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Suspected poacher released, villagers complain

By Arusha Times Correspondent

Villagers at Mongoa Mono in Yeada Chini valley, Manyara region have complained before Mbulu district authorities over a suspected game poacher who was recently arrested but released in unclear circumstances.

The alleged poacher (name withheld) is said to be armed and that he was arrested at a forest reserve within the area after Good Samaritans informed the police at Haydom police station.

"The police did a good job to have the culprit arrested. However, he was set free at the district police station in Mbulu. This is sad and surprising", they complained.

The alleged poacher hailed from Singida region and there are reports that he was once sentenced to a 30 year jail sentence around 2000 but was also released in equally mysterious circumstances.

However, when contacted on the issue the Manyara regional police commander Mr. Akili Mpwapwa said the suspect has been arraigned in court and that he could be out on bail.

He added that the police in Mbulu are still in possession of the firearm the suspect was found with. He also remarked that the suspect was prospecting for minerals in the area rather than hunting wild animals.

The Mbulu district commissioner Anatory Choya promised to follow up the matter and said the suspect must be arraigned in court if it was true he engaged in hunting down animals contrary to the laws.