Ponda sought in Zanzibar

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

1st August 2013

Zanzibar Commissioner of Police, Mussa Ali Mussa

The Secretary General of Muslim Communities and Institutions Council Sheikh Issa Ponda is being sought by police for organising provocative religious gatherings Zanzibar. Ponda is on conditional discharge of 12 months.

Zanzibar Commissioner of Police Mussa Ali Mussa said yesterday that the Police investigation unit was looking for Ponda for making provocative statements which threatened the peace and unity among the people in the Isles.

He said Ponda’s statements breached Police directions to religious leaders to avoid giving messages which fuel misunderstandings and threaten the country’s peace.

Earlier on speaking to journalists Secretary of a Special Committee of the Zanzibar National Electoral Commission Waride Bakari Jabu urged security organs to take up legal measures against Ponda for his statements which called on wananchi to initiate strikes against the government.

According to Waride, Ponda made the provocative statements in Mbuyuni, Kwarara and Nungwi mosques.

Ponda is serving a one year court sentence of conditional discharge after he was found guilty of destroying properties and advocating chaos.

In May this year the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court freed the Muslim Communities and Institutions Council secretary general Sheikh Issa Ponda, on conditional discharge of 12 months and released 49 others who were facing five counts, including stealing property worth 59m/- in Dar es Salaam.

Ponda admitted to have invaded Agritanza-owned piece of land at Chang'ombe Markas, Temeke District, in order to confiscate it on October 12 last year.
The Magistrate decided to set him free, on conditional discharge of 12 months without committing any offence.

The Magistrate advised Ponda to preach peace and maintain discipline throughout the period he is under probation. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN