Dar es Salaam. The murder case involving over twenty Maasai from Loliondo was on Thursday postponed at the Arusha Resident Magistrate’s Court as the investigation of the case was incomplete. The hearing of the case is now pushed to July 14, 2022.
The defense counsel led by Advocate Jeremiah Mtobesya, Advocate Jebra Kambole, Advocate Peter Madeleka alongside Advocate Joseph Oleshangai, William Ernest, Yonas Masiaya and Denis Mosses asked the prosecution to speed up the investigation process as the case involves people who are very old and students.
The Maasai people who are charged with murder include Molongo Daniel Paschal, Albert Kiseya Selembo, Simeli Parmwati, Lekayoko Parmwati, Sapati Parmwati, Ngoi Olkedenyi Kanjwel, Sangau Morongeti, Muroui Ngoisa Parmati, Morongeti Meeki and Kambatai Lulu.
Others are Moloimeti Yohana, Ndirango Senge Laizer, Joel Clemes Lessomu, Simoni Nairiam Orosikiria, Damiani Rago Laiza, Mathew Eliakimu, Luka Kursas, Taleng’o Twambie Leshoko, Kijoolu Kakeya and Shengeni Joseph Killel.
Other persons who were added to the case today include Wilson Kilong’, Memusi Taki, Fredy Ledidi, Oloodo Koiyie and Kelvin Nairoti, making a total of twenty-five (25) accused persons in the case.
The accused are charged with the death of Police Officer Garlus Mwita Garlus who was reportedly attacked with a spear during an altercation between security organs and indigenous Maasai people of Loliondo that took place on the afternoon of June 10, 2022.
The altercation followed authorities’ beacon placing exercise on the 1,500 square kilometres of 4,000 square kilometres of designated village land comprising the Loliondo Game Controlled Area. The resident considers this exercise would mean that the land would not be available for daily village use, while the area is important for pasture and water to villages during drought season.
The accused include local government leaders who were arrested on June 9, 2022, after they were called into a consultative meeting with the Ngorongoro District Commissioner, this includes; Luka Kursas (Councillor Oloipir ward), Joel Clemes Lessomu (Councillor Malambo ward), Kijoolu Kakeya (Councillor Piyaya Ward, Special seat), Simoni Nairiam Orosikiria (Councillor Piyaya Ward), Shengeni Joseph Killel (Councillor Oloirien ward) and Mathew Siloma (Councillor Arash ward).
Others are Talengo Twambei Leshoko (Councillor Oloipir ward, special seat), Damiani Rago Laiza (Councillor Maalon ward), Moloimet Yohana (Councillor Ololosokwani ward) and Ndirango Olesenge Laizer who is the ruling party (CCM) Chairperson Ngorongoro Districts.
According to the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism through notice no 421 of June 17, 2022, the 1500 square kilometre area in Loliondo is now Poloreti Game Controlled Area, and beacon placing exercising has been concluded.
