Mr Shamsi Vuai NahodhaMr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha
Written by CHRISTOPHER MAJALIWA in Dodoma
THE government has pledged that it will take stern measures against any security official who will be confirmed to have violated human rights in evicting illegal immigrants in the ongoing ‘Operation Kimbunga.
’ Defence and National Service Minister, Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, told the National Assembly on Tuesday that the operation was launched with good faith, although there could be some overzealous officers who might have applied force and harassed the immigrants.
He said there has been information to the effect that there were some security officers who deliberately mistreated the immigrants, promising that all proven culprits would be punished after thorough investigation. Mr Nahodha was responding to a supplementary question by Mr Freeman Mbowe (Hai -Chadema) who claimed that some security officials were mistreating the immigrants, violating their rights and even netting those who were legally residing in the country.
Mr Mbowe, who is also Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, wanted to know the measures that would be taken against security officials who would be found to have used excessive force in the operation. "The operation, which was ordered by President Jakaya Kikwete, was decided upon in good faith.
It is amazing that some officials took advantage of the situation by mistreating people and totally violating human rights. Is the government ready to compensate the victims and hold responsible all those who mistreated them?" Mr Mbowe questioned.
The government also vowed to intensify efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants by establishing road blocks in all roads leading to the border regions, in addition to intensifying patrols in hotels and guest houses.
Mr Nahodha added that extra search was applied in the big towns and cities, including Dar es Salaam, which illegal immigrants used as hideouts. The minister also said that immigration officials stepped up inspections on buses along highways.
Some immigrants use road transport to escape from one place to another., the government has reiterated its commitment to send soldiers to the peace-keeping missions, reiterating that it has no plans to pull out its forces in such war zones as Darfur and eastern DRC. Mr Nahodha cleared the air over the widespread fear on the security of Tanzanian soldiers on peace-keeping missions in DR Congo and Darfur.
There have been killings of soldiers from Tanzania in the mentioned war zones, creating fear over their security and survival. Mr Nahodha said the killings of Tanzanian soldiers while on peace-keeping missions were just a challenge that cannot dishearten the country's spirit of helping to keep peace in such areas.
"We can’t sit back and watch as insecurity engulfs the Congo and other neighbouring countries; we must take part in bringing the situation to a peaceful solution. We are not safe if our neighbours are unstable and unsecured," he observed.
The minister was responding to a supplementary question asked by Ms Esther Bulaya (Special Seats - CCM), who wanted to know the status of the Tanzanian peacekeepers in the war-torn zones.
She also wanted the government to assure Tanzanians over the security status and well-being of their relatives who were posted in the areas. Mr Nahodha also said that the government would chart better ways to improve the welfare of peacekeepers, as they were doing a commendable job that deserved appreciation.
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