THE ruling CCM has expressed shock and called for calm among its members following the news of Tuesday evening’s death of Christina Kibiki, its Kilolo District secretary, who was shot and killed by assailants yet to be identified.

In a statement released yesterday, CCM’s Secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Training, Amos Makalla, expressed the party’s “deep sorrow over the tragic incident”.

“CCM has received with shock the news of the death of its Kilolo District Secretary, who was killed by assailants who are yet to be identified,” he said.

The party said that Kibiki had been preparing to attend an orientation seminar for CCM secretaries in Dodoma city today.

“CCM extends its condolences to her family and relatives as well as leaders and members of the party in Iringa Region following this sudden and brutal death,” Makalla said.

“We urge our (CCM) members to remain calm as law-enforcement agencies continue to investigate this incident and bring to justice all those responsible,” he added.

Kibiki was shot in an attack near Tosamaganga, a village located in Iringa District, just outside Iringa Municipality, where she resided.

Sources reported that she was ambushed and shot and wounded between 4.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. on the outskirts of the village. She was rushed to a Tosamaganga hospital, but was soon after pronounced dead.

John Kiteve, the Kilolo District CCM chairman, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his party colleague.

“This news has deeply saddened us as a party. We are preparing for her funeral, which will take place the day after tomorrow. CCM Secretary General Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi is expected to attend to pay his respects at the event,” he said.

The incident comes just hours after police announced the start of an investigation into a widely circulated video showing two individuals attempting to forcibly haul a businessman into a vehicle at Kiluvya in suburban Dar es Salaam.

The video, which began circulating on social media on Tuesday, shows a local businessman identified as Deogratius Tarimo being restrained and manhandled while shouting for help.

A police statement released yesterday said the incident was reported by Tarimo himself at Gogoni Police Station this Monday.

Tarimo, a resident of Kibaha in the Coast Region, explained that he had been attending a business meeting with the said assailants at Rovenpic Hotel, where discussions (with him) had been going intermittently for close to three weeks.

Police spokesman David Misime confirmed in the statement that efforts were under way to apprehend the suspects, who claimed to be police officers as they sought to force Tarimo into a Toyota Raum.

“Police would like to assure the public that they will apprehend those who attempted to forcibly haul the individual (Tarimo) into the vehicle, as seen in the video footage,” the statement read, in part.

The 49-second video shows Tarimo shouting: “I’m going to be killed… Help me,” as the presumed muggers fought to force him into the car.

One of the “assailants” was heard saying: “We are police officers… Let’s go to Gogoni.” However, towards the end of the video, Tarimo manages to break free from their hold, apparently unharmed.