Probe starts on abducted cop

Written by LUDOVICK KAZOKA and ALVAR MWAKYUSA

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident of an auxiliary police officer who went missing since last Saturday after he had headed an operation to arrest suspects who allegedly attempted to steal copper worth more than one billion shillings at the Dar es Salaam Port.

Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander, Mr Suleiman Kova, told a press conference in the city that the policeman, Mr Cornel Kufahaiehuru, was found in sound health in Mafinga District in Iringa Region on Monday morning.

"The policeman was, according to allegations,  kidnapped by unidentified people who sent a text message through his mobile phone to police demanding immediate release of the arrested suspects otherwise the policeman would be harmed," said Mr Kova.

He would not divulge more details, but said that Mr Kufahaiehuru was taken to Mafinga National Service camp in Iringa Region for his safety. Mr Kova also noted that a task force with ten people was formed to investigate the theft syndicate at the Port. He heads the task force comprising teams from Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) and the Tanzania Port Authority.

"We are holding 14 suspects who are linked to the copper and oil theft attempt last Saturday. We are still looking for two others who escaped during the incident," he said. Mr Kova named the suspects as Charles Regino (49), Yahya Mpili (28), Said Salum (39), Ally Rwanda (28), Shaaban Matimbwa (33) and Salum Kinyama (34), all of  Tandika Azimio in Temeke municipality.

Others are Range Boaz (40) of Mbagala Kichemchem, Willy Mwamlima (20) of Kiwalani in the same municipality, Gideon Anyina (35) who is a Tazara foreman and a police officer, PC Abubakari, who is attached to Tazara.

He mentioned the arrested suspects linked to oil theft as Mohamed Said (18) of Mtoni Mtongani, Fadhili Said (18) of Mtoni kwa Aziz Ally, Ailaji Bakari (19) and Erasto Adam (18) of Kurasini Shimo la Udongo in Temeke municipality.

Earlier, sources at the port told the 'Daily News' that the auxiliary police officer was abducted on Saturday night, hours after the foiled theft on the dawn of the same day. Circumstances under which Mr Kufaiehuru was kidnapped are still unclear, according to the sources.

"Until now, nobody knows how he was abducted and the very people who took him hostage  and used his cell phone. The culprits demanded that all people arrested in connection with the theft should be released or they would harm him," the source, who preferred anonymity, said.    

Incidents of theft of cargo at the port of Dar es Salaam have been rampant over the years forcing local and foreign traders to shun the port for other harbours in neighbouring countries. Just recently, the Minister for Transport, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, suspended the Director General of Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Mr Ephraim Mgawe and six other top officials, to pave way for investigations of theft of cargo and embezzlement at the port of Dar es Salaam.

Source: Daily News (11/09/2012): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/9412-probe-starts-on-abducted-cop