Police Nab Security Guards Alleged to Kill Pastoralist

By THE GUARDIAN, TANZANIA -

By Correspondent

8th January 2015

Simiyu Regional Police Commander, Charles Mkumbo.

 

Police in Simiyu have arrested four security guards suspected to have shot a pastoralist to death.

 

Leonard Lucas, Mboje Donald, Sanka Simon and Kichalula Malashia work with Mwiba Holding Ltd. at the Mwaswa Game Reserve. 

 

Simiyu Regional Police Commander Charles Mkumbo said they shot to death pastoralist Giganga Sinyau. This followed a misunderstanding that ensued after the deceased drove his cattle to the game reserve, he said.

 

The RPC explained that the guards arrested the deceased and his brother, Matofali Sinyau, for driving their cattle into the game reserve for which the guards were working.

 

He said having been arrested and their cattle confiscated the pastoralists raised an alarm. Then a group of people believed to be cattle keepers as well arrived at the scene and started pursuing the guards, the RPC said.

 

Mkumbo explained that the group started throwing arrows at the guards, and one of them hit Dotto Makanga, seriously injuring him. 

 

“The guards fired in the air to scare the cattle keepers. However, they kept on charging and throwing arrows prompting the guards to fire at the group. 

 

“One of the bullets hit the deceased who died from severe bleeding,” he said. 

 

Mkumbo said the pastoralists had driven over 2000 cattle into the game reserve when the running battle between them ensued. 

 

He said the police force was still investigating to establish whether the guards used excessive power to pursue the cattle keepers. 

 

Meanwhile, the Minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries, Dr Titus Kamani, said his ministry was working on the chronic problem of cattle keepers living near the game reserve and the investor.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN