Two people killed in Arusha protests

Arusha, Thursday

Police confirmed on Thursday that two people died during the chaos that rocked Arusha city on Wednesday.

Regional police commander Thobias Andengenye told reporters the two died during a violent confrontation near the Central Police station between mobs of people believed to be Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) supporters and the law enforcers.

Those who died have been identified as Dennis Michael and George Waitara Mwita, both residents of Sakina area in the city along the Namanga road.

He said Michael succumbed to injuries he sustained in his left ribs after he was apparently stabbed with a sharp object. Mwita had serious wounds in his legs and died following heavy bleeding.

The regional police boss who was not accessible on Wednesday said eleven people had been wounded during the pitched battles between leaders, members and supporters of the opposition party and heavily armed police who stopped a planned demonstration.

Those critically injured included three policemen and some Chadema officials and their supporters.

One of them is Ms Josephine Mushumbusi, the fiancee of Chadema secretary general Dr Wilbroad Slaa and the Rombo MP Joseph Selasini. They have been admitted in various hospitals in Arusha.

Mr Andengenye addressed a battery of Arusha-based journalists outside his office in the presence of senior officers from the Police headquarters in Dar es Salaam among them being Paul Chagonja and Peter Kivuyo.

He confirmed that several Chadema leaders, including Dr Slaa, national chairman and leader of the Opposition in Parliament Freeman Mbowe, Arusha Urban MP Godbless Lema and scores of others were still being detained by the police.

He said procedures were underway to take them to court and that a file on their charges has been sent to the State Attorney's offices in Arusha for further action.

"Once the procedures are finished, then they will be taken to court," he said as heavily armed police continued to intensify patrols in some parts of the city.

The Makongoro road cutting through Arusha from the Clock Tower roundabout to the Arusha Declaration Monument was closed for motorised traffic. Even journalists who heading to the police were screened before being allowed to proceed.

Mr Andengenye said the two victims died during a confrontation between mobs who were apparently marching to the Central Police Station to press for the release of Chadema leaders after the end of a rally that took place on Wednesday afternoon.

He admitted that the law enforcers were forced to used live bullets against unruly mobs especially when they realised they wanted to storm the station late on Wednesday.