Dar es Salaam: Former police officers in court over 150m/- theft

Written by FAUSTINE KAPAMA.

FIVE police officers appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es Salaam charged with the theft of 150m/-, property of one Mire Artan Ismail.

Before Senior Resident Magistrate Emilius Mchauro, the accused pleaded 'not guilty' to the charge. They were granted bail on conditions of signing a bond of 5m/- each. The accused persons were also ordered to secure two reliable sureties, who were also to sign bonds of the same sum.

The magistrate also directed each of the accused persons to deposit in court a cash bail of 15m/- or surrender a title deed of immovable property valued at 15m/-. Detective Corporal Kelvin Cyprian Mohamed (44) of Gongo la Mboto failed to meet the set bail conditions.

He will be brought today for another consideration of bail. The case will be mentioned on March 27. Investigations into the case, according to the prosecution, have not been completed. Other accused officers are Detective Station Sergeant Dancan Mwasabila 43), a resident of Kiwalani, Detective Corporal Geofrey (39), who resides at Mbezi Luis, Detective Corporal Rajabu Juma Kurukwa (46), who lives at Buguruni and Detective Corporal Kawanani Alex Humphrey (34).

Prosecuting, Senior State Attorney Benard Kongola told the court that on December 18, last year, at Kariakoo in Ilala District in the city, the accused stole the 150m/- which belonged to Mr Ismail. It was alleged that some bandits waylaid an accountant while taking the money to a nearby bank at Kariakoo and robbed him. The bandits killed the accountant in the process.

The police on patrol were tipped on the banditry foray and pursued the suspected criminals. There was an exchange of gunfire between the police and the suspects. Sensing that they could be arrested, the bandits allegedly threw away the cash and disappeared.

It is alleged further that the police managed to recover the money, but could not be taken to any police station because it vanished. Following a tip from Good Samaritans who allegedly saw the dramatic event, the police on the ground were implicated with the disappearance of the 'exhibit.'

Thorough investigations were conducted to trace the culprits and the accused were allegedly implicated in the scandal. According to police sources, the accused were court marshalled. The Zonal Commander of the Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Suleiman Kova, announced recently that the said five officers have been dismissed from the Police Force.

Source: Daily News (14/03/2013): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/15479-former-police-officers-in-court-over-150m-theft