By CHILA NAMAIKO –

POLICE in Pemba District in Southern Province have arrested a man for purporting to be an official from the International Catholic Church (ICC) selling registration forms to hunger-stricken households for them to receive relief food.

The suspect, who has been identified as Greyson Habwanga, 31, of an unknown abode, was found with fake ICC and Care International identity cards.

The International Catholic Church is a fabricated name of a non-existent organisation. He is currently in police custody and is expected to appear in court this week.

Pemba District Commissioner Reginald Mugoba, who confirmed the incident yesterday, said Habwanga allegedly charged the villagers K15 per form.

Outgoing Southern Province commissioner of police Charity Katanga could not be reached for a comment as her mobile phone was switched off.

The number of households duped by Habwanga could, therefore, not be immediately confirmed.

Pemba, a newly-created district by President Michael Sata, has been experiencing a hunger crisis in some areas due to poor maize yields recorded during the 2012/2013 farming season.

Mr Mugoba said the villagers in need of food were buying the forms from Habwanga who was believed to be leading a team of unscrupulous people in Pemba.

He said police found Mr Habwanga with fake identity cards and other documents bearing names of different institutions and schools.

He said the suspect used to tell villagers that if they bought the forms, ICC would immediately distribute relief food to them.

“This man has been conning villagers that his NGO will be distributing relief food to them through the forms he sold at K15 per copy which according to him was meant to cover the transportation cost of maize  from Food Reserve Agency sheds in Choma to Muzoka area in Pemba,” Mr Mugoba said.

He said Habwanga allegedly duped the villagers that his organisation had established offices in Kalomo, Kazungula and Choma districts.

At the time of the arrest, Habwanga was holding a meeting with 20 headmen in Muzoka area of Pemba in which he was asking them to buy the registration forms.

During the meeting, one headman was incensed over the charges for the forms and decided to call the District Commissioner to complain.

Mr Mugoba said it was at that point that he rushed to the meeting and found Habwanga who was taken to Pemba Police Station where he was interrogated and later arrested.