Inspector General of Police Said Mwema
The demos that were to be held were planned by the main opposition party to pressure the minister for Education and Vocational Training, Dr Shukuru Kawambwa, to resign over massive failure of students in the last year’s Form IV National Examinations, have been called off till further notice, a joint statement released yesterday said.
Mr Mwema held talks with Chadema party leaders yesterday in frantic efforts to avoid disruption of peace, as the country hosts the new Chinese leader Xi Jinping who arrived yesterday.
In the closed-door meeting with Chadema, Mr Mwema was accompanied by the police Operations and Training head, Commissioner Paul Chagonja, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon Siro, Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Suleiman Kova and the Police Force Spokerperson Advera Senso.
Chadema’s delegation was led by party chairman, Mr Freeman Mbowe, Youth Wing secretary, Mr Deogratius Munishi, and Public Relations officer, Mr Tumaini Makene.
“Mr Mwema and Mr Mbowe have agreed that the demos should be called off to allow for a peaceful visit of Jinping. But the two will meet within 14 days to chart out a way forward,” read a statement signed by Ms Senso and Mr Makene.
Over 60 per cent of all students who sat their national exams last year failed, prompting a wave of reactions and the formation of a probe committee by Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda.
The committee released a preliminary report last week, blaming the massive failure on shortage by teachers, inadequate textbooks and classrooms, meagre budget and location of some schools far away from residential areas.
Following the failure, Chadema leaders called for the resignation of Dr Kawambwa, but when he stayed put, they said they would hold countrywide demonstrations to pressure him to take responsibility.
The protests were to take place today despite bans imposed by various regional police commanders.
Throughout the weekend, police were issuing statements, saying they would not allow any demonstration for fear that they would disrupt peace in many parts of the country.
But Mbowe vowed that demonstrations would proceed on grounds that the police and regional security committees belonged to the ruling party, CCM and “cannot deny use our democratic right to express our feelings.”
On why they wanted to demonstrate, Mr Mbowe said, it was intended to help to cultivate a culture whereby leaders would be taking political responsibility when it happened that institutions they led failed to deliver.
Before the meeting between Chadema leaders and the IGP yesterday, Mr Chagonja addressed a press conference where he reiterated the police decision not to allow the demos. Source The Citizen
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