Drama as police grill Gwajima and Manji

Dar es Salaam. The Central Police Station in the city was turned into a comical theatre yesterday as supporters of billionaire businessman Yusuf Manji and followers of maverick preacher Josephat Gwajima turned up in their hundreds to witness the two being grilled by the police.

Mr Manji and bishop Gwajima are well established and popular figures in the country who command alot of infleunce. They were at the station in responce to directives by the Dar es Salaam regional commissioner who wanted them queizzed in his crusade against drug abuse and trafficking.

The scenes witnessed were not unexpected as the businessman and the bishop usually attract crowds. Young Africam Football fans showed up in their club colours to show solidarity with Mr Manji who is the team’s chairman. They mobbed his sleek black range rover sports utility car as he was driven in.

On the other hand, the Glory of Christ Tanzania Church clergy and faithful escorted the helicopter flying bishop Gwajima whose arrival some minutes after 1 O’clock brought business around the station to a standstill. The church choir of men and women clad in black suits ,red shirst and a white tie sung as their Bishop was ushered into the station by uniformed police officers.

Anti-riot police wielding battons and and tear gas canisters were all eyes to prevent any fracas. A police water cannon was parked nearby.

Both the two leaders appeared at the station a day earlier as they had been required today. Bishop Gwajima drove in a convoy to the city centre stright from his Ubungo-based church, nearly eight kilometres away. He addressed the faithful first during which he attacked Mr Makonda, accusing him of seeking to mudsling him and the church.

At hand to receive them were scores of officers who were later joined by the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Commander Simon Sirro. The two had to endure more than four hours waiting, with Mr Manji walking in and out of the station four times. The waiting for Mr Manji lasted from around 11am to 3pm.

Mr Makonda had on Wednesday ordered 65 people including the duo to report at the station today for questioning in the ongoing anti-narcotic crackdown declared by the RC last week.

Their final fate will be known today, according to Mr Sirro who promised to talk to the media over the matter.

“The police has nothing to comment until tomorrow (Today) when a general statement will be issued,” said Mr Sirro to a surging group of Journalists anxious for any piece of information.

Mr Sirro would spend an estimated one and half hour with the duo after which they were driven jointly in unmarked police vehicle to undisclosed destination. Their escorting troupes were not allowed to tag along. Unconfirmed reports later said the police drove the two to their respective residences where a physical search was carried out. It was not immediately established what the security men were looking for.

Mr Gwajima earlier held a press briefing in which he lambasted Mr Makonda, suggesting the adminstrator was drunk with power and was out to destroy his investment “in the church and in our youth.”

The bishop who has had brushes with law enforcers in the past and is known for his fiery speeches, some political, declared Makonda was engaging in acts that “would lead the country into turmoil.”

“The RC is behaving like he is everything and has taken the posture of someone representing the president of this country.” Accoring to the bishop, government ministers and the security system “are in paralysis over fear that Mr Makonda is acting on behalf of President Magufuli. I know the President and I can confidently say that Magufuli has not sent him,” said the bishop as he defended himself against any link to drugs trafficking.

“I commend President Magufuli’s culture to appreciate good work done leaders including Mr Makonda but the recent crackdown on illicit drugs has paralyzed security organs and the ministers who have been reluctant to comment anything thinking the RC was backed by the president,” he said. He said he was saddened by the inclusion of his name in the list of drug users, traders or agents.