(Dodoma) – Two young suspects have been arrested for allegedly breaking the windows of a high-speed train with stones.
Police in Dodoma have arrested two minors, aged 16 and 12, for allegedly throwing stones that shattered two windows of a high-speed train. The incident occurred on the afternoon of November 22, 2024, in Manase Village, Chamwino District, as the train was traveling from Dar es Salaam.
According to a statement released by the police, the suspects, identified as Erasto Michael Richard (16) and Hassan Ndahani (12), admitted they threw the stones to see if they could match the speed of the moving train. Both suspects are residents of Manase Village.
The authorities have urged residents in areas near the high-speed railway to be vigilant in protecting public infrastructure. “Parents and guardians must educate their families, especially children, to avoid activities that could damage rail infrastructure or lead to legal consequences,” the statement said.
This is not the first case involving damage to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) system. On November 11, police in Dodoma reported the arrest of two suspects from Kilosa for allegedly sabotaging railway infrastructure. The October 3 incident occurred in Msagali Village, Mpwapwa District, where suspects were accused of cutting and stealing copper wires from three railway bridges. In a separate operation, four individuals were arrested in Bahi District for allegedly damaging and stealing copper cables from the SGR electric train project.
The government has repeatedly emphasized the importance of safeguarding infrastructure projects that serve the public good. Police have continued to conduct awareness campaigns to highlight the legal consequences of such actions and the broader impact on national development.
Incident Summary
| Date | Location | Incident | Suspects |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 22 | Manase Village, Chamwino | Stones thrown at train, breaking windows | Erasto Michael Richard (16), Hassan Ndahani (12) |
| October 3 | Msagali Village, Mpwapwa | Copper wires cut and stolen | Two unidentified suspects |
| Various Dates | Bahi District | Copper cable theft from SGR project | Four unidentified suspects |
Currency Conversion
No financial damages were mentioned in this case. However, copper theft incidents in similar cases have resulted in significant losses to the government.