Chaos as mayoral election called off

Dar es Salaam. Turmoil erupted yesterday  pitting members of the opposition against their CCM counterparts after authorities cancelled the Dar es Salaam mayoral election again.

Acting city director Sarah Yohana announced the cancellation of the poll after the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court issued a temporary injunction.

The application to stop the process  was filed on February 5 this year by Ms Susan Ernest and Saad Mohamed Khimji before Principal Resident Magistrate Warialwande Lema.

It was filed in the presence of Elias Nawera Advocate for the first and second applicants, and in the absence of the respondent.

At least 142 eligible voters out of 163 had turned up for the mayoral election, which was scheduled to take place at the Karimjee Hall starting from 9 am. 

But Ms Yohana told a packed hall that there would be no voting since there was a court injunction, which is valid for three months. 

She told the voters: “I have received information this morning that we cannot continue with this election because there is a court injunction, which was filed on February 5, this year and it is valid for three months.” 

Upon finishing giving the announcement, CCM members, including MPs, councillors and ministers stood up and started walking out of the hall.

As they marched out, members of the opposition coalition Ukawa began shouting, booing and accusing their counterparts of plotting the cancellation. 

From verbal exchanges, the  situation quickly degenerated into near fist-fights after angry Ukawa members overpowered police officers in the hall as they confronted the acting city director, demanding a clear explanation from her.

She told them her office had acted in accordance with the court’s decision, and that conducting elections could be interpreted as contempt of the court.

The acting city director urged the  voters and other wananchi to respect the court order and vacate the hall.

“We came here purposely for the election of the City Mayor and his or her deputy, but we are now supposed to obey the court order and leave this place,” she said.

Apparently, this was not enough explanation to calm the visibly angry Ukawa members, who pushed the  city boss from the chair to the floor.

 The Dar es Salaam Regional Administrative Secretary, Ms Theresia Mmbando, who chaired the meeting, was also blocked from walking out of hall. Ukawa members wanted her to announce a new date for the election.

After more than 40 minutes of commotion, Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Simon Sirro arrived with anti-riot police. 

The officers stormed the hall and managed to secure Ms Mmbando and Ms Yohana through the hall’s emergency exit door. 

Speaking to reporters, Mr Sirro said he decided to bring in a heavy police squad after learning that there were signs the turmoil could turn into something serious. “I wanted to bring at least 200 officers, next time I will do so,” he said. Some opposition members, including Kawe MP  Halima Mdee, were taken to the Central Police Station for interrogation in connection with the chaos that happened at the Karimjee Hall. Chadema deputy secretary general Salum Mwalimu (Zanzibar) said CCM was behind the cancellation of the election because the ruling party was not ready to allow the opposition to manage affairs of the city.

The CUF director for elections and planning, Mr Shaweji Mketo, said it was meaningless for the government to announce the election date knowing that the court injunction was valid for three months.

“Cancelling and postponing elections will not help CCM to win the City Mayor’s post, they are doing everything in their power to stop the opposition from taking this post,” he said.

Chadema deputy secretary general (Mainland), who doubles as Kibamba MP, MrJohn Mnyika called upon President John Magufuli to intervene in the matter and let the election take place immediately.

“Delaying the mayoral election has a big impact on the development of the city, we are requesting President Magufuli to intervene and make sure the election takes place,” he said.

Kunduchi ward councillor Michael Urio (CCM) said his party respects the rule of law and that CCM members could not participate in the election contrary to the court order.

“I decided to walk out of the hall immediately after being informed of the court injunction because I respect the rule of law,” he said.