Unguja. Zanzibar Police Commissioner Hamad Khamis Hamad has called upon on political parties to avoid using their platforms to undermine respect, promote hatred, or incite violence.
The Commissioner made this statement on August 19, 2024, while addressing journalists at his office in Ziwani, Unguja.
He emphasised that freedom of expression should not be used to justify inciting hatred or violence, stressing that this freedom does not extend to invading personal privacy.
“Freedom of speech is a crucial right for promoting democracy, but it must be exercised responsibly, with a commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and the rule of law,” said Commissioner Hamad.
He affirmed that the Police Force respects political leaders’ right to criticise the government and advocate for reforms through legal and proper channels.
However, he clarified that freedom of speech does not include attacking the privacy of political opponents or anyone else, nor does it cover the use of hateful language, derogatory comments, public shaming, spreading false information, or inciting people against legitimate government authority and its institutions.
“We have observed some party leaders endorsing acts of violence by encouraging their followers to take the law into their own hands.
Such actions are not only illegal but also detrimental to societal cohesion,” Commissioner Hamad noted.
He has directed police commanders on the island to enforce laws against inflammatory speech that could lead to violence and to address attempts to pursue reforms through improper means.
The Commissioner also urged citizens to avoid initiating violence and to critically evaluate the statements.
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
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On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
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