Police seize 8 cars as Lissu attack probed

Dodoma. Police have seized eight vehicles in relation to shooting of the Singida East Member of Parliament Tundu Lissu.

Regional Police Commander Mr Gilles Muroto said yesterday that the Police and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), which is responsible for motor vehicle registration in the country, have launched a joint investigation to try and find the owner of the vehicle used during the shooting of Mr Lissu.

The firebrand lawmaker was shot on Thursday afternoon outside his Area D home by unknown attackers who allegedly used a white Nissan Patrol. He is still recuperating at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi where he was evacuated for special medical attention.

Mr Muroto yesterday also asked Mr Lissu’s driver, identified by one name a Adam, to appear to the police to help with the investigations.

“Preliminary investigations have shown that the attackers used SMG/SAR weapons due to the type of bullet shells found at the scene of the incident. Our investigations are ongoing in collaboration with the team from the Police Headquarters,” said Mr Muroto.

“We need the driver to record his statement on the incident and he should report at the police here in Dodoma or at the headquarters in Dar es Salaam. Hiding himself is a criminal offence and if there are people hiding him they should also know that they are committing a crime. He should appear immediately as he’s an important witness,” he added.

Muroto also said Chadema Secretary General Dr Vicent Mshinji has also been ordered to report at the Regional Crimes Officer (RCO) either in Dar es Salaam or Dodoma for questioning in connection with remarks he made on Friday that indicated that Chadema had identified the assailants.

Warns social media

Mr Muroto warned social media users to avoid posting ‘bad taste’ comments in connection with the incident saying they could find themselves in trouble.

Calls mount for special investigation

Meanwhile ACT party leader Zitto Kabwe and Chadema Youth wing (Bavicha) yesterday called for an independent international investigation into the assassination attempt on the Opposition Chief Whip.

Mr Kabwe posted on his official Twitter account on Friday night expressing his lack of trust for local investigators. “Local organs shall not be trusted,’’ reads his post in part.

But Bavicha chairman Patrobas Katambi said an independent investigation should not limit itself to Lissu’s case but to all cases of insecurity in the country.

Mr Katambi, told reporters at a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the inquiry team should have Chadema representation, because many of the party’s leaders have become targets.

“We know many incidents where people have been attacked, threatened or wounded but security organs have always blamed them on unknown assailants. This actually tells us that the government is using so-called unknown attackers as an excuse,’’ he said.

He suggested that President Dr John Magufuli must allow an independent foreign body undertake the inquiry.

He said they were ready to cooperate with the security organs in search for the assailants who have been causing insecurity in the country.

He added it was surprising how Lissu was attacked in broad daylight in areas which are highly guarded due to the high profile nature of people living there.

“Lissu’s home in Dodoma is located behind Speaker of the National Assembly’s residence. There is tight security. How could the assailants escape unnoticed?’’ he queried.

He recalled that Bavicha had already submitted a letter dated August 24, this year to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro, expressing their concerns about security threats that Mr Tundu Lissu was receiving.

Jose Mourinho refused to shake hands with Mark Hughes Read more

Jose Mourinho refused to shake hands with Mark Hughes after being told to 'f*** off' by the Stoke manager, Manchester United sources have insisted.

Hughes was also alleged to have called for referee Neil Swarbrick to dismiss Mourinho to the stands after the Portuguese entered his technical area.

The altercation took place late in the 2-2 draw after Hughes argued with officials as Stoke prepared to take a free-kick, prompting Mourinho to go close up to Hughes and receiving a push in the chest.

A United source said: 'Jose wanted to reorganise his defence after a foul and Hughes pushed him as he walked over and told Jose to, "F*** off."

'He also asked the referee to send Jose to the stands. In the end Jose just walked away because he doesn't shake hands after being insulted.'

Stoke boss Hughes said after the game: 'I pushed him because he was in my technical area. Maybe that is why he didn't want to shake my hand. It has to be viewed as a negative result for him. 

Maybe he reacted in the wrong way. In fairness I have my history with handshakes. Maybe it's me.'

Asked by the BBC about his post-match snub of Hughes, Mourinho said: 'I prefer not to answer the question, because it looks like it is my fault and that is not correct.' 

He told BT Sport: 'I don't speak about stupid things, I'm too old for that, talking about stupid things is for stupid people.'As well as losing their 100 per cent record in the Premier League United also conceded their first goals of the season, which will rub salt in the wounds of Mourinho, who will be particularly upset with the manner Stoke scored.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand didn't hold back in criticising the way United defended on Saturday and had some strong words particularly for Eric Bailly. When commenting on the first goal he said: 'It was a wonderful cross for their opener but Bailly could have done much better. He was in a great position and then completely lost focus and was defensively unaware.

'It seems if you cross against Premier League sides now you always have a chance because defenders aren't brought up on real defending, they're brought up to be good on the ball first and foremost.  

'Defensively Manchester United could have done better, especially with the goals, but you have to give credit to Stoke  

Parliament to probe security situation in wake of attack

Dodoma. The attack on Singida East MP Tundu Lissu has jolted the Parliament into action, with Speaker of the National Assembly Job Ndugai urging the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Committee to meet immediately to deliberate on security issues in the country. A few minutes before he told the committee to meet, Mr Ndugai in sombre mood talked about the fact that the shooting of Mr Lissu, who is also the president of the Tanganyika Law Society, was the first of its kind to an MP during the sessions.

“This is the first time an MP is shot in broad daylight, when the Parliament is in session,” Mr Ndugai said. His directive to the parliamentary committee followed concerns raised by Nzega Urban MP Hussein Bashe (CCM) over the deteriorating security situation in the country.

Mr Bashe sough Speaker’s guidance on what the Parliament was going to do about it. Giving the guidance, Mr Ndugai urged the committee to meet with security organs and come up with a complete report on the state of security in the country.

Mr Bashe also cited incidents of the disappearance of Chadema’s leader, Mr Ben Saanane, abduction of Bongo Flava artist Roma Mkatoliki and threats to former Minister for Information, Culture, Art and Sports Nape Nnauye, whose investigation reports are not out.

Mr Bashe wondered why the person, who pulled a pistol to threaten Mr Nnauye had not been arrested.

“Yesterday, our colleague Tundu Lissu was shot,” he said adding: “This trend is sending a bad image about our country and we feel unsafe every time we move around.”

Meanwhile, Mr Ndugai yesterday revealed that the family of Mr Lissu and Chadema’s leadership refused medical arrangements made by the Parliament for the wounded outspoken MP. The Parliament had earlier made arrangements to transfer Mr Lissu to the Muhimbili National Hospital, but his family and Chadema leadership opted for the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.

“They told us that they chose Aga Khan not because they do not have faith in our hospitals, but that they will be more comfortable there. We respect their choice of Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi,” Mr Ndugai said.

The Speaker further said about Sh43 million will be contributed by MPs from their allowances for Lissu’s treatment.

Lugumi properties go on sale today

Yono Auction Mart is today expected to auction properties owned by Lugumi Enterprises Limited after failure of the firm to pay tax to the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

At least two buildings owned by Lugumi are lined up for auction. One of the properties is located at Upanga within Ilala District and the other at Mbweni within Kinondoni District in Dar es Salaam.

Yono Auction Mart director, Scolastica Kevela, said preparations for the auction were complete. She said that they cannot mention the actual debt that the company owes the TRA.

“Our task is to auction only and remit the proceeds of the auction to the government,” said Kevela.

She said the auction will proceed despite claims that Lugumi Enterprises officials have protested claiming that the government owes them some money.

“We will go on despite the claims. Our duty is to auction the properties,” she said.

Lugumi Enterprises Limited came to the public attention in 2015 after the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) report indicated that it had failed to complete a multi-billion project to supply the police force with forensic devices.

The Police Force contracted Lugumi Enterprises in 2011 to supply and install Automated Fingerprint Information System (Afis) devices at 108 district police stations across in the country.

But the CAG report indicated that the equipment had been fixed in 14 police stations only.

When the Public Account Committee requested an implementation progress report in early 2016 from the Police Force they were told that the equipment had been installed in 153 police stations, including the Police headquarters.

The Speaker of the National Assembly then initiated an investigation to find out the truth of the matter.

The Lugumi report, which has never been made public, was tabled in Parliament in June 30, 2016 by the chairman of the probe team, Aeshi Hilaly (Sumbawanga Urban-CCM).

But before Mr Aeshi could read the report for the MPs to debate, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Tulia Ackson, quickly used the Standing Order 117(17) to annul the process. Instead she ordered the government to complete the installation of the equipment in all 108 police stations within three months.>

Arsene Wenger suggests Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may have been tapped up by Liverpool

Arsene Wenger has questioned whether Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was tapped up by Liverpool.

The Arsenal manager said on Thursday it would be naive to think his players are not being tapped up before matches and is unsure whether they were on the day of their 4-0 loss to Liverpool last week.

Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez were among those who featured at Anfield and the former then signed for Liverpool in a £35million move.

Sanchez missed out on his £60m move to Manchester City and is now back at Arsenal following the international break.

‘You are not naive enough to think that will not happen,’ Wenger said. ‘I don’t know (if it happened before the loss to Liverpool). I don’t know.

‘Have they been tapped up? Of course. But on the day of a game? I don’t think so, I hope not. But it’s inevitable.

‘France played against Holland on the last day of the transfer window. Do you really think that not one French player or Dutch player had phone calls in the afternoon about a move or not?

‘I am not naive enough to believe that. That’s why you have to scrap it before the season starts.’

Sanchez’s transfer to City was scuppered as Arsenal missed out on Thomas Lemar, who decided he wanted to stay with Monaco on deadline day.

‘Lemar is now in Monaco and has to focus on Monaco,’ Wenger continued. ‘Sanchez is here and focuses here. Many things happen in the last second, what I regret.

‘That’s why I believe it’s important we close before the championship starts.

‘You sit there before the games and even in players’ minds they have no clarity. Are they in? Are they out? Are they half in? Are they half out?

‘Are they tapped up in the afternoon of the game by people who want to get them out? It’s not the way to work and it’s uncomfortable.

Man, 30, shares photos of his injuries after he was battered unconscious by a gang who threatened to rape his girlfriend

A man has shared photos of his injuries after he was battered unconscious by a gang who threatened to rape his girlfriend. 

Tom Kennedy, 30, was beaten up by a number of men in a small dust track near Paget Road, Trumpington, in Cambridge, on Friday.

The attack happened at around midnight when he and his girlfriend were cycling home drunk after a night out.

He said: 'We were riding home along the busway, but I don't remember much more after the incident happened.

'My girlfriend says that two guys told her to go away or they'll rape her.

'Then she ran away while they beat me up. She came back to find me in a pool of blood.

'We suspect there were more than two. I'm 6ft 3ins and I can fight very well, but they caught me off guard and drunk.

'I've been on the end of some beatings as well but nothing like that.'

The men, who ran off after beating Mr Kennedy for around five minutes, didn't steal anything.

He did not break any bones or get any internal bleeding but was bruised heavily.

Magufuli shocked by Lissu shooting

Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli has expressed shock on the shooting of Singida east Member of Parliament, Mr Tundu Lissu.

In a message he posted in his tweeter account, Dr Magufuli said: I have been shocked by the attack on Singida East Parliamentarian, Tundu Lissu.”

Dr Magufuli said his prayers were for quick recovery of the MP who has bene critical to his government.

He added: “I urge state security organs to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring to book all those who will be found liable.”

Meanwhile, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has condemned shooting of Singida East MP, Mr Tundu Lissu.

Statement signed by CCM secretary for Ideology and Publicity, Mr Humphrey Polepole, said the ruling party has received the information with great shock.

“Chama Cha Mapinduzi condemns the barbaric and inhuman act and we want the Police Force to investigate it closely,” reads part of the statement.

Mr Polepole said upon completion of the investigations, appropriate legal actions should be taken against who would be found liable.

“CCM leadership prays for Lissu’s quick recovery so as to enable him continue with his normal duties,” says Polepole.