Police in Katavi Region have arrested three people after being found in illegal possession of a heavy weapon and rounds of ammunitions.
The trio were caught while travelling from Mpanda Township via Sumbawanga to Tunduma border town in Mbeya Region.
Katavi Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Dhahri Kidavashari told the ‘Sunday News’ yesterday that the seized weapon was identified as a military firearm G3 with serial numbers FMP 061283B3/67 with nine rounds of ammunition.
The RPC named the suspects asSimon Kasobhile alias Kamwela (42) of Ileje in Mbeya Region, Bilau ‘Rashid’ Maftah (44) from Sumbawanga town in Rukwa Region and Martin John (32) of Tunduru in Ruvuma Region.
According to Mr Kidavashari, the incident occurred on January 10, this year at around 8pm at Matandalani village, Sitalike Ward in Mlele District along the Mpanda-Sumbawanga-Tunduma highway.
“The trio were travelling in a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration numbers T564 ABW as it was being driven by Mr George Kiluli of Sumbawanga town.
The vehicle was heading to Sumbawanga town from Mpanda,” the RPC said. He further said that the driver was taking his younger brother to join Form One at Laela Secondary School in Sumbawanga District.
Then the driver stopped the car in Mpanda township and picked several passengers including the three suspects.
“However, we received a tip-off from law-abiding citizens who informed us that they had seen three armed people board a vehicle and we immediately communicated with the Katavi National Park’s wardens who blocked the road at Matandalani village,” added the RPC.
The wardens found the firearm hidden in the car after stopping it and when they questioned the driver he told them that it belonged to three of his passengers and he had seen them while they were concealing it.
According to RPC, when the suspects were questioned they denied owning the weapon. They will be taken to court once investigations are completed.
By PETI SIYAME, Tanzania Daily News
