Chadema members arrested for incitement

TWO leaders and 35 followers of Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) in Simiyu and Arusha regions have been arrested and others arraigned in courts of law for incitement.

The party leaders are Deputy Secretary General (Isles) Salum Mwalimu and Arusha MP Godbless Lema. Simiyu Regional Police Commander (RPC), Onesmo Lyanga, told the ‘Daily News on Saturday’ yesterday that Mr Mwalimu was arrested in the region for uttering and enticing members of the public to breach peace.

Commander Lyanga said the members include 17 from Massa and 18 from Bariadi and all were involved in organising closed meetings discussing various issues including conducting demonstrations on September 1, this year.

According to him, apart from arranging the demos contrary to the government directive on the matter, police officers managed to record the meeting proceedings and will use them as evidence against them.

"Yes, we have arrested them and as I speak to you now they are already behind bars and will answer charges before the Resident Magistrate's Court here in Bariadi," said the RPC.

He cautioned the residents to refrain from taking part in restricted political activities especially the demonstrations scheduled for September 1 and warned those behind the agenda to abandon it at once.

Meanwhile, Marc Nkwame in Arusha reports that Mr Lema was arrested by police early yesterday morning after he allegedly uttered inciting statements in the city during the previous day.

RPC Charles Mkumbo, confirmed the arrest and explained that Mr Lema, the Member of Parliament (MP) representing Arusha-Urban constituency, through the opposition party, Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendelea (Charmed), for issuing seditious statements.

“Mr Lema has been circulating written and audio statements through the internet and social media platforms insinuating that the country will be plunged into bloodshed once the opposition’s planned countrywide demo kicks into action,” explained Mr Mkumbo.

The Chadema politician was also quoted as saying higher authorities have reached the end of thinking capacity and that is why the country is going to face disaster and major loss come the first day of September 2016.

The police were also seen searching the residential premises of the outspoken politician in Njiro area of Themi Hills in the outskirts of the city. “Yeah, we are still investigating Lema and is currently still in custody and once we are through with the probing we shall issue an official statement to that effect,” said the Commander Mkumbo.

Lema’s arrest comes shortly after another Chadema politician, Mr Ally Bananga, the Ward Representative for Sombetini, was arrested for trying to mobilise the people to demonstrate in streets during the outlawed September 1 march planned to be conducted countrywide.

Bananga was taken to court and appeared before Resident Magistrate Augustino Rwizile. The State Attorney Charles Kagwira, read the charges against the 40-year-old politician saying the latter committed the offence on August 13, this year in Karatu township.

The court allowed Mr Banning to bail himself out with a bond of 5m/- and is currently out awaiting the second reading of his case coming up on September 22, this year.