relevant
legislation.
Also present at the summit were the Special Representative of the African Union
in Burundi, Ambassador Mamadou Bah, and the Special Representative of the United
Nations Secretary in Burundi, Ambassador Carolyn McAskie.
The Summit reviewed progress made since the last Summit held on June 5, 2004,
and discussed the situation in Burundi extensively, following a briefing by the
facilitator, Deputy President Zuma.
Solution evades leaders
The fighting between Hutus and Tutsis in Burundi has dragged on for 10 years,
resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
The rebel group FDD signed a ceasefire in December but has continued to fight
across Burundi. Although Burundi’s President Ndayizeye is also a Hutu, the FDD
argues that the minority Tutsi still have too much control over the army.
It was expected that there would be calls at the talks for a more active
regional peacekeeping force.
At the moment troops from South Africa and Mozambique have a limited mandate.
Karume launches TPDF’s 40th
anniversary fete
By Burton Brown
Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume today launches The Celebration to mark
40th Anniversary of Tanzania People’s Defence Forces at General Twalipo's Camp
in Dar es Salaam.
The Chief of Defence Forces, General George Waitara, announced this week in Dar
es Salaam that the fortnight celebration will mark its climax September 1,
involving various activities of all TPDF divisions and brigades countrywide.
“The event should not be regarded solely as a military affair, it is our
souvenir for all citizens of this country, therefore we expect to have full
involvement of the general public since they were part of the whole
achievement,” he said.
The Msata demonstration will wind up on August 30 in the presence of President
Benjamin Mkapa, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces.
President Mkapa is also scheduled to officiate at a special funeral ceremony for
TPDF soldiers who died in Mozambique during the country’s liberation struggles,
to be held at Naliendele, Mtwara Region, on August 23.
The Minister for Labour, Youth Development and Sports, Professor Juma Kapuya, is
also scheduled to join the fray, launching the anniversary sports festival,
which will involve TPDF arts and entertainment groups.
The TPDF chief said President Mkapa would again play a leading role at the
climax of the anniversary festivities on September 1, when he is scheduled to
formally receive participants of the Msata military demonstration at the
National Stadium in the City, as a sign of welcoming back soldiers from war.
Zanzibaris speak out on latest
turmoil
By Fakih Yussuf Mohammed and
Lina Lorentz
Following the recent upsurge of political turmoil in Zanzibar with CUF demanding
for UN assistance, Zanzibaris have expressed their concern over how politicians
conduct their business.
The debacle began when CUF members wrote a letter to the UN via the UNDP
Resident Representative John Hendra, asking for the organisation to be prepared
to send independent election observers to oversee Zanzibar’s political accord
and next year’s general elections.
CCM and some opposition parties regarded this as a violation of the Muafaka
agreement, which stipulates that if any problems occur in relations to the
political accord, the two sides should solve them without outsiders’
intervention.
Merry Kizuguto from Zanzibar said it was not necessary for CUF to send the
document to UN. The political situation in Zanzibar is good; people are going on
with their daily activities and the implementation of the political accord
between CCM and CUF is going well, she said.
“Opposition parties always try to exaggerate things for their own benefit
without caring for the public interest,” Kizuguto noted.
The Deputy Director of Propagation and Information of CUF, Salum Abdullah Bimani
said that the action taken by the party was important. “Nearly 10,000 CUF
members signed the letter, demonstrating the importance of the issue,” he said.
Among many grievances, CUF has noted that a director for the new-look Zanzibar
Election Commission has not been appointed. Bimani said CUF has received reports
showing that 35 immigrants from Tanzania Mainland had arrived in Zanzibar in
order to register in the Permanent Voters Register.
Ali Omar Lumumba told The Express in Zanzibar that sending the letter to UN was
wise. “If UN take actions, it would end the political chaos in Zanzibar,” he
said.
Nadia Sleyum Zaidi supported CUF’s decision to send the letter but emphasised
that seeking a solution to the problem at home was important before going to UN.
“It seems as if CCM and CUF always misunderstand each other, despite the fact
that there is an agreement. They should stick to it,” she said.
Despite that one year remains before elections are due, the political rhetoric
is heating up in Zanzibar. Recently, the Zanzibar government issued a statement
saying that there were no political conflicts in the island and that the
reconciliation agreement between CCM and CUF was followed with 90 per cent
satisfaction.
Redundant workers fail to
reach home
By Kizitto Joseph
Some Local Government workers, who were recently made redundant, are seeking
compensation at Tanzania Local Government Workers Union (TALGWU) regional
offices.
General Secretary for TALGWU, Jackson Makongwa told The Express last week that
these workers have failed to vacate their work places due to lack of sufficient
fare packages, taking them from their working areas to their home villages.
“They have not actually come into the head office but they are queuing in our
regional offices, asking for assistance,” said Makongwa.
Makongwa said the travelling payment of Tsh. 12 per kilometre usually paid by
the government is not applicable at present because of the noticeable rise in
transport expenses.
“This was the rate passed by the Parliament in 1972 and there are so many
amendments of this law. According to our estimates the fare should be Tsh. 30
per kilometre,” he said.
Having payment vouchers at hand, Makongwa said the rate of Tsh. 12 per kilometre
justifies payment of less than Tsh. 5,000 per employee with more than 30 years
working experience. He said some people fail to leave for home and are therefore
compelled to seek assistance.
He said that TALGWU is in its final stages of collecting the names of the
concerned people and present them before court for injunction.
“The union cannot provide money for fare, but it can highlight some legal
aspects to be presented before court. These people should be re-employed or paid
accordingly,” he said.
From June 30 this year, Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI)
ordered all municipal councils to retrench its workers as a move to bring about
changes and improvement.
More than 1,000 workers in Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Tanga, Arusha, Shinyanga,
Mara and Mtwara Regions have already been provided with letters for termination
of their employment.
Govt clears outstanding debts
By Kizitto Joseph
The government has begun to pay back some of the Tsh. 18 billion it should have
paid teachers between 1995 and 2003.
According to Secretary General for Tanzania Teachers’ Union (TTU) Yahya Msulwa,
the Ministry of Education and Culture is paying the debt through vouchers in the
concerned teachers’ working areas.
“We have been informed that the Ministry of Education and Culture has started
clearing its debts. We are preparing a letter to all our Regional Secretaries
asking them to give us feedback. I cannot tell how many teachers have already
been paid,” said Msulwa last week.
Secondary and college teachers can expect to receive Tsh. four billion (which
they had claimed for various reasons) but which the Ministry failed to pay them
on time.
According to TTU, teachers were supposed to be paid for upgrading, studies,
leaves and shifts between 1995 and 2003.
Also, the Ministry for Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI)
has built up a debt of Tsh. 13 billion in the same period; of which Tsh. one
billion is debts for ripen insurance.
Msulwa said TAMISEMI is in the initial stages to clear out its debt. “This
Ministry has formed a team to investigate the reasons for the delay of the
payment and we expect it will soon start paying,” he said.
Many teachers have been put in a difficult economic situation as a result of the
failure of various Ministries to pay their employees on time.
Express photographer scoops
SADCC Award
By Kizito Makoye
The Express staff photographer, Leonard Magomba has emerged a shining star in
SADC Media Competition Award after winning US$ 2,000 (Tsh. 2,000,000) in the
photojournalism category.
Magomba was announced a winner and awarded the money along with a certificate at
the opening of the summit of heads of state and government in Mauritius by
Tanzania’s Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office responsible for
Information and Policy, Seif Khatib. It was the first time SADC gave an award
for photography and the first time a Tanzanian won any price in the competition.
“It was real honour to receive the award and the warmest congratulations from
the President,” Magomba told The Express when he returned from Mauritius
yesterday.
“Visiting Mauritius was very special. The whole trip gave me true memories for
life,” Magomba added.
Announcing the winners, the Minister said the photojournalism award was
announced for the first time since the competition began.
“These awards provide an opportunity for media practitioners in the region to
write about regional integration issues,” he said.
Others who emerged victorious included Wapamesa Christopher from Zambia who is
working for the country’s National Broadcasting Corporation, and Takawira Musara
of Zimbabwe’s The Voice newspaper, who won in the print category
In the radio category the winner, Tshepo Ikaneng from South African Broadcasting
Corporation, walked away with a cash prize of US$ 1,000 (Tsh. 1,000,000) plus a
certificate.
Minister Khatibu challenged female journalists to participate in the
competition. The outgoing SADC Chairman, President Benjamin Mkapa, presented all
winners with their awards.
Sexual corruption hampers
education
By Nestory Ngwega, Tanga
Sexual corruption in schools is a major reason behind the decline of educational
standards in the country.
The statement was made by secondary school students of Lushoto District, at a
workshop on corruption organized by the Tanga Youth Development Association
(TAYODEA).
They said that many teachers in schools have cultivated a bad habit of using
students to please their sexual needs. As a result, there has been a decline in
discipline together with educational standards.
The students further said that there is a big difference in behaviour between
yesterday’s teachers and the teachers of today.
Explaining further they said sexual corruption was rampant in schools, to the
extent that that many female students thought that they could not pass their
examinations without having an affair with a teacher.
The students urged the government to take note of teachers’ habits and carry out
investigations to find out the reasons for the decline in education in the
country.
In his opening speech the Lushoto District Administrative Secretary, Mohamed
Bimbile advised students to be in the frontline in the battle against
corruption.
He said corruption, be it sexual or not, was harmful to students as well as to
the whole society because its impact touches on all walks of life.
He challenged students to report to the PCB or any nearby government official
when their teachers tried to influence them to fall into corruption.
Water channelling costs 27bn/-
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
The government has stood by its decision of implementing the project of
channelling water from Lake Victoria to Kahama town and Shinyanga Municipality,
saying the decision will not affect Lake Victoria.
The Minister for Water and Livestock Development, Edward Lowassa sounded this
when he recently visited the project area at Ihelele Village, Misungwi District,
Mwanza Region.
The water will be for domestic use, he said. Adding, even if the water will be
used for irrigation purposes, still it will not reduce the amount of water in
Lake Victoria.
He gave the example of Egypt and Sudan that use Lake Victoria’s water for
irrigation in all agricultural seasons, yet that has not reduced the amount of
water in the lake.
President Benjamin Mkapa, Lowassa said, will officially inaugurate the project
construction in December this year.
The first phase of the project, as explained by the Director of Water Supply and
Sewerage in the Ministry of Water and Livestock Development, Balthazar Njau
would cost Tsh. 27 billion in all. It would deal with the construction of
machineries at the water source and laying pipes from the water source,
including construction of a huge tank at Mabale Mountain.
Thereafter, in different stages, pipes would be laid between Mabale water tank
and Solwa Village; between Solwa Village and Kahama town; and between Solwa
Village and Shinyanga Municipality.
Around 54 villages, where the pipes will pass, are expected to benefit from the
project.
DAS asked to resign
By Emmanuel Lazaro, Dodoma
District Administrative Secretaries (DAS) and District Councils Executive
Directors countrywide have been directed to resign from their present political
posts, so that they can supervise the coming local government elections
impartially.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Regional Administration and Local
Government, Deotrephes Mmari when closing a meeting of district administrative
secretaries gave the directive in Dodoma last week. The meeting discussed a
Schedule of Election Regulations for members of village and ward governments.
Already, he said complains have been raised concerning some district councils
directors’ impartiality as they are the committee members of various political
parties.
Mmari said the director on his part is the election supervisor and the
administrative secretary is chairperson of the district appeal committee,
therefore they ought to be non-aligned to any political party or contestant.
Tanzanians advised to write
wills
By Ashton Balaigwa, Morogoro
Tanzanians have been advised to write their wills in good time in order to avoid
inheritance conflicts, which may arise during distribution of their properties.
The advice was sounded last week by the Magistrate-In-Charge of Nunge Primary
Court in Morogoro Jane Meela, when presenting a paper on Law of Inheritance and
Wills at a workshop of Women Legal Aids Centre (TAWLAC) branch leaders, held at
Morogoro Municipal hall.
Magistrate Meela said she was forced to give the advice after having encountered
many people who felt uneasy with writing their own wills, fearing they might die
soon after completing the will.
Writing wills in good time, she said, will ease distribution of the deceased’s
properties and other inheritances. Meela emphasised the importance of building a
culture of writing wills so as to remove obstacles that may arise due to having
no death certificate.
Moreover, participants at the workshop requested the government to take
concerted efforts of repealing or amending laws, which humiliate and oppressed
women.
‘Halt arrest of food vendors’
By Emmanuel Lazaro, Dodoma
Dodoma Municipality Management has been directed to stop the exercise of
arresting food vendors who are conducting businesses around Dodoma Regional
Hospital, until they demarcate them special areas.
Elias Ntrambigwa, the Chairman of Youth League Dealing with Human Dignity and
Environment (Youth-PHDAPETA) in Dodoma Municipality, claimed this.
Ntrambigwa said the act of the Municipality of dispatching militia to arrest
women food vendors has contributed to corruption among the militia who seeks the
opportunity to collect around Tsh. 1,000 from each food vendor daily.
Moreover, the arrests have humiliated vendors as the militia beat and rob them
of their foodstuffs, including their utensils.
Ntrambigwa said that Youth-PHDAPETA has urged the Municipal Council Executive
Director to stop the exercise and suggested to take steps of preparing suitable
areas for food vendors.
According to the Youth League’s evaluation, the Regional Hospital will not be
affected if the Municipal Council allows construction of a special pavilion for
the vendors.
Visitors to the hospital, as pointed out by Ntrambigwa, buy food from vendors,
and vendors provide special food to patients, which the hospital cannot provide.
Education not a priority
By Simon Berege, Morogoro
Marrying multiple wives and excessive alcohol intake has been observed as major
causes for the setback in educational development in some Kilosa District
villages.
According to research conducted by Tanzania Youth Culture Development Centre
(TYCDC), the situation becomes worse during harvesting period when residents
have stable household economies.
“After harvest men see it is prestigious to marry more wives and spend a lot on
drinking. They don’t remember to save to education for their children,” said the
TYCDC chairperson Mwajabu Kibwana.
She said the first phase of the research, sponsored by Foundation for Civil
Society, included six villages: Mkwatani, Kivungu, Mamoyo, Mabwerebwere,
Chanzulu and Malangali and was conducted by means of debates, participatory
artistic plays and open discussions, covering more than 10,000 people.
“I think it would be better if the government and NGOs ran more sensitisation
programmes emphasising the importance of education and making it an priority in
people’s everyday lives,” commented Kibwana.
Kibwana said TYCDC would start making field evaluation on the impact of the
awareness campaigns they conducted in the six villages to pave the way for
coming programmes.