Courts/Police Log

How safe is a judge? 

By Arusha Times Reporter 

A senior Zonal Judge based at the High Court in Arusha, Justice Bethuel Mmila, last week woke up to a nightmare, robbers had entered his house and made away with a laptop computer.  

The Judge’s house however was supposedly being guarded by policemen. 

The incident happened in the night of Tuesday September 9, around 10.15 pm, while the Judge was asleep in his bedroom.  

Narrating the incident, Judge Mmila said he woke up to find the expensive lap-top he kept on the table near the window had disappeared and the window curtains wide open.  

"I  rushed to the living room trying to locate the two policemen who keep watch but surprisingly, when I looked through the window the officers were not there. Even when I tried to call them, there was no response,” said the Judge.  

The judge then walked into the compound searching for the cops without success and when he went to the servant quarters to inquire on their whereabouts. The store man was not there as well.  

As he walked back to his house, suddenly an armed man pointed a gun at him and a voice from another masked figure warned him: ``Ukithubutu kufanya chochote tutaku-shuti mara moja.`` (Any smart move , we shall shoot you ).  

He was ordered to walk back into the house, locked himself in and kept quiet for his own safety. 

After sometime it occurred to him to sound the security alarm. There was no response. He later called the police in Arusha who did not answer the call. 

He called a fellow Judge who acted promptly by seeking assistance that restored security at Judge Mmila`s house.  

When asked to comment on the incident  after the judge had narrated his ordeal, Arusha Regional Police Commander Basilio Matei, said:`` I promise I will make a close follow up to establish the truth of the matter,” stated the RPC when speaking to journalists.

Moivo resident charged with murder

By Our Correspondent 

A resident of Moivo area, north of Arusha municipality has appeared before the court facing a murder charge. He is accused of murdering one Samson Gabriel.

Inspector Shamy Dunia read the charge before Resident Magistrate Mary Mrio on September 8.

The accused, George Steven (22) is alleged to have committed the offence on May 3 this year at about 8.45pm at Sanawari area in Arusha municipality.

The accused was not required to enter any plea because his case will be heard by the High Court of Tanzania.

After the mention of the case,  the accused was taken back to remand jail. He will appear in court again on September 26 this year.

Man killed after cell phone squabble

By Our Correspondent 

Samwel Philipo (25) a trader of Kikwe in Arumeru district is in police hands after allegedly hitting on the head a colleague, Tranku Munisi (33) a resident of Moshi  who died instantly last week. They were locked in a row over a mobile phone.

According to the Regional Police Commander Basilio Matei, Philipo had previously lent Munisi his mobile phone but had apparently lost it. In the ensuing squabble, Philipo lost his tamper picked a heavy wooden pole and smashed Munisi to death.

Philipo was arrested soon after the incident and was taken to remand custody awaiting further investigations.

Munisi remains were kept in the Mount Meru regional hospital morgue awaiting forensic checks and funeral arrangements.

3 alleged to utter murder threats

By Halima Sadiki 

Three residents of Olasiti village in the municipality of Arusha, Robert Laasare, Bahati Laasare and Laasare Moivoro  appeared at the  Maromboso Urban Primary court this week to answer charges of  threatening Raphael Mollel also of Olasiti with murder. They appeared before Magistrate Dennis Shayo.

Public prosecutor, Police Constable Nassoro Omari alleged before the court that on 17^th August at 1.30pm the three people threatened Mollel verbally of killing him.  They all pleaded not guilty.

They were then released on bail with sureties of Tsh.500,000 each until  September  23 when their case comes up for mention again.

Kijenge woman relieved of cell phone

By Halima Sadiki 

A resident of Kijenge, Musa Mbogo has appeared in Maromboso Urban Primary Court for allegedly snatching a mobile phone, worth Tsh.300,000 plus Tsh.30,000 in cash from one Mwanahamisi Mohamed also of Kijenge.

It was alleged in court before Magistrate Denis Shayo that on August  28 that Mbogo snatched the property from the complainant.

Mbogo entered a plea of not guilty to the charges and was returned to remand custody until  September  23 when his case comes up for another mention.

Magistrate Shayo had offered Mbogo bail of Tsh.300,000 with one surety but the suspect failed to meet the bail conditions.

Man allegedly hired thugs to kill his mother

By Our Correspondent 

Julius Mollel (30) of Ilkiurei village in Ilboru area is in police custody for allegedly hiring thugs to butcher his own mother following a conflict on ownership and sale of their plot of land.

According to Regional Police Commander Basilio Matei, Mollel and his mother Lea Mwikai (55) had for a long time been involved in a land dispute. Mollel wanted to sell the piece of land but the mother prevented the sale.

The incident took place at  1.00 am  on 10 September  10  at Ilkiurei village when five thugs allegedly hired by Mollel broke into Mwikai’s house and slashed  her to death using pangas (bush knives).

The accused’s  father died two years ago.

The mother’s remains were in the Mount Meru hospital awaiting burial and Mollel is in custody awaiting police investigations before appearing in court.

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