Four individuals are being held by the Morogoro police on suspicion of killing Shaban Mwawile (18), a bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) rider from Lipangalala in Kilombero District, and stealing his motorcycle.
The Morogoro Regional Police Commander, Alex Mkama, revealed this today in his office while addressing the media.
Commander Mkama stated that the incident occurred on September 8, 2024, in Kilombero. The victim's family initially reported him missing, prompting a police investigation. On September 29, 2024, all four suspects were arrested in connection with the murder.
The suspects were identified as Athuman Mpango (38), a construction worker from Ifakara; Denis Swai (34), a farmer from Mofu; Mussa Bushiri (28), a farmer from Upogoroni; and Alhaji Likwaya (32), a farmer from Michenga.
After thorough interrogation, the suspects confessed to the murder and led the police to Senga camp in Kilombero Nature Reserve, Minepa Ward, Ulanga District, where they had abandoned the victim's body, which was found decomposed.
Commander Mkama stated that the investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will be taken to court once the process is complete.
In another case, Morogoro police arrested Said Mada (28), a resident of Malui Village, Tindiga Ward, Kilosa District, along with three others for armed robbery.
The robbery occurred on the night of August 7, 2024, in Makale Magole sub-village, Turiani Division, Mvomero District, where the suspects attacked Kulwa Magale (49), a cocoa trader, at his home.
The suspects allegedly used a locally made gun and a machete, stealing TZS 20 million from the victim.
The suspects were arrested with a shotgun, and they will be charged once the investigation is completed.
Additionally, Commander Mkama reported that 35 suspects involved in cyber fraud were arrested by the Morogoro police. They were found with six POS machines, one registration phone, and 1,979 SIM cards registered under various names, which were being sold to fraudsters.
He explained that a special operation was conducted to curb fraud in Kilombero, Malinyi, Morogoro, and Mvomero districts, during which the suspects were apprehended.
The suspects were using NIDA (national ID) numbers from various individuals to register multiple SIM cards without the owners' consent. In Kilombero District, 18 suspects were arrested, while in Morogoro Municipality, eight suspects were caught. Among them, three were identified as masterminds of the fraud, having made over TZS 9 million by using these SIM cards across the country.
Commander Mkama advised the public to avoid registering SIM cards for unknown individuals and urged people to obtain their NIDA identification properly, warning that crime does not pay, and those caught will end up in jail.
