WISE NEWS

Mayhem as police break up Chadema demo

By   Waissa Morogoro.Chadema demonstrations that were planned to take place here degenerated into ugly confrontations pitting the party’s supporters and police personnel, resulting  in the death of at least one person. While the opposition party moved quickly to blame the Police Force for the death, the law enforcement organ defended itself, stating that it was Chadema’s failure to abide by the law, that messed up what would have been a peaceful climax of its series of their rallies in Morogoro Region. The police arrested numerous people, including Chadema national leaders, in connection with the tragic disturbances. However, some of the officials were later released without any charges being preferred against them. Mr Ally Zona, 38, a tout at Msamvu bus stand and resident of Kihonda who is believed to have been a staunch Chadema supporter, died yesterday when police officers used tear gas to disperse thousands of young people who were demonstrating against the police order not to demonstrate. Chadema had planned a series of demonstrations that would start from various points of the municipality and head to Uwanja wa Ndege Primary School grounds where a huge rally was to be held to mark the climax of its Movement of Chadema (M4C) activities in Morogoro Region. Reports said that Mr Zona was killed at around 1.30pm at Msamvu as police got engaged in running battles with Chadema supporters. The police had moved in to disperse a group of people believed to be Chadema members and supporters who were waiting for their national leaders to lead the demonstrations to Uwanja wa Ndege. The regional police commander, Mr Faustine Shilogile, confirmed the death of one person, saying he had directed his officers to go to Morogoro Regional Hospital where the body was taken so that they can be witness to the post mortem. However, the police boss sought to distance the Force from the death, saying the body was found a long distance from where the disturbances took place. He pointed out that preliminary reports show that Mr Zona suffered head injuries. But, he said, no one has confirmed the course of the injuries which culminated into profuse bleeding. He also denied reports that some Chadema leaders have been arrested. Commenting on the death, a Chadema legal counsel in the region, Mr Aman Mwaipaya, said there was no way the police could exonerate themselves from blame with regard to the man’s death.He said the law enforcers were the cause of the melee in which Mr Zona got entangled  and lost his life. He said as Chandema members and supporters waited for the arrival of their leader, the situation was calm and so the police had no business dispersing the group, which was peaceful. Meanwhile, despite Mr Shilogile’s denial of the arrest of any Chadema leaders, reports indicate that the M4C national coordinator, Mr Bension Kigaila, was put under police custody. Police started their patrol as early as 9am using at least five Land Rovers filled by members of the riot squad, the Field Force Unit (FFU). Using loudspeakers, they warned people to stay away from the demonstrations because “they hadn’t been permitted by the police.” The demonstrations were first scheduled to take place earlier in the month but law enforcers and Chadema amicably agreed to push them back to pave the way for the Nane-Nane celebrations’ conclusion. It was not clear why the police decided to ban Chadema demonstrations yesterday. Commenting on Ally Zona death, Chadema secretary general, Dr Willibrod Slaa, said his killing would be a catalyst for the anticipated political changes in the country. “He died while defending democracy and agitating for change, as a party we will participate fully in his burial. We are waiting for the arrangements from the family,” he said.