MISSING THE POINT : Dearth of professionalism in the police is worrying

In some of my previous articles, I have urged the police not to take us back to the 1947s era. Today, I’m again writing to urge the police, who have the Constitutional powers to maintain law and order, to wisely exercise such powers when fulfilling their obligations taking into consideration the changing times and the fact that we are a new generation altogether.

Since 1992, when the multi-party system was re-introduced, some police officers have shown ‘lack of wisdom’ in dealing with political issues relating to opposition parties.

We will recall some regrettable moments when the police used tear gas to prevent Mr Agustino Mrema’s supporters from carrying him, or even pushing his vehicle. This was during the first multi-party General Election in 1995.

It was the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere who came to the rescue of the opposition leader when he asked which provision of the Political Parties Act or article in the national Constitution had the supporter breached by carrying Mr Mrema.

Sadly, even after that, we still witness several cases of abuse of power and position by zealots within the police force, targetting only opposition leaders and their supporters.

Recently, the Mwanza Regional Police prohibited Chadema leaders, members and supporters, from giving their last respects to the party’s Geita chairman, the late Alphonse Mawazo. This unlawful police order was later revoked by the High court in Mwanza. This was one of the now many examples of incidents where the police can trample on the rights of the very people they are supposed to protect.

Last month, the police in Zanzibar used teargas and live bullets to disperse CUF supporters who had turned in numbers to cheer their secretary-general Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad during one of his routine official tours of the Isles.

And right now we are witnessing what amounts to a targetted police crackdown on opposition leaders who had arranged public rallies. They are even blocking the opposition from holding indoor meetings! It is shocking enough that this is happening when there is no law that prohibits public rallies; but the police have the audacity to even block parties from conducting internal meetings!

While members and supporters of opposition parties are not allowed to gather even in their party’s offices as was witnessed in Shinyanga on June 8, this year, it is not the same when it comes to the ruling CCM.

CCM members from Mahina Ward in Mwanza city last week gathered at the party’s office, rented three cars and marched to their Nyamagana District offices, just a few metres from the central police station, where they were received and addressed by their leaders without police interference.

In a bid to explain this to the media, Mwanza Regional Police Commander Ahamed Msangi said the police had not received intelligence that the gathering could turn chaotic.

Since when did the police start defining security threat as opposition activities? Collecting intelligence is one of the core responsibilities of State security organs because it’s their duty to curb crime.

But it is impossible to believe the RPC’s excuse because it really looks like someone trying to hide behind his fingers on a matter of national interest. It is also sad to note that our police officers have assumed the role of interpreters when it comes to seeking the “deeper” or “hidden” meanings in political speeches and religious teachings, as they have done in the recent Zitto Kabwe and Bishop Josephat Gwajima cases.

What are we saying? The police need to act professionally in controlling real or perceived chaotic scenes that they want to link to political rallies or meetings. They must also learn to demonstrate the need for using minimum force as opposed to excessive force in controlling political activities that may turn chaotic.

In late 2000, when the current MP for Simanjiro, Mr James Ole Millya (Chadema), was still a CCM member and youth wing (UVCCCM) chairman in Arusha Region, the police acted professionally when dealing with a small group that had planned to disrupt the ruling party’s activities. Initially, the police, through the then Officer Commanding Arusha district (OCD), Mr Zuberi Mwambeji, had banned the activity after getting intelligence on the disruption. But they were forced to stand guard while the event proceeded after UVCCM members refused to heed the police order.

Mr Saramba is The Citizen Bureau Chief in the Lake Zone. He can be reached at +255766434354

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