CCM, ACT-Wazalendo now accuse each other of inciting violence in Pemba property burning incident

Unguja. Following an attack on a Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) member, with property set ablaze and calls for police action, the ACT-Wazalendo party has alleged that underhand tactics are being used against them.

The incident, which involved the burning of property belonging to a new CCM member, Salum Mohamed Juma, occurred on the night of September 10, 2024, in Wingwi Shehia, Micheweni District, North Pemba Region.

CCM has demanded that the police address the situation and bring all perpetrators to justice. In response, ACT-Wazalendo has urged both the police and Micheweni District Commissioner Mgeni Khatib Yahya to refrain from politically motivated actions.

CCM’s Deputy Secretary General in Zanzibar, Dr Mohamed Said Dimwa, reported that on the night of September 10, unidentified individuals attacked Juma’s residence, setting fire to a mattress, identification documents, clothing, and a CCM flag before fleeing.

"Chama Cha Mapinduzi is dedicated to preserving peace and stability in the country. We cannot allow Zanzibar to descend into hatred and turmoil against innocent citizens," Dr. Dimwa said. He urged all opposition parties to abandon inflammatory politics and lead by example, ensuring their supporters do not engage in violence.

Dr Dimwa expects law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to ensure that all those involved in the crime, regardless of their status or political affiliation, are held accountable.

 ACT-Wazalendo’s allegations

In a statement signed by ACT-Wazalendo’s Deputy Secretary General for Zanzibar, Omar Ali Shehe, the party accused CCM of colluding with the police and the Micheweni District Commissioner to unlawfully arrest and detain its leaders and supporters.

Among those detained were the Micheweni Regional Chairman of ACT-Wazalendo, Rashid Khalid Salim, and members Bakar Mbarouk Ali, Is-haka Rashid Salim, and Khamis Rashid Salim.

Shehe claimed that the conflict began when CCM attempted to raise and then remove an ACT flag, aiming to mislead the public into believing ACT members had joined CCM. "Our leaders and members took action to prevent the flag from being raised and subsequently removed. This angered CCM leaders, who then orchestrated the burning of a member’s house to create a pretext for detaining our leaders and supporters," he said.

ACT-Wazalendo expressed concern that these actions, allegedly supported by law enforcement, are intended to intimidate their leaders as the 2025 general elections approach. Shehe called on the Micheweni District Commissioner’s office to avoid political involvement and focus on safeguarding citizens’ rights. He also urged the police to act professionally and resist political manipulation.

 Clarification from the DC Micheweni

Micheweni District Commissioner Mgeni Khatib Yahya responded to the allegations by stating that their focus is on the safety of citizens and their property, not on political parties. He acknowledged detaining four individuals, including someone claimed to be an ACT leader, to maintain security amid disturbances from both sides.

“The statements made there were threatening peace. As security forces, we had to detain these individuals to calm the unrest before releasing them,” Yahya said.

He added, “We later met with leaders from both CCM and ACT-Wazalendo to discuss how they should ensure the safety of citizens and avoid unnecessary conflicts.”

The North Pemba Regional Police Commander, Timothy Mwampagale, when contacted, mentioned he was traveling and had not yet received details of the situation but would address it upon his return.