Africa-Press – Tanzania. ARUSHA Regional Commissioner John Mongella has ordered for the arrest of Engaroji villagers in Arusha region who took matters in their own hands by pelting with stones the vehicle of Monduli District.
The order from the Regional Commissioner came after the villagers vented their anger on Frank Mwaisumbe, who is the area DC, after the latter scolded their village chairperson, Ngalama Mapena.
It all began when the DC rebuked the village chairperson for failing to table a report of Engaroji’s revenues and expenditures for the past six years, a move which incensed the villagers.
Mr Mwaisumbe left unscathed, but was forced to drive off from the scene to avoid more damage to his car. Apart from pelting the DC’s vehicle, the villagers are also said to have raided people’s home at Lepurko Ward, destroying anything that stood on their way.
The regional commissioner blamed the villagers for taking matters into their own hands, saying his office will leave no stone unturned in bringing the offenders to justice.
“If they had any grievances they ought to have known the right procedures to follow because the DC himself was there, the offenders will now pay the price for taking matters into their own hands,” stated Mr Mongella.
The Regional Commissioner insisted that he was appalled by the incident, warning that if left undressed, could result to disasters.
However, one of the villagers Paulo Ndari blamed their chairperson for failing to discharge his duties well. He urged the regional commissioner’s office to summon Mr Mapena for failure to table the village’s report on revenues and expenditures.
“The confusion witnessed here today speaks volume of the lack of confidence we have on the village chairperson,” he said. The village chairman was however arrested after the DC left, following the chaos.
