Let's pick lessons from recent 'Togwa' incident

Merrymaking, plus excitement and joy that it produces, is a key feature of a wedding. The fate that befell 66 wedding party guests in Lyangweni Village in Songea District at the weekend is thus most hurtful, for it smacks of contradiction.

The guests fell ill after drinking an apparently poisonous local brew, togwa, with merry-makers experiencing acute stomach upset that led to vomiting and diarrhoea.

DC Palolet Mgema’s indefinite ban on togwa-drinking in the village is understandable, considering that 400 people suffered a similar fate in October 2014. However, like many decisions that emerge from crisis situations, it misses the point that lie beneath the surface.

Unlike the illegal gin, gongo, which has been scientifically proven to be toxic, togwa is in the league of several essentially harmless traditional brews associated with scores of Tanzania’s tribes. Examples are mbege of the Wachagga of Kilimanjaro Region and lubisi of Kagera Region’s Wahaya.

Two possibilities should be pondered on the unfortunate Lyangweni incident, as would apply to beer and gin if something went wrong in the production line of a modern brewery or distillery.

One, accidental distortion of the production formula resulting from ineptitude, and two, sabotage. This is the line that Songea authorities are pursuing, involving, principally, the police and chemists.

Should it emerge that some people were behind the incident, out of revenge or sheer mischief, the law should take its course.

If the contamination of the togwa in question was purely accidental, more emphasis should be laid on hygienic precautions during the production process and even sanction the violators.

Otherwise, a blanket ban on the drink, a move that may be replicated in the event of the Lyangweni-like incident occurring elsewhere, would be unfair.

It would be tantamount to depriving wananchi of their right to recreation and force those so disposed, to become unwilling teetotallers, or reluctantly switch to brands they don’t like!

ENSURE GOOD QUALITY desks

It is disconcerting that thousands of new desks meant for public schools have been found to be substandard. There are reports of desks falling apart even before they have been handed over to education authorities, while others disintegrate after being used for a few days.

Desks meant for schools are supposed to be sturdy and durable pieces of furniture that should be able to withstand normal use and even abuse for many years. However, it seems that this requirement is to a large extent being ignored in the current campaign to alleviate the shortage of desks in public schools.

Among those who have spoken out in recent weeks is Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who earlier this month refused to accept over 80 supposedly new but rickety desks donated by Tanzania Forestry Services.

Both public and private entities have been falling over themselves to donate desks since the campaign was launched earlier in the year. While this is all well and good, it is safe to conclude that some have jumped onto the bandwagon so that they can bask in the publicity that comes with handing over desks to some high-profile government official, the quality of their donations notwithstanding.

Unless the quality of desks being handed over in the current drive is assured, it will prove impossible to alleviate the shortage, which has been with us for as long as one can remember.