THE High Court of Tanzania, Mtwara Zone, has delivered a landmark ruling, sentencing two police officers to death by hanging after finding them guilty of the murder of a prominent mineral trader, Mussa Hamisi.

The convicted officers have been identified as Gilbert Kalanje, who previously held the position of District Criminal Investigation Officer (OC-CID), and Charles Onyango, the former Officer-in-Charge of the Police Station. 

The grave verdict was pronounced yesterday by Judge Hamidu Mwanga of the Dar es Salaam Zone High Court, who had been presiding over the case on behalf of the Mtwara High Court.

In his comprehensive ruling, Judge Mwanga asserted that the evidence presented before the court against the two police officers was not only sufficient but also unequivocally proved their direct and undeniable involvement in the murder. 

The court heard details indicating that Mussa Hamisi was initially arrested by the  officers under arbitrary charges, and his body was subsequently discovered, bearing marks of a brutal killing.

"The court is satisfied beyond any reasonable doubt that the two defendants, Gilbert Kalanje and Charles Onyango, were directly involved in the murder of Mussa Hamisi," Judge Mwanga declared with solemnity as he read the judgment. "According to the law, the only penalty for this grave offense is death by hanging."

Concurrently, five other police officers who had also been facing charges in connection with the same case were acquitted. Their acquittal came after the court determined that the evidence presented against them was insufficient to secure a conviction.

 The court specifically highlighted that there was no direct or credible evidence that conclusively proved these specific officers participated in the commission of the crime.

This significant court decision has drawn widespread attention and commendation from various legal analysts. Many view it as a powerful testament to the Tanzanian judiciary's commitment to ensuring that justice is served impartially, irrespective of the accused's official status. 

The ruling sends a resolute message that state organs are not exempt from the rule of law. The tragic murder of the mineral trader had previously ignited widespread outrage and intense public debate among the residents of Mtwara and across the nation. 

The incident had deeply saddened many, who expressed profound dismay over the involvement of public servants in such egregious human rights violations. The victim's family, human rights activists, and the community at large had consistently demanded strict and decisive action against all those responsible for the heinous act.