| 53 in court over Mtwara gas-linked chaos |
| Monday, 28 January 2013 22:40 |
 Masasi. Fifty three people were arraigned here yesterday, to answer charges of conspiring to destroy property worth millions of shillings during last Saturday’s violent protests that also left seven people dead and eleven injured. Various government and private houses were burnt down during the violence. They include those hosting the CCM district headquarters, Lisekese court, education department office and wildlife department office. Three high-profile personalities lost their houses special seats legislator Mariam Kasembe, the chairperson of the Cashewnut Board of Tanzania Anna Abdallah Kesi and former cabinet minister Anna Abdallah. The cause of the violence remains unclear, but it is highly speculated that it was one of the ways in which the mobsters sought to vent anger over the envisaged Mtwara-Dar es Salaam pipeline. Reading the charge sheet before the Masasi Resident Magistrate In charge Elizabert Nyembele, the prosecutor, Daniel Samuel, said the accused committed the crimes on Saturday, but investigations were still ongoing. Ms Nyambele adjourned the case pending the completion of investigations, but the accused were denied bail in response to a special request from the prosecution, which national security reasons. Home Affairs Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi toured the district for a first-hand feel of the damage. Dr Nchimbi, who was accompanied by acting director of criminal investigations Isaya Mungulu and Police Commissioner In charge of Training and Operation Mr Paul Chagonja, said the government won’t tolerate violent protests staged by unruly people. “I have been deeply saddened by the violent protests that led to the loss of life and damage to property worth millions of shillings . This country is led by the rule of law and no-one is above the law,” Dr Nchimbi said. Dr Nchimbi had gone to Mtwara region at the weekend ahead of the Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda who is also in the region as part of efforts to defuse tensions centred on the gas controversy. The people of Mtwara want the government to produce electricity from gas in Mtwara and not in Dar es Salaam and then distribute it countrywide.The 532km pipeline, to cost $1.225 billion upon completion, would transport gas to Dar es Salaam for producing 2,780 megawatts of electricity. The joint project between a Chinese company and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) was commissioned by President Jakaya Kikwete late last year. It is expected to be completed by 2015. Protests against the project started in earnest on December 27 last year, when thousands of Mtwara residents marched for about 10km protesting against the Mtwara-Dar pipeline plan. Other demonstrations followed and at the one over the weekend degenerated into violence. Meanwhile, protests erupted at Nachingwea town in Lindi Region yesterday after motorbike riders (bodaboda) surrounded a police station demanding their colleague to be released. He had been held for allegedly violating traffic regulations. Panicking police officers started firing tear gases to disperse the crowd, witnesses said. “Protests started around midday with people chanting and heading towards the police station. Two hours after arguments at the police station, tear gas was fired to disperse them. The situation is still tense and all shops have been closed,” a witness said. But other unconfirmed reports said Tanzania People’s Defence Forces soldiers were seen heading to Nachingwea yesterday to maintain security... |
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