Dar es Salaam: More held over PCCB staff’s death

Written by ABDULWAKIL SAIBOKO

POLICE are holding two more officers of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) for questioning in connection to a recent incident where the bureau’s official, Ms Bhoke Ryoba, was shot dead at Kigamboni area in Dar es Salaam recently.

Eyewitness reports which were confirmed by police have it that the bureau’s three officials were playing around with guns like ignition of fireworks. The Temeke Regional Police Commander, Mr Engelbert Kiondo, told the ‘Daily News’ over the phone that the officers were summoned for interrogation to find details on the matter in question.

“The two officers who have reported for questioning were also holding guns on the day and fired on air several times. We are holding them to establish their involvement in the killing of their fellow officer ,” he said. Mr Kiondo said that already the prime suspect, Mussa John, had reported earlier to police and confessed that he was the one who shot the late Ryoba.

“John reported and confessed that he fired the real shooting, but we need to examine critically the guns which were used on that day and be sure which one was used in the killing,” he said. The RPC who declined to mention the other two officers in custody noted that police are also finding information over the circumstances that led to the killing.

“We want to find out if it was really an accident or it was a deliberate killing before we move forward with the case,” he said. Mr Kiondo stated that all the three officials legally owned the guns that they were holding on the day that the incident occurred.

They were reportedly playing with firearms on Saturday evening, where they were attending a party at Kigamboni area in the city. Report from the Bureau headquarters have it that staff are in sombre mood especially in accounts department since the death of late Ryoba.

The information reveals further that police force had first written to the Bureau, asking to interrogate the officials. It has also been revealed that PCCB Director General Dr Edward Hoseah is closely following up the matter.

The late Ryoba’s husband, Mr Charles Gibore, was quoted by some newspapers as saying that he had appealed to Dr Hoseah to make sure that the matter is handled fairly to avoid injustice.

Source: Daily News (28/12/2012): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/13094-more-held-over-pccb-staff-s-death