Police, guards rebuff journalists in Lema case

Mark Nkwame in Arusha

CHAOS erupted at the Regional Magistrate Court here when police officers together with prison wardens allegedly attacked journalists who had turned up at the court to cover the ongoing charges against the Arusha-Urban Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Godbless Lema.

At least five journalists from different media houses were chased around the court grounds by prison guards as well as local police officers wielding guns, when the prison vehicle which had carried the outspoken MP from custody arrived at the court premises.

It took the intervention of Magistrate Nestory Baro who shielded the journalists from the wrath of about six police officers and prison guards on the farther end of Kanisa Road, where the court is located for the MP was to attend his case.

However, the journalists later decided to take the matter further by lodging complaints before the Arusha Resident Magistrate Augustino Rwizile after realising that the registrar who had initially issued them with permission to cover the proceedings was absent at the scene.

“They pointed guns at us, ordering all journalists to leave the court and when we tried to tell them that the registrar had allowed us to cover the case, they started shoving us with butts of their guns, threatening to fire,” said Ms Janeth Mushi of New Habari Corporation.

At least eight journalists from different newspapers, Radio and Television Stations suffered the ordeal on Wednesday.

That prompted the magistrate to promise to write official letters to the Arusha Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Charles Mkumbo as well as the Head of Prisons here, to complain against their subordinates’ unbecoming behaviour of harassing reporters who are only doing their duties as the law stipulates.

Magistrate Rwizile also summoned the police officers and prison guards and reminded them on the rights and responsibilities of reporters to cover events including court proceedings without being harassed.

MP Lema was being accused of issuing inciting statements as well as insulting the head of state, President John Magufuli in public, during series of open air political rallies where he had been organising in and around Arusha City and its suburbs.

The MP was also charged with threatening and insulting the Arusha Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Mrisho Gambo. His wife, Neema is also facing the same charges including allegedly sending text messages containing foul statements by phone to the RC.