EDITORIAL: ENABLE POLICE TO FURTHER CUT CRIME, ACCIDENT RATES

On Monday, Inspector General of Police Simon Sirro reiterated his earlier averment that the rates of crimes and road accidents in Tanzania have markedly gone down. He said crime and accidents decreased by 34 percent and 20 percent, respectively, in 2020.

Briefing journalists in Dar es Salaam on January 4 after the annual review meeting of traffic police, Mr Sirro said the achievements were the result of “technical strategies by the Police Force, enforcement of the laws and public awareness regarding crime and road safety”.

About four months ago, the very same police chief said in a report published in our August 19, 2020 edition that not only had crime rates gone down in Tanzania in the last five years; “the Police Force had also largely reduced the number of deaths caused by road traffic accidents”.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Citizen on August 13 this year, the Police Inspector General revealed that, for example, the number of road accidents had drastically decreased from 91,908 in the period 2011-2015 to 24,339 in 2016-2020: equivalent to a 73.5 percent decrease in five years.

How commendable, we say. This is especially considering that, for example, violent crimes – including armed robberies – have been on the wane in the last few years.

This is despite the fact that the Police Force is understaffed, with the current police-to-population ratio being 1:1,800, instead of the ideal ratio of one policeman to 450 citizens.

It is also noteworthy that the reductions cited herein above occurred in the last five years or so – significantly during the fifth-phase government of President John Magufuli, in power since November 5, 2015.

According to Mr Sirro, the Police Force plans to further reduce criminal offences and traffic accidents in 2021. In which case we call upon the government to do everything that is statutorily and humanly possible to enable them do so.

STEP UP FIGHT AGAINST FAKES

Health and safety rank among the most important human needs. This is why it is essential that we maintain strict standards and controls over products we come into contact with. It is very disturbing, therefore, that some dishonest dealers have no problem passing sub-standard products on to their unsuspecting customers. They do so safe in the knowledge that they will get away with it.

The harsh reality is that the majority of consumers often do not know how to tell products fit for human consumption and those that are not. Sub-standard products pose a major health risk to the majority of Tanzanians, particularly since they have no way of identifying the culprits.

We have to join forces if we are to end this menace. The authorities should ensure laws and policies are implemented to the letter.

They should mount a consumer education campaign to alert the people on the impact of fake stuff on public health and the national economy.

We can help the campaign along by refusing to buy shady products, which are often sold cheap. Let us expose dishonest traders, importers and manufacturers. We will not only take these dangerous goods off the market but also protect our wellbeing.