Tanzanian journalist Erick Kabendera.Photo: S. Khamis/Deutsche Welle
Rights groups
say the Tanzanian leader is raising the bar on media suppression. This
week, investigative journalist Erick Kabendera was let out of prison
under a plea deal that came with a
$118,000 fine.
"Finally I've got my freedom. It's quite unexpected that I would be out this soon," Erick Kabendera said outside court.
The 39-year-old
reporter who is came to prominence for his politically sensitive
investigations spent almost seven months behind bars on charges of money
laundering, tax evasion and assisting a criminal racket.
Kabendera had
fallen seriously ill in the Segerea maximum security prison during his
incarceration. He appeared in court a dozen times, often looking frail.
The state prosecutor struck off the organized crimes charges during one
of the hearings.
"Now, it is time for me to start mourning the death of my late, beloved mother," Kabendera said.
Authorities had
denied the jailed journalist the opportunity to attend his mother's
funeral. The 80-year-old had openly repeatedly and openly appealed to
President John Magufuli to free her son.
Journalists fear reprisals
The case against
Kabendera has divided public opinion. "It was painful for many
Tanzanians to see Kabendera in detention and not allowed to bury his
mother," Dar es Salaam resident Sane Joseph told DW.
Another resident,
Stella Maigo, was of the opinion that the court did the right thing,
"although we expected this decision to take place long ago."
"The only way was
top enter a plea of guilty in order to get his own freedom," Kabendera's
lawyer Jebra Kambole told DW. Political dissidents in Tanzania often
face harsh sentences of five to six years in prison without trial, he
noted.
The plea deal
compels Kabendera to pay the fine and bars him from appealing his case.
"Fresh charges could be brought against him if he refuses to pay the
fine," Kambole said.
International and
local human rights groups and press freedom activists say that Kabendera
is just one more case in the government's playbook of media suppression
since Magufuli was elected five years ago.
Kabendera's
ultimate guilty plea was due to his failing health, Amnesty
International said in welcoming his release. The watchdog organizastion
had campaigned for his freedom saying the case brought against the
journalist was politically motivated.
Magufuli's tenure
has coincided with the disappearance or imprisonment of several
journalists. Media self-censorship is widespread, as journalists fear
reprisals for criticizing the president or his government.
Support for Magufuli dwindles
Tanzanian press
freedom activist Emmanuel Chengulla told DW that the Kabendera case is
bound to intimidate reporters. "Journalists may fear to reveal some
information. The decision of this case may impact on freedom of the
press," Chengulla said.
The case brought
against Kabendera was intended to have that effect, his lawyer believes.
"From the time of his arrest, to the time of investigation and his
release, it is a violation of freedom of expression," Kambole told DW.
Presidential and
parliamentary elections are due to take place in October and Magufuli is
expected to seek a second term as his popularity dwindles.
Magufuli -
nicknamed "The Bulldozer" - still pushes the right buttons with many
Tanzanians with his hands-on approach to matters such as cleaning,
fighting corruption, and strong-arming government employees into putting
in extra hours at work.
The same kind of
heavy-handedness he has been exhibiting towards dissenting voices in the
media and the political opposition in Tanzania, is earning him little
praise elsewhere.
DW was unable to reach the government for comments on the release of Kabendera.
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