ACT, CCM clash over mysterious deaths in Pemba
What you need to know:
- The deaths in question are those of Othman Hamad Othman, 75, and Amour Salim Khamis, 28, who were reportedly arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.
Pemba. Tensions have escalated between the opposition ACT-Wazalendo and the ruling CCM over the mysterious deaths of two individuals in Pemba, allegedly at the hands of security forces.
The incident has sparked calls for an official investigation and government accountability, while the ruling party urges restraint from opposition leaders in making statements that could undermine the independence of law enforcement.
The deaths in question are those of Othman Hamad Othman, 75, and Amour Salim Khamis, 28, who were reportedly arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.
The arrest, confirmed by the Tanzania Police Force on Wednesday, took place in South Pemba, with both men later admitted to Ali Khamis Camp Hospital in Chake Chake, Pemba.
They died while receiving treatment, sparking an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
While the cause of the deaths remains under investigation, police have stated that they are collaborating with various authorities and witnesses to gather facts.
However, the opposition party ACT-Wazalendo has strongly condemned the incident.
The party issued a public statement yesterday, demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the deaths.
ACT-Wazalendo has also criticized certain agencies within the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government, accusing them of involvement in the deaths.
The opposition party claims the two men, along with a third individual, Mbarouk Abdalla Khamis, were detained during the night of December 23-24.
The bodies of Othman and Khamis were later returned to their families without any explanation, prompting ACT-Wazalendo to draw parallels with a previous unresolved killing in Kidoti, North Unguja.
This, the party argues, fuels growing concerns about safety and the ability of the authorities to protect citizens in Zanzibar.
ACT-Wazalendo has called for immediate action, including the dismissal of the Minister of State for the Office of the President, Regional Administrations and Special Departments of Zanzibar (SMZ), accusing the official of failing to manage security agencies effectively and allowing them to be used as tools of violence.
The opposition also demands the formation of an independent judicial commission to investigate recent killings involving security forces and the release of the investigation report on the Kidoti killings.
“ACT is calling for urgent action, including the dismissal of the Minister for failure to manage security forces properly. These agencies should not be tools of violence,” reads part of the statement.
“We urge the police to ensure the safety of citizens and swiftly arrest those responsible for these recent deaths,” adds the opposition party.
However, the South Pemba Regional Police Commander, Mr Abdalla H. Mussa, reassured the public that the investigation is ongoing, emphasising that the police are committed to ensuring justice and transparency.
In response, the CCM Secretary for Ideology, Propaganda and Training in Zanzibar, Mr Khamisi Mbeto Khamis, has criticized ACT-Wazalendo’s involvement in police matters, urging the opposition party to refrain from making statements that interfere with law enforcement investigations.
Mr Mbeto expressed disappointment at the party’s public comments regarding the deaths of the two men in Wete, North Pemba.
He dismissed ACT-Wazalendo’s demand for the minister’s dismissal as premature and lacking foundation, arguing that such matters should be left to the relevant authorities.
“As political leaders, we must trust law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties. The responsibility for ensuring public safety and investigating crimes lies with the police, not politicians,” Mr Mbeto stated.
The CCM spokesperson further pointed out that ACT-Wazalendo’s comments were out of place, as statements on such sensitive matters should come from law enforcement officials like the Regional Police Commander or the Zanzibar Police Commissioner, not from political figures.
