Dar es Salaam: Ponda, 49 co-accused have a case to answer, court rules

By Rosina John, The Citizen Correspondent, Dar es Salaam. 

Muslim Cleric Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda and co-accused were yesterday found with a case to answer by the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court on five counts, including forcibly invading private property.

Resident Magistrate Victoria Nongwa made the ruling after passing through evidence adduced by the prosecution during the hearing of the case.

It was alleged that on October 12 last year Ponda and other 49 accused, in a violent manner entered and held possession of land which is lawfully occupied by the Agritanza Company.

In her ruling, magistrate Nongwa said the evidence produced before the court along with testimonies from 17 witnesses established the case against the accused who were required to defend themselves as to why they were at the plot.

“After passing through the evidence adduced by the prosecution I found that all the accused have a case to answer in all charges,” she said.

The case was adjourned to March 6 this year when the accused will give their defence testimony.

They are alleged to commit the offence contrary to section 386 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) as well as section 86 and 35 of the CPA cap 16 revised in 2002.

Source: The Citizen (05/03/2013): http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/51-other-news/29357-ponda-49-co-accused-have-a-case-to-answer-court-rules