Ngorongoro MP surrenders to Police after journalists attack

Arusha/Dar. Ngorongoro MP Emmanuel OleShangay, CCM, on Monday, August 21, surrendered himself to Arusha Central Police Station after accusations that he had a role on the attack of journalists.
Upon arrival, he was directed to report at a station in Karatu District.
Last week, some journalists were attacked at Enduleni area by a group of youth as the reporters were reportedly “delivering public awareness” over the voluntary relocation of the Ngorongoro residents to Msomera Village in Handeni District, Tanga Region.
The MP who was accompanied by lawyers and councillors said he had reported at the station after consulting the Home Affairs minister Hamad Masauni, National Assembly Speaker Tulia Ackson and other senior party leaders.
However, law enforcers in Arusha told him to report at a police station in Karatu District where his file had been opened.
“I have been told that other suspects are held there and that officers are waiting for my arrival in order to question me,” he said, as he was preparing to travel to Karatu.
He surrendered himself to the police station after receiving information that he was being hunted and that his life was in danger, especially after police arrived at his home at night.
Speaking of a report that has gone viral on social media showing him as directing citizens to attack police officers who would visit their homes during the night, he said it was delivered three months ago and targeted game wardens.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Ngorongoro youth yesterday asked the government to suspend ongoing arbitrary arrest of residents in the area.
They said law enforcement agents have launched arrests of people in the area following reports of journalists’ attacks.
Journalists who were alleged to have been attacked and their respective media houses in brackets are; Ferdinand Shayo (ITV) and Denis Msacky (Media Brain).
Others are Habib Mchange (Jamvi la Habari), Elia Kinian (Channel Ten), Janeth Joseph (Mwananchi), Dickson Busagaga (Clouds Media) and a translator Lengai Ngoishiye.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Mr Ezekiel Olemangi said police have launched a house to house manhunt, whereby citizens are unreasonably arrested and beaten.
“Relocation from the area is a voluntary move, it is a strong violation of human rights once it is turned to be forceful,” he told journalists at the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) offices.
“For the fifth day some people have hidden themselves in the bushes fearing the l wave of arrests,” he added.
He called on authorities to suspend the operation, noting that already people have acquired enough awareness of the exercise.
He said the ongoing incidents inflicts fear, conflicts and misunderstanding because arrests happening during the night contravene with principles of human rights.
Another representative, Mr Melubo Poshe said residents who have chosen to remain at the Ngorongoro Area are subjected to difficulties.
He said head teachers have been directed to transfer the school capitation grants to a school in Msomera Village, Handeni District, Tanga Region where some who have accepted have been relocated to.