Tanzania: Ndalichako's Appointment Impresses Analysts

Arusha — She looks a bit reserved and her eyes do not reflect a personality who has dealt with some of the most challenging situations in the education sector.

Yet Dr Joyce Ndalichako, the newly-appointed minister for Education, Science, and Technology, has won accolades from near and far for landing the arduous job.

"I positively support President John Magufuli for appointing her. Most Tanzanians who are really concerned by the alarming fall in the quality of education would by no means disapprove this appointment," said Dr A.S. Macheyeki, a consultant geologist based in Kigali, Rwanda.

According to him, the new minister, who was sworn in on Monday, practically had shown she meant business when she served as executive secretary of the National Examination Council of Tanzania (Necta).

Although she was keen to improve a lot for the education sector in the country, some people were not happy, especially Tanzanians who have developed obsession of trying to make political capital out of everything, including technical and professional matters which do not need unnecessary 'political noise.'

However, the good news, the renowned geologist remarked, is that Dr Ndalichako is now a policy marker, in charge of the education portifolio for that matter.

The position will enable her to do all she can as she fully knows that most Tanzanians support her commitment, self-determination, and quality result-oriented attitude.

"I am also sure that she is the right person at this time. Tanzania is now largely a certificate-oriented nation and not a quality education-based nation.

Let her turn the system of education upside down to its real colour as dreamed by the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere,"he pointed out.

Although new in political platforms, the new minister is very knowledgeable about the education system in the country which observers believe she will now be in a better position to tackle them and make it more appropriate.

Tanzania: Eight Disappear in New Sh48 Billion Port Tax Fraud

Dar es Salaam — A new tax audit at several Inland Container Depots (ICDs) has revealed that at least 11,884 containers and 2,019 vehicles were cleared from the Dar es Salaam Port without their due taxes being collected.

This scam denied the government Sh48.4 billion in revenue.

The revelation was made yesterday by the newly appointed minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Prof Makame Mbarawa, when he visited the port in a continued crackdown on tax evasion.

Seven workers of the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) responsible for collection of wharf-age charges (port charges paid by shipping agents) and ICDs have been arrested over the alleged loss. Eight other TPA workers are reported to have disappeared after realising that investigation over the scam has zeroed in on them.

Mr Mbarawa's visit at the port comes barely a month after Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa made impromptu visits at the port and discovered Sh80 billion for importation of over 349 containers could not be accounted for by the Taxman.

The PM's visit also unearthed shocking losses of government revenue perpetuated by ICDs officials who colluded with their TPA and TRA counterparts. It was then discovered that containers destined for ICDs were cleared from the port without their due taxes being first collected.

Tanzania: Muhongo to Invest Sh90 Million Bunge Car Loan in Education Sector

Musoma — The newly appointed minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, said he will invest the Sh100 million he was given by Parliament as a loan to purchase a vehicle in the education sector in his constituency.

He told The Citizen on telephone that his decision was prompted by the fact that there was an urgent need to improve the learning environment in his constituency and the nation at large.

He said the office of Parliament had given him Sh 90 million to purchase a new car but he decided to add Sh10 million to fund education for his constituents.

The MP for Musoma Rural said he would want to see the money helping to improve the infrastructure of schools including construction of classrooms, teachers' houses, libraries, laboratories, buying teaching materials, and purchase of desks as well as support students from poor families.

Following the discovery, President Magufuli suspended TRA Commissioner General Rished Bade and his deputy Lusekelo Mwaseba along four other top officials pending investigations.

Yesterday, minister Mbarawa told a press conference that scam linked to ICDs forced TPA to conduct thorough investigations into the privately-run facilities and CFS to check if wharfage charges were being paid by custom agents. "Our latest investigations discovered a total of 11,884 containers and 2,019 vehicles were released without their due taxes being collected," said the minister.

Mr Mbarawa's tour at the port comes just two days after he was sworn in.

He said the new discoveries were made at seven ICDs which he named as MOFED, DICD, JEFAG, AZAM, PMM, AMI, and TRH which were to pay Sh47.7 billion.According to the minister, the scam did not end there. He said investigations also uncovered a number of vehicles in the CFS for which taxes amounting to Sh 1 billion had not been paid. He named the clearing agents involved in the alleged scam as TALL, CHICASA, FARION, SILVER, MASS and HESU.

However, Prof Mbarawa pointed out that the scandal did not involve either of the ICDs or CFS mentioned but 15 TPA workers who were working in collaboration with 243 custom agents who were earlier advertised in the media. He named the TPA workers in police custody as Mr John Elisante, Ms Leticia Masaro, and Ms Christina Temu, Ms Merina Chawala, Mr Adnan Ally, Mr Masoud Seleman and Ms Benadeta Sangawe.

Those at large include Ms Happygod Naftal, Mr Nathan Edward, Mr Aron Lusingu, Mr Amani Kazumari, Mr John Mushi, Mr Valentine Sangawe, Ms Bonasweet Kimaina and Ms Zainab Bwijo.

In another development Prof Mbarawa ordered the custom agents involved in the allegations to submit their evidence that showed whether they had paid the due taxes.

Further, he issued seven days' notice wanting them to pay the taxes and failure to do so they would be arrested on conditions they paid the taxes while other lawful actions were taken against them. "Failure to comply with the conditions we will revoke their licences and ban them from doing any business in our ports," he said.

He stressed that the government would not tolerate any TPA workers irrespective of their positions causing the authority to lose revenues.

Further he said, the government would revoke licences of all custom agents who would continue to collaborate with TPA workers to release goods without paying the due taxes.

At the beginning of the month the PM uncovered 2,431 containers released at the port without having their due taxes paid and kept at four AZAM ICDs, DICD, JEFAG and PMM worth Sh1.9 billion.

Following the scandal the PM suspended 12 TPA workers connected in the scam who were later arrested by the police for further legal action.

The culprits were given a seven day notice to pay the money but only seven out of 55 agents paid a total of Sh80 milion within the period.

After the seven day notice ended, TPA banned those who had not paid the taxes from working at the port and further initiated their arrest whereby until Monday this week a total of 15 agents had been arrested and agreed to paid a total of Sh820 million.

Due to the efforts a total of Sh900 million had been paid by the beginning of this week.

The minister said that they were still going on with the exercise of arresting those who were yet to finalise payments on the unpaid for containers and the target was to en sure all those who were yet to do so were arrested and forced to pay the money by January 10, next year.

Swaziland: Girls Caned for Not Dancing for King

More than 30 girls were thrashed because they did not dance half naked in front of Swaziland's King Mswati III. They were beaten so badly some needed treatment from paramedics.

The girls, described in local media as 'maidens', were expected to take part in a 'Reed Dance' at Mbangweni Royal Residence in the Shiselweni region of the kingdom.

The Shiselweni Reed Dance is a regional version of a national Reed Dance that takes place each year near the beginning of September. Girls, who are expected to be virgins, from all over the kingdom are required to take part in the event where they dance topless in front of King Mswati, who is sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarch.

Swazi media reported that at Shiselweni more than 30 girls disappeared from a camp where they were staying and did not attend the dance.

The Times of Swaziland reported 'Most of the girls, who were caned by their headmen, were beaten for not participating in the main event, while they left their respective homes under the pretext that they were going to the Reed Dance Ceremony.'

The newspaper added, 'It was discovered that while the girls were being punished by the headmen, some got seriously injured as they tried to run away. Most of them were treated by paramedics, who attended to their case overnight (21 September 2014).'

The newspaper also reported that the police took one girl away who was suspected of being with a boy.

The Times reported, 'Police officers arrived at the campsite and took the girl away to hospital for tests. Assistant Superintendent Khulani Mamba, Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer, confirmed the incident.

'He said the girl was taken to a health facility in order to find out whether there was any penetration that happened over the night.

'Mamba said medical personnel ruled out the possibility of penetration.'

South Sudan Commanders Accused of Using Child Soldiers

The UN says 16,000 children have joined armed groups since South Sudan's civil war erupted two years ago.

Don't Serve Lunch at Short Meetings, Magufuli Warns

Tanzanian President John Magufuli has called on all public institutions to cut on refreshments expenditure during meetings.

Magufuli said strict frugality should be observed to have more funds for important needs.

He addressed a letter on the directive to principals, deans and directors of major administrative departments.

In a letter to the University of Dar Es Salaam, Magufuli quoted unnecessary refreshments offered in meetings.

"Heavy refreshments and food" are offered for a specified number of people "beyond a reasonable margin".

Magufuli said participants in meetings lasting two hours should only have water, tea or coffee.

Juice, nuts, fruits and water should be offered in meetings that last more than two hours, he said.

Magufuli said no meat and heavy snacks should be served in short meetings.

The newly elected President warned against uncontrolled pricing for catering services.

Magufuli said lunch should be served in very rare and exceptional circumstances.

Only meetings starting in the morning and expected to continue into the late afternoon should serve lunch, he said.

Magufuli said Finance departments have to approve any food served during the long meetings.

The President, who was elected in October, has taken drastic measure to reduce costs.

He cut down money for his inauguration and instead spent the funds in buying beds for a hospitals.

Magufuli also spent money meant for celebrating World Aids Day to buy ARVs for patients.

Dr. Hosea sacked for 'inefficiency'

President John Maguful has revoked the appointment of the Director General of the Prevention and Combacting Corruption (PCCB). Dr. Edward Hosea.

mandela

On this day. 15th December 2013. Nelson Mandela buried in Qunu. May your soul rest in eternal peace. You a hero...

Kenya: Only Three Northern White Rhinos Left on Earth

One of the four surviving endangered northern white rhinos has died at a San Diego zoo in the United States.

The rhino named Nola, was put down at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park after suffering from a bacterial infection and age-related health issues. Nola had been living in the zoo since 1989.

Efforts to conserve the near-extinct species now remain uncertain as only three are now left on earth.

The three, all elderly, are kept under close guard at the Ol Pajeta Conservancy in Kenya.

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Swazi Culture and Wife Beating

A survey in Swaziland suggested four in 10 women believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife because he is the head of the household.

This is not the first time that so-called 'Swazi culture' has been investigated.

The APA news agency said a demographic health survey called the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Comparative Report gave a number reasons for wife-beating which included; 'if she refused to have sex with him, if she argued with him, if she went out without telling him, if she neglected the children and if she had sex with other men'.

APA reported, 'Silindelo Nkosi, the Communication and Advocacy Officer for Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) said, "These beliefs of justifying abuse have increased to the worst rate resulting in more young women dying in the hands of their lovers or husbands."'

It added, 'Clinical Psychologist Ndo Mdlalose describes this as an abusive mentality where men also tend to claim they are correcting their women by beating them.'

The report told us nothing new about Swazi culture and its abuse of women and girls.

The world famous medical journal, the Lancet in 2009 reported that one in three girls in Swaziland had experienced sexual violence by the age of 18, according to a study.

Sexual violence was defined as forced intercourse; coerced intercourse; attempted unwanted intercourse; unwanted touching; and forced touching.

The most common perpetrators of the first incident of sexual violence were men or boys from the girl's neighbourhood or boyfriends or husbands. Over a quarter of all incidents of sexual violence occurred in the respondent's own home, with a fifth occurring at the home of a friend, relative or neighbour.

In June 2008 it was reported that the National Democratic and Health Survey found that 40 percent of men in Swaziland said it is all right to beat women. The same year, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) found that the status of some women in Swaziland is so low that they are practically starved at meal times, because men folk eat first and if there is not enough food for everyone, the women must go without.

Women, who under traditional Swazi law are treated as children and are in effect owned by their husbands or fathers, were expected to live lives devoted to their men and families. A report on the State of the Population in Swaziland said that Swazi women were responsible for childbirth, raising the children and taking care of the entire family.

Women are expected to give their husbands sex on demand and those who refuse have been blamed for men who rape children.

JPM Yet to Form Cabinet 30 Days After Taking Oath

President John Magufuli today clocks 30 days in office since he was sworn in.

He is yet to form a cabinet and so setting a record when compared with his predecessors Benjamin Mkapa and Jakaya Kikwete.

Dr Magufuli was sworn in on November 5, after his 58 per cent victory against his archrival Chadema's Edward Lowassa.

According to Article 51 (2) of the 1977 Constitution, a president must nominate a prime minister and present the name before Parliament for approval within 14 days since his swearing in, but the supreme law is silent on when a full cabinet should be formed.

Unlike Dr Magufuli, former president Jakaya Kikwete formed his cabinet on his 14th day in office while former president Benjamin Mkapa took about 12 days to form his team after he was sworn in.

Before and even after appointing Kassim Majaliwa as his Prime Minister, President Magufuli had managed to oversee government operations in the last 30 days through Chief Secretary Ombeni Sefue and permanent secretaries.

Among issues that have been effectively attended to in the past 30 days include the appointment of the Prime Minister, inaugrating Parliament and nominating Dr Tulia Ackson a Member of Parliament.

Moreover, Dr Magufuli's government has so far made drastic changes in the health sector, revenues and infrastructure development.

On November 6, Dr Magufuli paid a surprise visit at Finance ministry where he held talks with officials on various matters including discipline at places of work. Moreover, on November 9, the Head of State visited the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in an unannounced visit.

He was welcomed with tears and complaints from patients and their relatives over the poor conditions at the health facility including patients sleeping on the floor and overcrowding. Some few hours later, President Magufuli dissolved MNH board of trustees and ordered the repair of CT-Scan and MRI machines immediately.

During the month under review, President Magufuli has suspended Republic Day celebrations, which takes place every December 9, whereby he ordered Sh4 billion, which was allocated for the event to be used for the expansion of a stretch of the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road from Mwenge to Morocco in the city.

He urged wananchi to participate in cleaning up their environment so as to fight the spread of cholera and other poor hygienic related diseases.

The President also suspended HIV/Aids ceremonies, which take place on every December 1. He said his government suspended ceremonies in order to save money that would be used to purchase Anti-Retroviral drugs for people living with the virus.

Few days later, Dr Magufuli's government unearthed corruption scandals at the Dar es Salaam Port, where involvement of some Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) officials was revealed. Tax records for more than 2,700 containers were missing. Dr Magufuli had to send packing TRA Commissioner General Rished Bade and other officials.

Some political analysts and ordinary wananchi who spoke to The Citizen on President Magufuli's 30 days in office said so far everything was going on well and asked the Head of State to come up with a competent, slim and patriotic cabinet to assist him in pushing country's development agenda.

Commenting on the matter, Arusha-based economist and researcher Simon Mapolu said President Magufuli had proved that government operations could go without a big number of ministers.

Zambia: Civil Servants, Soldiers, Not Yet Paid.

Civil Servants, soldiers and police officers have not yet been paid for November. These government workers are normally paid between 18th and 20th each month. But the Watchdog has been informed that the president, ministers, permanent secretaries and other senior government officials who have other sources of income and other huge allowances received their salaries last Friday.

Teachers sit in bank to wait for October salaries

Tanzania: Let Pregnant Girls Return to School in Tanzania, Campaigners Plea

Dar es Salaam — Emily Nyoni was enjoying studying at Bunju secondary school in Dar es Salaam and hoped to pursue medical studies to become a doctor until she found out she was pregnant and was expelled.

Nyoni, then 17, is just one of thousands of girls thrown out of school annually in Tanzania after falling pregnant in line with government regulations from 2002 that state pregnant girls have committed an "offence against morality".

But this could soon change with authorities agreeing to draw up a new policy to make it clear that girls can go back to school after giving birth and ramp up action against men responsible for under-age pregnancies.

For while there is a widespread belief in schools and among education officials that mandatory pregnancy tests and the expulsion of pregnant girls is required by law, women's rights campaigners argue neither practice is mandated.

The government's bid to change schools' attitudes towards pregnant students comes following pressure from campaigners to ensure that teenage pregnancy is no longer a major obstacle to girls' access to education in Tanzania.

Nyoni, the mother of a two-year-old son who was expelled in 2012, said she found out she was pregnant during a mandatory test at school.

"My teacher called me in front of the class and said this stupid girl has ashamed us," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, saying she would jump at the chance to go back to school to resume her studies.

"When my father heard the news he was very angry, and threatened to chase me away from home."

Tanzania has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy and birth rates in the world, with one in every six girls aged between 15 and 19 getting pregnant, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

FOCUS ON EDUCATION

Mandatory pregnancy testing in schools and the expulsion of pregnant students from primary and secondary school are not new practices in Tanzania with research indicating this has been going on for over 50 years.

Critics, however, say that school authorities have framed such practices in a bid to control adolescent girls' sexuality rather than equipping them with necessary tools to make informed decision about when and how to have sex.

But in recent years there has been more debate about whether or not teenage mothers should be allowed back to school.

A study by HakiElimu, a local educational NGO, found in 2003 that most Tanzanian educators were of the views that if teenage mothers were allowed back to school, they would set a bad example to other students.

Campaigners said this attitude appeared to be changing with greater recognition of the importance of educating girls and the need to take action against men caught having sex with under-age girls.

Under Tanzania's Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act, having sex with a minor is rape and if convicted an offender could face up to 30 years imprisonment.

Editha Assey, a lawyer and women's rights activist at Iringa based Ruaha University, said it was not always the girls' fault when they became pregnant as some were raped yet they were always treated as the ones at fault.

The proposed policy under discussion would require a girl to disclose the man responsible for her pregnancy and also present medical evidence to the school so she could be allowed back in class about six to 12 months after giving birth.

"The new policy should take into consideration the vulnerability of these girls. There should be a legal mechanism to protect them, also penalties should be heftier to deter the culprits," said Assey.

"Not every single girl who falls pregnant got it consciously. Some of them were raped. So expelling them from school is like condemning them."

Kidawa Halfan, now 21, who was expelled after falling pregnant while at Masjid Quba secondary school in Dar es Salaam welcomed the government's move saying it would help girls acquire necessary life skills.

"I have learnt a bitter lesson. Never again shall I play with boys. If I get a chance I would like to learn weaving," she said Halfan, the mother of a four-year-old daughter.

Paulina Mkonongo, the director of secondary education at Tanzania's Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, said the government is committed to help all girls get an education.

"The government has set a vision to enable girls to continue with their studies after delivery while taking stern measures against those who will be implicated in the criminal incidence," she said. (Editing by Belinda Goldsmith; )

What would Magufuli do

#WhatWouldMagufuliDo has taken social media networks by storm, with comments applauding President John Magufuli for cutting down on the country's expenditure.