ACT-Wazalendo pushes for criminal justice system reforms

ZANZIBAR: THE Alliance for Change and Tranparency- (ACT-Wazalendo) is pushing for the implementation of the proposed reforms to the Criminal Justice System to address inflammatory remarks effectively.

ACT-Wazalendo National Chairman Mr Othman Masoud Othman appealed to President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan to institute the reforms during the press conference he convened at his party office, Vuga Street in Stone.

His appeal follows a recent strong warning issued by Police Force in Zanzibar against purveyors of inflammatory statements.

The police warned that individuals or groups engaging in inimical conduct will be decisively dealt with as stipulated by the law.

“We have lost trust in police conduct, especially when dealing with political issues, because they are biased. It is unfortunate that police warning targets people regarded as opposition, he said.” He said some personalities of influence have been issuing inflammatory statements and hate speech, but have been warned or questioned over the divisive statements.

Mr Othman argues that the implementation of the proposed reforms on the Criminal Justice System, which include transformation of the Police Force, can help law enforcers observe justice as the country prepares for elections.

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He said that President Samia’s intervention is required to speed up the implementation of recommendations contained in the report which follows study by the Criminal Justice Commission in the country.

Mr Othman, who also serves as Zanzibar’s First Vice President under the Government of National Unity (GNU) involving his party and the leading Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), said the Police Force should also undergo major reforms to be impartial.

“The Police Force must carry out its duties with integrity, and stop leaning on one side of politics,” he said at the press conference, urging the government to abandon an arrangement of having two days of voting in Zanzibar.

After amendment of Zanzibar electoral law, members of the defence and security forces and other people on sensitive duties, voted on separate days in the 2020 general elections. Last week, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Hamad Khamis Hamad, without mentioning any political party, cautioned key players in politics and their supporters in Zanzibar to avoid incidents likely to undermine the processes.

He condemned the increasing trends and patterns of incendiary comments by some political personalities of influence, noting that engaging in inflammatory statements run against public peace and harmony.

With relatively dark history behind, it is strongly believed that a resort to bitter assertions by certain persons will not only heat-up, but rekindle animosities and divisions among the populace.

With the elections getting closer, it is expected that leaders at all levels forge ahead in nation building without acrimony, which can put Zanzibar’s well-being and the peace and security of citizens at risk.