Cyber crime takes its toll in Zanzibar

 

CHAMA Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Deputy Secretary General – Zanzibar, Mr Vuai Ali Vuai, has raised concern over increasing bad use of social media and internet after somebody linked him with false information.

Mr Vuai said at a press conference held at his office at Kisiwandui in the Stone town that someone or some people misused his name and position to create widely circulated information which reads in part “CCM has whole heartedly agreed with Mr Seif Sharif Hamad to be sworn-In as the next president of Zanzibar following the nullified elections,” which he claimed was not true.

“Somebody has pretended to be me, written a press release asking CCM followers to be patient and accept Mr Seif to take over as the new president. It is very unfortunate that people have decided to misuse the social media and internet.

These people must be punished,” Vuai said. The CCM Deputy Secretary General informed journalists that he had reported the matter to the police so the hunt for the suspect(s) has already began.

“I understand that discussions have been going on at the State House in Zanzibar between Mr Seif, President Ali Mohamed Shein and others on the political situation after the nullification of the results for the October 25 polls. But as the discussions continue, we (CCM) are preparing for a re-run,” he said.

Mr Jecha Salim Jecha, the Chairperson of Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) nullified the elections citing massive cheating, and promised that voters in the Islands would have to go for fresh polls.

Mr Seif and his Civic United Front (CUF) party are strongly opposing fresh polls, arguing that there was no justification for the invalidation of the October 25 election in which Mr Hamad declared himself the winner.

The Commissioner of Police (CP)- Zanzibar Mr Hamdan Omar Makame has said that people misusing the social media and internet will be prosecuted, as he reminded them that misuse practice is against Cyber Crime Law which is already in use.

He said the police will continue to cooperate with Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) to make sure social media platforms are not used to jeopardise national peace and security.

“Any person including leaders who will be affected by messages or information created by people to tarnish their images or mislead Tanzanians should not hesitate to report to the police so that legal action can be taken,” he emphasized