5 recipients of April presidential pardon killed by local lynch mobs

What you need to know:

Of the 3319 prisoners who were pardoned by President John Magufuli last month, five have reportedly died in the hands of local lynch mobs after they were accused of theft, says National Police Chief Simon Sirro. 

Dar es Salaam. Of the 3319 prisoners who were pardoned by President John Magufuli last month, five have reportedly died in the hands of local lynch mobs after they were accused of theft.

This was revealed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro during the opening of a state of the art, Sh667-million police station in Mbweni, Kinondoni early Thursday (May 24).

“At least five prisoners who were pardoned by the President in April this year have been murdered by angry citizens (in separate incidents) for theft and robbery,” said the IGP.

“The president pardoned these people in good faith on April 26, but they misused that opportunity and went back to crime,” said Mr Sirro. “So far, five have been killed by wananchi.”

He cautioned beneficiary of pardons to stay the course once they are out. “If you are pardoned, it means you are rehabilitated – that’s what the public expects. If you stray, don’t blame the government,” said the IGP.

The Mbweni reveal was part of a city-wide tour of new police facilities by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa. The premier had unveiled two additional stations in Mburahati and Kiluvya in Dar es Salaam earlier in the day.

At the same time, the IGP disclosed that the police services are dealing with an acute shortage of homes for officers and asked that government allocate funding towards construction of new houses.

Responding, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Hamadi Masauni revealed they have allocated Sh10 billion to build 400 residences for police officers.

That is part of government’s commitment to “address key challenges facing the police force.”

The Mbweni, Mburahati and Kiluvya projects were funded by development partners in partnership with the government to strengthen regional security, according to officials.