Police confirm investigating alleged gang rape 'mastermind'

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzanian police have confirmed that they are investigating Officer Fatuma Kigondo, who is alleged to be the mastermind behind the gang rape.

The sodomy and gang rape incident resulted in the arraignment of four suspects at the Dodoma Resident Magistrate’s Court, where they appeared before Principal Resident Magistrate Zabibu Mpangule.

The four were arrested after a video clip went viral on social media showing five youngsters gang-raping a woman identified as a resident of Yombo Dovya in Dar es Salaam.

In the clip, the accused persons are seen directing the young woman to apologise to ‘Afande’ for allegedly having an affair with her spouse.

The widely circulated video clip has provoked widespread outrage from the public, human rights advocates, and artists, who are now demanding severe action against everyone involved in the crime, with a particular focus on the individual who masterminded the incident.

In a public notice issued on Saturday, August 24, 2024, signed by its spokesperson, David Misime, the police force confirmed to have questioned Ms Kigondo.

“The case file has been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions,” says Mr Misime in the statement.

“We wish to inform the public that a thorough investigation has been carried out, including collecting statements from various individuals, including the suspect,” Mr Misime stated in another part.

In a separate development, the Dodoma Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday, August 23, issued a new summons to Ms Kigondo to appear in court on September 5, 2024, after she failed to attend a hearing scheduled that same day.

The case, filed by private complainant Paulo Kisabo and overseen by Resident Magistrate Francis Kishenyi, is distinct from the ongoing case by the National Prosecutions Service (NPS).

Plaintiff’s attorney Peter Madeleka requested an arrest warrant for Kigondo due to her failure to attend court despite a previous summons.

“We request the court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused due to her non-compliance with court orders,” Madeleka said.

Magistrate Kishenyi denied the request, explaining that the law permits either a summons or an arrest warrant. “I will issue another summons to confirm whether the previous notice was properly delivered,” Kishenyi stated, adjourning the case until September 5, 2024.

The case has taken a new turn following a statement from former Dodoma Regional Police Commander SACP Theopista Mallya.

Speaking to Mwananchi on August 18, 2024, Mallya claimed that the investigation had cleared the accused youths of being instructed by any police officer.

“The investigation found that the youths were not directed by any police officer but were under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The term ‘Afande’ used in the video was generic, and we cannot provide further clarification on that matter,” Mallya said.

This statement resulted in Mallya’s removal from his position and reassignment to Police Headquarters.