Ponda in police custody for second day
What you need to know:
Last night, the police searched his home as the lawyer said they are fighting to get the cleric out on bail.
Dar es Salaam. The Secretary of the Council of Islamic Organisations in Tanzania, Sheikh Issa Ponda, is still being held by the police in Dar es Salaam a day after he was taken in for allegedly uttering sedition statements.
Last night, the police searched his home as the lawyer said they are fighting to get the cleric out on bail.
Sheikh Ponda allegedly committed the crime during a press conference held on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam, just after his arrival from Nairobi Kenya, where he went to visit the Singida East MP, Tundu Lissu who is receiving treatment after being shot by unknown attackers in Dodoma on September 7.
From the content of his press conference, the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Mr Lazaro Mambosasa had on Thursday October 12 directed the cleric to surrender himself at the central police station or else he would find himself in serious trouble.
Earlier during the day, Friday October 13, Sheikh Ponda who was accompanied by his four lawyers led by Prof Abdallah Safari arrived at the central police station at 9.28 am for interrogation.
Commenting on the proceedings, Prof Safari said his client was interrogated and shown a video clip as well as his press release.
“Then they wanted to do a written interrogation at 12.15 PM but we wanted to go to the mosque for prayers as we are Muslims, so we will be back later on,” he said.
“If they will take him to the court, I will also lead the team of defending lawyers,” added Prof Safari who is also a national vice chairman of the opposition party, Chadema.
