Cheers all round for Mo’s return from captivity, but...

Dar es Salaam. The safe return of billionaire Mohammed Dewji is good news, but Tanzania should strive to create an environment that assures investors and other development partners of their safety, members of the business community said on Sunday October 21.

Mr Dewji – who was abducted at the Colosseum Hotel in Dar es Salaam on October 11 – was found at the Gymkhana grounds at dawn on Saturday. Although the motive behind his abduction – and the way he was virtually abandoned some ten days later – remain shrouded in mystery, members of the business community nonetheless say the issue points to a security challenge that must be promptly addressed if the country is to remain a safe investment haven.

Those who spoke to The Citizen yesterday included Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) executive director Godfrey Simbeye; former CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt) chairman Ali Mufuruki; former Business Community Association (JWT) chairman, Johnson Minja and Tanzania Saccos for Women Entrepreneurs (Taswe) chairperson Anna Matinde. Generally, they suggested immediate reforms in Tanzania’s security systems to create a conducive business environment, warning that the prevailing situation is bound to scare off investors if it is not addressed soonest.

“We are happy that the young investor, who significantly contributes to the economy, has returned safely. However, the trend of abductions is threatening Tanzania’s prospects,” Mr Simbeye said.

Mr Mufuruki nonetheless said the fact that the abductors are yet to be arrested poses the fear that they are free to carry out fresh abductions.

“I have talked to several foreign investors who expressed worries over the deteriorating security levels in Tanzania… Stories of abductions are new in Tanzania. We’re used to hearing about them in countries like Afghanistan,” he said in a telephone interview.

Noting that crime is a global challenge, Mr Mufuruki said governments elsewhere have been working hard to arrest and prosecute perpetrators. If this becomes the trend in Tanzania, it will discourage investors planning to invest in the country if deterrent measures are not taken immediately. “In turn, this will negatively affect implementation of the country’s industrialisation agenda,” he said.

Reacting on Mr Dewji’s safe return, Mr Minja said attracting foreign investments might be more difficult now because of the arising safety challenges.

“Most of those who have invested in Tanzania were attracted by the country’s history of peace, security and political stability,” he said – stressing that the safety of investors and their investments is considered crucial.

He criticised the directive by the police that businessmen should individually improve their security by deploying bodyguards and carrying firearms – arguing that it’s the government’s responsibility to assure security to people and their properties.

“Bodyguards and guns may help in minor incidents, not like what happened to Mr Dewji. People should be assured of their safety without necessarily carrying weapons themselves,” he said.

Mr Simbeye’s view on this was that, while “people may defend themselves, the (government) should nonetheless improve the country’s security systems. The growing use of social media calls for such reforms,” he said, adding that globalisation requires law enforcers to improve security systems in curbing crime.

Mr Minja said, “The security organs should evaluate themselves to find out if they have been executing their duties responsibly, effectively. Mr Dewji’s abductors must be arrested and charged soonest if law enforcers are to regain the people’s trust and confidence.”

In her comments, Ms Matinde called for increased efforts to protect businessmen.

“This person (Dewji) owns large businesses employing a significant number of citizens. People of such status should strengthen their individual security as directed by the police,” she said.

Reporting by Louis Kolumbia, Kelvin Matandiko, Alfred Zakaria and Gadiosa Lamtey