Kariakoo building collapse: Property 'owners' in court on manslaughter charges
The accused, Ashour Ashour (first from left), Zenabu Islam (centre), and Leondela Mdete, appearing at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court after being charged with manslaughter, resulting in the deaths of 31 people. Photo by Hadija Jumanne.
What you need to know:
- The accused, alleged to be the owners of a building that collapsed on the intersection of Mchikichi and Congo Streets in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam—resulting in the deaths of 29 people—were arraigned, Friday, November 29, 2024.
Dar es Salaam. Three individuals have appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam, facing 31 charges of manslaughter.
The accused, alleged to be the owners of a building that collapsed on the intersection of Mchikichi and Congo Streets in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam—resulting in the deaths of 29 people—were arraigned, Friday, November 29, 2024.
The defendants are identified as Leondela Mdete (49), a resident of Mbezi Beach; Zenabu Islam (61), a resident of Kariakoo; and Ashour Awadh Ashour (38), a resident of Ilala.
The case was presented by three senior state attorneys—Adolf Lema, Grace Mwanga, and Erick Kamala—before Senior Resident Magistrate Godfrey Mhini.
The charges allege that on 16th November 2024, in the vicinity of Mchikichi and Congo Streets in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam, the accused unlawfully and collectively failed to fulfil their duties, leading to the deaths of 29 individuals.
Visiting the Kariakoo area shortly after arriving from attending the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Samia Suluhu Hassan approved the clean-up exercise that could pave the way to establishing whether there were more trapped people in the area.
During her visit to the scene, President Hassan pledged that her administration would fully implement the recommendations of a committee currently formed to inspect the structural integrity of buildings in Dar es Salaam's Kariakoo area.
President Hassan was referring to a committee she directed Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa to oversee the formation of a team tasked with thoroughly inspecting all buildings at Kariakoo to assess their structural conditions.
The President said the government's priority is to ensure safety and compliance with building regulations in one of Dar es Salaam's busiest and most densely populated areas.
“We will disclose the findings and recommendations of the team. We will not hesitate to follow the recommendation to demolish substandard buildings if that would be the commissions’ endorsement,” she said, promising to follow the recommendations that would be given.
