KAGERA: Suspected hardcore criminals arrested in Bukoba town

Written by MEDDY MULISA in Bukoba

A FEW days after unknown bandits stormed a gas station at Muleba town, killing a watchman, police in Kagera region have arrested two suspected hard core criminals with an assortment of ammunitions including army uniforms.

Kagera Regional Police Commander (RPC) Philip Kalangi, identified the suspects as Hassan Majura (35) and Goodlove Benezeth (34), both from Kashai Ward, in Bukoba Municipality. He said the two suspects were rounded up on November 17, this year while hiding at a forest.

Upon being searched they were found in unlawful possession of a sub-machine gun (SMG), two magazines, 12 rounds of ammunition and three pairs of Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) dresses. Kalangi said on the night of November 12, this year, a group of armed bandits stormed a petrol station at Muleba town and robbed a businessman, Cleophace Rweyemamu, from Nshamba village, also in Muleba of his 60m/-.

The businessman raised alarm and a night watchman, identified as Felix Tonshwe (55) rushed to the scene to give aid. The bandits allegedly shot him at close range wounding him critically and he died a few hours later while receiving treatment at Rubya Designated hospital, in Muleba district. He said the suspects would be arraigned in court upon completion of investigations.

This was a second incident whereby armed bandits robbed gas stations killing innocent people. Armed bandits on January 8, last year at around 7.30 p.m. stormed a gas station at Kyakailabwa, some three kilometres from Bukoba town. The bandits shot dead two people at point blank including the owner of the gas station, before they escaped taking unspecified amount of cash.

Mr Kalangi identified the deceased as Nassor Mohamed Ahmed alias Mabruki (56) and a security guard identified as Adrian Kwesiga (52), an employee of Pacific Security Group. As police investigation were in progress, the son of the murdered security guard was found hanging on a tree branch.

RPC Kalangi identified him as Anord Adrian (16), who is alleged to have committed suicide for unknown reasons. He said Anord left home on January 7, last year for unknown destination and was never seen again alive until on January 12, when his decaying body was found hanging on a tree branch.

In a separate development, RPC Kalangi said a 24 years old woman identified as John Mary Anthony, from Kyaitoke village, in Butulage Ward, Bukoba Rural district, is helping police investigation for infanticide. According to Mr Kalangi, the suspect gave birth to a healthy baby boy three months ago.

However, for unknown reasons on November 16, this year she allegedly strangled the child and dumped his body in a nearby ditch. He said the suspects would be arraigned in court upon completion of investigations.

Source: Daily News (21/11/2012): http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/11828-suspected-hardcore-criminals-arrested-in-bukoba-town