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Tanzanian police silent over alleged sexual assault by senior government official
Since it transpired, the incident has triggered nationwide discussions and concerns. PHOTO | Shutterstock
What you need to know:
- Since it transpired, the incident has triggered nationwide discussions and concerns. Some voices in these discussions are calling on the Police Force to break their silence and take legal action against the accused.
Mwanza/Dar. The silence by the Police Force over allegations against a senior government official in one of the Lake Zone regions, accused of sexually assaulting a student, has raised questions, as others try to figure out why the police, who are mandated to ensure the safety of citizens, would choose not to address such a serious matter.
Since it transpired, the incident has triggered nationwide discussions and concerns. Some voices in these discussions are calling on the Police Force to break their silence and take legal action against the accused.
Mwananchi has been in pursuit of senior figures within the Police Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs to shed light on the actions being taken regarding the suspect. However, attempts to get a response from the police have been met with silence.
David Misime, the police spokesperson responsible for addressing such matters, has been unreachable for two days. Despite sending a WhatsApp message, which was delivered and blue-ticked, there has been no response.
Efforts to contact the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Camillius Wambura, the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Ramadhan Kingai, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Hamad Yusuf Masauni, have been unsuccessful.
Even the accused Regional Commissioner himself has remained silent regarding the allegations against him concerning the incident that reportedly occurred in Mwanza.
Yesterday attempts to reach out to Said Mtanda, the Regional Commissioner of Mwanza, were fruitless. He had previously mentioned being unaware of the incident and that he was following up on the matter.
Similarly, repeated calls to the phone of Wilbroad Mutafungwa, the Mwanza Regional Police Commander, went unanswered yesterday. He had earlier mentioned attending a funeral.
These leaders are being sought after to address reports obtained by Mwananchi from various sources, indicating that the student involved reported the matter to the Police Gender and Children's Desk, and preliminary investigative measures have been undertaken.
It is alleged that after reporting the incident on June 3 of this year and undergoing examination at Sekou Toure Hospital, the Mwanza Regional Police Force forwarded preliminary reports to DCI Kingai, who, however, has not issued any statements.
The silence surrounding this issue has fueled substantial online debate, with concerns raised about the delay in police action.
Some have gone as far as suggesting that the silence of the police could embolden further acts of misconduct in society.
An investigation by Mwananchi from various sources in Mwanza, Dodoma, and Dar es Salaam indicates that the inquiry into the matter is shrouded in secrecy, with attempts to downplay the issue quietly.
Yesterday, Mwananchi visited Sekou Toure Hospital, where the 21-year-old student and victim of sexual assault were examined. The Mwananchi reporter had a conversation with one of the medical staff (name withheld), who confirmed providing treatment to the student.
The official admitted that the student was attended to on June 3; however, detailed information was not provided, citing doctor-patient confidentiality.
How it supposedly happened
In yesterday's edition of Mwananchi newspaper, through its sources, the alleged encounter between the regional chief and the girl was narrated.
It was reported that the suspect initiated a relationship with the student in January 2024 in Mwanza.
Their first meeting occurred at a birthday party, where the suspect was reportedly the guest of honour. They exchanged contacts and began communicating regularly via phone calls.
According to a source, during their initial encounter, the official proposed unnatural sexual acts, which the student declined.
Despite her refusal, the official is reported to have persisted, promising a better life for her.
On the day of the incident, sources claimed the suspect employed various tactics to coerce the student into meeting him at a famous hangout joint in Mwanza.
"After some time, he suggested they continue their conversation in his car, citing important matters to discuss. It was there that he insisted on unnatural sexual acts," hinted one source.
Another source from a government office in Dodoma alleged that the official fulfilled his desires after reaching his car parked in the club's lot.
"It's reported that the student didn't consent. She felt intimidated, knowing him as an honourable figure and fearing his authority," said another source.
Reports suggest that on June 3 of this year, a day after the assault, the student reported the incident at the Police Gender and Children's Desk in Mwanza.
She was heard and subsequently taken to a major city hospital for examination.
