Two senior police officers to face noose for murder

MTWARA: THE High Court in Mtwara has sentenced two senior police officers to death by hanging after finding them guilty of murdering mineral businessman Mussa Hamis at Matengo Police Station on January 5, 2022.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Gilbert Kalanje, formerly the Criminal Investigation Officer for Mtwara District, and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Charles Onyango, who was then in charge of Mtwara Police Station, were convicted and sentenced yesterday by Judge Hamidu Mwanga.

Delivering the judgment, Judge Mwanga said the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the two officers were directly involved in the killing of the businessman. The two were among seven police officers jointly charged in connection with the incident.

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“The prosecution has established a strong case against the two convicts. Their actions were deliberate and directly led to the unlawful death of the deceased,” said the judge.

However, the Court acquitted the remaining five officers after ruling that the prosecution had failed to produce adequate and credible evidence linking them to the crime.

Those acquitted include — ASP Nicholaus Kisinza, former Head of the Intelligence Unit in Mtwara Region, Inspector of Police John Mganga, then Head of the Mtwara Regional Police Dispensary, Assistant Inspector of Police Marco Mbuta, Assistant Inspector of Police Shirazi Mkupa and Corporal Salimu Mbalu.