Zitto held over killings remarks

Dar es Salaam. ACT-Wazalendo party leader Zitto Kabwe was yesterday arrested and questioned by police in connection with his recent remarks on deadly clashes involving police and pastoralists in Kigoma Region.

Party Ideology, Communications and Publicity secretary Ado Shaibu said in a statement that Mr Kabwe was arrested by officers from Oyster bay Police Station in Dar es Salaam.

He said after three hours of questioning, Mr Kabwe who doubles as Kigoma Urban Member of Parliament, was transferred to the Central Police Station.

“He has been arrested in connection with his remarks on reportedly killings of police and civilians that took place at Mpeta Village, Uvinza District in Kigoma Region,” he said.

Mr Kabwe’s advocate, Mr Jebra Kambole, said at the Oyster bay Police Station, Mr Kabwe was questioned as a witness and wrote a statement in accordance with Section 34(b) of the Evidence Act.

“Later on, he was interrogated as a suspect of uttering seditious statements contrary to Section 55(a) of the Criminals Procedure Act (CPA). However, he declined to give detailed information until in court, something he is allowed by Section 53 of the (CPA),” he said, adding, “Police haven’t granted him bail. He is still held at the Central Police Station for questioning.”

High ranking police commander Liberatus Sabas confirmed Mr Kabwe’s arrest in connection with the words he uttered during a press conference on Sunday. Briefing journalists on Sunday, Mr Kabwe asked the police to issue a statement on the killings.

He said it was astounding that the law enforcers had remained quiet over the issue, promising that his party was collecting information on the incident which would be made public. An operation to remove livestock keepers from a protected forest in Uvinza District went awry two weeks ago after it degenerated into deadly clashes.