Songea motorcyclists block Tunduru Road near Ruvuma Regional Commissioner’s Office on Wednesday to pressurise for action against the alleged spate of ‘mysterious killings’ associated with witchcraft. (Photo by Special Correspondent)
Four people died on Wednesday when police attempted to disperse a demonstration of about 3,000 people who were demanding immediate action against mysterious killings in Songea Municipality, Ruvuma Region.
One person is said to have died when a motorcycle crashed, according to the Ruvuma Regional Police Commander, Mr Mr Michael Kamuhanda. The Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Saidi Mwambungu, confirmed the incident saying two people were killed after police opened fire while attempting to disperse a rowdy crowd of people marching towards government buildings.
“Two people died after police opened fire while attempting to stop them from destroying buildings,” he said. He said the demonstrators wanted action against mysterious assailants who had killed four people last week. The Ruvuma Regional Medical Officer, Dr Daniel Malekela, confirmed to have received four bodies on Wednesday.
Mr Kamuhanda, however put the number to two, saying the police had only attempted to restrain the demonstrators from damaging the regional commissioner’s office and the sub-state house. He said the motorcyclist died in a separate incident.
He also said police arrested 56 people from the demonstration and that the suspects were taken to Ruvuma Central Police Station for questioning.
He said 20 people were admitted to various hospitals. Four people are reported to have died in mysterious circumstances in Songea. The killings have been associated with witchcraft as some parts of their bodies were missing. Songea residents said fear has gripped the municipality and people were rushing home before dark. Business has also been adversely affected as shops and pubs close down by 7:00 pm.
“So far, seven people have been murdered,” a resident of Songea, Mr Daudi Mhongole, told the ‘Daily News’ over the phone yesterday. He said the death of a motorcycle rider and an imam who was killed at dawn yesterday while on his way to the mosque for morning prayers were two recent cases.
“The private parts are chopped off after a victim is killed. People around here believe the killings are carried out by a gang of organized criminals for witchcraft purposes,” he said. Other sources suggest that a Lizaboni resident identified as Bakari Ally (20) was slashed to death on February 19 and that Sheikh Jamali (65) of Kipera area in Songea, was found dead on February 20.
According to Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), Songea residents have been demonstrating for two consecutive days since, marching towards the offices of Regional Commissioner (RC) and Regional Police Commissioner (RPC). “Chaos ensued near the sub-state house on Wednesday as demonstrators defied police order to disperse,” the TBC reported, quoting its Correspondent Garson Msigwa.
The TBC further said business came to a standstill at the main bus stand and the town centre from 9:00 a.m. as traders feared chaos and vandalism. The pandemonium also spilled to Mbinga and Njombe roads, in the municipality. Mr Geoffrey Mkaze, an eye witness, said yesterday’s demonstration was led by a big number of motorcyclists (bodaboda), who were demanding that the body of the Sheikh be shown to the RC and the RPC.
By LUDOVICK KAZOKA, Tanzania Daily News
