Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Said Mtanda. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Said
Mtanda, has found himself in the spotlight after being implicated by Tumsime
Ngemela in allegations involving the former Simiyu Regional Commissioner, Dr.
Yahya Nawanda.
In a press conference on July 5, 2024, in Dar
es Salaam, Tumsime accused Mtanda of pressuring her to withdraw a complaint she
had lodged with the police against Dr. Nawanda, who she claims sexually
assaulted her.
Responding to the allegations, Mtanda
stated that he would leave the matter to the relevant security and law
enforcement agencies to investigate. During an awards ceremony on July 6, 2024,
where police officers were recognized for their exemplary performance in 2024,
Mtanda addressed the controversy.
He expressed resilience in the face of
online criticism and emphasized his trust in the legal system. “I do not need
to respond to anyone because I know the legal institutions are doing their job.
Interfering with their investigations would undermine good governance
principles,” he said.
Mtanda’s comments come in the wake of
growing scrutiny over his previous conduct when he served as the Mara Regional
Commissioner. Known for his flamboyant style, Mtanda has been vocal about his
practice of paying journalists generously, a habit that has raised concerns
about the integrity of journalism in Tanzania.
His public declarations about
compensating journalists double the amount paid by District Commissioners in
April 2024, sparked speculation about the influence of money on media coverage.
“If a District Commissioner pays a
journalist Sh50,000 (about $19.83), I should double the perks to show my
financial prowess,” Mtanda once boasted. “When I am with journalists for a few
hours, I pay them Sh60,000 (about $23.79), but if I engage them the whole day,
I pay them over Sh120,000 (about $49.90) depending on the event. An RC should
always show the value of his office.”
This practice, often referred to as
the hunt for "brown envelopes," has drawn criticism for potentially
compromising investigative journalism. The concern is that if journalists
prioritize financial incentives from political leaders, the public cannot
expect thorough reporting on corruption and other misconduct by public
officials.
Renowned African media guru Jenerali
Ulimwengu commented on this issue, noting that Tanzania’s media freedom has
been challenged by the centralization of power and the tendency towards
censorship under a single-party system. “The state of Tanzania's media forces
professionalism to hang in the balance,” Ulimwengu remarked.
In the recent allegations, Tumsime
claimed that Mtanda had called her, insisting on a meeting despite her
informing him that she was with the police.
According to Tumsime, Mtanda spoke to the
officers on the phone and directed them to bring her to his office, where he
then pressured her to withdraw the case against Dr. Nawanda.
She alleges that after their conversation,
Mtanda called the police officers back in and informed them of the agreement to
drop the charges.
Mwanza Regional Police Commander
Wilbroad Mutafungwa confirmed that the police received forensic investigation
results on July 5, 2024, concerning Dr. Nawanda's alleged assault on Tumsime.
The incident reportedly took place on June 2,
2024, around 7 PM in the parking lot of a well-known bar in Mwanza, where
Tumsime claims she was forcibly assaulted in Dr. Nawanda’s car.
As
the investigation unfolds, public scrutiny intensifies, demanding not just
answers but also action. Allegations against Mtanda have cast a spotlight on
the critical issues of media integrity and governance in Tanzania, prompting a
nationwide call for transparency and accountability. The legal and media
sectors stand at a crossroads, where the choices made today will define the
landscape of tomorrow.
Ensuring
these institutions operate without corruption or bias is paramount for a
thriving democracy. Will Tanzania seize this moment to enforce stringent
reforms and restore public trust, or will it falter under the weight of
complacency and vested interests? The world watches, waiting for a resolution
that reaffirms the country's commitment to justice and ethical governance.