Makonda disappears from public view

Dar es Salaam. The whereabouts of Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda remain a mystery following his absence from two official events he was expected to attend this week.

Mr Makonda was yesterday expected to be the chief guest at the regional commemoration of International Women’s Day in Dar es Salaam, but did not show up.

It was the second time he had skipped a major event in Dar es Salaam in the space of three days.

He was uncharacteristically absent when President John Magufuli arrived at Julius Nyerere International Airport on Sunday from a four-day tour of Mtwara and Lindi regions and was instead represented by Kigamboni District Commissioner Hashim Mgandilwa.

Mr Mgandilwa said Mr Makonda had directed him to represent him at the function, adding that he did not know why the RC was unable to go to the airport to receive the President.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Makonda attended prayers at various churches in Dar es Salaam.  Video clips and pictures circulated widely on social media showed him weeping bitterly in one of the churches.

Mr Makonda disappeared from public view amid controversy surrounding his academic certificates.

The certificates storm surfaced a few days after Mr Makonda publicly linked several prominent individuals, including politicians, businesspeople, artistes and religions leaders, with narcotic drugs last month.  Those named include billionaire businessman Yusuf Manji, opposition leader Freeman Mbowe, actress Wema Sepetu and Bishop Josephat Gwajima of the Glory of Christ Church.  They all deny the allegations.

Bishop Gwajima has repeatedly accused Mr Makonda of forging his Form Four certificate and using another person’s name, and challenged the RC to prove otherwise.  Mr Makonda has yet to respond to the allegation.

Bishop Gwajima has also asked President Magufuli to sack Mr Makonda.

Reached for comment yesterday, the Minister in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Mr George Simbachawene, told The Citizen that he was not aware that Mr Makonda had “disappeared”.

He also dismissed the controversy surrounding his certificates as “politics” aimed at tarnishing the youthful regional commissioner’s image.

“This is just politics.  As far as I am aware, Mr Makonda is still the Dar es Salaam regional commissioner,” Mr Simbachawene said.

The Director of Presidential Communications, Mr Gerson Msigwa, on Tuesday said he was not aware of reports that Mr Makonda had tendered his resignation to Dr Magufuli.

“I don’t have any information. The only person who can either confirm or deny the reports is Mr Makonda himself,” he told The Citizen.