On January 14, 2022, in Himo, Moshi District, an Assistant Inspector of Police was caught allegedly accepting a bribe of Sh. 20,000 to facilitate the bail of a suspect. Photo: File
By Adonis Byemelwa
In a significant move to address corruption and indiscipline within Tanzania's traffic police force, 168 officers have faced disciplinary actions, ranging from court-martials and transfers to outright dismissals between June 2023 and June 2024.
This crackdown was revealed by Deus Sokoni, the legal officer of the Traffic Police Corps, during the launch of Road Safety Week yesterday, 26th August 2024, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of the National Road Safety Council.
The revelations came after Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango while inspecting booths at the Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma, questioned Sokoni about the number of officers held accountable and the specific actions taken against them.
Sokoni disclosed that these 168 officers had been removed from their positions, with eight being dismissed, 84 receiving warnings, and the rest being transferred to different departments.
Dr. Mpango expressed concern over the reckless speeding of government vehicles, which often goes unchecked by the very traffic police officers meant to enforce the law. He inquired about the number of government drivers apprehended for speeding and the penalties imposed on them. Sokoni reported that 253 government drivers were caught last year, and in the first six months of this year alone, 33 had their licenses revoked.
Addressing another critical issue, the Vice President called for tighter control over school transport, highlighting the dangerous state of many school buses, which pose serious risks to both students and drivers.
He noted that many of these buses are driven by unqualified individuals, leading to severe accidents. Additionally, some vehicles carry more students than their capacity allows, resulting in dangerous overcrowding.
In a stern directive, Dr. Mpango ordered the Ministry of Home Affairs to expedite the review of the Road Safety Act, emphasizing the need for harsher penalties for traffic offenses.
He also raised alarm over the rising number of motorcycle accidents in the country, noting that between January and December last year, 435 motorcycle accidents were recorded, resulting in 376 deaths, up from 332 fatalities in 2022.
The Vice President stressed the importance of enforcing helmet laws, restricting the number of passengers on motorcycles, and ensuring all riders have valid licenses and insurance.
Home Affairs Minister Hamad Masauni assured the public that the government is implementing strategies aimed at reducing road accidents. These strategies include the Safe Cities project, mandatory vehicle inspections, and the installation of modern IT systems for monitoring.
Deputy Minister for Home Affairs and Chairman of the National Road Safety Council, Daniel Sillo, elaborated on the national strategy to combat road accidents.
He emphasized efforts to curb drunk driving, and reckless driving, and enforce speed limits. Sillo also highlighted the importance of involving vehicle owners in fostering accountability and cracking down on unqualified drivers and uninsured vehicles.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Camillus Wambura announced the impending launch of an electronic registration system for driving school students, enabling the Road Safety Headquarters to monitor each registered student’s progress.
Vita Kawawa, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Security, pledged the committee's commitment to pushing the government to increase penalties for traffic offenses, deeming current sanctions inadequate given the consequences of such violations.
Despite these efforts, the root of the problem remains systemic corruption within the traffic police force, deeply entrenched and reportedly sanctioned by higher-ranking officials. The 168 officers who have been punished represent only a small fraction of the widespread corruption, with many believing they were merely scapegoats, while the real perpetrators remain untouched.
In contrast, countries like Rwanda and Botswana have successfully curbed traffic police corruption through stringent anti-corruption measures and rigorous enforcement of the law. Rwanda, in particular, has instilled a culture of zero tolerance for corruption within its police force, leading to a dramatic reduction in road accidents and improved public trust in law enforcement.
In Tanzania, the situation is starkly different. Corruption is pervasive, and bribe-seeking behavior by traffic police is rampant across the country. Notorious areas include the busy roads of Mbagala Rangi Tatu in Temeke District, the congested Kamata Roads in Kariakoo, and the treacherous stretches from Tinde Junction to Kahama in Shinyanga.
Drivers on the Kyaka road near Amushenye to Mutukula in Misenyi District, Kagera Region, and the road leading to Ngorongoro near Sumawe in Karatu District, regularly report harassment by traffic police demanding bribes. Commute bus drivers in these regions, especially in Dar es Salaam, face daily extortion by corrupt officers who demand bribes to allow their vehicles to operate smoothly.
The corruption within the traffic police has dire consequences. The very officers tasked with ensuring road safety are instead contributing to the rising number of road accidents by allowing unqualified drivers and unroadworthy vehicles to continue operating in exchange for bribes.
Corruption remains a significant hurdle to development, with public institutions, particularly the Traffic Police, often accused of such practices. Recently, President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her frustration with the harassment by some traffic officers toward drivers, urging them to refrain from soliciting and accepting bribes.
In separate incidents in Iringa and Kilimanjaro regions, two traffic officers were arrested for allegedly accepting bribes. On January 14, 2022, in Himo, Moshi District, an Assistant Inspector of Police was apprehended for allegedly receiving Sh. 20,000 to process a suspect's bail. The Kilimanjaro Regional Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) Commander, Frida Wakesi, confirmed the officer's arrest, stating that investigations were ongoing.
Four days later, on January 18, another traffic officer in Iringa was caught with money allegedly collected as bribes from drivers. Photos that began circulating on social media showed banknotes of Sh1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and 10,000 stashed in a vehicle and the officer's hand, further fueling the ongoing discussions about police corruption.
Investigative journalists from revered media companies, who requested anonymity, conducted inquiries in Dar es Salaam, revealing various methods traffic officers use to extort money from drivers of buses, daladalas, Bajajis, and bodabodas.
Drivers recounted that officers often stop them in risky spots and demand bribes under the pretense of inspecting their licenses. Others reported that officers ask them to fold money inside their driving licenses or receipts to hand it over discreetly.
Further accounts describe officers requesting drivers to place bribes in their hats or shoes, or even inside tissues or sweat cloths, making it difficult for passersby to detect the exchange. In some instances, officers allegedly direct drivers to drop the money at nearby kiosks to avoid issuing fines.
In response to these allegations, the Minister of Home Affairs, Hamad Masauni, emphasized the need for accountability on both sides, noting that both givers and receivers of bribes are committing crimes under the law. He assured the public that all law violations would be addressed, urging citizens to cooperate in combating corruption.
The National Police spokesperson, David Misime, confirmed that investigations were underway regarding the officers implicated in the bribery cases, stressing that no one is above the law. Meanwhile, the former Traffic Police Commander, Wilbroad Mutafungwa, urged traffic officers not to use their vehicles while on duty, as they are often associated with corrupt practices, which tarnish the image of the police force.
Behold, corruption has led to an increase in fatal accidents, with many attributing the surge to the lack of enforcement of road safety laws, particularly in regions like Karatu, where the road leading to Ngorongoro is notorious for accidents.
The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Tanzania has a crucial role to play in this fight. By intensifying efforts to investigate and prosecute corrupt traffic police, the PCCB could help reduce the number of accidents and restore public confidence in the country's law enforcement agencies.
Traffic safety ambassadors in Dar es Salaam have voiced their concerns, urging the PCCB to act swiftly and decisively against these corrupt practices that endanger the lives of ordinary commuters every day.
Tackling systemic corruption within the traffic police requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. The government, law enforcement agencies, and the public must work together to root out corruption and make Tanzania's roads safer for everyone. The lives of countless commuters depend on it.