Kabendera atangaza kukata rufaa dhidi ya Vodacom

Kabendera atangaza kukata rufaa dhidi ya Vodacom

Kabendera atangaza kukata rufaa dhidi ya Vodacom

Dar es Salaam. Mwanahabari, Erick Kabendera ametangaza uamuzi wa kukata rufaa dhidi ya pingamizi lililozuia kuendelea kwa kesi yake anayokabiliana na Kampuni ya mtandao wa simu ya Vodacom Tanzania Ltd.

Kabendera aliifungua kesi hiyo, Julai 2024, akiituhumu kampuni hiyo kuhusika na utoaji wa taarifa za mahali alipo hadi kukamatwa kwake Julai, 2019 nyumbani kwake Mbweni jijini Dar es Salaam.

Baada ya kufungua kesi hiyo namba (12799/2024), iliwekewa pingamizi lililosababisha Mahakama Kuu Masjala Ndogo ya Dar es Salaam kuifuta.

Kabendera alitangaza uamuzi wa kukata rufaa jana Jumanne, Oktoba 1, 2024 alipozungumza na waandishi wa habari kwa njia ya mtandao, akidokeza anafanya hivyo baada ya kushauriana na mawakili wake.

Alisema anatarajia kukata rufaa kwenye Mahakama ya Rufaa dhidi za pingamizi lililowekwa kwa kuwa wanaamini kesi hiyo ina mashiko na inastahili kusikilizwa ili wawasilishe ushahidi.

“Kutokana na ushahidi tulioukusanya baada ya miaka mitatu ya uchunguzi, tumeona ushahidi ni mkubwa kiasi kwamba unatosha kuishitaki Vodacom Tanzania na kampuni zake tanzu nchini Afrika ya Kusini na Uingereza,” alisema.

Sambamba na uamuzi huo, Kabendera alisema wanasheria wake kutoka Uingereza na Afrika ya Kusini wanakamilisha utaratibu wa kufungua kesi dhidi ya Vodacom Group South Africa na Vodafone Group PLC yenye makao yake makuu nchini Uingereza haraka iwezekanavyo.

Kabendera anaibuka kutangaza uamuzi huo takribani siku 20 zimepita tangu Mahakama Kuu Masjala Ndogo Dar es Salaam kuifuta kesi yake aliyokuwa ameifungulia kampuni ya huduma za mawasiliano ya simu za mkononi ya Vodacom Tanzania Public Limited.

Uamuzi huo wa kuifuata kesi hiyo utolewa Jumanne, Septemba 10, 2024 na Naibu Msajili wa Mahakama hiyo, Livin Lyakinana kwa niaba ya Jaji Mfawidhi wa Mahakama hiyo, Salma Maghimbi aliyesikiliza kesi hiyo, kufuatia pingamizi la awali lililowekwa na Vodacom.

Katika kesi hiyo ya madai namba 12799/2024, Kabendera aliyewakilishwa na Wakili Peter Madeleka alikuwa anaituhumu Vodacom kufanikisha kukamatwa kwake na namna hiyo anayoiita kutekwa na hatimaye kufunguliwa kesi hiyo ya uhujumu uchumi.

Alikuwa anadai kutokana na tukio hilo amepata madhara mbalimbali yakiwamo ya kiuchumi na yasiyo ya kiuchumi, ya kijamii, maumivu ya kiakili na kimaono, ya kutokufurahia maisha, ya maendeleo binafsi na hadhi yake katika jamii na kutokuaminiwa kitaaluma.

Hivyo, alikuwa anaitaka kampuni hiyo imlipe Dola 10 milioni za Marekani (takribani Sh28 bilioni) kama fidia ya hasara halisi na riba kwa kiwango cha Mahakama (asilimia) kuanzia tarehe ya hukumu mpaka kumaliza malipo yote.

Pia, alikuwa anaiomba Mahakama iamuru Vodacom imlipe fidia ya hasara ya jumla kadri Mahakama itakavyotathmini, gharama za kesi na nafuu nyingine kadri mahakama itakavyona inafaa.

Hata hivyo, Vodacom kupitia wakili wake Gaspar Nyika, Julai 9, 2024 kufuatia wito wa Mahakama uliyoitaka kufika mahakamani na kuwasilisha utetezi wake wa maandishi, iliwasilisha mahakamani maelezo yake ya utetezi wa maandishi.

Katika maelezo hayo ya utetezi ambayo Mwananchi iliyaona nakala yake, kampuni hiyo ilikana tuhuma zote zilizoelekezwa kwake na mwanahabari huyo kuhusu ushiriki wake kufanikisha hicho alichokiita kutekwa kwake na ikamtaka mwanahabari huyo kuthibitisha tuhuma hizo.

Sambamba na maelezo hayo ya utetezi pia kampuni hiyo iliibua pingamizi la awali dhidi ya kesi hiyo ikiiomba Mahakama isiisikilize.

Katika pingamizi lake, kampuni hiyo iliiomba Mahakama hiyo iitupilie mbali kesi hiyo bila kuisikiliza ikidai haina mamlaka ya kuisikiliza kwa madai imefunguliwa nje ya muda uliowekwa kisheria.

Katika uamuzi huo, Jaji Maghimbi amekubaliana na hoja ya pingamizi la Vodacom kuwa kesi hiyo iko mahakamani isivyo halali kwa kuwa imefunguliwa nje ya muda uliowekwa katika sheria.

Jaji Maghimbi amesema sheria inaelekeza kesi za aina hiyo zinapaswa kufunguliwa mahakamani ndani ya muda wa miaka mitatu tangu kutokea kwa jambo linalolalamikiwa, lakini Kabendera alifungua kesi hiyo baada ya muda huo kupitia.

Alivyotiwa mbaroni

Kabendera alitiwa mbaroni na askari polisi nyumbani kwake, Mbweni jijini Dar es Salaam Julai 29, 2019 na kushikiliwa kwa siku kadhaa, kisha akafunguliwa kesi ya uhujumu uchumi.

Kesi hiyo ilimalizika kwa utaratibu wa majadiliano na makubaliano ya kukiri makosa baina yake na Mkurugenzi wa Mashtaka (DPP) unaojulikana kisheria kama plea bargaining.

Aliachiliwa huru Februari 24, 2020 baada ya kulipa fidia ya hasara aliyodaiwa kusababisha kwa kukwepa kodi zaidi ya Sh173 milioni na faini aliyoamuriwa na Mahakama baada ya kumtia hatiani kwa kukiri makosa yake kulingana na majadiliano na makubaliano hayo na DPP.

Mwaka 2024, katikati, ikiwa ni miaka mitano baada ya kukamatwa na miaka minne baada ya kesi yake hiyo ya uhujumu uchumi kumalizika, ndipo Kabendera akafungau kesi hiyo ya madai ya fidia dhidi ya Vodacom.

Simulizi ya kutekwa, msingi wa madai

Kwa mujibu wa hati ya madai katika kesi hiyo Kabendera ameeleza matukio yaliyojiri katika simu yake kabla ya tukio la kukamatwa kwake, kuwa ilianza kupoteza mawasiliano na kumfanya ashindwe kupata huduma ya mawasiliano.

Pia, Kabendera ameelezea juhudi alizofanya kujua chanzo cha hali hiyo kwa kufanya mawasiliano na mwakilishi wa huduma kwa wateja na hata kutembelea ofisi za kampuni hiyo lakini hakupata ufumbuzi wa tatizo hilo.

Kwa mujibu wa hati hiyo ya madai, hali hiyo ilianza Julai 27, 2019, saa 9:00 alasiri alipoiwasha simu yake ambayo alikuwa ameizima tangu jana yake usiku na kwamba ndipo alipobaini kuwa haikuwa na mtandao.

Hivyo, aliazima simu nyingine akampigia mtoa huduma kwa mteja kujua mazingira yaliyosababisha kumkatia huduma katika simu yake bila kumjulisha kwanza.

Mwakilishi wa huduma kwa wateja wa Vodacom alimweleza kuwa namba yake ya simu ya Vodacom (+255767456796) ilikuwa na changamoto za kiufundi ambayo ilimhitaji kutoa taarifa katika kituo cha huduma kwa wateja cha karibu kilichopo Tegeta.

Kabendera alimtaka mwakilishi huyo kuelezea tatizo ni nini kabla ya kwenda huko kituoni, lakini mwakilishi huyo alikataa akidai ni suala nyeti ambalo linamtaka aende binafsi kituoni hapo.

“Hata hivyo (Kabendera alisita kwenda huko kituo cha huduma kwa wateja) kwa kuwa kulikuwa kina matukio kadhaa ya watu kutekwa ama kutiwa mbaroni walipokuwa wakitembelea kituo cha huduma kwa wateja tangu mwaka 2016,” inasomeka sehemu nyingine ya hati hiyo ya hiyo na kuongeza:

Inaendelea kueleza Jumatatu, Julai 29, 2019 saa 4:00 asubuhi Kabendera alipiga tena simu ya huduma kwa wateja akimlalamikia kuwa alikuwa akihitaji kutoa pesa kwenye simu yake hiyo kwa ajili ya kumnunulia dawa mama yake aliyekuwa mgonjwa.

Mwakilishi wa Vodacom aliyemhudumia alimweleza kuwa asubiri kidogo ili amuulize meneja wake na alirejea dakika chache baadaye na kumweleza kuwa kesi yake ilikuwa nyeti na kwamba ilikuwa juu ya uwezo wao kuitatua.

Badala yake walimshauri atembelee ofisi zao zilizoko Mliman City asubuhi hiyo.

Hata hivyo saa 9:00 alasiri siku hiyohiyo ya Julai 29, ghafla tu simu yake ilianza kufanya kazi, kisha alipoigiwa simu na mwakilishi wa Vodacom ambaye alimtaka (Kabendera) amwelezee tatizo lake na baada ya Kabendera kumuelezea kwa takribani dakika tatu, alikata simu akiahidi kumpigia baadaye kidogo.

Baada ya takribani dakika tatu Kabendera alipokea simu iliyopigwa kutoka huduma kwa wateja Vodacom ambayo aliipokea akabaini kuwa ilikuwa ni sauti ya mwanamume, ambaye alimtaka Kabendera aeleze mahali alikokuwa na kwamba simu hiyo ilikuwa ikihanikiza na kukwaruza kama vile ilikuwa inarekodiwa.

“Kabla ya simu hiyo kukatwa mteja wetu alimsikia huyo aliyempigia simu hiyo akinong’ona kuwa alikuwa nyumbani kwake na kuongeza kuwa sogea karibu na nyumba yake,” inasomeka sehemu nyingine ya hati hiyo ya madai.

Kwa mujibu wa hati hiyo, maelezo hayo yalimstua Kabendera, akakimbia sehemu ya juu ya nyumba yake ambako aliweza kuona magari kadhaa ambayo hakuyafahamu, karibu ya nyumba yake.

Kisha lilitokea gari lingine aina ya Toyota Alphard lililoegeshwa mbele ya magari hayo upande wa kulia mwa nyumba yake, halafu wakashuka watu wanne ambao walijitambulisha kuwa maofisa wa polisi lakini walikataa kutoa utambulisho. Walimpiga pingu kumshikilia kizuizini kwa siku mbili.

Hati hiyo inaendelea kueleza wakati wa mahojiano, maofisa wa polisi walifika katika chumba cha mahojiano wakiwa na karatasi zilizochapishwa kutoka katika kompyuta za akaunti za pesa ya simu na za namba simu alizokuwa amezipiga kwa mwaka mzima.

Hivyo, walimhoji lengo la kila muamala alioufanya kwa mwaka mzima nyuma yake na pia walimhoji uhusiano wake na watu aliokuwa amewasiliana nao miaka kadhaa.

Kabendera analalamika polisi na Serikali walitoa taarifa kadhaa zenye mgogoro kwa umma kuhusiana na ‘kutekwa’ kwake na kwamba walimtuhumu kwa kutokuwa raia na kumkashfu Rais (wa wakati huo) John Magufuli.

“Hatimaye alishtakiwa mahakamani kwa makosa ya utakatishaji fedha, uhujumu uchumi na ukwepaji kodi na matokeo yake walimuweka chini ya ulinzi mkali katika mahabusu ya Gereza la Segerea,” inasomeka hati hiyo ya madai.

Source: mwananchi.co.tz

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MGAO WA MAJI WAWATESA WAZANZIBARI

Wananchi wengi hasa katika maeneo ya Mjini Unguja, wanalalamikia ukosefu wa maji safi na salama huku Mamlaka ya Maji Zanzibar ikikabiliwa na changamoto ya ukosefu wa ujuzi na wataalam katika masuala ya uandisi wa Maji na fani nyengine.Continue Reading

Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Tanzania Foreign Investment News
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit

Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.

While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.

“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher

Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).

“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.

Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.

Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.

The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.

“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.

She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.

“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.

Cross-border transmission

The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.

The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.

Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.

“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”

The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.

The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.

Transparency urged

Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.

“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.

WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.

“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.

The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.

Source: allafrica.com

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