CRACKDOWN NETS 510 ‘PANYA ROAD’ SUSPECTS

Dar es Salaam.  Over 500 suspects have been arrested after gangs of youths known as “Panya Road” rampaged through some parts of Dar es Salaam last Friday, police said yesterday.

 

Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Suleiman Kova displays pictures of suspected leaders of “Panya Road” criminal gangs during a briefing yesterday.   PHOTO | VENANCE NESTORY  

Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Suleiman Kova said 510 suspects, including three ringleaders, were arrested during a security crackdown.

He added that most of the suspects were arrested at bus stops and hangouts (vijiwe) while others were seized from their homes.  Several kilogrammes of bhang and 150 litres were of the illicit liquor gongo were also impounded during the operation.

Mr Kova said police would continue to target criminals in all three districts of the region.

“I would like to assure the public that we are working to stamp out ‘Panya Road’ and other criminal gangs terrorising law-abiding residents of this region.  We will sustain this security drive,” he said.

The police boss added that preliminary investigations had established that whenever a gang member dies the three ringleaders, who are now in custody, mobilise their accomplices to loot shops and rob homes after burial.

He added that the suspects would remain in custody during the course of the ongoing investigations.

“I have directed officers that there should be no police bail out for ‘Panya Road’ suspects.  We are doing this to maintain  peace and make sure that no-one interferes with the investigations.”

Mr Kova also cautioned people using social media and bodaboda drivers against sowing panic and fear by spreading rumours.

“People spread lies that “Panya Road” had invaded many areas and were wreaking havoc.  This understandably led to panic among many city residents.  Many people closed their shops and fled despite the fact that there were no “Panya Road” anywhere near their areas.  The culprits who spread the rumours were mainly  social media users and bodaboda drivers.”

Police arrested 36 suspects on Friday following reports that marauding gangs of youths were robbing people in some parts of the city.

Traders closed their businesses early, while people rushed home for fear of being attacked by the young thugs .

 There were reports of people fleeing their homes and spending the night elsewhere out of fear.

However, it later emerged that the “Panya Road” threat had been grossly exaggerated through the social media and text messages.