http://dailynews.co.tz/home/?n=23278&cat=home


Wednesday August 31, 2011
Local News

Grumeti wardens held for murder


From MUGINI JACOB in Serengeti, 31st August 2011 @ 12:51,

THREE Village Game Scouts (VGS) of Grumeti Reserves Limited, a US billionaire's company that operates in Western Serengeti, have been arrested over murder allegations.

Mara Regional Police Commander (RPC) Robert Boaz, named the suspects as Mathias Maduhu (30), Peter Gorobani(33) and Kabiji Suma(27).

He said that the trio are held together with David Jaoko (47), a game officer in charge of Nyamuma station that is under the management of Grumeti Reserves

"The suspects are held in connection with the death of one Richard Desman, a resident of Rwamchanga village in Serengeti District, Mara Region," he said.

"We are still going on with investigations because medical examination has revealed that the deceased's spleen had burst.

"So we want to know what happened and whether he was beaten and by who exactly," Mr Boazi told the 'Daily News' on Wednesday.

The suspects reportedly took part in arresting the deceased who was allegedly poaching wild animals in the game reserves a few days ago.

"After arresting him they took him (the deceased) to the Mugumu police central station where he arrived complaining of leg pains.

"On August 25 he was taken to the hospital by prison officers and later died. After the death we got reports from his relatives complaining that he had ben badly beaten by the VGS and we are now investigating to find out the truth," the RPC explained.

Grumeti Reserves Limited is owned by American tycoon Paul Tudor Jonnes who has invested heavily in the concession areas of Ikorongo, Grumeti and Ikoma.

The investor has employed a large number of VGS who work under close supervision of government game officials to combat poaching incidents that are reported to be on the increase in the Western Serengeti areas.

The management of Grumeti Reserves Limited recently fired five VGS for allegedly selling a consignment of dried bush meat that was seized from poachers. The fired VGS have since filed complaints at the labour office in Musoma protesting against the company's decision.

Reports from insiders had it that some VGS have been colluding with poachers to kill animals in the area, citing poor wages and harsh working environments. The Managing Director of Grumeti Reserves Limited, Mr Brian Harris, has remained mum about the matter.

Meanwhile, local leaders have accused the company for allegedly planting several crocodiles in a dam that supply water for human and livestock consumption at Makundusi village of Natta ward in Serengeti district without involving them.

The company has set up luxurious lodges at Sasakwa, Farufaru and Sabora sectors that attract high paying clients, mainly from overseas.

So much propaganda being spewed. Mob justice goes on every single hour of every single day throughout Tanzania, often towards the innocent, but not a word is written in the papers and no investigation is opened.

Private vgs teams come up against armed poachers who are only to willing to threaten their lives with guns, machete, poisoned arrows and spears and all the vgs have to defend themselves is a stick!