Fresh Inquiry into man’s death rejected
The late James John, who was alleged murder by four businessmen in 2009. PHOTO|FAMILY ALBUM
What you need to know:
The family of the late Masawe, who was allegedly murdered by four businessmen from Mwanza, has asked asked the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Mr Diwani Athuman, not to conduct re-investigation, warning that the evidence might be tempered in the course of the exercise.
Moshi. A fresh investigation into the alleged brutal murder of James John Masawe has been by the deceased’s family.
The family of the late Masawe, who was allegedly murdered by four businessmen from Mwanza, has asked asked the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Mr Diwani Athuman, not to conduct re-investigation, warning that the evidence might be tempered in the course of the exercise.
Speaking to this paper, the they said that their worry bsed on previous experience when (in 2000) the then DCI, Mr Adad Rajabu ordered police to re-investigate a murder case against a businessman (name withheld) who was accused of killing Mr Jaffar Abubakar.
According to Mr Beda Massawe, a member of the late Masawe’s family, police who were re-investigating the case tampered with evidence to set the accused free.
After complaints from the deceased’s relatives, Mr Rajabu formed another investigation team from the police headquarters, who found out that the accused was injvolved in the murder.
However, by the time the new team submitted its report to relevant authorities the accused had sneaked out of the country, according to Mr Massawe, who was flanked with his relative Mr Peter Massawe.
He said although the high court issued an arrest warrant on July 25, 2004, the accused hasn’t been arrested.
“We are just reminding the DCI not to repeat the mistake his office committed in 2000. It would be better for the suspects to be arrested because even in 2009, the suspects flew the country shortly after committing the offence,” said Mr Massawe.
Earlier this week, Mr Athuman ordered a fresh probe into the investigation of the death of Mr James Massawe, who was murdered in 2009. The DCI’s decision came after relatives of the deceased wrote to President John Magufuli asking him to intervene on the matter. In the letter, they claimed that the police have been reluctant to arrest the suspects.
following the killing in 2009. The family also stated that important documents, including statements by witnesses and deceased’s death report, have vanished during the investigation.
