Alleged gang-rape mastermind fails to appear in court

Dodoma. The Dodoma Resident Magistrate's Court has issued a new summons for Fatma Kigondo, the alleged mastermind of the gang rape of a woman from Dar es Salaam, to appear in court on September 5, 2024.

Kigondo failed to appear in court on Friday, August 23, and is now required to attend the rescheduled hearing in a private case filed by Paulo Kisabo and which is being heard by Resident Magistrate Francis Kishenyi at the Dodoma Resident Magistrate's Court.

This is a separate case that has been filed by private individuals. The other case filed by the National Prosecutions Service (NPS) is going on. 

However, plaintiff’s attorney, Peter Madeleka, requested the court issue an arrest warrant for Kigondo, who failed to appear in court despite the earlier summons of August 22.

In the complaint, Kisabo accuses Fatma, who is claimed to be an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), of alleged helping orchestrate and facilitating a gang rape.

This is a criminal offence, but those required to fulfil their duties have failed to do so. That is why we are here.

We request the court to issue a warrant of arrest for the accused,” said Madeleka.

He requested the court apply Section 130 of the Criminal Procedure Act to arrest Fatma as their complaint pertains to criminal offences.

Resident Magistrate Kishenyi denied the request, saying that the provision does not only mandate the court to issue an arrest warrant but also allows for the issuance of a summons.

I will issue another summons to verify whether the previous summons issued yesterday reached her," he said.

He has adjourned the case until September 5, 2024.