Dar es Salaam. The coming of Dovetel Limited, which traded as Sasatel, in 2008 was largely seen as the dawn of a cutthroat competition among operators.
But the company was short-lived after failing to effectively compete with established brands at that time which included Vodacom, Airtel (then known as Zain) and Tigo.
It died a natural death and now, the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (Rita) says it was finalising the liquidation of ‘Sasatel’ and Hydrox Industrial Services Limited after confirming that the duo were unable to operate and settle debts they owe.
The Rita Chief Executive Officer, Mr Frank Kanyusi, said in Dar es Salaam on Monday, July 8, 2024 that the move to liquidate the two firms was meant to protect the rights of shareholders, partners, creditors and employees as well as ensuring that all government taxes and dues were duly paid.
“The general public needs to understand that apart from registering births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and adoptions, Rita also oversees the insolvency of corporate bodies and even that [the insolvency] of individuals. We also register the boards of trustees, management of unclaimed property, drafting and safe keeping of wills, and the administration of estates,” Mr Kanyusi stressed.
In line with its mandate, he said Rita has been authorised by the Court to liquidate or rather privatise the two companies.
As such, he said, Rita has already issued notices to inform the public on sensitivity of the issue especially for those with interests in the two companies who are required to come forward and present their interests before the process was completed.
“The work of insolvency in the country is guided by various laws depending on the type of business being conducted by the company being liquidated,” he explained.
Mr Kanyusi said Rita was committed to fulfilling its responsibilities professionally in line with the key pillars of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration of the 4Rs [Reconciliation, Reform, Resilience, and Rebuilding]
“The laws include the Insolvency Act Chapter 25, the Companies Act of 2012, the Banking and Financial Institutions Act Chapter 342, the Cooperative Societies Act Chapter 211, the Insurance Act 394, the Public Corporations Act, the Deeds of Arrangement Act, and the Trustees Incorporation Act Chapter 318,” he said.
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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.
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“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
