Mbeya RPC orders arrest of people over water infrastructure damage
Mbeya Regional Police Commander Mr Ulrich Matei. Photo |File
What you need to know:
RPC has formed a special task force (police guards) to implement the directive at Ngole village in Ilungu District. He said the aim is to teach others a lesson and stop unlawful acts.
Mbeya. Mbeya Regional Police Commander Mr Ulrich Matei has ordered the arrest of all people implicated in the destruction of the water infrastructure projects at Mashese village.
RPC has formed a special task force (police guards) to implement the directive at Ngole village in Ilungu District. He said the aim is to teach others a lesson and stop unlawful acts.
“I will also provide further information about a progress of the operation,” he added.
This comes after Mbeya Regional Commissioner Mr Albart Chalamila held a meeting with councilors this week and ordered police to arrest all suspects in a mission to damage the water infrastructure.
Mr Chalamila said he had received complaints from Mashese villagers about the damage.
He further cited that the unlawful actions by the villagers had aimed at jeopardizing government’s efforts to address shortage of water in rural areas.
When reached for comment about the matter, Mashese village Chairman Mr OsiaMwakalila said since on August 14 his villagers had no access to water due to damage on water infrastructure.
“When we studied the reason for the water crisis at the village, we came to find out that the damage was done by our neighbors from Ngole village,” he said.
He added. “We therefore reported the matter to the regional commissioner’s office in attempt to seek for a resolution.”
The Chairman further asserted that he had no idea why their neighbors had done such damage to the infrastructure.
Responding, the Chairman of Ngole village Mr Bosco Tayari said he was not aware of the accusations, noting that he would learn the matter first to know the truth.
“What I know is that, there are on-going land disputes between the two villages for centuries. It might be the cause,” he said.
He also revealed that there was nobody who was arrested by the police in connection with the incident.
Backing the arguments, councilor for Ilunga ward, Mr Christopher Njerenjesaid the damage to water infrastructure was caused by the on-going land disputes between villagers.
