Makonda going nowhere: JPM

Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli yesterday defended Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda despite mounting pressure on the Head of State to sack him after he stormed Clouds Media Group (CMG) studios on Friday evening.

Politicians and other media stakeholders have demanded that the President take action against Mr Makonda in the wake of Friday’s incident.

However, speaking during a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the Ubungo interchange in Dar es Salaam, President Magufuli said he would not cave in to pressure to sack Mr Makonda.

He asked Mr Makonda to ignore what was being said about him on social media and continue to serve Dar es Salaam residents.

Dr Magufuli said he would not be influenced by “social media chatter” with regard to his appointees.

“I believe in my abilities and don’t need anyone to make decisions on my behalf…I encourage you (Mr Makonda) to keep working hard and not be distracted by what they are saying on social media.”

President Magufuli also urged Tanzanians not to pay attention to “gossip” on social media.

“Don’t pay attention to gossip being circulated on social media...you should focus on development issues because there is no partisanship when it comes to development,” he said.

Dr Magufuli spoke as politicians and media stakeholders condemned Mr Makonda’s actions.

The Leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament, Mr Freeman Mbowe, who is also the Chadema chairman, directed Chadema councillors and MPs in Dar es Salaam Region not to cooperate with Mr Makonda.

“Since Chadema has many councillors and MPs in Dar es Salaam, I am directing party leaders in the region to declare conflict with Mr Makonda because his actions are unacceptable,” Mr Mbowe said in a statement released on Sunday. Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo) leader Zitto Kabwe termed Mr Makonda’s invasion of CMG premises as a blatant attack on media freedom.

“The RC storming into private property is totally wrong. Forcing one’s way into a media house is a blatant attack on media freedom,” Mr Kabwe, who is also the Kigoma Urban MP, said on his Facebook page.

Newly elected Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) president Tundu Lissu said Mr Makonda has lost credibility and trust to continue serving as Dar es Salaam regional commissioner.

Mr Lissu, who is also the Singida East MP, added that President Magufuli should immediately sack Mr Makonda.

Singida Urban MP Elibariki Kingu was quoted on various social media platforms saying he was ready to be kicked out CCM if condemning Mr Makonda’s actions would be seen as betraying the ruling party.

“People are insulting the President because of Mr Makonda’s actions, and I can no longer tolerate this,” he said. Mr Makonda sparked outrage when widely-circulated CCTV footage showed him entering CMG studios on Friday evening with several armed police officers in tow.

The RC was apparently angered by the station’s decision not to air a video in which a woman claimed that her infant son was fathered by Bishop Josephat Gwajima of the Glory of Christ Tanzania Church.

Bishop Gwajima launched a relentless onslaught against Mr Makonda after the RC named the outspoken preacher as among dozens of people suspected of involvement in the drug trade in Dar es Salaam.

Bishop Gwajima, who was questioned by police and released without charge, hit back by accusing Mr Makonda of using someone else’s Form Four certificate to pursue higher education after failing the Certificate of Secondary Education Examination.

Mr Makonda has not publicly responded to the allegations and despite Bishop Gwajima challenging him to prove otherwise.