Social media users unleash anger at Magufuli

Dar es Salaam:

Social media yesterday went abuzz with comments and heated discussions on President John under fire remarks about underfire Dar-es-Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda.

Apparently, many people had expected the president to publicly condemn the RC for storming Clouds Media Group studios with armed policemen, ostensibly to demand an explanation on why a producer at the station had not aired a video in which a woman claims Glory of Christ Tanzania Church Bishop Josephat had fathered a child with her and abandoned her.

But much to the surprise of many social media users, President Magufuli threw his weight behind the embattled RC and urged him to ignore the criticism and instead focus on his work.

President Magufuli was speaking at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the construction of a flyover at the junction of Morogoro and Mandela roads at Ubungo in the city.

In an apparent reference to growing calls for the firing or disciplining of the RC who is being accused by his critics of abusing power and state security machinery, Dr Magufuli said no one should dictate to him what to do with his appointees.

Mr Makonda was present at the ceremony also attended by World Bank president Dr Jim Yong Kim. The President’s remarks immediately sparked a fire on social media with many users expressing disappointment at the head of state’s decision to support Mr Makonda’s actions. Mr Zitto Kabwe, the Kigoma Urban MP (ACT-Wazalendo), was one of the social media users who questioned the President’s decision on his Facebook page.

“The Regional Commissioner invades a private media house with armed policemen; citizens, lawmakers and journalists complain about the invasion and the President publicly urges the RC to continue with his works?” Mr Kabwe asked.

He added: “This means the President sent him to invade the media house.”

Mr Tundu Lissu, the Singida East MP (Chadema), also wrote on his twitter account, that he was, “speechless as Mr President hailed RC Makonda, surely he loves the boy so badly.”

Mr Evarist Chahali‏, a famous social media commentator, said: “This is Magufuli; I believe those who ask themselves where Makonda draws his rudeness from have now (sic) got an answer.”

He was implicitly responding to a question by the Executive Secretary of the Media Owners Association (Moat), Dr Reginald Mengi. 

Other commentators noted that they felt let down by the President.