Two Arrested with Counterfeit Notes in Mbeya, Seven Drivers Revoked
Two individuals arrested with counterfeit Sh10,000 notes in Mbeya, while seven drivers have had their licenses revoked for traffic violations.
Two Arrested with Counterfeit Notes in Mbeya, Seven Drivers Have Licenses Revoked
Thursday, March 6, 2025
In a significant operation, the Mbeya Police have arrested two individuals, Geofrey Braiton (29) and Michael Ruben (30), for possession of counterfeit Sh10,000 banknotes. The suspects, residents of Mbeya city, were found with fake money at a guesthouse in Bondeni, Itewe ward, located in Chunya district.
Additionally, the police have detained Consolata Mwasege (47), a businesswoman from Ilomba, Mbeya, on allegations of being involved in the forgery of official documents.
During a press briefing on Thursday, March 6, 2025, the Acting Regional Police Commander, ACP Wilbert Siwa, provided details about the arrests. The suspects were caught with 15 counterfeit Sh10,000 notes, totaling Sh150,000, all marked with serial number CA 3903666.
"Furthermore, in February, a total of 22 individuals were apprehended with 173.5 kilograms of cannabis, while 14 others were arrested for possessing 68 liters of illicit alcohol, commonly known as 'gongo,'" ACP Siwa revealed.
In a separate incident, Consolata Mwasege is facing charges related to document forgery, including 22 national identification cards, four voter registration cards, 200 Freemason leaflets, and a computer used to create such counterfeit documents. Siwa confirmed that the forged documents had been sent to NIDA headquarters in Dar es Salaam for further investigation.
Regarding road safety, ACP Siwa highlighted efforts to address traffic violations and reduce accidents. In February, seven drivers had their licenses revoked for endangering public safety, with some involved in accidents that caused injuries and fatalities. A total of 13 cases were taken to court, with the offenders required to pay fines.
Local resident Yesaya Mwakyusa, from Sokoine Street in Mbeya, acknowledged the police's actions but also called attention to the poor state of road infrastructure in the region. He expressed hope that enhanced police vigilance, along with the completion of the ongoing four-lane road project, could lead to a reduction in road accidents.
"We may see improvements in driver behavior, but overall, the roads in Mbeya are not safe. Once the four-lane roads are finished, incidents like this could reduce," said Mwakyusa.
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