Civilian killed, several hurt allegedly by rangers, police

By Lusekelo Philemon

9th April 2010
Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) game rangers and police are alleged to have brutally killed a civilian and injured several others in controversial circumstances.

The killings, which occurred at Nkoasenga village on the slopes of Mount Meru, are said to have involved six heavily armed game rangers of Arusha National Park (Anapa) and three police officers, including Arumeru District Officer Command In-Charge of Criminal Investigations.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred on Wednesday night, when officers from the security organs stormed into the village on grounds that they were hunting for a hardcore poacher.

Arusha Regional Police commander Basilio Matei confirmed the incident, saying: “So far, we are holding six game rangers and three policemen, including Arumeru District OC-CID for allegedly shooting to death a civilian and injuring two others”.

Narrating the ordeal, the regional police chief said: “Preliminary information indicates that game rangers reported that there was an armed poacher at Nkoasenga village, King’ori division. Based on the tip, the police force prepared to look for the suspected criminal,” he said.

Commander Matei said the journey to the village which is very near to the national park, started at Usa River Police station, with police using vehicle with registration number SU36811, Land Cruiser, belonging to Anapa to accomplish the mission.

He added: “On reaching the area, the hunting mission was surrounded by a crowd of people armed with traditional weapons and stones, who also blocked the road.”

He said, somewhat ambushed, “the mission started to defend itself from the angry villagers. This resulted into a battle which saw one villager, Ndekirwa Kiosongo (70) shot dead,” Matei claimed.

Two other people Christina Unambwe (45) and Ayub Seyeyi (25) were severely injured in the incident, he said.

The RPC said that all Anapa game rangers and police officers had been arrested at Usa River police station for further investigations.

He named the police officers as Arumeru District OC-CID Abichi Mgeni Masange, SGT Pamphi and Gaston Gangata.

The game rangers include Anton Kianga (41), Deus Chacha (29), Chacha Thomas (26), Aloyce Dilunga (34), Titus Mwingira (27) and Saviyo Joseph (26).

Commander Matei, however, appealed to the angry-villagers to exercise patience pending completion of the investigations.


SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN