Three More Charged in Kariakoo Collapse Case

Three More Charged in Kariakoo Building Collapse Case

Dar es Salaam, Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Three additional Kariakoo-based traders have been arraigned before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court, facing 31 counts of involuntary manslaughter linked to the tragic building collapse that occurred on November 16, 2024.

The accused—Soster Nziku (55) and Stephen Nziku (28), both residents of Mbezi Beach, along with Aloyce Sangawe (59) from Sinza—have officially joined the ongoing legal proceedings involving three other suspects alleged to be the building’s owners.

Previously, on November 29, 2024, Leondela Mdete (49) of Mbezi Beach, Zenabu Islam (61) of Kariakoo, and Ashour Awadh Ashour (38) of Ilala were also charged with 31 counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the same incident.

The three new defendants were charged on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, following an amendment to the charge sheet made under Section 234(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), Chapter 20, Revised Edition 2022. The amendments allowed for the inclusion of the new suspects in the ongoing criminal proceedings.

Appearing before Senior Resident Magistrate Geofrey Mhini, the charges were read by State Attorney Roida Mwakambele, who stated that the accused are charged under Sections 195 and 198 of the Penal Code, Chapter 16, Revised Edition 2022.

According to the prosecution, the case—registered as Criminal Case No. 33633 of 2024—alleges that on November 16, 2024, at the intersection of Mchikichi and Congo Streets in Kariakoo, the accused failed in their duties, leading to the death of Said Juma.

The subsequent counts, from the second to the thirty-first, relate to the deaths of Hussein Njou, Prosper Mwasanjobe, Shadrack Mshingo, Godfrey Sanga, Neema Sanga, Elizabeth Mbaruku, Hilary Minja, Abdul Sululu, Catherine Mbilinyi, Elton Ndyamukama, Mariam Kapekekepe, Elizabeth Kapekele, Hadija Simba, Frank Maziku, Rashid Yusuph, Ally Ally, Ajuae Lyambiro, Mary Lema, Khatolo Juma, Sabas Swai, Pascal Ndunguru, Brighette Mbembela, Ashery Sanga, Venance Aman, Linus Hasara, Pascalia Kadiri, Issa Issa, Lulu Sanga, Happyness Malya, and Brown Kadovera.

The defendants have requested bail, which is permitted under Section 248(1)(2) of the CPA, Revised Edition 2022. The prosecution, while noting that investigations are ongoing, raised no objections to bail.

Magistrate Mhini granted bail under four conditions:

1. Each defendant must provide two sureties with official introduction letters from local government authorities or employers.

2. Each accused must sign a TSh 5 million bond.

3. Sureties must reside within Dar es Salaam.

4. Defendants must present valid National Identification Cards (NIDA).

All six accused individuals have successfully met these bail conditions.

The court has adjourned the case until April 10, 2025, to allow for the continuation of investigations.