Tanzanian opposition leader arrested over drug claims

By Peter Saramba Ongiri

MWANZA, Tanzania (AA) - The leader of the official opposition was arrested Tuesday in a wide-ranging drug investigation that has implicated businessmen, politicians, celebrities and a bishop, police said.

Freeman Mbowe, chairman of the Chadema party, was arrested as he was being driven to the Central police station in Dar es Salaam, according to a post on his party’s Twitter account.

Police Cmdr. Simon Sirro said Mbowe was arrested, questioned and released on bail.

He was among a list of people named by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda on Feb. 8 as being linked to the drug trade.

“We are investigating his connection in drug dealing because his name is on the list,” Sirro told Anadolu Agency. “No stone will be left unturned in this war against drugs.”

Sirro said more than 156 suspected drug users and dealers had been arrested for questioning and 15 of them had been charged.

Last week, prominent businessman Yusuf Manji, chairman and CEO of the Quality Group, Tanzania’s largest conglomerate, appeared before court on drug use charges. Bishop Josephat Gwajima, of the Glory of Christ Tanzania Church, was also quizzed by police.

Mbowe earlier denied the allegations at a news conference and said he would not present himself to police as summons procedures had not been followed.

Tanzania is a transit country for drugs, including heroin and cocaine, and has developed a domestic market.