Mwanza police arrest 300 people for various crimes

MWANZA: MWANZA Regional Police Force has arrested over 300 individuals involved in various criminal activities, including traffic offences that posed a risk of causing accidents.

This was said this week in Mwanza City by the Mwanza Regional Police Commander, Mr Wilbroad Mutafungwa while briefing reporters on the state of crime in the region.

Mr Mutafungwa revealed that 54 of the suspects were apprehended for possession of stolen property, 94 others were arrested for illegal gambling, 27 for possession of illicit brew and 26 for engaging in prostitution.

He further said that 37 people were arrested for violating driving licence conditions, 30 for possession of narcotics and 70 for using narcotics.

The RPC added that 9,353 traffic offences were recorded and one person was arrested for unlawfully wearing Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) military uniform.

Mr Mutafungwa clarified that the arrest of those people who committed various crimes was part of the ongoing special operation which started on December 1, this year, aimed at curbing criminal activities and ensuring road safety in the region.

He said one suspect identified as Rajabu Reli, a resident of Kasisi Village in Katungulu Ward, Sengerema District, was arrested on December 5th at around 8pm after being found wearing TPDF uniform, including a shoe.

Regarding stolen property, he said there has been an increase in theft incidents of items from vehicles, including car parts in Mwanza city, where during the operation, five suspects were arrested with various stolen items, some of which were identified by the owners.

Mr Mutafungwa urged individuals whose car parts had been stolen to visit the Mwanza Regional Police Headquarters for identification of their recovered properties.

He said the operation also led to the recovery of other properties, including 10 modern television sets of different sizes, one sound bar, two laptops, four motorcycles, one generator, three mobile phones and two music mixers.

On the theft of materials used in the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Mr Mutafungwa said two suspects found in possession of 78 metal pieces meant for use in SGR project implementation were also arrested.