BUKOBA: Six held over abduction rumours

Written by MEDDY MULISA

ANTI-RIOT police were deployed to Majengo area in Bukoba to disperse dozens of people who were about to beat a 45-year-old woman following rumours that she has abducted children for witchcraft practices.

Reports from the area had it that the woman (name withheld) had been secretly keeping the six children in a room at her residence in Kashai Ward. It is said that a traditional medicine man recently busted the abduction secret, leading to chaos in the area as the people wanted to beat the woman.

Some youths reportedly also used the opportunity to steal property from the woman’s house. Acting Kagera Regional Police Commander (RPC), Richard Ngole, who was also at the scene, could not confirm the abduction story, but said six people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Bukoba District Commissioner (DC) Zipporah Pangani visited the area at around 9:00am yesterday, urging the people to disperse assuring them that the government was handling the matter through proper channels . The DC cautioned residents of the area against taking the law into their own hands and instead report suspected criminals to relevant authorities.

She warned that no one was above the law, adding that culprits would be dealt with according to the law. Ms Pangani also urged the media to confirm stories from relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, health services in Misenyi District in Kagera Region are expected to get better health services after the completion of the ongoing construction of a modern hospital at Katoma Ward. The hospital Director, Dr Joyce Banda, who hails from Katoma village, said the 120-bed hospital would be equipped with modern facilities.

Source: Daily News (13/12/2012): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/12628-six-held-over-abduction-rumours