How Erasto Msuya's murderers were tracked by Sim Cards

Moshi. In 2013, Tanzania witnessed the shocking murder of prominent businessman Erasto Msuya.

The slaying of the billionaire and gemstone dealer, which occurred in broad daylight at Orkalili, Kilimanjaro, sent ripples through Arusha and Moshi.

Today, The Citizen delves into the intricate investigation that utilized the late Msuya's final communications to track down the perpetrators, thanks to the meticulous work of the Tanzania Police Force's Cyber Crime Unit.

corporal Selemani Mwaipopo, a Cyber Crime expert working in Kilimanjaro at the time, became witness number 11 in the subsequent trial. He details the meticulous chain of events that unraveled the case.

Following RCO Ng'anzi's call to action, three teams were formed, with Mwaipopo leading the crucial cybercrime unit.

Arriving at the crime scene, they recovered three phones – a Samsung, an iPhone, and an iPad. Cracking the iPhone's password revealed crucial information.

"The Vodacom number showed a specific call directing Msuya to the crime scene," explains Mwaipopo. Tracing the number's registration led them to a name – Motii Moongululu – and further investigation identified four other similarly registered numbers, all with Maasai names.

With Inspector Samwel Maimu leading the operation, Mwaipopo's team followed the trail, first arresting Hamisa, who identified the registrant as someone known as Masai or Adam.

Adam's subsequent arrest revealed his role in registering the lines on the orders of a third suspect, Mussa Mangu.

Collaborating with service providers, they pinpointed Mussa's location and successfully apprehended him.

The hunt continued, with Inspector Samwel providing additional suspect numbers across different networks. Names like Sadik, Karim, Jalila, Ally, and Shahibu came to light.

The pursuit stretched across Tanzania. Shahibu was apprehended in Mirerani, Jalila in a Kondoa guesthouse, but Ally remained elusive, his phone placing him in Mwanza.

Undeterred, Mwaipopo and Inspector Samwel pursued a lead in Dar es Salaam, but Sadik's phone remained off. A trap for Karim failed due to his limited communication.

Yet, they persevered, tracking Karim's phone as it moved towards Dodoma, then Tabora, and finally Kaliua, where they finally apprehended both Karim and Sadik.

The investigation wasn't over. Ally continued to switch numbers, but his handset remained the same. Finally, on October 2nd, 2013, a frequently used line emerged.

Tracking it led them to Kigoma, where they successfully apprehended Ally after a phone call confirmation.

The meticulous use of phone data played a pivotal role in bringing these suspects to justice, highlighting the crucial work of the Cyber Crime Unit.

However, the legal battle continued, with challenges to statements and ongoing proceedings.