Local News

Police launch probe on fatal Chadema demo

Dr Nchimbi speaks to reporters

POLICE are investigating circumstances that led to the death of the Morogoro-based newspapers vendor, Ally Zona (38), at Msamvu Bus Stand.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, told a news conference that the government has decided to launch comprehensive investigations on the matter.

"We have deployed a team of police officers to Morogoro to thoroughly look into the circumstances that led to the death," he said. Dr Nchimbi warned political parties to respect the law in their operations to avoid unneccesary clashes with law enforcers.

He said on Friday, last week, the police in Morogoro received a request from Chadema to hold a public rally and a demonstration. The police for various reasons refused to grant the permit for the demonstration.
 
"The police explained to Chadema officials reasons for refusing to grant the permit for the demonstration, which included the likelihood to disrupt the ongoing census," he explained.

However, he said, on the following day Chadema responded insisting that the party would go ahead with the demonstration on Monday, despite the refusal by police. Police was forced to use teargas to disperse the demonstration.

He said the body of the deceased was found about 300 metres from the scene of the incident, while two people identified as Frank Zalimba and Hashim Seif were injured during the fracas. CHADEMA's Secretary General, Dr Willbrod Slaa, said on Monday  that police and his party had agreed to conduct postmortem and investigations on the matter.