Africa-Press – Tanzania. NINE people have been arraigned for allegedly stealing 1,515 sacks of raw cashew nuts worth 163.9m/- from Yalin Cashew Nut Company Store situated in Msijute Industrial Area in Mtwara Region.
Speaking on the incident, Mtwara Regional Police Commander Mark Njera said the suspects had been arraigned for allegedly breaking into the cashew nut warehouse and stealing the cashew nuts.
The incident occurred between September and October last year, adding that the suspects were later taken to court on December 24 and were charged with stealing 105,725kg.
The RPC named those arraigned as Yusuf Lupalale (40), Issa Chitanda (24), Ally Seleman (27), Faraji Zungu (36), Hamza Bonge (32), Mudy Jaba (27), Hassan Ndolomi (36), Abillah Ndunga (28) and John Nyoni (34).
He said the police were still hunting for others in connection with the theft and he warned other people against engaging in illegal business, saying the police would ensure that all the culprits were arrested.
“The police in Mtwara warn against all people, including leaders of cooperative unions and farmers who involve themselves in criminal offences that they should stop or else they will be held accountable,” he said.
Mtwara Regional Commissioner Gelasius Byakanwa stressed “enough is enough for those stealing cashew nuts.”
“I call upon all those stealing cashew nuts to stop it and engage in decent activities,” he said as he vowed to mount an operation to hunt for the culprits
