Mwibara Member of Parliament (CCM), Alphaxard Lugola

Mwibara Member of Parliament (CCM) Alphaxard Lugola yesterday accused a police officer with the Police Force headquarters in Dar es Salaam of conniving with a syndicate of armed robbers.

The legislator claimed that the suspect (name withheld) “is releasing secrete information” about people owning guns to criminals, who later steal the weapons and use them in armed robberies.

“There are criminals within the (police) force…they have been colluding with criminals by giving secrete information to armed robbers,” Lugola told the House when debating Home Affairs ministry budget estimates for the 2012/13 financial year.

According to him, the policeman was a clear evidence of such police officers operating at the force’s headquarters. “He leads a syndicate of criminals using guns. I have evidence…I am ready to provide the evidence on this matter,” assured Lugola, who previously served as police officer.

He advised the force to make a thorough investigation to uncover what he described as, ‘dirty games’ by few unprofessional and dishonest police officers tarnishing its image.

In an interview outside the parliament debating chamber, Lugola said: “I have decided to risk my life for the sake of my country. There are several people who have died (because of armed robberies)…I know one day I will die too…”

Reached for comments, Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Robert Manumba said: “I cannot comment on the matter at the moment…we’ll work on it and let the public know”.

Debating Home Affairs ministry budget estimates yesterday, other MPs blasted the government over failure to equip the Police Force with modern equipment to check crime incidents.

The MPs from both camps [ruling party and the opposition] complained about poor working conditions facing police officers, whom they said have been serving the country for a very little pay.

Ludewa MP Deo Filikunjombe faulted the government for abandoning the Ludewa Prison. “Walls of the prison are full of cracks, no body bothers to repair them. The prison lacks a kitchen. How do these people, though they are prisoners, survive?” he queried.

Home Affairs minister Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi said in his budget speech that the ministry planned to provide police officers with modern houses.

He said an assessment conducted recently indicated that a total of 32,114 houses are needed for all police officers to stay in camps at their duty stations.

The minister requested the House to approve 555,540,268,000/- for his ministry for the 2012/13 fiscal year.