Rights defenders fault arrest order

Dar es Salaam. Human rights defenders have condemned the recent order by Mbeya regional commissioner Albert Chalamila for all Ngole villagers in Ilunga District to be arrested in connection with damaged water infrastructure.

“The regional commissioner’s order is ambiguous, unreasonable, irrational and outrageous in its defiance of logical reason or moral standard,” wrote Abdul Nondo, the chairman of the Tanzania Students’ Network (TSN). “Nobody supports damage to infrastructure, my concern is the way this issue is being handled,” he added.

Commenting on the matter, the director of Change Tanzania, Ms Maria Sarungi, expressed concern that following the order innocent people might be arrested.

“Collective punishment is no longer acceptable by law. Arresting all villagers means innocent people such as children and elders, who in real sense cannot participate in such vandalism, will be included,” said Ms Anna Henga, the executive director of Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) via telephone yesterday.

Ms Henga further called on the Police Force in Mbeya to concentrate on investigating the incident and arresting only people who were involved in damaging the infrastructure.

Mbeya Regional Police Commander Ulrich Matei formed a special task force to implement the RC’s directive.

“It is true that we have arrested some people from the village, but we don’t want this to be blown out of context by the media,” he said, adding: “Some villagers have started to flee their homes.”

Mr Chalamila issued the directive during a meeting with councilors this week and ordered the police force to arrest all people suspected of damaging the water infrastructure.

Mr Chalamila said he had received complaints from Mashese villagers about the damage. He further cited unlawful actions by villagers, saying they were aimed at jeopardising the government’s efforts to address the shortage of water in rural areas.

When reached for comment about the matter, Mashese village Chairman Mr Osia Mwakalila said since on August 14 his villagers had no access to water due to damage on water infrastructure.

“When we studied the reason for the water crisis at the village, we came to find out that the damage was done by our neighbors from Ngole village,” he said.

He added. “We therefore reported the matter to the regional commissioner’s office in attempt to seek for a resolution.”

The Chairman further asserted that he had no idea why their neighbors had done such damage to the infrastructure.

Responding, the Chairman of Ngole village Mr Bosco Tayari said he was not aware of the accusations, noting that he would learn the matter first to know the truth.

“What I know is that, there are on-going land disputes between the two villages for centuries. It might be the cause,” he said.

He also revealed that there was nobody who was arrested by the police in connection with the incident.

Backing the arguments, councilor for Ilunga ward, Mr Christopher Njerenje said the damage to water infrastructure was caused by the on-going land disputes between villagers.