Dar es Salaam: Tight security as court postpones Ponda’s judgment

Written by FAUSTINE KAPAMA.

THE police in Dar es Salaam on Thursday enhanced security at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court as it was set to deliver judgment in the trial of Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda and 49 others before postponing the session to May 9.

Resident Magistrate Aloyce Katemana told the parties (prosecution and defence) that the trial magistrate, Victoria Nongwa, was away and had not completed preparing the judgment in the case. “She has left a message that the judgment will be ready by May 9,” Mr Katemana said.

Sheikh Ponda, the Secretary of the Council of Islamic Organization and one of his co-accused, Mukadamu Abdallah Swaleh, who are in remand, were brought at the court premises early in the morning under tight security of prison wardens and several other armed police officers.

It was, however, not a lucky day for alleged supporters of the Muslim leader, as they were denied entry. Only accused persons charged jointly with Sheikh Ponda, who are out on bail, were allowed to enter the compound. All, except two of the 50 accused persons were in attendance.

Those who did not attend the court session were Salum Ali Mkwasu and Ally Shabani Salehe. Magistrate Katemana ordered their arrest for jumping bail. After adjournment of the case, the situation adjacent the court premises changed all of a sudden when Ponda’s supporters started cheering, while chanting ‘Allah Akbar (God is great)’, as he was being returned to remand in a convoy of eight police and prison vehicles.

Sheikh Ponda was seen cheering back at the cloud gathered along Bibi Titi Mohamed Road near the Tanganyika Library by raising his hands in the air while seating in one of prisons vehicles that were taking him back to Segerea Prison. The case will be mentioned on May 2, pending delivery of the judgment.

The law enforcers fully armed with tear gas bombs and other gadgets remained at the court premises to maintain security while over four police dogs and horses were also there patrolling the compound. In the case, Sheikh Ponda and his co-accused are facing five counts, including conspiracy to commit an offence, forcible entry and detainer, stealing and inciting the commission of offence.

The prosecution had alleged that at unknown date in the city, all the accused conspired to commit an offence. On October 12, last year, at Chang’ombe Markas area in Temeke District, in a violent manner and without colour of right, the accused persons entered on a piece of land which belonged to Agritanza Limited in order to take possession thereof.

“All accused persons between October 12 and 16, 2012 at Chang’ombe Markas area within Temeke District in Dar es Salaam region, without colour of right and in manner likely to cause a breach of peace did hold possession of land lawfully occupied by Agritanza Limited,” the prosecution further alleged.

It is claimed also that within the same period and place, they stole various building materials, including 1500 bricks, 36 tones of gravel, iron bars, all valued at 59,650,000/-, property of the company. Ponda was charged with additional count with another accused person, Mukadamu Abdallah Swalehe, of inciting others to commit an offence. The prosecution had told the court that the duo committed the offence between October 12 and 16, last year at the same area.

Source: Daily News (19/04/2013): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/16582-tight-security-as-court-postpones-ponda-s-judgment