Former Tanzania CDF Waitara to lead team to probe MV Nyerere disaster
What you need to know:
- Former Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen George Waitara will lead a seven-member team that will probe consequences that led to the capsizing of MV Nyerere at Ukara Island, Ukerewe on Thursday, September 20. Over 220 people were killed in the accident.
Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has named a team of seven people under the chairmanship of Gen George Waitara, the retired Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), to investigate causes of the MV Nyerere disaster.
Speaking on Monday, September 24, after inspecting the uprighting of the capsized ferry on Lake Victoria on Ukara islet, the premier named Ukerewe lawmaker Joseph Mkundi as one of the team members.
Former Tanzania Electrical, Mechanical and Electronics Services Agency (Temesa) chief executive director Marcelina Magesa will also be in the team. “Her experience in Temesa is much needed in formulating terms of references for the probe team,” he said, during an event televised live.
He named other members as advocate Julius Kalolo, who will be charged with reviewing the legal system used in operating ferries, and Ms Queen Mlozi.
Others are police senior officer Cammilus Wambura and Mr Bashiru Taratibu Hussein from the Department of Disaster Management in the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The team is supposed to start working immediately,” he said. “After reorganising itself, the team should collect terms of reference that will lead it during the investigation. I want this job to be completed in one month time.”
