Joseph Isangura
Police in Morogoro are searching for a fuel tanker driver who is accused of stealing diesel and attempting to cover up the crime by setting his vehicle on fire.
The incident unfolded on the night of March 16, when the driver, Abubakari Mwichangwe, allegedly worked with others to siphon fuel from the tanker he was driving.
Mwichangwe, who is from Dar es Salaam, was behind the wheel of a fuel tanker that was traveling from Dar es Salaam to Lubumbashi, DRC. Police believe that, during the journey, Mwichangwe and three accomplices stole a large amount of diesel from the tanker. After the theft, the driver continued his trip with the tanker nearly empty, and he is said to have driven the vehicle into a ditch near Msufini in Msimba village on the Mikumi-Iringa road in what seemed like an attempt to stage an accident.
To make matters worse, Mwichangwe reportedly set fire to the tanker in an effort to destroy any evidence of the theft. However, alert local residents saw the flames and acted quickly, managing to put out the fire before it could do too much damage. They then called the police, who arrived at the scene and began their investigation.
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The stolen fuel, totaling around 35,700 liters, was valued at approximately Sh77 million. It is believed to have been offloaded at various fuel stations in the area. Authorities are now tracking down Mwichangwe and his accomplices, hoping to bring them to justice.
This unusual case has sparked concerns about fuel theft in the region, highlighting the need for stronger security measures in the transportation and distribution of fuel. The search continues, with authorities determined to find those responsible for the crime.
