The government of Tanzania on Sunday distanced itself from remarks against gays made by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda.

On Wednesday, Makonda announced the creation of a surveillance squad that will hunt down gays in the east African nation's commercial capital of about 5 million people.

Makonda told a news conference that the operation was scheduled to start on Monday, Nov. 5.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation on Sunday distanced itself from Makonda's remarks.

A statement by the ministry said Makonda was airing his personal views that did not reflect the official position of the government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, on behalf of the government of the United Republic of Tanzania, wishes to clarify that Mr. Makonda was only airing his personal opinion which does not represent the official position of the United Republic of Tanzania," said the statement.

According to the statement, Tanzania will continue to abide by all international treaties on human rights to which the country was a signatory.

"The United Republic of Tanzania will also continue to respect and uphold all human rights as provided for in the country's constitution," added the statement.

Makonda said last week that the team he had formed will trawl social media in order to track down and arrest people in same-sex relationships.

Homosexual acts are illegal in Tanzania, forcing many gay, lesbian and transgender people to hide their sexuality.

Makonda has brushed aside international condemnation over his remarks, saying, "I prefer to anger those countries than to anger God."