ZANZIBAR: Isles police nab 40 suspects in crackdown

Written by ISSA YUSSUF in Zanzibar

IN a crackdown on criminal suspects, police on the Isles have issued photos of 72 people who they believe are linked with the recent riots and killing of a policeman.

According to Zanzibar Commissioner of Police Mussa Ali Mussa, the photos of the suspects were displayed on two TV stations, TVZ and Cable TV at the weekend. The photos are also available at all police stations and the security units.

"Some of the suspects belong to criminal gangs including Ubaya-Ubaya, Umbwa-Mwitu and Simba-Mkali and are terrorizing and robbing people of their property," he said.

The police commissioner said so far more than 40 people have been arrested, following a tip-off from the public. However, this latest development comes at a time when people have complained of  police harassment, saying  the Zanzibar security units were abusing human rights.

"Armed police and security units harass people unnecessarily. We are so scared that we can't even go to the mosque to pray," lamented a resident of  Bububu area north of the Zanzibar stone town.  

Bububu residents, where a police officer was killed last week claimed to have been victims of police harassment in their hunt for criminals. They accused them of brutality.

But Commissioner Mussa and the Minister of Sate (Police), Mr Mohammed Aboud Mohammed, assured the public  that the crackdown would continue carefully and judiciously and would only target the suspects.Mr  Mohammed  said the police would not disturb innocent people as their target was to restore peace and order.

Zanzibar town was plunged into chaos after youths of Uamsho group  went on the rampage, demanding the release of their leader Sheikh Farid Hadi Ahmed who has since been charged alongside seven others for incitement and destroying public property.

Source: Daily News (28/10/2012): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/10933-isles-police-nab-40-suspects-in-crackdown