Mtatiro whereabouts a puzzle after reported arrest

Dar es Salaam. The whereabouts of CUF leader Julius Mtatiro remained a puzzle on Friday July 06 as the Acting Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Liberatus Sabas said he was not aware of reports suggesting that the leader was being held for interrogation at the Central Police Station.

But Mr Hashim Mziray, who is Mtatiro’s lawyer, yesterday told The Citizen that his client was still being held for interrogation at the Central Police Station in the city.

“I am not aware of the report,” said the Police Commander when he was contacted to confirm the reports by The Citizen via the phone yesterday.

However, the report of Mr Mtatiro’s arrest on Thursday was confirmed by CUF Communication, Publicity and Public Relations deputy director Mbarala Maharagande (affiliated to CUF Secretary General Seif Sharif Hamad) when he spoke to The Citizen over the phone.

Mr Maharagande said the Interim Leadership Committee chairman was on Thursday summoned by the Zonal Crimines Officer (ZCO) to appear at the Central Police Station.

He further revealed that the leader received the call from the ZCO while he was about to attend an event organised by Twaweza in the city on Thursday.

“I accompanied him to the Police Station. We were received by the ZCO. We were then informed that he (Mtatiro) was summoned for interrogation in relation to his recent message on Facebook,” he said.

According to him, Mr Mtatiro is accused of posting harsh words against President John Magufuli stating “Rais kitu gani bwana,” Kiswahili for “What does a president amount to?”