Unguja. The Zanzibar Anti-Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (ZADCEA) has announced the confiscation of assets valued at Sh976.05 million, allegedly acquired through drug trafficking.
The property was seized from four suspects believed to have accumulated wealth illegally from drug operations.
ZADCEA Commissioner Colonel Burhani Zuberi Nassoro stated that the seizures were authorized under Section 73 (1) of Zanzibar’s Anti-Drug Control and Enforcement Authority Act, No. 8 of 2021. He addressed the media in Unguja on Monday, detailing the operation.
The individuals involved include Saleh Khamis Baslema of Chukwani and his wife, Gawar Bachi Fakir, whose combined assets of Sh422.126 million, including land, vehicles, and motorcycles, are being seized. In April 2024, the couple also lost assets worth Sh15.3 billion linked to similar allegations.
The third suspect, Mohamed Abdulla Juma, a Tanzanian resident of Michenzani, Unguja, and former senior legal official in the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government, is accused of laundering money for Baslema and his wife. His Sh35 million plot of land has been seized. “Juma was also responsible for smuggling satellite phones used to communicate with Afghan captains who brought drugs into Zanzibar and Tanzania,” Colonel Nassoro said.
A fourth suspect, Andreas Wolfgang Fretz, a German national, faces the forfeiture of assets valued at Sh518.926 million, including a car and two houses. Fretz was arrested on October 17, 2023, following a tip-off about his large-scale marijuana operation in Paje, Southern Unguja, where police discovered advanced planting equipment, marijuana plants, and ready-for-market cannabis.
Colonel Nassoro explained that the decision to seize the assets was made after the suspects failed to report to ZADCEA within a 30-day notice period to provide legitimate income sources.
“The suspects were given 30 days to report to ZADCEA and explain their income or prove lawful ownership of the assets, but they failed to comply,” he said.
Colonel Nassoro affirmed that the Zanzibar government is resolute in its anti-drug fight, prioritizing law enforcement regardless of individuals’ status or nationality.
“We cannot permit drug traffickers to live luxuriously while our youth are affected by drugs. ZADCEA, in partnership with law enforcement, is fully committed to eradicating this threat to our nation,” he added.
He urged the public to support the fight against drug crime in Zanzibar and reminded anyone dissatisfied with the ruling that they may appeal in court within 30 days.
Local residents expressed appreciation for the effort but called for stronger community involvement to completely curb drug-related crime on the island.
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Africa: Rwanda Gets a Grip Of Marburg, But Mpox ‘Not Yet Under Control’
Monrovia — The Rwanda Minister of State responsible for Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, cautioned that while the country is beginning to see positive signals in its fight against the Marburg virus, the outbreak is “not yet over”. He, however, expressed hope that “we are headed in that direction”. The minister said the epidemiology trend, since the disease was first discovered in the country more than a month ago, is moving towards fewer cases.
Dr. Butera, who was giving updates during an online briefing yesterday, said in the past two weeks, only two deaths were recorded while 14 people recovered from the disease. He said Rwanda was expanding its testing capacity with 16,000 people already inoculated against the disease.
The priority right now, Butera said, is “rapid testing and detection”.
Marburg is a highly virulent disease transmitted through human-to-human contact or contact with an infected animal. The fatality rate of cases, which has varied over the period, is more than 50%, according to the World Health Organization. WHO said the highest number of new confirmed cases in Rwanda were reported in the first two weeks of the outbreak. There’s been a “sharp decline” in the last few weeks, with the country now tackling over 60 cases.
At Thursday’s briefing, a senior official of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, said mpox – the other infectious disease outbreak that countries in the region are fighting – was been reported in 19 countries, with Mauritius being the latest country to confirm a case. He said although no new cases have been recorded in recent weeks in several countries where outbreaks occurred previously – including Cameroon, South Africa, Guinea, and Gabon – Uganda confirmed its first Mpox death. This, he said, is one of two fatalities reported outside Central Africa.
Dr. Ngashi revealed that there was an increase in cases in Liberia and Uganda. He said mpox cases were still on an upward trend.
“The situation is not yet under control.”
Source: allafrica.com
Zanzibar terminates land lease offered to British developer
The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (SMZ) has terminated a land lease held by British property developer Pennyroyal Limited in Matemwe, the developer has announced.Continue Reading
Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy
Unguja. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo today officially bids farewell to its former Chairman, Juma Duni Haji, also known as Babu Duni, as part of a new policy designed to honor retired senior leaders at a ceremony held at Kiembesamaki, Zanzibar.
The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to recognizing and supporting individuals who have served with dedication and integrity.
Babu Duni, who stepped down earlier this year, was succeeded by Othman Masoud, now the First Vice President of Zanzibar.
The policy aims to provide ongoing respect and support to retired leaders, ensuring their continued recognition and contribution to the party’s development.
“Recognizing their significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the party, this policy ensures that retired leaders continue to be acknowledged and respected by both the party and the community,” the policy states.
To benefit from this policy, leaders must not have left or been expelled from the party. They must have served the party with honor and dedication. The national leadership committee will determine whether a leader has fulfilled these criteria.
The policy seeks to honor retired leaders, protect their dignity, acknowledge their contributions, leverage their ideas for the party’s growth, and support them to the best of the party’s ability.
In honoring these leaders, the party will provide a vehicle, the type of which will be determined by the national leadership committee. Additionally, they will receive a monthly allowance, with the amount also set by this committee.
Other benefits include health insurance. If a leader does not own a home, the party will cover their rent at a rate decided by the committee.
The leadership committee may also grant special recognition based on the leader’s contributions. Retired leaders will participate in decision-making meetings according to procedures outlined in the party’s constitution.
Depending on the party’s resources at the time, the policy may also apply to retired deputy chairpersons for both the mainland and Zanzibar, the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General for both mainland and Zanzibar, and the party’s Attorney General.
Additionally, leaders, executives, or members with exceptional contributions to the party’s protection, advocacy, and defense may also benefit, as determined by the leadership committee.
Currently, those who are eligible for benefits under this policy include Juma Duni Haji (retired party Chairman) and Zitto Kabwe (retired party leader).Continue Reading
