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City militia have gone too far
2006-12-26 10:12:08
By Editor
In any country, law enforcement is not only intended to provide security for citizens, but also guarantee a peaceful life for them, regardless of their status in society.
Among the major indicators of the degree of development of a particular society, is the people of all walks of life harbouring no fear of their security agencies.
The security forces in Tanzania have for years been acclaimed for the way they respect civilians.
It is normal to see soldiers mingling peacefully with civilians, and at times, sharing accommodation, because not all members of the armed forces are housed in the barracks.
It is obvious that at times, there have been isolated incidents whereby soldiers attacked civilians.
However, top brass of the relevant organs and government leaders have been quick to condemn such occurrences; and also take action so that the ugly scenarios are not repeated.
In Dar es Salaam, the city fathers recently undertook a an environmental cleaning up exercise, which saw hundreds of kiosks belonging to petty traders demolished as the exercise to evict hawkers from the city centre to allocated areas got underway.
Instrumental in implementing the government operation to keep the city clean were the city militia.
Much as it was expected that those who were evicted or had their property demolished would not sing praises about the wonder works of the city militia, some concern was raised here and there that some crooked elements among the militia were using unwarranted heavy-handed methods.
It was also alleged that such elements were seizing goods from the hawkers to satisfy their personal needs or forcefully demanding money so they could grant special favours.
It was then easy to ignore the voices which raised an alarm over such conduct.
Nevertheless, as time passes, there is every reason for higher authorities to evaluate the performance of this poorly trained auxiliary force, lest it brings the nation to a big shame in the future.
Recently, members of the Dar es Salaam city militia humiliated Ramadhani Omary, 18, by stripping off his clothes in public before the glare of cameras.
That they have the audacity to do that in this blessed country raises more questions than answers.
Undaunted by the irresponsible behaviour of their militia, the city authorities—rather than apologise and take quick action to mend fences with members of the public who were irked to see the disreputable photo of the saga in a newspapers—had the over confidence to take the victim to court where Ramadhani had to pay a 15,000/- fine.
Stripping a person naked by force under the gaze of public eyes is itself a criminal offence, whatever the pretext on why this was done.
For the city authorities to turn a blind eye up to this ugly occurrence and letting their errant militia who committed the crime walk scot free, signifies as to why irresponsible elements in the city auxiliary force are increasingly harassing citizens with impunity.
We have got so many human rights organizations and civil society groups.
It will be a wonder if those militia with twisted minds who committed the misdeed shall be allowed to run away from the arma of the law.
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