REVEALED: How commercial poachers masterminded Kagasheki's fall

[The Informer]

REVEALED: How commercial poachers masterminded Kagasheki's fall

DAR ES SALAAM

A powerful network of commercial poachers masterminded the downfall of the former minister for natural resources and tourism, Khamis Kagasheki, by systematically sabotaging the government's anti-poaching operation, it has been revealed.

The carefully orchestrated plot by poachers to remove Kagasheki from his job was aided knowingly and unknowingly by members of parliament who made a chorus of calls last week for the minister's exit following reports of gross human rights abuses in the execution of the anti-poaching campaign known as "Operesheni Tokomeza" (Operation Destroy).

A parliamentary inquiry tabled a scathing report in Parliament on November 20, outlining horrific acts of murder, rape, torture and extortion of innocent civilians by corrupt elements among members of security forces who took part in Operation Tokomeza. Following the unveiling of the parliamentary probe report, there was a wave of calls from lawmakers from both the ruling CCM party and opposition camp for government ministers to be axed. Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda applauded Kagasheki for displaying courage by announcing his resignation as a sign of taking political responsibility for atrocities committed by security forces in the operation.

Three other ministers -- Home Affairs Minister Emmanuel Nchimbi, Defence Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha and Livestock Development Minister David Mathayo -- were swiftly sacked by President Jakaya Kikwete. Well-placed sources revealed how commercial poachers behind the ongoing slaughter of thousands of elephants and rhinos in Tanzania were the architects of the move, who secretly engineered Kagasheki's removal.

"Kagasheki came to the ministry with firm leadership and swept his iron broom, sacking corrupt officials behind the rampant wildlife poaching. He made life very difficult for commercial poachers and that's why they had to get rid of him by any means necessary," a senior wildlife official said. "Unlike some of his predecessors at the ministry, Kagasheki was incorruptible and he was determined to eliminate commercial poaching. So this powerful criminal network decided to sabotage Operation Tokomeza and this was done by bribing some corrupt politicians and journalists to fiercely oppose this operation."

The report of the parliamentary probe team chaired by the Kahama MP, James Lembeli, confirmed that Operation Tokomeza was sabotaged both from within and by outside forces. "Operation Tokomeza was undermined by acts of sabotage," said part of the report. The report said the operation was infiltrated by "mercenaries" who were involved in looting and other criminal activities.

"The media was also used to disrupt this operation and spread propaganda aimed at influencing members of the public to oppose this exercise," said the report. "Some members of parliament were accused of involvement in poaching activities and the illegal trade in government trophies ... the presence of these acts of sabotage means that there was no real commitment by some government officials to fight poaching."

The parliamentary report also revealed how members of the Tanzania People's Defence Forces (TPDF) kept a tight control of the military-led Operation Tokomeza, with Kagasheki having neither operation control nor information on what was actually going on. The parliamentary inquiry established that Kagasheki was deliberately kept in the dark on details of Operation Tokomeza by his own officials, hence he was not even aware of what was really happening on the ground as some members of security forces looted, killed and raped innocent civilians.

The operation was carried out by over 2,300 people, including 885 soldiers, 480 policemen, 440 members of the anti-poaching unit, 383 game rangers from the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), 99 forestry officials, 51 game rangers from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), 23 prosecutors and 100 magistrates. Criminal activities committed by some members of security forces tarnished the entire operation, which recorded big successes in the one month of the operation before it was suspended last month.

Despite the shockingly brutal nature of the operation, the exercise managed to significantly slowdown the rate of elephant slaughter from an average of 2 elephants killed every day in Tanzanian parks, to just 2 elephants killed in the one month of the operation. The operation arrested over 1,000 suspects and confiscated 211 elephant tusks and over 1,600 firearms, including 18 military-style weapons.

“The horrific criminal acts that some members of security forces carried were unacceptable and those responsible must be punished. But Kagasheki was just an unfortunate scapegoat in this whole thing,” said one government official familiar with Operation Tokomeza.

"Kagasheki's resignation is truly a sad day for our diminishing elephant and rhino populations and the collective fight against poaching in Tanzania. Commercial poachers are now congratulating themselves immensely for a job well done by getting rid of this graft-fighting minister."

(Source: RasilimaliWatch Home)

 

[wilchuma]

we allow the nation to be controlled by corrupt tycoon,then wat to expect,shame on them leaders.

 

[Mfikirishi]

This has been my gut feeling and I truly believe that most of our well known political leaders are among the criminal poachers!

For the second time; we are proving failures against these anti-nature (commercial and criminal poachers)!

 

[Mojo]

Kuna wabunge wanashiriki kwenye ujangili moja kwa moja na kuna wabunge wengine walipewa rushwa ili waipige vita Operesheni Tokomeza na wamng'oe Kagasheki. Ni Kweli Operesheni Tokomeza ilikuwa na kasoro kubwa kwa baadhi ya wanajeshi kuua rais, kuwatesa, kufanya ubakaji na uporaji, lakini kwa ujumla ilikuwa ni operesheni yenye nia njema na iliwabana sana majangili. Serikali irekebishe kasoro haraka na kuifufua hii operesheni. Vinginevyo tembo wote watateketea!

 

[mishalejuu]

Rais amrudishe Hon Kagasheki katk kiti chake...kazi iendelee. vinginevyo vita hii ...wameshinda majangiri

 

[Msuruhishi]

Thank you for this important revelation. I had a feeling there was something grossly wrong. How does a parliamentary committee undertake such a momentous job in such a short time and come up with such a damning report? How come our Thatcher, the House Speaker, was so quick in allowing the probe? When Honourable Kagasheki did the honourable thing,i.e, to announce his resignation, I was genuinely touched. Only honourable people do what he did.....how many have done so in Tanzania so far? Muhongo (or is it Muongo?) is but another honourable man. Neema ya gesi imefika. Umeme umepunguzwa bei leo. Cheers!

 

[MTAZAMO]

Wengine tumefanya kazi kwenye hiyo industry tunaelewa nini kinaendelea ndio maana naamini Kagasheki katengenezwa tu.

 

[Money Stunna]

mkumbuke kuna kiongozi mkubwa wa chama alimtisha kagasheki ahache kupambana na majangili lasivyo atamsemea kwa rais.
hayo maneno aliyasema kagasheki. hivo msitegemee habari njema

 

[ilboru1995]

Ukiona Majangili wanauwezo wa kumsababishia waziri mchapa kazi kujiuzulu basi ujue hapo kuna shida kubwa zaidi ya tunavyofikiria na kuwaza... Mhe Balozi Kagasheki your work will always be cherished, legacy yako uliyoiacha imepigwa mihuri ya moto kwenye mioyo yetu watanzania wenye mapenzi ya dhaati kwa nchi yao... Nguvu ya UMMA itakurejesha madarakani soon...

 

[PANAFRICA]

Why only sympathize with Kagasheki while other three Ministers are skipped? The story and comments seems to be biased! It gives an impression that your are on one man`s pay roll.

 

[sunna]

Njama za knn np

 

[MNYISANZU]

Kagasheki ni victim wa system. Apumzike salama

 

[Bukyanagandi]

Rais amrudishe Hon Kagasheki katk kiti chake...kazi iendelee. vinginevyo vita hii ...wameshinda majangiri

Well said mkuu, hata mimi nilikuwa napendekeza Hon.Kagasheki arudishwe kwenye wadhifa wake ili aweze ku-deal na majangiri PAPA kikamirifu bila ya kuingiliwa na wana siasa - cha muhimu hapa ni Rais kuwaondoa Kitabu mkuu wa Wizara, wakurugenzi na maafisa wote wanaojulikana kujihusisha na mambo ya ujangili/rushwa au wale wanao wakingia kifua commercial poachers, vile vile wabunge na viongozi wengine ndani ya chama tawala na upinzani wanao jihusisha na mambo ya ujangiri nao wachukuliwe hatua kali bila ya kujali nyadhifa zao. Mimi nina hakika Balozi Khamisi ana taarifa za kuaminika kuhusiana na ma-mafia wote wanao jihusisha na hujuma za kumaliza wanyama wetu. Kitu kingine ambacho nina wasi wasi nacho ni idadi ya meno ya Tembo yanayo patikana yamepakiwa kwenye makonteina kwenda Uchina/Vietnam/Hong Kong - haiwezekani Tembo wengi wakauwawa ndani kipindi kifupi, hata kama wanatumia Helicopter kuwapiga risasi; mimi nafikiri mengi ya Meno hayo yanaibiwa kutoka kwenye maghala ya kuhifadhia nyara za Serikali na kupakiwa kwenye makonteina - kwa nini nasema hivyo? Miaka ya nyuma Tanzania iliwahi kuomba kibali cha kuhuza meno ya Tembo yaliyo kuwa yamerundikana kwenye maghala ya Wizara ya Maliasili, kwa bahati mbaya Shirika la CITES likatunyima kibali kutokana na shinikizo la jirani zetu (Kenya) sisemi Kenya walikuwa na nia mbaya, walikuwa hawataki ku-encourage ujangiri nchini. Swali ni - hivi idadi kubwa ya meno ya Tembo yanaweza kupaikana wapi kirahisi? Kwa mawazo yangu naona kuna maafisa wajanja ndani Wizara ya maliasili wanao jihusisha na wizi wa Meno ya Tembo yaliyo hifadhiwa kwenye maghala yao, hata kama ujangiri bado unaendelea kwenye mbuga za Wanyama lakini kuna umuhimu wa kuchunguza/kuhesabu idadi ya Meno ya Tembo yaliyo hifadhiwa kwenye maghala ya Wizara ya Maliasili kama yako sawa/kamili au la?

 

[LOVI MEMBE]

revealed: How commercial poachers masterminded kagasheki's fall

dar es salaam

a powerful network of commercial poachers masterminded the downfall of the former minister for natural resources and tourism, khamis kagasheki, by systematically sabotaging the government's anti-poaching operation, it has been revealed.

The carefully orchestrated plot by poachers to remove kagasheki from his job was aided knowingly and unknowingly by members of parliament who made a chorus of calls last week for the minister's exit following reports of gross human rights abuses in the execution of the anti-poaching campaign known as "operesheni tokomeza" (operation destroy).

A parliamentary inquiry tabled a scathing report in parliament on november 20, outlining horrific acts of murder, rape, torture and extortion of innocent civilians by corrupt elements among members of security forces who took part in operation tokomeza. Following the unveiling of the parliamentary probe report, there was a wave of calls from lawmakers from both the ruling ccm party and opposition camp for government ministers to be axed. Prime minister mizengo pinda applauded kagasheki for displaying courage by announcing his resignation as a sign of taking political responsibility for atrocities committed by security forces in the operation.

Three other ministers -- home affairs minister emmanuel nchimbi, defence minister shamsi vuai nahodha and livestock development minister david mathayo -- were swiftly sacked by president jakaya kikwete. Well-placed sources revealed how commercial poachers behind the ongoing slaughter of thousands of elephants and rhinos in tanzania were the architects of the move, who secretly engineered kagasheki's removal.

"kagasheki came to the ministry with firm leadership and swept his iron broom, sacking corrupt officials behind the rampant wildlife poaching. He made life very difficult for commercial poachers and that's why they had to get rid of him by any means necessary," a senior wildlife official said. "unlike some of his predecessors at the ministry, kagasheki was incorruptible and he was determined to eliminate commercial poaching. So this powerful criminal network decided to sabotage operation tokomeza and this was done by bribing some corrupt politicians and journalists to fiercely oppose this operation."

the report of the parliamentary probe team chaired by the kahama mp, james lembeli, confirmed that operation tokomeza was sabotaged both from within and by outside forces. "operation tokomeza was undermined by acts of sabotage," said part of the report. The report said the operation was infiltrated by "mercenaries" who were involved in looting and other criminal activities.

"the media was also used to disrupt this operation and spread propaganda aimed at influencing members of the public to oppose this exercise," said the report. "some members of parliament were accused of involvement in poaching activities and the illegal trade in government trophies ... The presence of these acts of sabotage means that there was no real commitment by some government officials to fight poaching."

the parliamentary report also revealed how members of the tanzania people's defence forces (tpdf) kept a tight control of the military-led operation tokomeza, with kagasheki having neither operation control nor information on what was actually going on. The parliamentary inquiry established that kagasheki was deliberately kept in the dark on details of operation tokomeza by his own officials, hence he was not even aware of what was really happening on the ground as some members of security forces looted, killed and raped innocent civilians.

The operation was carried out by over 2,300 people, including 885 soldiers, 480 policemen, 440 members of the anti-poaching unit, 383 game rangers from the tanzania national parks (tanapa), 99 forestry officials, 51 game rangers from the ngorongoro conservation area authority (ncaa), 23 prosecutors and 100 magistrates. Criminal activities committed by some members of security forces tarnished the entire operation, which recorded big successes in the one month of the operation before it was suspended last month.

Despite the shockingly brutal nature of the operation, the exercise managed to significantly slowdown the rate of elephant slaughter from an average of 2 elephants killed every day in tanzanian parks, to just 2 elephants killed in the one month of the operation. The operation arrested over 1,000 suspects and confiscated 211 elephant tusks and over 1,600 firearms, including 18 military-style weapons.

"the horrific criminal acts that some members of security forces carried were unacceptable and those responsible must be punished. But kagasheki was just an unfortunate scapegoat in this whole thing," said one government official familiar with operation tokomeza.

"kagasheki's resignation is truly a sad day for our diminishing elephant and rhino populations and the collective fight against poaching in tanzania. Commercial poachers are now congratulating themselves immensely for a job well done by getting rid of this graft-fighting minister."

(source: rasilimaliwatch home)

in fact i cried internally at the resignation of kagasheki knowing for sure the war against corruption and poaching had come to an end . Kagasheki was a non corrupt comrade who would stand fight against poaching around this country. Fall of kagasheki is fall against fight for conservation of endangered species of the game animal

 

[juve2012]

Tutaendelea kuikumbusha serikali yetu "sikivu".Ripoti za mashirika ya kimataifa zinaonyesha kuwa Tanzania na Kenya ni milango inayotumika sana kusafirisha meno ya tembo yanayokusanywa eneo la Afrika mashariki na kati kwenda Hong Kong kwenye madalali wanaoyauza China.Kwa vipi tunakuwa mlango mkubwa?Ina maana kuna mianya ya rushwa inayorahisisha upitishaji wa hivi vitu kwenda Hong Kong.Nani anahusika kama si watendaji wa serikali na idara za maliasili,usafiri na usalama?Tembo wetu wanakwisha na bado tembo wa nchi jirani wanakwisha kwa sababu Tanzania imekuwa njia rahisi kupitisha magendo,kwa nini nchi yetu ipate sifa mbaya hivi?Na hii biashara hasa katika nchi jirani ni mbaya zaidi kwa sababu majangili wa huko wako financed na makundi ya waasi yanayotumia biashara hii kupata pesa za kuendeleza operation zao zinazogharimu maelfu ya maisha ya waafrika wenzetu halafu sisi tunawarahisishia kazi kwa kuifanya nchi yetu uchochoro!hivi watz tunatafuta nini jamani?kwa nini tumekuwa mashetani hivi jamani?viongozi wetu ni nini msichokipata?kwa nini mnaipeleka nchi hivi?ukisikia "lust" ndio hii.Ulafi usio na mipaka hadi akili zenu zinaharibika!halafu mnawatimua mawaziri kulinda uchafu na ushetani wenu huu,mashetani wakubwa nyinyi mnajifanya kupiga kelele bungeni kumbe nyie ndio majambazi wakubwa.Naomba operation tokomeza tuihamishie bungeni na kwenye vyombo vya dola na kwa wale waliopiga kelele sana mawaziri kutimuliwa na hasa makada wa vyama vya siasa na hasa chama tawala.Narudia tena bunge,majeshi,maliasili,wizara za ulinzi na mambo ya ndani na baadhi ya makada wa CCM wanaokampeni sana mawaziri kutimuliwa, wachunguzwe.Kuna kitu kikubwa sana hapo.

 

[Ng'wamapalala]

Inviting headline but never answer or explain a point at issue.

Ni kwa jinsi gani majangiri yaliweza kuhakikisha Mh. Kagasheki anaondoka?.

Kwani majangiri ndiyo yalikuwa yanasimamia Operation Tokomeza?.

Kama angekuwa makini katika utendaji wake angefahamu kuwa kuna matatizo katika operation na hivyo kupiga kelele katika kikao chao cha Baraza la Mawaziri ili zoezi liboreshwe au lisitishwe kwanza badala ya kusubiri wabunge waanze kulalamika.

Kama ushauri wake kwa baraza la Mawaziri ungekataliwa, basi angejihudhuru ili kuondoka kwenye box la Cabinet collective responsibility.

Tukubali tu kuwa, alibweteka na ameshindwa na kushindwa ni kitu cha kawaida kabisa kisiasa.

 

[Bukyanagandi]

mkumbuke kuna kiongozi mkubwa wa chama alimtisha kagasheki ahache kupambana na majangili lasivyo atamsemea kwa rais. hayo maneno aliyasema kagasheki. hivo msitegemee habari njema

Mkuu niliwahi kushudia baadhi ya Mawaziri wakilalamika kwenye Bunge kwamba wakati mwingine wanapokea SMS za vitisho! Je,hili ni jambo la kawaida kweli - Kama Waziri anaweza kutishiwa je mtu baki? Watu tunabaki tunajiuliza maswali mengi - hivi hii inawezekana kivipi wakati tuna ambiwa kwamba kwenye ofisi ya Rais kuna kitengo kinacho jihusisha na utawala BORA! Tunawezaje kujivunia utawala bora wakati Mawaziri wanne wamewajibika na hatujia kufikia mwisho wa mwaka wataongezeka wangapi - wanampa wakati mgumu JK kubadirisha viongozi mara kwa mara like bolts in a machine, kwa nini baadhi ya Viongozi wanao teuliwa na JK hawataki kufanya kazi kwa ufanisi? Kuna haja gani ya kuendelea kuwa na kitengo kinacho shughulikia Utawala BORA kama mambo yenyewe ndio haya?

 

[infantrier]

Hakuna utawala bora Afrika,bali bora utawala . Na hii haitakwisha mpaka ukamilisho wa nyakati.

 

[DOUBLE AGENT]

Why only sympathize with Kagasheki while other three Ministers are skipped? The story and comments seems to be biased! It gives an impression that your are on one man`s pay roll.

I believe Kagasheki was the intended target of commercial poachers in their elaborate plot to have him removed from office. The other three ministers were just collateral damage since they were not directly involved in the government's wider anti-poaching drive -- they just took political responsibility for atrocities committed by security forces in Operation Tokomeza.

It's a huge bonus for poachers that they were able to get rid of 4 ministers with one blow. New ministers of defence, home affairs, livestock development and particularly natural resources and tourism who will be appointed by Kikwete in the widely expected cabinet reshuffle in the days ahead will likely be petrified of taking on these seemingly very powerful poachers.

 

[Kajunjumele BA]

Inviting headline but never answer or explain a point at issue.

Ni kwa jinsi gani majangiri yaliweza kuhakikisha Mh. Kagasheki anaondoka?.

Kwani majangiri ndiyo yalikuwa yanasimamia Operation Tokomeza?.

Kama angekuwa makini katika utendaji wake angefahamu kuwa kuna matatizo katika operation na hivyo kupiga kelele katika kikao chao cha Baraza la Mawaziri ili zoezi liboreshwe au lisitishwe kwanza badala ya kusubiri wabunge waanze kulalamika.

Kama ushauri wake kwa baraza la Mawaziri ungekataliwa, basi angejihudhuru ili kuondoka kwenye box la Cabinet collective responsibility.

Tukubali tu kuwa, alibweteka na ameshindwa na kushindwa ni kitu cha kawaida kabisa kisiasa.

Mkuu nakubaliana na wewe kwa asilimia 100 na zaidi ni vema watu waelewe kwamba

1. Mh.Kagasheki hakubweteka tu hata alipokuwa Ngorongoro kama sikosei na kuhojiwa na vyombo vya habari na wananchi kumlalamikia kuhusu namna operation hiyo inavyo endeshwa kama kweli angekuwa muwajibikaji asingetoa kauli ya kubeza vilio vya waathirika na angetaka kupata maelezo kutoka kwa wahusika hasa watendaji wake wa ndani(Wizara yake)
2. Magazeti,Televisheni na Redio viliripoti juu ya matendo ya Kinyama yalifanywa na waendesha Operation hii amabao kwa hakika walisahu vichwa na utu wao makwao na kutumia viungo vingine katika kufikiri na kufanya maamuzi ya ovyo na ukatili wa kutisha kwa wananchi na kwa kuwa Kagasheki alikuwepo hapa nchini na siyo mbinguni wa Mwezini na aliyaona haya kupitia vyombo vya habari na hakuchukua hatua zozote za kuingilia katia au kutaka ufafanuzi maelezo yote anayo yatoa sasa ni after thought tu na uzushi ana husika kwa kila kitu na ni haki yake kuwajibishwa.