Chadema`s Slaa, five other accused absent from court

Chadema`s Slaa, five other accused absent from court

 

22nd January 2011

 

CHADEMA Secretary General Dr Wilbroad Slaa

 

CHADEMA Secretary General Dr Wilbroad Slaa was among six people facing charges of unlawful procession who did not appear at the Arusha Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday during mention of the case.

Dr Slaa and five other people, including his fiancée, Josephine Mushumbusi, failed to appear before the court for what their advocate, Method Kimomogoro, described as health complications associated with the January 5 scuffle with the police.

The rally, in Arusha city, two weeks ago turned sour with three people being killed after the party’s members and supporters clashed with the police.

He told the court that Dr Slaa and Josephine failed to appear before the court because they were recovering at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), after being operated on.

The advocate presented a medical accreditation to prove that Dr Slaa and Josephine were admitted to MOI.

Kimomogoro further told the court that other defendants like Dadi Gogo, Juma Wambura, Elisante Noel and Michael Kimario failed to appear before the court because they were unable to walk due to the bullet injuries they sustained during the scuffle.

However, Resident Magistrate Charles Magesa ordered that the four accused should submit medical certificates during the next mention to show that they are still sick.

Public prosecutor Zakaria Elisaria told the court that two out of the 31 defendants were set free by the police in Arusha, bringing to 29 the number of accused.

He also said investigations were yet to be completed, requesting the court to adjoin the case. The magistrate granted the request, setting the mention for February 22.

According to the charge sheet on January 5, this year, Chadema party leaders, members and supporters held a public rally in the country’s leading tourism city without permission from the police.

State Attorney Augustine Kombe said in so doing, the leaders and their supporters breached the Police Force Ordinance.

The accused include the party’s national chairman, Freeman Mbowe, who is MP for Hai; Secretary-general Dr Wilbroad Slaa and chief of protocol Bazil Lema.

Three other party’s MPs in the list of accused are Philemon Ndesamburo (Moshi-Urban), Joseph Selasini (Rombo) and Godbless Lema (Arusha-Urban).

Others are party members Josephine (Mushumbusi) Slaa, Derick Magoma, Richard Mtui, Acquilene Chuwa, Proches Kimario, Nai Stephen, John Raymond, Juma Samwel Wambura and Dady Igogo.

Also in the list are Kennedy Bundala, Esebio Akaro, Bakari Issa, Elisante Noel, Kelvin Onyango, Michael Daudi, Prosper Kimaro, Peter Marua, Frank Logath, Matheus Valerian and Walter Mushi.

The state is also accusing Pancras Kimario, Swalehe Salum, Mevongori Lukumay and Daniel Titus of taking part in the illegal protest.