2013

2013-08-19 Letter from a Tanzanian inmate in a Hong Kong prison

------------------------------------------------

‘DRUG TRAFFICKING’ - A national problem

The Rising trend of Drug trafficking that has been recently
confronted is not a sectional issue but a national problem.

Corruption everywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere.
Therefore, no Tanzanian can afford to be apathetic
about the Rising problem of drug trafficking. It’s a
problem that meets every man at his front door.

There’s need for strong and aggressive leadership from
our central government. And there are several other -
agencies (ie., Police – Anti-Narcotic Task Force, Drug
Control Commission, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Tanzania
Revenue Authority, Intelligence Agencies, Tanzania Peoples
Defence Force, Coast Guard Authorities) which have
significant roles to play in this all important period
of our nation’s war against drugs.

The problem of drug trafficking and corruption is
so weighty in detail and broad in extent that it requires
the concerted efforts of numerous individuals
and institutions to bring about a solution

We have to break our silence. A time comes when
silence is a betrayal, that time has come for us
in relation to the recent Rise of drug trafficking
trend in our land of peace and harmony.

The truth of these words is beyond doubt but the
mission which I call you is a most difficult one.
As you know, even when pressed by the demands of
inner truth, most people do not easily assume the
task of opposing wrongdoing. (and those who chose to
break the silence and speak out about wrongdoing – in most
cases they’ll be outcasted even by their close friends
and families) Nor does a human spirit move without
difficulty,great difficulty, against apathy of conformist though
within one’s own bossom and in the surrounding world.

Moreover, when this kind of
an issue at hand, gruesome and intolerable drug -
trafficking, seem as perplexed as often do, we’re
on the verge of being mesmerized by uncertainty;
but we must move on. Some of us who have already
begun to break the silence have found that the
the calling to speak is often a vocation of agony, but
we must speak.

We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate
to our limited vision, but we must speak.
Over the past three weeks, as I have moved to break
the betrayal of my own silences and to speak from
the burning of my own heart, I call for radical government’s
action on war against narcotics and to
stop/dismantle the drug Organisation’s networks.
Many of my fellow Tanzania’s prisoners here have
questioned me about the wisdom of my path.

At the hearts of their concerns this query has often
loomed large and loud, why are you speaking
about drug trafficking ? Why are you joining the
voices of anti-drugs ? Aren’t you hurting the
cause of your bosses, they ask ? And when I hear
them, though I often understand the source of
their concerns, I am nevertheless greatly saddened,
for such Questions mean that the inquirers have
not really known the incalculable ripple effect
the “Evil” brought to people, family and society,

They’re trying to turn a blind eye (by being afraid to rock the boat)
on the recently Rise number of Tanzania’s drug mules apprehended in Hk,
Macau and the mainland China (May – July About 60 people)

Indeed, their questions suggest that they do not wish
to speak out about the drug trafficking problems,

Nor to help other Tanzania’s not to fall on the traps
of the drug syndicates’, and been lured or fooled
to smuggle drugs to HK, Macau or Mainland China.
I write this letter to make a passionate plea to
my beloved people (nation). My people, stay far away
from drug trafficking, stay far away from
HK, Macau and Mainland China if you have
drugs, don’t ever even try think twice about
it, in HK and Macau (Special Administrative Regions
of the Peoples Republic of China) you’ll face from
twenty three (23) years to life imprisonment
while in the mainland China you’ll face death
penalty. It’s straight toward, pure and simple,
it’s your choice, but bear in mind that “You have
been warned” I am not a mathematician, but simple
calculation is 90% (Ninety percent) you’ll be caught,
10% or less chances of going through successfully
without being detected. ( Or no chance at all)

This letter is not addressed to HK or Macau. It is not
addressed to China or Pakistan. I wish to address
this letter to my fellow Tanzanians who, with me, bear
the greatest responsibility in fighting drugs, drug
trafficking that has exacted a heavy price on our
fellow country men and women (including some who have been executed
in Mainland China) and the rest of us
who are still languishing in prisons (All over the world).
We are on the move now, the pointing of finger
will not deter us. We are on the move now. The threats
from the drug barons will not dissuade us. We are
on the move now. The arrests and release of known drug barons will not discourage us.
We are on the move now. The incompetence and wanton corruption in our Law Enforcement Agencies,
will not divert us. We’re on the move now. The weak hand and policies of our government on war against drugs
will not discourage us.

Let us march on the ballot boxes, march on the
ballot boxes until the drug heavy weights disappear
from the political Arena.

Let us march on the ballot boxes, until we
send to our city councils, Municipal councils and
legislators who will not fear to do justice, love
Mercy and walk humbly with their God.
Let us march on the ballot boxes, until no
children will be left orphaned because their
fathers and mothers has either been executed
or serving long custodial sentences in a foreign land.
I know your asking “How long will it take ?”
How long ? Not long, because you can only fool people
for sometime, you can’t fool people all the time.

How long ? Not long, b’se no lie can live forever.
How long ? Not long, because you still reap
what you sow.
How long ? Not long, because Evil cannot triumph.
How long ? Not long, because everything under
the heavens have got time (Time to Rise
and time to fall)

Another thing we (Tanzanians) must do in speeding up the
coming of new era (Drug Free-Tanzania) is to develop
new set of leaders, whether from the current
ruling party (CCM – Chama Chamapinduzi) or from
the oppositions. Absolutely new set of leaders, intelligent,
courageous, loyal, humble, dedicated, trustworthy,
servants of the people and not Masters of the people.

Leaders of wise judgements, clean and sound integrity.

Leaders not associate in the illicit drug trade
or members of their families associate in the illicit trade.

Leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice.

Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity.

Leaders whom the lust of office does not kill.

Leaders whom the spoils of life cannot buy.

Leaders who have honour, leaders who can not lie.

Leaders who can subject their particular
egos to the greatness of the cause.

Tall leaders, Sun crowned, who live above
the fog in public duty and private thinking,
true faith, strong minds, great hearts,
really servants of the people.

Let us march on the ballot boxes, 2015
is just on the corner, let us march on the
ballot boxes, until we dismantle the drug trafficking networks, all the drug barons,
their recruiters and their associates (Politicians)

Let this affirmation be our ringing cry. It will
give us courage to face the uncertainties of the
future. It will give our tired feet new
strength as we continue our forward stride
toward the land of “Drug-Free”. When
our days become dreary with low-hovering
clouds of despair (against our leaders and
law enforcement agencies) and when our
hearts become darker than a thousand nights
(because of witnessing the wanton corruption,
incompetence, on our law enforcement
agencies against the illicit trade). Let us remember
that there is a creative force in
this universe, working to pull down the
gigantic mountains of evil (Bad leaders,
corrupted politicians, civil servants, intelligence
Service Agencies, police, customs
and exercise) and the drug heavy weights,
a power that is able to make a way
out of no way, and transform dark
yesterdays into bright tomorrows.

Let us realize that the arc of the
moral universe is long but it bends
toward justice.

Let us realize that “Truth crushed
to earth will rise again”. Let us go out
and realize that the Bible is right.
“Be not deceived, God’s not mocked,
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall
he also reap.”

Brethren, let us work together to repair
the tarnished and tainted image
of our beloved country (the land
of peace and harmony.)

Let us tell the world that we’re the
heaven of peace and not the nation
of drug traffickers.

Let us tell the world that we’ll
never been cowed nor deterred by
the drug barons, by naming and
shaming all drug traffickers and
their associates.

By doing that, from deep in my heart
I do believe we would dismantle the
drug trafficking networks, we would save our compatriots from death penalty
and long custodial sentences in foreign lands.

By doing that we would save our society
from the evil of drugs as well
as the world community. Stand
against Drug trafficking and say no
to the drug recruiters, stay away
from HK, Macau and the Mainland China.

I am a Tanzanian (Allias “Mtu Wa Watu”)
currently serving 21 years sentence here
in HK for Drug trafficking.

TZA-Prisoner