Govt warns errant police officers

MINISTER for Home Affairs, Eng Hamad Masauni has directed the Police Force leadership to take action against all police officers who violate ethics and code of conduct in the course of discharging their responsibilities.

Eng Masauni made the statement over the weekend during his official visit to Chato District in Geita Region to inspect the Mganza Ward Police Station, which was attacked and damaged by angry citizens.

The incident at the Mganza Police Station occurred on March 29th, this year, following the commotion that occurred after one suspect died while in police custody.

Eng Masauni said that some unscrupulous police officers are the reason behind people’s loss of faith in the Force and therefore, they must be dealt with for them to work according to the rule of law.

He also warned the residents of Mganza and Geita as a whole, not to take the law into their own hands as the behavior endangers peace and security of the country.

He encouraged them to instead, consider following legal procedures. He directed the leaders of Mganza Ward, Chato District and Geita Region to speed up efforts to repair the police station that was heavily damaged in order to restore security and safety in the area.

“We cannot use the mistakes of a few people to judge all citizens; these citizens have the right to be given their protection and security,” he said.

Geita Regional Police Commander Safia Jongo promised to work on the minister’s order, while stressing that the act carried out by Mganza residents was not unacceptable.

“I would like to take this opportunity to plead with the people of Mganza to respect the rule of law,” RPC Jongo said.

Geita Regional Commissioner, Mr Martin Shigella said the government has taken steps to provide treatment to those who were injured in the incident, saying some of them are at the Chato Referral Hospital.