SPEECH BY THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

HON. OMAR RAMADHAN MAPURI (MP) AT THE OFFICIAL DINNER, SENIOR OFFICERS MESS,

HARARE, 23^RD MARCH, 2004

· Comrade Kembo Mohadi Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe

· Comrade Augustine Chihuri Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Republic Police

· H.E. Hashim Mbita Tanzanian Ambassador to Zimbabwe

· Mr. Omar Mahita Inspector General of the Tanzania Police

· Senior Government Officials

· Senior Police Officers

· Ladies and Gentlemen

It is with honour and pleasure that I once again take this opportunity, on behalf of my delegation, to express our profound gratitude to our hosts, Minister Kembo Mohadi and Commissioner Augustine Chuhuri for inviting us to come to your lovely country; the legendary land of the Great Monomotapa.

Allow me, on behalf of my delegation, to express our delight for the warm welcome and lavish hospitality accorded to us since our arrival. We thank you very much. We also thank you for the excellent itinerary that has enabled us to learn a lot of Zimbabwe within a short time. You have enabled us to see the Victoria Falls, that we have just been hearing about since the days when we were in school. It was quite a unique experience.

Comrade Minister,

Your invitation has availed me and IGP Mahita the opportunity to reciprocate the visit you and Comrade Chihuri payed to Tanzania from 29^th July to 3^rd August, 2003. Although you came to Tanzania in your capacities as Chairpersons of the SARPCCO Council of Ministers and SARPCCO proper respectively, we all seized the opportunity to address bilateral issues of mutual interest. This shows how much both of us are committed to the enhancement of the bilateral co-operation between our two countries, and no doubt of course, the co-operation between our Ministries and Police forces. I wish to assure all of you present here, of Tanzanias commitment in strengthening the bonds that have held our two countries together since the times of the struggles for independence.

Comrade Minister,

This visit is also meant to demonstrate solidarity on the course of Zimbabwe’s land issue. We wish to renew to you the assurances of our unwavering support to the bold actions you are ably taking in ensuring that Zimbabweans are bestowed with their basic right to their land. We did the same in Zanzibar and hence it isn’t difficult for us to understand your course. Otherwise, for what did the brave sons and daughters of this land spill their precious blood in the protracted war of independence?

Comrade Minister,

In the same vein however, I wish also to appeal to our brothers and sisters to open the doors for reconciliation so as to get over the stand off that is to nobody’s benefit, except probably for neo-colonialists and their surrogates. On the other hand, I call upon all Zimbabweans, irrespective of their political ideologies, not to allow external forces and influences to disrupt their nation. They should rise above self and party interests and co-operate with their government to expedite economic recovery for their own collective interest. Unending squabbles are damaging to the national unity that you have been building since independence and are only creating room for enemies of Zimbabwes independence to stand on the way of reconciliation.

Comrade Minister,

Allow me to refresh you about my Ministry’s structure. The Ministry of Home Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania comprises the Police Force, Prisons Service, Immigration Service, Refugees Service, Fire and Rescue Service and The Registrar of Societies. However the Police Force is the trade mark of the Ministry. No wonder I have chosen to come with the IGP in this visit.

Comrade Minister,

The main problem we are grappling with in Tanzania is that of banditry associated with refugees we are hosting. However, the problem is under control and is soon to subside as the repatriation of refugees to their countries is underway, thanks to the peace processes in Burundi and DRC that are showing good prospects of success.

Other problems of a lesser magnitude that we frequently called to respond to include a myriad of cross-boarder crimes such as illicit drug trafficking, car theft, proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, and smuggling.

Comrade Minister,

In combating cross-border crime and international terrorism cooperation between countries is of vital importance. It was in this spirit that the Southern Africa Region Police Chiefs Cooperation (SARPCCO) was formed. It is the duty and responsibility of all SARPCCO member states that of course include Zimbabwe and Tanzania to enhance that spirit of cooperation. The SARPCCO forum has not only inculcated a sense of collective responsibility among Police Chiefs and among their Ministers that has grown into personal friendship, also facilitates member Police forces to learn from each other, exchange vital information and carry out joint operations.

Exchanges of visits like these ones between Zimbabwe and Tanzania emanate in one way or the other from such facilitation and the spirit of regional cooperation.

Comrade Minister,

I cannot conclude my speech without uttering a word of congratulations to the Zimbabwe Republic Police for its efficiency and alertness in various areas, notably conflict mediation. Its demonstrated ability in putting riots under control with minimum casualties is very highly commendable. I also salute the ZRP for the recent apprehension of suspected mercenaries. I congratulate you and ask you to keep it up the vigil.

Comrade Minister, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to end my short speech by assuring you, of our full commitment to the course of our bilateral co-operation. Since Tanzania is your second home, you need no word of welcome or any formal invitation. We expect to see you in Tanzania any day of your convenience.

Having said that, I once again, on behalf of my delegation, thank you very much for the nice food, entertainment and attention.

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