Mdee, three others finally released after 4 days in custody

At last, after spending two nights at the Central Police Station, four people including two Members of Parliament and some Chadema councillors yesterday appeared at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court charged with assault, causing actual bodily harm.

The accused are charged under Section 241 of the Penal Code [Cap 16 R:E 2002].

 

Mdee’s case was led by three prosecutors principal State Attorney Faraja Nchimbi, Mutalemwa Kishenyi and Mwanaamina Kombakono while defence advocates were Peter Kibatala, John Mallya, Fredrick Kiwelo and Omary Msemo.

 

State Attorney Kishenyi named the accused as Kawe MP Halima Mdee (37) and Ukonga MP Mwita Waitara (40). Others are businessman Rafii Juma (21), a resident of Mabibo and a Councillor for Kimara Ephraim Kinyafu (33).

 

Kishenyi also asked the court to issue summons for the accused Manase Njema who did not appear in court to hear charges against. Resident Magistrate Huruma Shaidi who is conducting the case granted the prosecution request.

 

Reading the charges against four accused, Kombakono alleged that the accused committed the offence on February 27, 2016 at Karimjee Hall within Ilala District.

 

It was alleged that on the material day, the accused together assaulted Theresia Mmbando thereby causing her to suffer actual bodily harm.

 

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on bail after meeting the conditions set by the court, including paying a personal bond of two million each. The case was postponed until March 16, this year.

 

For two days the accused were placed under police interrogation over last weekend’s chaos after city authorities adjourned the Dar es Salaam mayoral election.

 

Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Simon Sirro said they were among people being sought by the police in connection with the chaos on Saturday after Dar es Salaam Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) Theresia Mmbando announced the postponement of the mayoral election.

 

 Members of the Coalition of People’s Constitution (UKAWA) wanted Mmbando to allow the meeting to go on as planned and announce the new date for the election and also furnish them with the court injunction that led to the postponement of the election in the first place.

 

According to Sirro, Mmbando who was assaulted and her clothes torn during the fracas, has since been taken to hospital for further check-ups and treatment.

 

Last Saturday, fracas ensued at Karimjee Hall after verbal exchanges between members of UKAWA and CCM delegates after City Council deputy director Sara Yohana called off the Dar es Salaam mayoral election indefinitely.