Tanzania Bans Tabloid Mawio For Linking Former Presidents With Mining Scam

The John Magufuli government has banned tabloid named Mawio for two years following a published story that linked former Presidents Benjamin Mkapa and Jakaya Kikwete to the mineral concentrates exports scandal.

The Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Harrison Mwakyembe, said the ban was effective immediately.

Director of Information Services, Hassan Abbasi, issued a statement saying the tabloid published photos of both the former presidents on the front page accompanied with a story that tried to lik their roles in the problems bedeviling Tanzanian mining sector.

Abbasi said the ban was under Information Services Act for two years from now and it includes ban on its digital version or social platforms too.

It is learned the tabloid ignored earlier directive of the John Magufuli government on reporting about former leaders who ruled between 1995 and 2015.

Lately, while talks for negotiation are under progress between the government and mining giant Acacia Gold Mining, Magufuli warned media houses on Wednesday against linking the leaders.

In fact the warning came after a meet with Magufuli and Barrick Gold Corporation Chairman John Thornton.

Barrick Gold has a good stake in Acacia Gold Mining.

Magufuli said, “Media should stop tarnishing reputation of our leaders. They have done great job in serving this country. We should let them rest.”

Tanzania has made billions of USDs losses in mining corruption and the president has ordered for a detailed investigation of all the officials, either former or current, who created loopholes to allow foreign companies to rip-off the country and had signed the mining agreements.