MWE Correspondent
Authorities in Mwanza have brought 172 residents before the Nyamagana District Court to face a series of serious criminal charges, including armed robbery, willful destruction of property, unlawful assembly, and disorderly conduct.
The suspects appeared before several magistrates on Friday, November 7, 2025, following a tense week marked by vandalism and looting across parts of the district between October 29 and 31.
The prosecution team, led by State Attorney Jaines Kihwelo and assisted by Hellen Mabula and Sara Perias, argued that the accused should remain in custody as investigations continue. Representing the suspects were lawyers from the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS)—Mwanza Chapter—among them Erick Mutta, Lugano Kitanga, Emmanuel John, and Salehe Nassoro.
Court documents show that hearings began in the early afternoon and continued until 5 p.m., as magistrates read multiple charges to the large group of suspects. None of the accused were granted bail, given that one of the main counts—armed robbery—is a non-bailable offence under Tanzanian law.
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The group is being charged under Section 287A of the Penal Code, Chapter 16 (Revised Edition 2023) for armed robbery, and Section 326(1) for willful destruction of property. In one of the cases, 86 suspects were accused of property damage and armed robbery before Senior Resident Magistrate Amani Sumari.
According to the prosecution, on October 30, 2025, at the Isamilo area, the suspects allegedly vandalized the Mwanza City Council office building, stole 13 plastic chairs, and threatened a night security guard with machetes and stones.
Police records link the incidents to violent unrest that erupted after a public gathering turned chaotic, leading to the destruction of public and private property. Law-enforcement officers have since tightened patrols across Nyamagana District, warning that any form of mob justice or retaliatory action will face legal consequences.
Legal experts say the scale of the arrests—172 people at once—is one of the largest mass prosecutions in the region’s recent history. They note that while the state has a duty to maintain law and order, each accused individual must still be afforded the right to a fair hearing and legal representation.
“The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to due process,” said one Mwanza-based lawyer. “We must let the courts determine guilt or innocence, not public opinion.”
Magistrate Sumari scheduled the next court session for mid-November, when the suspects are expected to enter formal pleas. Additional hearings will determine whether cases will be tried individually or consolidated for efficiency.
Meanwhile, community leaders have urged calm, calling for residents to support peaceful legal proceedings and avoid spreading misinformation about the suspects. Local authorities are also assessing the extent of property damage to determine compensation and recovery measures for affected public offices.
The case has drawn national attention, with analysts calling it a test of Tanzania’s legal system—balancing law enforcement with human rights and procedural fairness.
