Pemba shootings irk Mubukwanu

SOUTHERN Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu is saddened by the recent shootings in Pemba in which individuals suspected of practising witchcraft have been injured and murdered.
Mr Mubukwanu said the provincial administration is concerned about the high number of shootings in Pemba.
He said Government will do everything possible to enhance security of residents and their property
He assured the police command that Government is in the process of acquiring vehicles for police officers to enable them conduct patrols.
Mr Mubukwanu said this when he met Pemba district commissioner Reginald Mugoba at his office on Friday.
Earlier, Mr Mugoba told Mr Mubukwanu that the district has lately experienced a number of shooting incidents and that police in the area do not have transport, which is hampering their efforts to curb crime.
“I wish to bring to your attention that the police service in the district needs transport in order for them to speed up on their operations. As you may be aware, the district is famous for shootings of suspected witches and wizards in rural communities and the only dependable vehicle to attend to such eventualities is the district commissioner’s and this has hampered the operations of the police,” Mr Mugoba said.
And Pemba council chairman Robert Haandiabantu says conflicts over boundaries have heightened between the council and some traditional leaders.
Mr Haandiabantu told Mr Mubukwanu that traditional leaders do not understand the difference between the district, traditional and constituency boundaries.
“Honourable Minister, running a new district has its own challenges, the council has no land for development and so we have continued to lobby the chiefs,” Mr Haandiabantu said.
And Mr Mubukwanu said there is no need for traditional leaders and the local authority to antagonise each other.
He said it is important for traditional leaders in the area need to understand the establishment of new districts for the benefit of their chiefdoms. ZANIS