Horrid Prisons
By Fatima Grace Bapumia
Sodomy in the country’s prisons is a reality but remains a secret
for those outside the prison walls. Despite warnings from prison authorities not
to reveal the secrets of the conditions in the prisons, an ex –prisoner, Ras
(not his real name) told The Express that sodomy is a common practice in all
three prisons he had been to: Keko, Ukonga and Segerea.
“I have been to all the prisons and none is better than the other, if you are a
newcomer you are subjected to rape, if you report to the prison authorities they
say it’s not their business,” Ras, who has been in and out of prisons for the
last ten years, said.
Ras explained in detailed the conditions in the prisons where the prisoners are
given half a cup of water to be shared between two people and half a bucket of
water per person when using the toilet. “You can’t use the toilet anytime you
feel like, it’s only at 9 o’clock at night when the toilets are open, you are
free to pee but otherwise it’s a once a day party. And when the toilet door is
opened you have to fight your way in,” he said.
According to a paper presented by Dr. L. S. Mmbaga on overcrowding in prisons in
1999, the prisons in the country are overcrowded, 600 per cent more than actual
capacity.
Ras says that this statistics correspond with the picture he has of the prisons.
In a cell built for 50 people there are more than 200 prisoners, waiting to use
the toilet, he said. Ras said if one wants to use he toilet at any other time he
has to exchange sexual favours with the cell prefects.
The Express was informed that prison wardens often sell cigarettes, a luxury
commodity for prisoners, to the prefects who then arrange for men from their
cells to sleep with the wardens. The wardens also arrange for the delinquents to
sleep with the prefects who seek favours with the wardens.
“In Segerea under eighteens are separated from the adult prisoners during the
week but on Saturdays and Sundays it is the sports day. This is when we come
together and this is the time when the adult prisoners have sex with the young
ones at the roof top,” he said.
“Sex is the only currency in the prison, whether you want cigarettes, water,
blankets, clean food or even if you want to use the toilet. If you agree to have
sex with the prefect he takes care of you. And this is how the newcomers get
trapped, the prefects tend to be all nice to them in the beginning and then
demand sex in return,” he said.
Ras further explained if you don’t succumb to the demands of the prison prefects
then you end up being victimised in different ways. “They give you heavy tasks
to perform, they make you sleep next to people with TB, they beat you with
salala and finally they gang rape you,” he said.
Salala is a name given to a whip used by the prefects at night when monitoring
sleeping arrangements known as kulala mchengoma where prisoners are made to
sleep on one side in rows of five facing each other. “You are not allowed to
turn and toss or you get salala on your back,” said Ras adding that if the
bullies want to have sex with you they arrange with the prefects. The prison
authorities are watching but they turn a blind eye to it,” he said.
According to a booklet published by the Tanzania Episcopal Centre in 2001,
overcrowding in the prisons lead to poor supply of basic needs such as food,
beds and medication. Also it leads to the outbreak of infectious diseases such
as tuberculosis, cholera, skin lesions, diarrhoea and HIV/AIDS. Prisoners are
also subjected to psychological damages affecting their self-esteem.
The prison also has a special cell, referred to as “Guest Room” by the prisoners
where all the rich and famous prisoners are kept. “If a rich man or a politician
is brought here, he is kept there; they are given all special services they even
get to listen to the radio, said Ras. According to the Executive Director for
Legal and Human Rights Centre, Helen Kijo-Bisimba, complaints over sodomy in the
prisons were disapproved by prison authorities on the basis of lack of poof to
substantiate the complaints. “But how can a young boy who has been molested in
prison prove it in the court years after his release?” asked Bisimba
The Express has tried to seek comments from the Commissioner of Prisons but they
have yet to reply.
Girls lag behind in maths,
science – teachers urged to change
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
Teachers have been called to improve science and mathematics education to
encourage girls to get more interested in the subjects.
Deputy Mayor of Mwanza City, Maria Hewa said this in a debate for Geledi Primary
School teachers concerning what should be done to improve education in the
country. The one day discussion was organised by an organisation fighting for
women rights, known as KIVULINI.
Hewa said that teachers claim that many girls do not perform well in science and
mathematics; instead they prefer general knowledge and language subjects.
The teachers said that when the girls are in lower classes (Class One to Class
Four), girls and boys perform equally in all subjects. But in upper classes of
primary education, girls lag behind, particularly in maths and science subjects.
Hewa argued that the reason for girls underperforming is that they are faced
with other responsibilities at home. Therefore it is important that teachers do
as much as possible to create an environment in the classrooms which encourages
and pushes girls to learn.
One of the teachers, Elijaneth Moshi advised the Ministry of Education and
Culture to avoid changing syllabuses now and then as this weakens teaching.
Form six results out
By Kizito Makoye
The National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA) released the Advanced
Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations (ACSEE) results yesterday.
Compared to last year, the overall performance quality has dropped presumably
due to abrupt changes in the curricula by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Announcing the results, NECTA’s Acting Executive Secretary, Christopher Mbiku
said out of the 16,884 who sat for the ACSEE examinations in March this year,
14,868 (88.06 per cent) passed in divisions I to III as compared to 12,781
candidates (94.15 per cent) who passed in divisions I-III last year. This is a
reduction of 6.09 per cent.
He said the quality of performance has declined from 91.31 per cent which was
recorded in 2004 to 88.38 percent recorded this year.
Mbiku said the candidates who sat for the same examinations in Zanzibar recorded
a worse performance compared to the previous year. “The quality of performance
has dropped from 92.21 per cent in 2004 to 77.97 per cent this year,” he
stressed.
Mbiku went on saying the total number of candidates who failed the examinations
this year is 522 (3.06 per cent) compared to 264 (1.94 per cent) last year.
The private candidates who sat for ACSEE were 4,504 out of which 1,906 (42.32
per cent) passed in I to III divisions as compared to 1,417 (39.07 per cent) who
passed in the same classifications last year.
NECTA has nullified the examinations results of nine school candidates and eight
private candidates who were involved in cheating.
Among the best ten schools are: Mzumbe, Marian Girls, St. Mary Goreti, Mpwapwa,
Kibaha, Malangali, Ilboru, Kibosho Girls, Kifundilo and Kantalamba.
The results can be viewed at Jangwani, Zanaki, Azania, Tambaza, St. Anthony’s
Mbagala, Kinondoni, Makongo, Jitegemee and Forodhani secondary schools in Dar es
Salaam with effect from tomorrow.
For the candidates who are out of Dar es Salaam the results are posted at the
respective regional educational officers’ offices. The NECTA website
www.necta.co.tz also has the results.
Ignorance mars
voters’ registration – TEMCO
By Kizito Makoye
Tanzanians’ awareness of matters relating to elections is minimal despite
frequent civic education provided through different media.
Research conducted by Tanzania Election Monitoring Committee (TEMCO) of the
University of Dar es Salaam reveals that most prospective voters are ignorant of
registration procedures and rules governing the exercise something likely to
affect the general elections in October.
Preliminary reflections on the registration of voters in the Permanent Voters’
Register (PVR) in Tanzania Mainland revealed that in Bunda District over 250
registered residents had to be recalled to repeat the exercise to avoid
mistakes.
Presenting a paper at a one day meeting conducted by the media council in
collaboration with BBC World Service, Dr. Cosmas Mogella said voters had been
mobilized to register without receiving education on pertinent matters and
procedures.
Sighting an example, Dr. Mogella said in Bagamoyo an elderly man had unknowingly
registered thrice in three adjacent villages where his wives reside. Similar
cases had also been reported in Utete, Rufiji and Hanang in Arusha.
Dr. Mogella said although all registered political parties had an interest in
the registration process only five parties had held public rallies to mobilize
their members to register. This follows lack of human and financial resources as
well as weak institutional bases and grass root level support of political
parties.
The TEMCO research was conducted in four zones covering 15 regions.
According to TEMCO about 50 per cent of the reported cases of interruptions of
the registration process were a result of inadequate distribution of
registration materials.
Women don’t
despair, says Reverend
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
Women should not despair to contest for seats as councillors or parliamentarians
in the coming general elections despite the fact that no woman showed up to
contest for the presidency.
African Inland Church of Tanzania (AICT) Secretary General, Rev Enos Mwendapole
said this in Mwanza last week when closing a five day seminar, which
incorporated representatives of the Department of Women Development and Gender
of the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT)
Rev. Mwendapole reminded women countrywide to participate fully in the next
general elections by voting and contesting for various political posts.
280m/-
earmarked for ferry construction
By Kim Aidan, Morogoro
A total of Tsh. 280 million is expected to be spent on constructing the Kikoma
River ferry which will join Malinyi Division in Ulanga District with Mumba
Division in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region.
Morogoro Regional Energy and Technical officer in-charge, John Gama said this
last week when presenting a report on the ferry construction at the 20th
Regional Roads Board meeting, held in Morogoro Municipality.
A critical analysis concerning the ferry construction, whose weight will be 15
tonnes, already has been completed and the funds will be contributed by both
Ulanga and Kilombero districts.
The Ministry of Works, through the Department of Energy and Technology will
purchase two ferry engines. Provision of the ferryboat will ease communication
between the two divisions.
New system for
meteorologists
By Tunu Ally, Dodoma
The government has provided Tsh. 40 million for training
meteorologists on the new technology of receiving weather forecasts, known as
‘Table Driven Code Form’ to workers of 27 meteorological stations in Tanzania
Mainland, Zanzibar and Pemba.
Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) Director General, Dr. Mohamed Mhita
announced this when opening a ten day training workshop for workers of various
weather stations here in the country.
The new system of obtaining data from Table Driven Code Form will commence in
early November this year; in order to satisfy the requirements of the World
Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The use of codes has many advantages, one of them being long explanations are
reduced or become shortened.
Experimentation of implementation of the new system is scheduled for November
this year, and its usage will officially start in 2010; adding Tanzania is among
the first countries to conduct such important training in Africa.
CCM
‘campaigns’ tricky for NEC to handle
By Kizito Makoye
The National Electoral Commission and the Registrar of political parties have
found it difficult to deal with CCM’s introduction of its presidential nominees
ahead of the official campaigns scheduled for August 21.
Despite frequent but seemingly meagre warnings against CCM, its Secretary
General has vowed to continue with the ‘introduction’ of its presidential
candidates throughout the country. Omari Ramadhan Mapuri said it is not the duty
of the Registrar, John Tendwa to warn parties but that it is the duty of NEC.
NEC being an autonomous government body has a prerogative to act against any
registered political party which contravene the electoral laws, but it
nevertheless fails to take stern action against CCM
The Chairman of NEC, Judge Lewis Makame admitted that in accordance of section
87 of electoral laws no 1 of 1985 it is not proper for a political party to
campaign before the official proclamation of the campaign.
In an interview with The Express Makame, denied claims that NEC is being
directed by CCM. “You know clearly that I am not in favour of any political
party, so do not provoke me… right now I am at the hospital attending my
daughter,” he said.
Meanwhile Zanzibar Electoral Commission has rejected an offer by donor countries
to send two computer technicians to assist with the assessment of data included
in the voters’ register. Reliable sources in Zanzibar said the technicians, who
were sent from South Africa, have been sent back home.
CUF has been accusing CCM of contravening the registration procedures, allowing
people who do not qualify to vote in Zanzibar to register and deny thousands of
CUF’s members to register.
ZEC officials maintain that they did not have prior knowledge of the presence of
the technicians from South Africa.
Mungai
stresses national identity
By Kizito Makoye
For the first time in history Tanzania has officially launched the national
cultural day joining forces with the rest of the world in an attempt to boost
national identity and tourism.
The launching was attended by the Minister for Education and Culture, Joseph
Mungai wearing traditional Maasai attire on the occasion. The Minister said that
it is necessary for Tanzania with over 120 tribes to have a national identity.
Earlier the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Tourism, Salmon Odunga said the number of tourists who have been coming to
Tanzania has been increasing annually adding that 600,000 tourists are expected
this year.
The launching ceremony was coloured with various artists and cultural
performances from various local bands including Shikamoo Jazz Band and Taarab
group.
The cultural gala was attended by various high profile personalities including
diplomats, artists and government officials.
Renowned Taarab artistes from Zanzibar, Fatuma Baraka popularly known as Bi
Kidude and Shakila Saidi were promised by Mungai a handsome reward of Tsh.
500,000 each for their momentous role to promote Tanzanian culture.
The event was jointly organized by Intra-Africa Travel and Tourism (ITTA), the
Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Tourism and Natural
Resources.
RAAWU doubts
VETA’s future
By Kizitto Joseph
The Society for Workers in the Higher Education, Science and
Technology (RAAWU) has raised fears that there will be reorganisations that will
see the establishment of a Tanzania Skills Authority, taking over the
responsibilities of VETA.
RAAWU has reacted against a statement by the Secretary General in the Ministry
of Labour, Youth Development and Sports, Abubakar Rajab that claims that VETA
will not be broken.
Through their leaders at Changombe VETA College, RAAWU says that the government
is indeed planning to establish a Tanzania Skills Authority.
“VETA will be broken and we have documents showing this,” said leaders who
preferred anonymity.
According to them, the abrupt change in leadership in the college was a strategy
to weaken the opposition against the change of VETA to TSA.
Tarmac road
joining Mara, Coast regions in offing
By Beldina Nyakeke, Musoma
Mara Region has been challenged to construct a tarmac road, passing through the
Serengeti National Park, joining Mara and Coastal regions.
Mara Regional Administrative Secretary, Paul Chikira said this at a meeting of
the Roads Board held at Marafip Conference hall, under the chairmanship of Mara
Regional Commissioner, Ambassador Nimrod Lugoe.
The construction of a tarmac road will increase journeys from Mara Region to
other regions and will raise incomes for the region and accelerate development,
he said.
More than Tsh. 1.6 billion has been set aside by Tanzania National Roads Agency
(TANROADS) in Mara Region for rehabilitation of various roads and bridges.
Public information on civic
rights on display
By Tunu Ally, Dodoma
The Rights and Peace Unit of the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT)
is expecting to put up more than 35,000 billboards in the regions of the Central
Zone with messages on civic rights.
The Project Coordinator, Hubert Lubyana said this when speaking to secretaries
of regions of the Central Zone consisting of Tabora, Singida and Dodoma during a
zonal meeting held in Dodoma Municipality.
The Unit, founded in 2001, has been educating people on human rights using the
radio, billboards, leaflets, meetings and seminars, together with discussions.
He said there are basic things which will be given priority and these include
problems concerning humiliation of widows, orphan children, children’s hard
labour, theft, rape and banditry.
Tobacco Day – a reminder of
the dangers
By Angela Mazula
The government has reiterated its responsibility to curb the uses of tobacco in
the country in order to combat the serious problem which might confront the
youth in the near future.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, Minister for Health
said Tanzania is one of the countries which produce tobacco at very high rate.
The production of tobacco has flourished and is one of the big employers of
women and children who are under the age of 18.
He added that the payment which they get from employees do not match the jobs
they do because they work in difficult conditions with extended working periods.
The Minister added that this year’s cerebrations of the International Tobacco
Day will be held in Tabora at the end of this month.
Speaking at the same occasion, Dr. Edward Maganu of World Health Organisation
(WHO) said the use of tobacco is dangerous. About five million people die every
year and the number of smokers today is about 650 million worldwide.
He said tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for diseases in the world
making the economic costs of tobacco use devastating.
New efforts to protect marine
life under way
By Kizitto Joseph
Tanzania’s Marine Parks and Reserves has formed a general management plan with
the aim to tighten the marine security system along the coast of the Indian
Ocean.
Senior Communication Officer, John Mapepele told The Express over the weekend
that part of the plan is to divide the coast into zones of management.
“The zones are Bongoyo, Mbudya, Pangarini and Fungu Yassin Subdirisian. This
will ease control of the biodiversity,” said Mapepele.
Already two meetings have been held to explain the plans’ intention to
stakeholders including hoteliers and fishermen at Kunduchi, Mbweni and Kawe in
Dar es Salaam.
“Everybody will be assigned certain responsibilities to perform and this helps
in bringing marine management closer to people,” said Mapepele.
According the Mapepele, the plan is in the writing process and will later be
forwarded to the body of trustees and later to the minister to be passed as into
law.