10 Kiteto murder suspects taken to court

At least 12 people have appeared before the Kiteto District Court charged with 10 counts of killing 10 people during a land dispute between farmers and pastoralists in the district.

The twelve accused are Michael Lepunyati, Richard Mlahagwa Haji, Kipande Loguto Mgotyo, Lembris William and Daud William.

Others are Meshack Nyoroi Olotipwa, Zacharia Nyoroi Olotipwa, Masonic Ngangwai, Loserian Isaya, Dijalo Kagapapai, Paulo Tunyon Lemunyo and Mohamed Said Kinyonga

Reading the charges yesterday before Magistrate Nestory Barro, Police Prosecutor, Oscar Kusare Munisi claimed that on January 12, this year the 12 suspects killed Msangule Madole at around 7:30pm around Mtanzania area contrary to the laws of the land.

In the second count, the prosecutor claimed that the 12 accused killed Stephen Kisiti Mashauri around the same area and at the same date and place they killed Zungu Mgogo. 

Other counts include that of January 12, this year around 20:00 hours at Laitini area the 12 killed Said Hamad contrally to the laws of the land.

Munisi continued to claim that on the same date and time, the 12 killed Shukuru Paulo, Haule Josephy, Zakaria Petro and Rajab Abdallah, all the residents of Laitini area.

However, the prosecutor said investigation into the case is still in progress and hence the case will come up for mentioning on February 03, this year.

All the suspects had no advocate and were not allowed to enter any plea since the court does not have the jurisdiction to listen to such cases. 

The suspects have since been remanded in prison.

Commenting shortly after the court adjourned the case, an advocate with Human Right Centre from Arusha Zone, Shilinde Ngalua said the court was supposed to inform the suspects about the rights to have an advocate to back them and know that the court does not have the jurisdiction to listen to such cases.

Earlier before January 12 the Manyara Police Regional Commander, Akili Mpwapwa, said they arrested 35 people in relation to the killing of 10 people.

Mpwapwa said apart from the 12 who appeared before the court, some 10 more suspects are under police custody and six others are still being interrogated. 

Mpwapwa said the police managed to find three short guns, two riffles, a locally made pistol and 73 ammunition for short guns.  

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN