Tanzania: Police summon journalist for interrogation

24 Nov 2009

DAR ES SALAAM: Police in the Singida region in Tanzania summoned and interrogated freelance journalist Jumbe Ismailly on 19 November 2009, from 11am to 1.09pm on allegations of defaming the regional commissioner Parseko Kone. He was released and told that he would be called again as part of an ongoing investigation against him.

According to Ismailly, he was interrogated at the office of Singida Regional Crime Investigation Officer (RCO) for allegedly reporting and broadcasting information that defamed the Singida regional commissioner.

Ismailly, a reporter of Kulikoni and Tanzania Daima Swahili daily newspapers and Channel Ten televison, said that he was told by police during the interrogation that the regional commissioner was not happy with his reporting on his individual and regional issues. Ismailly explained he was interrogated by a police officer with number E.6940 D/CPL, who identified himself by only one name of Lugendo. The police officer told the reporter that the regional commissioner had submitted his complaints to the regional police against him since 11 August 2009.

The police officer allegedly explained to the reporter that Kone had complained that he has been defamed several times by journalists from Singida region through the media. The reporter was presented with press cuttings of stories he wrote about the regional commissioner since 2006. He said the stories presented to him include one with a headline “Mkuu wa Mkoa Singida Kuburuzwa Mahakamani na Wanakijiji” (Singida Regional Commissioner To Be Taken To Court by Villagers) published in the Kulikoni newspaper of 17 March 2009, “Watendaji Sita Rumande kwa Kushindwa Kuandaa Mkutano” (Six Government Officials in Police Custody for Failing to Organise a Meeting) published in the Nipashe newspaper in 2006 and “Mkuu wa Mkoa Amsimamisha Kazi Mume wa Mbunge” (Regional Commissioner Stops Employment of Member of Parliament's Husband) published in Tanzania Daima newspaper of January 2007).

He said Kone complained further that during one of his 5 March 2009 meetings at Kisasida village, journalists uttered insult words against him. Although Ismailly acknowledged writing the above stories which he said were based on truth and facts, he denied to have been attending the meeting at Kisasida village.

He acknowledged that there was neither any incident of beating nor intimidation during his interrogation. He was later discharged at 1.09pm the same day.