Two jailed 3 years for possessing guns

PETI SIYAME, Sumbawanga

SUMBAWANGA  District Magistrates Court  has  sentenced  two young men each  to  serve three years  in jail  after  both of them  pleaded  guilty  for  possessing  two  home made pistols illegally.

The  Magistrate, Ms Rozalia Mugissa,  convicted  two  young  men, Victor Simtowe (28),  resident  of Safu  village and Said Abdallah  (31),  a  resident  from Ilemba village  in the district.

"As the  accused have  pleaded guilty  voluntarily that they were caught  in possession of  two  firearms,  homemade  pistols,   then  I  hereby  sentence  each of  you to serve  three  years in jail  or  to  pay  a fine of  1,500,000/-  each of  you, these  sentences  will  not only  serve  as a lesson  to both of you  but also  to  others who  are itching  to  commit  similar  crime,"  ruled Ms Mugissa.

They both failed to pay the fine and now have each started serving three years in jail. Earlier, Prosecuting, Inspector of Police, Mr Elija Matiku told  the Court that  the  accused were  arrested  on July 22, this year at around  8:00 pm  at Ilembe  village along  Lake Rukwa Basin  as they  scouted for prospective buyers.             

Source: Daily News (05/08/2012): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/8253-two-jailed-3-years-for-possessing-guns