Zanzibar First VP calls for thorough investigations into mysterious deaths

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Unguja. Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud, has called on the government to fully investigate and clarify the circumstances surrounding the recent deaths of four individuals in a mysterious incident.

He urged the affected families to remain patient as authorities work to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served.

The tragedy occurred on the night of November 9, 2024, when a Dayna vehicle, driven by Msina Sharif (39), crashed into a tree, leading to the deaths of the driver and his assistant, Abdala Bakari (28).

Two young passengers, Mohamed Issa (10) and Hamza Abdalla Abasi (10), both pupils from Kidoti Primary School, sustained injuries.

Initial reports from the Zanzibar Police, released on November 10, stated that the vehicle lost control and crashed after attempting to flee from a police check point.

Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations, Zubeir Chembera, confirmed that a special committee had been set up to investigate the incident further, especially in light of social media rumors and claims that the victims were shot by police officers.

“We are conducting a thorough investigation into this tragic event. A committee has been formed to examine why the vehicle fled, why other vehicles attacked police officers, and whether shots were fired by the police,” Chembera said. “Once the investigation is concluded, we will share our findings with the public.”

The incident occurred during a police operation in the North A District of Kidoti Village, where officers had stopped a Toyota Dyana truck with no registration plates.

According to Chembera, the driver ignored orders to stop, honked the horn, and attempted to flee. Other vehicles joined in, allegedly throwing stones at the police.

In response, police fired warning shots in the air, but the driver continued to evade them, eventually losing control and crashing into a tree.

Chembera reiterated that while the crash is believed to have caused the fatalities, the investigation is ongoing to determine whether any police actions contributed to the deaths.

Meanwhile, the ACT Wazalendo party has called for full accountability. Hamad Mussa Yussuf, a spokesperson for the opposition party, condemned the incident as an act of ‘murder’ and demanded the police reveal the identities of those responsible for the deaths and take swift action against them.

“This is a grave tragedy, and we demand justice. The police must publicly disclose who was responsible for these deaths and ensure that those involved face the law immediately,” Yussuf said.

VP visits grieving families

During a visit to the families of the victims on November 15, 2024, First Vice President Othman Masoud expressed his condolences and reiterated the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth.

He emphasized that it was the government’s duty to thoroughly investigate such incidents and provide the public with clarity, especially when lives are lost under mysterious circumstances.

“This is a tragic event, and it is the responsibility of the government to investigate it fully. The truth must be revealed without concealment, so the community can understand what happened. This process is crucial for ensuring justice and preventing similar incidents in the future,” Othman stated.

In his remarks, Othman praised the families for their patience in the wake of this tragedy, acknowledging the difficulty of their situation while assuring them that the government would pursue justice.

He called on the public to remain calm, as they had demonstrated during the incident, and to allow the ongoing investigation to proceed.

Othman’s statement, issued through the First Vice President’s office, underscored the importance of transparency and accountability. He added that without a full understanding of the facts, it would be difficult to address the deeper issues that led to the deaths and prevent such occurrences in the future.Continue Reading

Coca-Cola announces date, entry fee for grand food festival celebrating Tanzania’s culinary heritage, culminating three-month campaign

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Dar es Salaam. Coca-Cola has announced that its grand food festival will take place on November 23, at 710 Gardens in Kawe, Dar es Salaam, as the finale of a campaign launched three months ago to celebrate Tanzanian cuisine.

The festival will gather food enthusiasts and culture lovers for a full day of exceptional culinary experiences, live music, and cultural festivities. More than 20 local vendors, celebrated for their culinary skills at previous Coke Kitaa Food mini-fests, will showcase their talents alongside renowned chefs and food influencers from Tanzania and across East Africa.

Notable chefs include Dennis Ombachi, the Kenyan rugby sevens icon also known as “The Roaming Chef.” Attendees will have the chance to experience Tanzania’s rich food heritage, presented with creativity and flair.

In addition to the culinary highlights, festival-goers will enjoy live performances by top Tanzanian artists and a vibrant music mix from popular DJs, providing entertainment from 11:00 am until midnight.

This grand festival marks the conclusion of Coca-Cola Food Fest Tanzania, a series of weekly Kitaa Fests held across Dar es Salaam and other major cities since mid-September. These events have given local chefs and vendors a platform to display their talents, engage with the community, and boost their businesses.

“The Coca-Cola Food Festival offers more than just delicious Tanzanian cuisine; it’s about celebrating creativity and bringing people together. We’re thrilled to present a platform where local flavours meet Coca-Cola beverages, creating a unique experience for all,” said Kabula Nshimo, Senior Marketing Manager at Coca-Cola Tanzania.

The event will also feature “Tanzania on a Plate,” where local vendors will showcase the best of Tanzanian cuisine, complemented by entertainment from popular comedians and top Tanzanian DJs.

The festival aligns with Coca-Cola’s global “A Recipe for Magic” campaign, which emphasises the joy of sharing meals and bringing people together. The campaign highlights the belief that whether it’s a simple meal or a special occasion, moments are made magical when enjoyed with Coca-Cola.Continue Reading

Tanzania government, Tourism players agitate for public-private partnership in shaping future of industry

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Dar es Salaam. The government has underscored importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and community involvement in shaping the future of tourism in Tanzania.

Opening the tourism policy reform summit at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam today, Natural Resources and Tourism Minister, Dr. Pindi Chana said there’s a need of a collaborative framework that highlights the significance of PPP and community participation.

Dubbed, ‘Blue & Green: Making the Most of Tanzania’s Coast and Hinterland Ecosystems’, has been organized by the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT) in partnership Ministry of Natural Resources and EnviroSasa.

In her speech read by the Assistant Director of Tourism, Mr Phillip Chitaunga, Dr Chana said that collaboration is key, and pledged to explore how they could work together—government, tourism industry, and communities—to make this vision a reality.

“By aligning local, regional, and national priorities, we aim to create a tourism development model that is economically viable, environmentally responsible, and socially inclusive” Dr Chana emphasized.

Over the two days, the tourism policy reform summit that attracted nearly 100 stakeholders from both public and private sectors, will be engaging in the Blue-Green Program, which focuses on sustainable coastal and hinterland tourism development.

“Our vision is clear, to develop a tourism industry that not only celebrates our rich natural landscapes—from the pristine shores of the Indian Ocean to the lush and biodiverse hinterlands—but also ensures that these resources are preserved for future generations” she added.

At the same time, Dr Chana said there’s a need to ensure that local communities benefit directly from the opportunities that tourism provides, creating livelihoods and strengthening resilience.

The cabinet Minister said that the Summit would also assess tourism resources at the district level, exploring the potential for both marine and terrestrial tourism in specific zones.

In the final session the Summit will be dedicated to developing strategic proposals that align with Vision 2050, the Heshimu Bahari goals, and the Pamoja Framework, she noted.

“Together, we will outline actionable steps for integrating marine and coastal conservation into tourism planning—ensuring that our infrastructure is eco-friendly and that our tourism sector adapts to the challenges posed by climate change” Dr Chana explained.

Chairman of the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT), Mr Moustafa Khataw, said the summit is a pivotal moment to develop actionable strategies for sustainable development across the ecosystems, emphasizing economic growth, environmental conservation, and social inclusivity.

Mr Khataw said that TCT, as the apex body of the Tanzania tourism private sector associations, remains committed to bridging government efforts and private sector ambitions.

“By endorsing the PAMOJA framework, we advocate for a bottom-up approach in policy and planning, emphasizing community-led initiatives at the district level” he noted.

The move, Mr Khataw said, aligns with TCT strategic partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and other key stakeholders.

“We are thrilled to advance dialogue on breaking traditional circuit-based tourism models, transitioning towards a more integrated travel route and regional approach” he noted

“I am confident that with collaborative effort and shared commitment, we can achieve the sustainable development goals laid out for Tanzania’s coast and hinterland” TCT Chief noted.

TCT Chief Executive Officer, Ms Lathifa Sykes said: “The ‘Blue & Green: Making the Most of Tanzania’s Coast and Hinterland Ecosystems’ event is set to be a pivotal moment in the transformation of Tanzania’s tourism industry, fostering collaboration, sustainability, and growth in alignment with the country’s long-term development goals”.

Attendees include representatives from the President’s Office, Planning Commission, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Coastal Region Heads, the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), and the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC).

The summit lacked the presence of officials from National Environmental Management Council (NEMC), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and Occupational safety and health (OSH).Continue Reading