Trial Resumes for Mtwara Police in Gold Dealer’s Death

Trial Resumes for Police Officers Accused in Mtwara Gold Dealer’s Murder

Monday, March 24, 2025 – Mtwara

After a prolonged hiatus of more than a year, the murder trial of seven police officers accused in the killing of Mussa Hamis—a gold dealer and miner—resumes today, March 24, 2025, at the High Court in Mtwara.

The case, which was last adjourned on December 1, 2023, has faced significant delays, sparking public concern and speculation over its status. According to the court, the delays stemmed from scheduling challenges within the judicial system.

Accused Officers and Allegations

The accused include:

• SP Gilbert Sostenes Kalanje, former District Criminal Investigation Officer (OC-CID) for Mtwara

• ASP Charles Maurice Onyango, former Officer-in-Charge (OCS) at Mtwara Central Police Station

• Nicholaus Stanslaus Kisinza, former District Crime Intelligence Officer (DCIO), Mtwara

• Assistant Inspector Marco Mbuta Chigingozi

• Inspector John Yesse Msuya

• Shirazi Ally Mkupa, former chief medical officer at Mtwara Police dispensary

• Corporal Salim Juma Mbalu

The officers are accused of deliberately killing Mussa Hamis on January 5, 2022, at Mitengo Police Station in Mtwara. It is alleged that they subsequently disposed of his body in Majengo Village, Hiari Ward, near the Dangote cement factory.

According to court documents, the accused reportedly suffocated Hamis by covering his mouth and nose with a cloth after injecting him with a sedative. The act was allegedly motivated by a desire to prevent him from pursuing the return of his money and property, which the officers are said to have seized during a home search in Ruponda Village, Nachingwea District, Lindi Region. He had been suspected of theft involving money and a motorcycle.

Legal Proceedings and Evidence

Presided over by Justice Edwin Kakolaki, the case is currently in the prosecution’s evidence presentation stage. The initial hearing ran from November 13 to December 1, 2023, during which testimonies from ten witnesses were recorded.

Among the key witnesses:

• Hawa Bakari, the victim’s mother and the first witness, who requested the return of her son’s recovered skeletal remains for burial.

• Assistant Commissioner of Police Yustino Mgonja, current Ilala Regional Police Commander, who at the time of the incident served as Mtwara’s Regional Crime Officer. He testified about the alleged planning and execution of the killing, based on a confession from one of the accused officers, who later died in remand under claims of suicide.

• Senior Government Chemist Fidelis Bugoye, from the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) headquarters in Dar es Salaam, provided forensic evidence linking the discovered bones to Hamis through DNA matching with his mother’s saliva sample.

• The 10th witness, a GCLA evidence custodian, testified regarding the handling and custody of the physical exhibits.

The physical evidence presented includes eight ribs, leg bones, and a pair of trousers belonging to the deceased. These items were submitted to the court on November 29, 2023, as part of the prosecution’s exhibits.

Following the conclusion of testimony from the 10th witness, Chief State Attorney Maternus Marandu, leading the prosecution team, requested the court to direct that the remains be securely stored until further proceedings. Though the victim’s mother had requested the remains, the court ruled they be preserved for evidentiary purposes.

Justice Kakolaki instructed that the human remains be stored respectfully and securely at the GCLA Southern Zone Office in Mtwara, emphasizing the importance of maintaining dignity in the handling of human remains.

Trial Set to Proceed Over Three Weeks

Senior State Attorney Ignas Mwinuka confirmed the trial’s resumption in a phone interview, stating:

“The hearing is set to begin today and will continue consecutively for three weeks. I’m already in Mtwara.”

The trial's long pause, spanning one year, three months, and 22 days, drew growing concern from the public, with some speculating online and in direct communications with media outlets that the case may have been quietly dropped. However, on February 11, 2025, Deputy Court Registrar Seraphine Nsaro clarified that the case remained active, attributing delays to scheduling complications.

With today’s resumption, the court will continue reviewing the remaining prosecution evidence before proceeding to the defense phase, marking a significant step forward in this high-profile case.