By Jesse Mikofu
Unguja. Tunguu Representative Simai Mohamed Said, CCM, has accused Regional and District Commissioners of abusing powers granted under the law by detaining citizens without sufficient justification or clear legal grounds.
Under the Regional Administration Act of 1962, as amended in 2002, Section 7(1) gives DCs and RCs authority to detain a person for 48 hours without presenting them before a court.
Contributing to the debate on the revenue and expenditure estimates for the President’s Office Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGZ) on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Mr Mohamed said the officials must understand their responsibilities and avoid misuse of powers granted under existing laws.
“This law has granted them powers, but some regional and district commissioners are abusing those powers and oppressing citizens by detaining them without proper reasons or justification,” he said during debate in the House.
