POLICE in Mpanda District, Katavi Region are holding four people who exchanged punches inside Kawajense Mosque, thus causing chaos after last Friday's prayers.

According to Katavi Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Dhahiri Kidavashari, the fracas started after the suspects started quarrelling among themselves over who was the right Imam to lead the prayers, a move that led them to physical confrontations.

The RPC named them as Juma Mazomba(32), Ibrahimu Rashid(42), Mussa Hamis (27) and Husein Omary (32), all residents from Kawajense Street in Mpanda town. According to RPC, the incident occurred at around 1:15 pm at Kawajense Namba Mbili mosque, when the four suspects entered the mosque and started claiming they had the right to lead the prayers.

It was further claimed that some faithful who attended the prayers went out and later returned armed with some traditional weapons including machetes and clubs.

"We were timely informed about the incident and the anti- riot-squad swiftly rushed to the scene and successfully contained the situation," explained the RPC. According to him, the four suspects are still in hands of police for interrogations and they would soon be arraigned once preliminary investigations are completed.