IN what appears to be a surprise move, the Dar es Salaam police force yesterday managed to get rid of Muslim demonstrators in a string operation which was planned by a highly syndicated trap set by its plain clothed officers. The officers mingled with the demonstrators who started their movement from Idrisa Mosque at Kariakoo business district after the afternoon prayers, and without knowledge of their presence among them, they successfully managed to net scores of them who afterwards were taken to Msimbazi police station for interrogation. The police used this unique tactic on their move to suppress an illegal demonstration planned by Islamic followers which was intended to take place just immediately after the afternoon prayers in the city of Dar es Salaam, and used such a queer tactic to accomplish their mission. The aim of the demonstration was to pressurize the government for the release of the Secretary General of the council of Muslim’s organizations Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda who was denied a bail bond on Thursday for the second time of his appearance at Kisutu Resident Magistrate court in Dar es Salaam. Sheikh Ponda first appeared in court a month ago after he was arrested by police on allegations of having led his followers to invade private property belonging to Agritanza Company Limited, situated at Chang’ombe Marcus in Dar es Salaam. Ponda and his followers alleged that the Muslim Council of Tanzania, Bakwata, sold the property to the company illegally. Before the court presided over by resident magistrate Stuwart Sanga, the accused were charged with different five counts including committing conspiracy, trespass, stealing property worth Sh. 59million and criminal possession of property owned by Agritanza Ltd at Chang’ombe in Temeke municipality.
Some of Muslim demonstrators under arrest and are being escorted by the police.
During the fracas with the rowdy Muslims who earlier defied the police orders that required them to stop the rampage, the anti-riot police used tear gas in a bid to disperse them along Msimbazi street at Kariakoo main central business district whereby their confrontation with the police resulted into several people who were left injured and scores of others most of whom youths were apprehended. A spot check at the scene can reveal that, the Msimbazi street which was crowded by people most of whom youths from all its outlets turned like a warzone as the riot police fired tear gas that threatened people around before the street was closed for a while. All vehicles including commuter buses known as daladalas from Temeke and Magomeni were stopped from passing along the street for safety as police were confronted by the rowdy Muslims with some few of them who simply obeyed the police orders and dispersed. At Kaiakoo area, a spot check by this writer can reveal that, all shops along Uhuru street were closed and at Kidongo Chekundu open space was in a tight security as police were seen patrolling the area all the time moving around in motor cycles. A convoy of plan clothes police officers armed with sub-machine guns were also spotted making frequent patrol along the area to ensure peace, but their presence reflected a gloomy aspect of refrain to would be demonstrators. Reliable sources from the scene said that, they saw a convoy of soldiers belonging to Tanzania people’s Defense Forces (TPDF) on move as though patrolling the area, however their presence reflected a move of seriousness of the matter, a factor that caused high tension. The intention of Muslims to demonstrate was not only planned to take place at Kariakoo area alone, but also in some other parts of the city as noticed by this reporter. Things were not normal along Kawawa main road at Kinondoni close to a famous Mtambani mosque. There was a tight security whereby anti-riot police confronted Muslims and were dispersed after the police used tear gas to curb a mob justice in protest. The majority shops remained closed up to the time this reporter departed from the place. Witnesses told this writer in an exclusive interview that, most shoppers reacted quickly in response to early warnings when the rowdy Muslims started to crow in groups. They all closed up their shops for fear of what cold be seen an impending danger or damage for any loss which could have overcome them
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