BY MWINYI SADALLAH
3rd August 2013
The police started interrogating them for hosting Ponda who addressed inciting public meetings in the isles. He is Secretary General of the Islamic Community.
The Zanzibar Police Commissioner Mussa Ali Mussa told The Guardian that the suspects are also alleged to have taken him to various mosques where the cleric issued inciting words to believers.
He declined to name them but said they would appear before the court once investigations were complete. The suspects were being interrogated at Mwembe Mademu police station at Mjini Magharibi, he said.
According to him, the police have perused through Sheikh Ponda speeches delivered at different times and places while in the isles.
“We have arrested five people and the police are interviewing them…these are natives of Zanzibar who hosted him, taking him around to various mosques and we are also looking for other suspects,” said Commissioner Mussa.
He said Ponda entered Zanzibar secretly using Islamic credentials to spread inciting words that could threaten national peace and solidarity among the people.
The police are looking for him using the country’s intelligence network and to ensure his arrest and bring him to court, he added.
“Our colleagues on the Mainland know where he lives and the places he frequents…we are sure of arresting him,” the commissioner insisted.
While in Zanzibar, Ponda addressed Muslims in mosques at Mbuyuni, Kwarara and Nungwi. He requested the believers to be ready to fight for their rights and stressing that they should remain courageous.
Ponda is quoted to have said he had gone to the Isles to visit imprisoned sheikhs of the Revival Islamic Group, with whom he held conversations.
It is also reported that he claimed giving instructions to relay a message to Islamic believers to maintain their stance when it comes to pursuing their rights.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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