Now police ban political party guards

Dar es Salaam. Police have banned political party security groups during election campaigns, on voting date and during tallying of votes.

The law enforcers insist that the deployment of security personnel who are not legally recognised is a breach of the country’s laws.

Addressing a news conference at police headquarters here yesterday, Operations and Training commissioner Paul Chagonja directed all political parties to disband their groups immediately.

“These groups have been interfering with police duties something which is contrary to the country’s laws,” he noted.

Political parties have their security groups whose main task is to provide defence on political rallies and defence to party leaders. Chadema has Red Brigade, CUF Blue Guards and CCM Green Guards.

“Continuing to deploy those groups for any reasons is blatant disregard of the country’s constitution and the Political Parties Act, something the police cannot tolerate.”

However, police have been criticised for being the main source of election insecurity. It has been reported that, it is common in developing countries for ruling parties to use security organs to intimidate the opposition during elections.

Police have been condemned for suppressing freedom of association and expression for opposition parties and activists.

Mr Chagonja insisted yesterday that any political party that would disobey the order would face the music including taking appropriate legal action as provided for by the law. “I have never seen any country with state machinery within the State anywhere in the world and in this country the President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, meaning we do not expect to have any security group outside those recognised by the law,” he warned.

On Tuesday, police in Mbeya Region summoned and grilled two Chadema officials over the alleged interference of the party presidential candidate Edward Lowassa’s security which is taken care of by State organs for his status as former prime minister.

Police said they had launched investigations after they realised that the party’s security personnel used an open-roof Land Cruiser to ride along Mr Lowassa’s entourage in his recent introduction in Mbeya.

According to Mr Chagonja, it was improper for civilians to use equipment that resemble that of the law enforcers, warning that police would not tolerate any breach of law.

In what appears to be yet another stumbling block to politicians as campaigns kick off today, Mr Chagonja said police would not allow demonstrations heading to political rallies.

Last week, police banned demonstrations when the Chadema presidential candidate was seeking guarantors in in various regions.

The move drew condemnation from political parties forming the Coalition of Defenders of the People’s Constitution (Ukawa) who accused police of favouring the ruling party.

However, Mr Chagonja yesterday defended the law enforcers, saying police were fair to all political parties regardless of their ideologies.

“When we decide to use force everyone should know that we have employed all possible means to reach an amicable solution in vain.”

Meanwhile, police yesterday asked citizens, political parties and other stakeholders to ensure that they maintain peace, harmony and tranquility during campaigning.