After two days of clashes between the police and rioters who are opposed to construction of a pipeline to transport gas from Mtwara to Dar es Salaam, the Mtwara Municipality slowly returned to calmness on Friday even as tension is still high.
Streets in the usually bustling municipality were deserted for whole of Thursday and Friday as most services such as shops, eateries as well as bars and schools remained closed. There was heavy presence of police as well as members of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) patrolling streets all day long.
On the other hand, residents who spoke to this paper accused the police of vandalising their property in retaliation, after some cops had their houses burnt by irate mobs on Wednesday at the peak of the protests that have so far left one person dead, according to authorities.
One Zainab Omary, a resident of Magomeni, claimed she spotted police officers shooting at a minor whom she could only identify by one name of Juma.
She claims the minor is currently admitted at the hospital. There were also claims by residents that the number of people who had died as a result of the riots was about five, but Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Joseph Simbakalia, said his office is only aware of one death.
“The only person that we know died as a result of the chaos is one person known as Fatuma Mohamed and the situation under which she was killed are yet to be established,” the RC said.
He went on to pledge that authorities in the region would take disciplinary actions against any member of the police force who will be proved to have harassed or vandalised properties of innocent citizens, stating on the other hand his office had received complaints to that effect.
Home Affairs Minister, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi arrived here on Thursday evening after which the held a meeting with the region’s security and defence committee.
He urged residents to maintain peace.On Friday, the minister visited areas which were mostly affected and urged residents to maintain peace as the government worked on pinning perpetrators behind the ugly acts that are tarnishing the image of the country.
Defence and National Service Minister Shamshi Vuai Nahodha also arrived in the region yesterday morning where he visited injured soldiers at the Ligula Regional Hospital. Some four service persons died in a road accident and other 20 wounded when they were on their way from Nachingwea District to Mtwara to beef up security.
“Of the 20 casualities, two are in critical condition and they will be airlifted to Lugalo Military Hospital or Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) for further treatment,” Minister Nahodha said. Mr Simbakalia described the situation in Mtwara as sabotage by some forces who want to frustrate efforts by the government to develop the region.
“Security has been beefed up and I am urging residents to resume their activities since there is nothing to fear,” the RC told a news conference.
A survey by this paper in some areas of the municipality observed that small gatherings of people were going about their business, though it was apparent that they were gripped in fear.
At the main stand located at the Chilongola area, which was among areas badly affected by the unrest, no bus could be spotted in the morning.
“Bus operators fear to bring their buses at the stand in the aftermath of the riots. Passengers travelling out of the municipality have to take other means of transport,” according to a bus-tout who was interviewed.
By ALVAR MWAKYUSA, Tanzania Daily News
