Despite
government’s efforts to end the social ill of drug trafficking across
its borders, more and more Tanzanians have been arrested in connection
with this illegal business outside the country. There are reports abound
about a number of Tanzanians having been hanged after being caught with
the drugs outside the country notably in China. According to other
reports being circulated, in Hong Kong alone there are about 200 inmates
from Tanzania, many of them serving long sentences in jail, while
several others are awaiting completion of the hearing of drug
trafficking cases with which they were charged. As a result, an unknown
number of Tanzanian young men and women are languishing in some other
foreign jails all over the world, having been caught acting as conduits
for dangerous drugs. It is very disappointing to note that, no one among
the higher government authorities has been held responsible in
connection with the issue. Neither the police nor the central government
has bothered much about the issue which has now tarnished the good name
of the nation. The police force however, has often indicated that it
works day and night to curb the menace, but it seems that its efforts
are bearing no or little fruit. Tanzania’s alarming reputation as a
notorious drug trafficking point has started to affect citizens
travelling through other foreign international airports, news reports
show with the Dar es Salaam city being the centre of drug cartels
dealing with heroin, mandrax and cocaine. Nonetheless, drug trafficking
remains a problem in Tanzania because of complicity from officials,
Commissioner of Immigration Services Permits and Passes Dawson Mongi was
recently quoted as saying by the traditional media. "You cannot fight
drugs without defeating corruption in the country," Mongi said adding
that, drug trafficking across the border has tarnished the country’s
image. Addressing concerns that the
government is not doing enough on that front, Minister for Home Affairs
Emmanuel Nchimbi said recently that, the high number of drug-related
arrests reflects the government's seriousness in dealing with the
problem. The Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office responsible
for policy, co-ordination and Parliamentary affairs William Lukuvi, said
recently that, a new law to fight drug trafficking is being drafted to
curb drug users and intensify traffickers. He said the country’s law is a
bit relaxing as drug traffickers are fined 500,000 shillings ($309) for
being found in possession of 10 billion ($6.1 million) worth of drugs.
“This is nothing," Lukuvi said adding that Tanzania need to have laws
that would impose stern punishments and to do away with fining people.
Tanzanians have been put through the dehumanizing inspection at various
international airports in the world following growing concern of the big
number of young travelers from Tanzania being caught with drugs in
various countries in the world. The Hong Kong security officers once
noted that, Tanzanian youths are being turned into mules by drug barons
in the country and this is due to weakness, lax, corrupt, unpatriotic
government employees cum most of the government high ranking official
including ministers, directors and government secret agent officers.
Matangazo ya Radio
Aloyce Nyanda
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