Floodlights failure: Seven suspended at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium

Dar es Salaam. The Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports has suspended seven people who work at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium following a blackout during yesterday’s CAF Confederations Cup tie between Yanga and Nigeria's Rivers United.

During the game, which kicked off at 7:00pm, the floodlights went off in the 24^th minute forcing match officials to temporarily send the teams back to the dressing rooms.

Electricity was being supplied using generators, which unfortunately failed, and the country's electricity supplier, Tanesco, had to come to the rescue.

Following the embarrassing failure, which is the second in recent games, Dr Pindi Chana, the minister for culture and sports, ordered the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Said Yakubu, to suspend the seven workers to pave the way for an investigation into what happened.

The first incident occurred on March 28, during the AFCON qualifier match between Tanzania's national team, ‘Taifa Stars’ and Uganda Cranes.

A statement issued by the sports ministry on April 30, stated that those suspended include the stadium acting manager, Mr Said Mtumbuka, electrical engineer, Manyori Kapesa and the former stadium administrative officer, Tuswege Nikupala.

Furthermore, the statement noted that the ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr Said Yakubu has also suspended four other workers who are also responsible for the operation of the stadium who include Gordon Nsajigwa Mwangamilo, Gabriel Mwasele, Yanuaria Imboru and Dr. Christina Luambano.

Furthermore, the statement noted that the PS has appointed Milinde Mahona as acting manager of Benjamin Mkapa Stadium with effect from Monday May 1, 2023.

"The PS is already in contact with all relevant stakeholders so that the matches that will be played at the stadium will be played in the afternoon or evening instead of at night as the ministry completes the procedures to find a bidder who will carry out major repairs of the stadium before the kickoff of the next season of the league and international competitions," the statement noted.

On their part, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) through its official statement issued by the communications and public relations unit denied responsibility for the power outage at the stadium.

"Tanesco informs you that the national stadium is served by two sources of electricity, Tanesco and the generators of the stadium. In today's match (Yanga and Rivers United), the field was served by generators," the statement reads in part.