Good News!
Little late in reporting, nonetheless great to do so. The Tanzanian government released Chadema Chair Freeman Mbowe and dropped the ridiculous case against him.
Freeman reports of his wrongful 8 months detention,
“Many people were pleading from time to time that the charges be dropped, but I wanted the case to continue until the truth was revealed. I wanted to hear what evidence my accusers would provide,” he said after he was invited to address a Sunday service at the Azania Front Cathedral in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Mbowe said despite the case drawing domestic and international attention, many people were not aware of the seriousness of the terrorism charges.
“I was accused of one of the most serious crimes one can be charged with in Tanzania, and many people just heard the word ‘terrorism’, but apparently the seriousness of the charge did not fully sink in,” he said.
“Terrorism charges carry jail sentences of anywhere between 15 and 30 years, without the option of a fine. One can easily spend the rest of their lives in prison.”
Mr Mbowe said he was astonished by the outpouring of sympathy during the eight months he spent in remand, adding that there was a time when he received up to 200 visitors daily.
Freeman is right back at reforming Tanzania politics,
Chadema national chairman Freeman Mbowe has insisted that the party will not take Sh110 million in government subsidies because by doing so they would be justifying the results of the 2020 General Election.
Mbowe was speaking in the busy Kariakoo business hub where he said it was better for them to walk on foot to encourage people to contribute to the party instead of taking the subsidy.
What was it the South Africans said, “Philanthropy cannot buy equality.” The 60 year ruling party CCM would do well to work with Chadema and reform Tanzania’s politics so they can benefit from the value of every Tanzanian, not detrimentally keep fighting some of their best to keep their monopoly power.
God love Freeman Mbowe, a better man than we know in America these days.