Religious Tolerance in Tanzania: 36 people in court over Mbagala fracas

BY KARAMA KENYUNKO

Thirty Six people yesterday appeared before Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam charged with several counts including theft and damage of properties worth over 1bn/- at Mbagala.

Apart from the 36 accused, a child alleged to have urinated on the Quran (name with held), appeared at the same court charged with insulting the religion.

Prosecution led by Principal State Attorney Tumaini Kweka named the first group of accused as Maenga Yusuph, Hamad Sekondo, Shego Musa, Ramadhani Salum, Mashaka Iman, Kasim Juma and Ibrahimu Jummane.

Others are Hamza Fundi, Mikidadi Sadiki, Juma Mbegu, Rahibu Abdallah, Issa Selemani Hamis Kimwaga, Ramadhani Mbulu, Hemed Mohamed, Msham Alifa and Mohamed Yusuph.

Kweka alleged before Resident Magistrate Sundi Fimbo that between October 10 and 12, this year at Mbagala Zakhem, the accused conspired to commit the offence.

On the second count it was alleged that on October 12, this year at the same place the accused broke and entered into a building used as a place of worship by Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania Mbagala Parish and committed an offence there.

He further stated that on the same date and place the accused wilfully and unlawfully destroyed air conditioners, executive table, chairs, doors and various other properties worth 500m/- owned by ELCT Mbagala Parish.

On the fourth count it was alleged that on the same date and place the accused stole a laptop, printer, electric keyboard, projectors, speakers, wall clocks and plastic chairs all worth 20m/- property of the said Parish.

It was further alleged that immediately before or after the time of such thefts the accused threatened Michael Samwel using an iron bar and block in order to obtain the said property.

On the fifth count it was alleged that the accused wilfully and unlawfully did set fire to a building used as a place of worship property of ELCT Mbagala Parish.

On another charge sheet which was also before Fimbo, Kweka alleged that on the same date and place the accused conspired to commit an offence.

Further it was alleged that the accused also destroyed various properties the property of Anglican Church. They were also charged with the offence of stealing various items the property of the said church.

The prosecutor, Ladislaus Komanya when reading another charge sheet before Fimbo named the other the accused as Mwalimu Said, Omary Shaba, Ibrahim Msimbe, Abdallah Omary, Pascal Kashiriri, Abdulkadir Haji, Ahmad Juma and Mohamed Juma.

Komanya alleged that on the same date and place the accused conspired to commit an offence.

He claimed that on the same date at Maduka Tisa Mbagala Kibonde Maji the accused wilfully and unlawfully destroyed altar, windows, chairs and various other things, all valued at 80m/- the property of Agape Church Mbagala Parish.

It was claimed that on the same date and place the accused set fire to a building used as a place of worship the property of Agape Church Mbagala Parish.

Before Resident Magistrate Binge Mashaballa, prosecutor Joseph Maugo alleged that on the same date and place the accused Hashim Lugongo, Abas Said, Idd Selemani, Yahaya Ndege, Daniel Ngambilile, Hassan Mohamed, Said Mkoba, Dodo Mohamed, Mwanahamisi Mohamed (30), Amiri Mohamed (23), and Ally Selemani conspiracy and damaged a motor vehicle with Registration number PT 2068 Land lover Pick up worth 2m/- property of Police Force.

It was further alleged that the accused also wilfully and unlawfully destroyed a Toyota Corolla worth 1.5m/- and stole a radio system worth 300,000/- properties of Nicholas Mitembo.

Maugo stated that the accused destroyed different vehicles and stole various items from there, all worth over 70m/- belongings of the government, churches and other people.

Meanwhile leaders of Christian Churches yesterday visited the houses of worship that were destroyed by a group of people suspected to be Muslims last Friday and promised give their statement after their meeting which was held in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Speaking to journalists at the scene, the Coordinator for Tanzania Christian Forum Dr Leonard Mtaita said the aim of their visit was to give chance to some other leaders to study the areas that have been destroyed before they made their statement.

“What has happened here is very depressing especially for worshipers of the churches …we call upon them to be patient while we seek solution to this problem” he said.

For his part Head of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania Bishop Dr Alex Malasusa added that they will continue to make evaluation of the damage and come up with a statement which will be made public.

The Muslim Communities and Institutions in Tanzania Secretary General Sheikh Issa Ponda has given the police a seven-day ultimatum to release the suspects who were arrested for causing chaos and vandalism of churches at Mbagala area.

He said failure to do so will lead his institution to release another statement.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (17/10/2012): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=46993