THE DPP OFFICE IN MANYARA REGION AND TAWA PRESENT A NOTICE OF APPEALS AGAINST THE RELEASE OF ILLEGAL POACHERS OF ELEPHANTS TUSK'S

  

By Staff writer in Babati

maipacarusha20@gmail.com

The  Director of Public Prosecutions in Manyara Region, in collaboration with the Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) in the Northern Region, has submitted a notice of appeal to the High Court in Manyara Region, against the release of three accused of poaching, who were arrested with six pieces of Elephant Tusks 

The suspects, Bashiru Ally Nahai, Daniel Gwandu and Frank Gadiye, were arrested on March 3, 2023,  with six pieces of illegal elephant Ivory worth shs 137,910,300 at the Madunga crossroads, Babati district in Manyara region.

The suspects were brought to court and faced with three counts of economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy, possession of elephant Tusks and were caught illegally transporting the Tusks 

Speaking to the press today First of February, 2024, TAWA Prosecutor, Getrude Kariongi said they are appealing against the release of the suspects by the Manyara regional court in the judgment given on November 20 last year.

"After receiving a copy of the judgment, we have reviewed it and found that we have many basic reasons to appeal, because the prosecution side was satisfied with sufficient evidence that these suspects were involved in poaching" he said

She has said that in the judgment of the case of economic sabotage number 4,2023 read by the Resident Magistrate of the Manyara Regional Court, Mariam Lusewa, they have seen that the judgment is lacking, so they believe, the high court will be able to give a fair judgment.

In the judgement, Judge Lusewa said that the prosecution failed to prove the suspicions of the suspects and thus decided to release them.

She also said that the evidence given by the Republic's witnesses had failed to prove the crime beyond reasonable doubt

"We have reviewed all the judgments, we as prosecutors of TAWA and the strong lawyers of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions we are not satisfied with the decision, that is why we have decided to appeal, and we have already requested to be given a trial" She said.

She said however, despite submitting a notice of appeal, they have not yet received the proceedings of the case, since November, So they are still wait

She said there have been challenges in several cases of poaching, especially cases involving elephant Tusks in Manyara region.