Crackdown on poachers halted after Bunge protests over abuse

By Peter Nyanje, The Citizen

Posted  Friday, November 1  2013 

In Summary

• The operation was launched recently amidst fears that poachers were decimating the elephant population and threatening the rich tourism sector.
• Tourism minister Khamis Kagasheki  also directed that all property seized from the public during the botched operations be returned forthwith and unconditionally. 

Dodoma. The controversial security operation to flush out suspected poachers was suspended yesterday amid protests that the law had been broken.

Natural Resources and Tourism minister Khamis Kagasheki announced the indefinite suspension in Parliament.

The operation was launched recently amidst fears that poachers were decimating the elephant population and threatening the rich tourism sector.

The minister also directed that all property seized from the public during the botched operations be returned forthwith and unconditionally.

The move followed a heated debate in the Parliament, during which MPs criticised how the government rolled out the operation.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, who was present during the debate, had to endure sustained attacks from the floor over the twin issues of poaching and long-running conflicts between pastoralists and farmers.

Some MPs asked the PM to resign on a hard day for the front bench, with ministers Kagasheki and his Livestock and Fisheries Development counterpart, Dr Mathayo David, and other ministers not in the House coming under severe criticism over their oversight role in the two conflicts.

Speaker Anne Makinda later presided over a special session that formed a Select Committee of Parliament to probe the prolonged farmer-pastoralist tensions.

Usual business was halted to dwell on the reports of human rights abuse during the anti-poaching drive and land conflicts pitting the two camps.

Ms Makinda asked the government to furnish the Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Tourism with detailed information on how Operation “Tokomeza” was carried out.

The move is expected to offer the committee insights into mounting reports of killings and gross abuse of human rights by a multi-disciplined force entrusted to carry out the operation.

Members of the public and human rights campaigners in Morogoro, Katavi, Manyara and Tarime have raised the alarm over killings of suspects they claim are innocent.

Several people have been shot and injured while arbitrary arrests continue alongside confiscation of properties.

The debate unfolded soon after Mr Kagasheki and Dr Mathayo presented their ministerial statements.

Mr Kagasheki told Parliament that the government had decided to halt the operation pending an investigation to establish what actually happened.

“I also ordered the operation commander that all impounded cattle to be returned to their owners without any conditions,” he added.

Dr Mathayo apologised to those who had lost their cattle and crops and those injured in numerous operations to evict pastoralists from wetlands.

“In order to make sure that this is not repeated,” he said, “the government has started implementing various programmes on better land management and use.”

He noted that 1,358 dams have been built alongside 85 deep wells to provide water for pastoralists.

Many MPs who joined he debate pointed an accusing finger at the government, saying it had neglected the problems until they reached breaking point.

Mr John Shibuda (Maswa West–Chadema) said if there was anyone to blame for the sorry state it was Premier Pinda, whom he accused of failing to act until people were killed, others maimed and property lost.

“CCM legislators who have expressed dismay over this situation should start by asking their Prime Minister where he was when all this was happening right under his watch,” Mr Shibuda added.

Pauline Gekul (Special Seats–Chadema) also laid the blame on Mr Pinda and Mr Kagasheki, claiming that the turn of events was the result of their controversial statements.

She added: “It is the Prime Minister who directed the state organ to beat up people…. Mr Kagasheki also made an unfortunate statement in Arusha that wardens should shoot to kill people accused of poaching. These two should rescind their statements and be made accountable.”

Ms Gekul said it was amazing that state officers penalised people who were mere suspects.

“Since when did this Parliament enact a law that suspects should be shot without being heard?” she asked after citing the example of a woman who was abducted from her business in Manyara region and was then locked up, tortured and killed by those conducting Operation Tokomeza.

Several other MPs called for the resignation of a number of ministers over the scandal.

The targets included the ministers for Home Affairs (Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi), Defence and National Service (Shamsi Vuai Nahodha), Natural Resources and Tourism (Mr Kagasheki) and Livestock Development and Fisheries (Dr Mathayo).

Mr Alphaxard Kangi Lugola (Mwibara–CCM) said these ministers should face the axe as their actions and inactions resulted in spilling the blood of innocent Tanzanians.

Armed with a book he claimed contained evidence of the atrocities committed by government officials, Mr Lugola called on his fellow MPs to ignore the statements tabled by the two ministers on the grounds that they were sugar-coated to please them.

Charged MPs protested the targeting of ordinary villagers who had nothing to do with poaching when, they claimed, the real culprits were left untouched.

Mr Said Mkumba (Sikonge–CCM) said Mr Kagasheki, Dr Nchimbi and Dr Mathayo had a case to answer before their party and their appointing authority because they slept on the job.

He called for Parliament’s intervention, arguing that the lawmakers were tired of numerous false promises that the government would take action.

“This time we should be told who exactly is involved in terrorising pastoralists and what action has been taken against them,” he said.

Ms Halima Mdee (Kawe–Chadema) said all those found liable should be arrested and prosecuted and people who have lost their properties should be compensated.

The MPs to sit on the Select Committee will be named next week. The motion to form the committee was read by former minister Prof Peter Msolla--to unanimous approval after scores of MPs contributed the government-bashing session.