Refund our money, stop blame game-customer

A customer affected by the spate of thefts through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) has blamed some of the banks, saying they had not put in place enough safeguards, especially when they introduced debit and credit cards.

The customer, who says he is a victim of the cyber crime theft, also suspects a foreign link in the thefts, noting: “In the recent cyber thefts from bank customers’ accounts in Dodoma and Dar, the statement [showed it was] done by International ATM card. Also, this International ATM card was withdrawing money to the tune of 438,618/72 while our banks here in Tanzania limit each single withdrawal to the maximum 400,000/-.”

The customer rejects the passing of the blame for the thefts onto customers, noting that as a result of the electronic thefts, some of the banks have introduced anti-skimming devices, asking: “Should this be the customer’s mistake?”

The customer has complained about the cumbersome refund process, saying the victims need their money to meet pressing needs, such as school fees for children returning to school.

Recently a number of customers from different banks said they found money withdrawn from their accounts through the ATMs, transactions they say they did not execute, leaving them with unanswered questions as to how safe their money was in the institutions.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Ulimboka case prime suspect wants Kenyan envoy in court

Kenyan national Joshua Mulundi (21) is the prime suspect in the ‘Ulimboka kidnapping and attempted murder case’ and in an interesting turn of events he has asked the court to call the Kenyan High Commissioner to Tanzania to appear in court on his behalf. His case was brought up for mention yesterday before Resident Magistrate Agnes Mchome of Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court where the judge informed the defendant that it is not the court’s place nor duty to contact witnesses, advocates or anyone else for that matter for the defendants.

The defendant was however not satisfied with the judge's response, which included advice to him to write to the Kenyan High Commission stating his wishes and request, so he threatened to go on strike unless he got to see the authority in charge of the court other than the judge.

His wishes were granted and when he met the Principal Resident Magistrate Ilvin Mugeta, Mulundi inquired as to why the investigations were taking, in his words ‘so long’

The accused remains in custody but the case was adjourned for later in the month, January 23, when it will be brought up for mention.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Msofe`s case adjourned again

The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam has again postponed a murder case facing a prominent businessman in the city, Marijani Abdubakari Msofe, also known as Papaa Msofe, to January 22, this year.

The decision to postpone the case was reached on Wednesday by the court after the prosecution led by Principal State Attorney Tumaini Kweka informed the court that the investigations had not been completed.

Msofe is accused of having killed a fellow businessman, Onesphory Kituli last year in a feud over a house, which the deceased had bought on mortgage after making a down payment of 30m/-.

When first charged, the accused was not allowed to enter any plea because murder cases are normally handled by the High Court, now he has entered a not guilty plea and remains in custody since there is no bail on murder cases.

The case was adjourned until October 28, last year.  

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Specialist doctors from US to visit Singida

Twenty six specialist doctors from the United States are expected in the country to carry out major surgeries for particular conditions, at Singida Regional Hospital.

Speaking to this reporter on Tuesday, the Regional Hospital senior medical officer, Dr Suleiman Muttan said the exercise is an annual arrangement by the Outreach International Organisation from which Singida Region has been benefitting for a number of years.

Dr Muttan said among the specialists coming into the country include surgeons for children and specialists for women's diseases.

The Regional Chief Medical Officer said the specialists would examine all patients in order to determine those in need of major surgery and those who just need minor operations.

For his part, the host of the doctors, who is President of the Outreach International Organisation in Africa, Mike Kitwaka said the team of specialists would be in the country for two weeks.

He said the first team of 26 doctors is one of three teams of specialist doctors who would visit the country, with the second group expected to comprise 50 doctors while the last one would be made of 36 specialists.

Last year 43 doctors from the US visited Singida Region for the same reasons.  

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Taifa Stars ready for Ethiopia trip

The national football team (Taifa Stars) are expected to leave today for Addis Ababa for Friday international friendly match against the host side Ethiopia.

According to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) media officer, Boniface Wambura, the match is very important for the national team preparations ahead of the 2014 World Cup Africa qualifiers.

Stars will lock horns with Morocco in March.

Meanwhile Wambura said two Young Africans (Yanga), Kelvin Yondan and Frank Domayo, are expected in the country today to join Taifa Stars which is preparing for match against Ethiopia.

The two utility players were with their side in Turkey where they are training ahead of the Mainland Premier League second round matches.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Wambura said Yanga have agreed to release only two players to join the national team.

The last time Ethiopia qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations was in 1982.

Despite winning the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup four times, they have found it hard to penetrate into the Africa’s biggest soccer bonanza, the Africa Cup of Nations.

The team qualified for the last 16 after beating Sudan 2-0 at home.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Dar SADC talks to discuss DRC standby force bill

President Jakaya Kikwete will lead peace talks for the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) in Dar es Salaam today, a State House statement issued on Tuesday said.
Kikwete is the current chairman of the SADC Troika on Peace, Defence and Security
The leaders urged all SADC member states to contribute towards the SADC Standby Force under the auspices of the Neutral International Force (NIF), and commended South Africa  and Tanzania for pledging logistical support for the standby force.

A statement issued by the State House on Tuesday said the talks will discuss the progress in the political situation in Madagascar and the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The statement said the talks will be attended by Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba, South African President Jacob Zuma and Mozambican President Armando Guebuza, who are members of the SADC Troika
 SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN