Unguja. The Secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Training for CCM in Zanzibar, Mr Khamis Mbeto Khamis said on Thursday, July 4, 2024 that the ruling party was prepared to welcome the Deputy Secretary General for the opposition ACT-Wazalendo, Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, should he be expelled from his party.
He made the statement following rumours of preparations to expel Mazrui from ACT-Wazalendo, allegedly due to dissatisfaction with his recent remarks praising Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi for what he termed as ‘his significant efforts in improving the healthcare sector’ in Zanzibar.
Mr Mazrui made the remarks during the launch of staff housing at Abdalla Mzee Hospital in Southern Pemba.
Mbeto said that he had received information from a reliable source within ACT-Wazalendo indicating that some leaders of the party’s Central Committee held a secret meeting to thoroughly discuss allegations against Mr Mazrui.
According to him, the majority of the members have reportedly recommended his expulsion, citing Mazrui’s statements that appear to endorse CCM while distancing ACT-Wazalendo.
Mbeto emphasized that CCM was a mentor and leader in democracy in the country and that the party was always ready to receive various opposition party leaders who demonstrate their support through actions aligned with development initiatives benefiting citizens, without political bias.
In his explanation, Mbeto stated that Mazrui’s public declaration that voting is secret, hence citizens have the freedom to choose a party that advances development, has been a setback and disaster for ACT-Wazalendo due to their policies of ridiculing, misleading, and criticizing CCM and its governments by spreading false propaganda.
“CCM is a sanctuary for politicians and all citizens. The fundamental issue is to respect and adhere to our ideologies and policies, prioritizing the concepts of truth and unwavering patriotism,” Mbeto asserted.
He said that CCM is prepared to warmly receive Nassor Mazrui, Minister of Health and Deputy Secretary General of ACT-Wazalendo, with open arms once he is officially expelled from his party.
He praised Mazrui as a political hero with steadfast principles.
According to the Constitution of Zanzibar, every citizen has the freedom to express opinions. Similarly, within political parties, every leader has the right to express personal opinions without compromising the party’s stance.
Mbeto urged other leaders within ACT-Wazalendo to continue coming forward publicly to support Nassor Mazrui’s position, as this is the only way to free themselves from political imprisonment and democratic oppression within the party.
He added that political reforms within opposition parties will be led by a few dedicated leaders with strong principles, committed to safeguarding the interests of the majority of citizens, rather than a minority of leaders acting as political agents or mercenaries for foreign interests.
Additionally, Mbeto affirmed that CCM will continue to uphold democratic principles and steadfastly implement policies benefiting both current and future generations.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
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