RC blame game backfires as PM issues directive

 
AN attempt by the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Paul Makonda, to blame the Dar es Salaam Zone Police Commander, Simon Sirro, before Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, for allegedly colluding with and failing to take proper action against shisha dealers backfired yesterday, with the premier throwing the ball in the RC’s court.

“You are the Chairman of Dar es Salaam Region’s Security and Defence Committee and orders were previously made for you to take action (against those dealing in the business). 

 

It is now upon you to act, failure of which I will deal with you,” Mr Majaliwa retorted.
The premier added; “You have indicated in your remarks that you (the RC) will deal with District Commissioners (DCs) under you who will fail to take the traders into books; I now assure you that I will take actions against you if you do not act.”

It was in July, this year, when the PM banned the sale and smoking of the flavoured tobacco due to health concerns and links with drug or alcohol abuse.

But speaking yesterday, Mr Makonda had alleged that the top cop in Dar es Salaam, Special Police Zone Commander was dilly-dallying to take action against the traders despite directives from the RC, suggesting that Mr Sirro could be receiving bribes from the dealers.

It all started when the RC was given an opportunity to make brief remarks during the inauguration of a project executed in the city to improve electricity reliability which was graced by the PM, when Mr Makonda threw the bombshell at Mr Sirro.

After remarking on the power project, Mr Makonda claimed before the PM and those present that ten shisha traders had approached him with a promise of bribing him with 50m/- a month to allow them continue with the business.

“I am told the sellers make between 35m/- and 45m/- in profits per month and they approached me with a promise that each of them will give me 5m/- every month.

“I considered them as agents of Satan and since then, he directed Mr Sirro to arrest all traders who were selling the banned commodity, but he has failed to act accordingly; maybe he is receiving the 5m/- (from the traders),” the RC charged.

Mr Makonda said even children were now among consumers of the banned flavoured tobacco smoked in hookah, stating that studies by the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) had shown that smoking of shisha causes about 13 illnesses, including cancer.

This is not the first time the RC is reporting fellow leaders to higher authorities, because records indicate that during the launch of the Julius Nyerere (Kigamboni) Bridge in April, this year, Mr Makonda threw massive blame to the then Director of Dar es Salaam City Council, Wilson Kabwe (now deceased) to President John Magufuli.

The RC publicly informed Dr Magufuli of alleged misconduct against the then city director after which the president promptly suspended him to give room for further investigations. Mr Kabwe passed away in May while undergoing treatment in India.