Police still detaining journalist who exposed alleged sexual assault committed by government official
What you need to know:
- The online journalist was first arrested for questioning on June 13, 2024.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's police force is still detaining journalist and owner of the Dima Online website, Ms Dinna Maningo, for allegedly exposing confidential investigation documents pertaining to the sexual assault said to have been committed by the former Simiyu Regional Commissioner, Dr Yahya Nawanda.
The online journalist was first arrested for questioning on June 13, 2024.
Information from her lawyer indicates that Ms Maningo is facing accusations of publishing the said confidential investigation reports.
Following the reports, the former presidential appointee accused of sodomizing a female student was immediately removed from office by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
On June 10, 2024, the website owned by this journalist was the first to publish news about allegations against the former Simiyu Regional Commissioner. The allegations involved him sodomizing a college student in Mwanza, with the police force confirming his detention for investigation.
Reports indicate that Maningo was arrested at her home in Tarime, Mara region, on June 13, 2024.
It is also reported that two more journalists, Samwel Mwanga and Constatine Mathias, have been arrested in Simiyu. The arrests of these two journalists were reported by the Simiyu Press Club.
Upon her arrest on June 13, the Mwanza Regional Journalists Club arranged for a lawyer after receiving information about the journalist's arrival in the region from Tarime, Mara.
"He arrived here this evening, and after receiving information that he was being brought to Mwanza, we prepared accordingly and the lawyer is already with him," Edwin Soko, chairman of the organization explained.
Regarding the other two arrests, it was reported that on June 17, people who identified themselves as police officers arrested Constantine Mathias at his home for questioning. The Simiyu Regional Crime Officer confirmed the arrest.
