Dar driver, mason arraigned over possession of 1.4bn/- tusks

By Karama Kenyunko

 Two Dar es Salaam residents, Robert Mwaipyana (32), who is a mason and Ramadhani Mnekea (55), who is a driver, were arraigned yesterday before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court where they were charged with two counts including possession of 161 pieces of ivory worth 1.4bn/-.

 

Led by State Attorney Charles Anindo, the prosecution alleged before Principal Resident Magistrate Respicious Mwijage that the accused committed the offence on diverse dates between January 1 and December 21, last year, in different parts of Dar es Salaam.

 

It was alleged that on those dates the accused jointly and together willfully organised and managed a criminal racket to wit accepting, collecting and selling government trophies weighing 220.96 kgs.

 

State Attorney Anindo alleged that all the tusks were worth USD690,000, equivalent to 1,446,250,000/-, the property of the government.

 

The accused are alleged to have committed the offence because they did not have permit from the director of wildlife when they set to possess the ivory.

 

In the second count, it was claimed that on the same dates at Temeke Miburani in Temeke District, within the commercial capital, the accused were nabbed while in possession of the said pieces of elephant tusks.

The accused were not allowed to enter any plea before the court because the matter they are charged with is normally heard by the High Court or when the Director of Public Prosecutions issues a certificate for the court to conduct the case.

 

According to the prosecution, investigation into the case is still incomplete and therefore asked the court to pick another mention date.

Before adjourning the case, Magistrate Mwijage asked the prosecution to speed up the investigation so that the case is heard on time and judgment made.

 

He told the prosecution that it is not fare for the court to continue referring suspects to remand prison on grounds that investigation into the case is still incomplete.

 

“You will continue to say ‘Hapa kazi tu’(work and nothing else) which in fact translates to overcrowding the prisons. Do or conduct quick investigations to establish the facts so the case can be concluded,” Magistrate Mwijage said.

 

Having given the challenge, the magistrate adjourned the case to February 9, this year when it will come up for another mention. The accused remains in custody.