How foiled fuel theft led to violent assault on SGR contractor in Tanzania

Tabora. The Tabora Regional Police Force is holding eight people in connection with the assault of a Chinese national, Wang Guo Liang, 50, a contractor with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) implementing the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project in Mpigwa Village, Urambo District.

Delivering the update on Friday, September 11, 2026, Tabora Regional Police Commander Twaha Lulengelule stated that initial arrests included Godlisten Molel (27), Baraka Migire (26), Thomas Sanga (28), and Aman Kudra (32), all residents of Urambo District.

“We have arrested them and initial interviews have been conducted, but investigations are ongoing to ensure appropriate legal action is taken,” he said.

According to the regional police chief, the suspects confessed during questioning, claiming Wang had repeatedly thwarted their attempts to steal fuel and infrastructure materials from the SGR project site.