MBEYA: Soldiers held over Mbalizi Killing

Written by LUDVICK KAZOKA

POLICE are holding ten members of Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) who are stationed at 44KJ Mbalizi Military Base (44KJ) over the killing of a farmer at Mbalizi in Mbeya Rural District.

The incident allegedly occurred at Power Night Club on Sunday. Mbeya Regional Police Commander (RPC) Diwani Athumani told the ‘Daily News’ that the farmer, Petro Sanga (25), died while getting medical treatment at Ifisi Hospital at 11:00 pm.

“Petro was taken to the hospital in a critical condition after he was stabbed with a sharp object in his mouth and neck. He died due to profuse bleeding,” according to the RPC. Mr Athumani said the suspects stormed into the night club and started beating up people indiscriminately using military belts, clubs and machetes.

Petro fled and attempted to hide at Vavene Mwe Grocery but the suspects pursued him and caught up with him. Mr Athumani, however, did not name the suspects. “Six people were injured seriously by the suspects. They were taken to hospital for medical treatment.

A number of motor vehicles were damaged in the fracas,” he said. He said that the cause of the incident was revenge after their (military) fellow member, Godfrey Matete (30) of 44KJ Mbalizi Military Base allegedly got beaten up by watchmen at a Pombe Shop called DDC at Mbalizi last Saturday.

“After he was beaten up, Godfrey reported the matter to Mbalizi Police Station the same night and was given PF 3 for medical treatment,” he said. Mr Athumani said police launched an investigation on the matter and four suspects (who were watchmen at the pombe shop) were apprehended.

He named the suspects as Frank Mtasimwa (25), Mure Julius (26), Omari Charles (28) and Reginald Mwampete (30) all of whom are residents at Mbalizi. He pointed out that two motor vehicles were damaged.

These were a Toyota Vista bearing Registration Number T 106 AWB owned by Paulo Maximilian and a Toyota Cresta with Registration Number T884 AUU owned by Alile Godfrey.

Source: Daily News (22/11/2012): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/11877-soldiers-held-over-mbalizi-killing