Anti-poaching unit accused of killings

By Mussa Juma and Zephania Ubwani in Arusha, Bernard Lugongo in Dar, Peter Nyanje and Frank Kimboy,The citizen

Posted  Wednesday, October 30  2013 

In Summary

Other reports say eight pastoralists from Orbomba Village in Longido District have not been seen since they were arrested last week.

Dar/Dodoma/Arusha. The anti-poaching campaign in the country has come under sharp criticism following reports of widespread human rights abuses, including the killing of a woman believed to have died at the hands of officers of the anti-poaching unit--which is comprised of the police, the army and intelligence officers.

Emaliana Gasper Maro, 46, is reported to have been snatched from her house by people who identified themselves as anti-poachers. They said they wanted to question the resident of Galapo in Babati, Mara Region. This came only a few days after they reportedly grabbed her husband, Elias Kibuga, 56.

Mr Kibuga has not been seen since but Emiliana’s body was found at Mrara hospital mortuary in Babati. Scores others are missing. The officers are also said to have burnt houses and are reported to be holding large herds belonging to pastoralists in Arusha region. The government has reportedly been urged to stop the exercise and ensure that lives and property are respected.

Yesterday, the government came under attack from MPs in Parliament over claims of widespread abuse of human rights.

The Manyara region police commander, Mr Akili Mpwapwa, confirmed the reports but said an ongoing investigation would unearth the truth. “I have received reports of the death of Emaliana and the investigations have started,” Mr Mpwapwa said.

The results of a post-mortem that was jointly carried out by the police and the family doctor have not been made public.

A total of 27 pastoralists and 2,169 livestock are being held by the anti-poaching unit, according to the coordinator of the Tanzania Pastoralist Community Forum, Mr Joseph ole Parsambei. “We will go to court to stop this exercise if human rights violations continue,” said Mr Parsambei.

Other reports say eight pastoralists from Orbomba Village in Longido District have not been seen since they were arrested last week. The unit is also said to be holding 2,000 livestock. Efforts to get the authorities to address the allegations hit a wall.

The minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Khamis Kagasheki, who had set off the special anti-poaching campaign when he gave the shoot-to-kill order during the Global Elephant March in October 4, was tight lipped. “I have nothing to say on that issue,” Mr Kagasheki told The Citizen. “Every ministry has its spokesperson. Talk to him not me.”

The director for Wildlife at the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Alexander Songorwa, referred the matter to Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF). The TPDF spokesman, Mr Erick Komba, told The Citizen he was not aware of the allegations. He added: “The operation is carried out jointly by the police, game wardens and intelligence.”

The Attorney General, Justice Frederick Werema, said no minister had the powers to give a shoot-to-kill order. He told The Citizen: “I did not hear the minister give the order. I suppose he was aggrieved by the high rate of poaching in the country. All security forces must arrest suspects. They can only shoot in self-defence.”

It is estimated that Tanzania loses 30 elephants per day--or 10,000 a year. If the poaching trend persists, there might well be no elephants in Tanzania in 10 years. Of the ivory seized in ports and airports in the past decade, it is estimated that one-third originated from Tanzania. The elephant population in the country has dropped to below 100,000 from about 130,000 a few years ago.

In Parliament, Alphaxard Kangi Lugola, the outspoken Mwibara MP (CCM), said it was amazing that while the actual poachers are known, the government has been targeting people who have nothing to do with the vice.

“We have heard names of people suspected of poaching who include government officials and politicians,” he charged. Mr Lugola wanted the government to table in Parliament a report on Operation Tokomeza, which is aimed at addressing poaching.

Mr James Lembeli (Kahama–CCM) said evidence suggests that public officials, MPs and big businessmen are behind the poaching but they have not been touched.

The State Minister in the PM Office (Policy, Coordination and Parliament), Mr William Lukuvi, said his assistant was arrested two days ago, beaten seriously and tortured--and was released only yesterday by the anti-poaching unit. He added: “We should wait for the operation to end and the ministry will table a report before a relevant committee.”

The acting leader of government business in Parliament, Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, said the government was aware of the accusations and asked those involved in the operation to respect human rights. “There are also politicians who have been influencing this operation,” he added. “When we started, we asked you to bear with us, please give us time and space to conduct this operation.”