Five defendants were accused in the murder of Milembe Suleman, 43, who was killed on April 26, 2023, by a sharp object. Photo: Courtesy.
Tanzania’s High-Stakes Trials Grip Geita: Verdicts and Vigilance Shape Community’s Future
By Adonis Byemelwa
The Geita High Court’s second session continues today 3rd July 2024, hearing various murder cases in the town of Geita. Notably, Anold Shemasi was sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty of deliberately killing his one-month-old daughter, Anna Shemas, because she did not resemble him.
This session began on June 18, 2024, and has seen the court presided over by Principal Judge Kevin Mhina.
Among the cases heard is that of five defendants accused of murdering Milembe Suleman, 43, who was killed on April 26, 2023, by being struck with a sharp object. One defendant was acquitted due to insufficient evidence, while the remaining four await sentencing on July 19, 2024.
Defendants Dayfath Maunga, Safari Lubingo, Genja Pastory, and Musa Pastory were found to have a case to answer following testimonies from 29 witnesses and the presentation of 19 exhibits. The accused defended themselves in court.
In another case, the court acquitted Stephano Mlenda, 31, a resident of Chigunga, Geita District, who was charged with accidentally killing his nine-year-old son.
Mlenda admitted to the unintended killing, stating he was disciplining his son for stealing 700 shillings to buy soda. Judge Mhina clarified that the intent was to punish, not kill.
As well, four defendants accused of murdering Alphonce Mawazo, the former chairman of Chadema in Geita Region, were released after the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the case. This followed a June 18, 2024, order for a retrial by the Court of Appeal in Mwanza, citing legal flaws in the original trial process.
The court also freed Bahati Shija, accused of intentionally killing his wife, Grace Daud, by striking her on the head with a metal object after she refused reconciliation. Shija was acquitted due to the prosecution’s failure to prove his guilt.
Currently, the court, under Judge Graffin Mwakapeje, is hearing the case of Zephania Ndalawa, accused of strangling Thomas Masumbuko, contrary to sections 196 and 197 of the Penal Code, revised in 2022.
On November 6, 2023, Geita’s regional police force launched the “Talk to Them” campaign to educate the public and curb violence and murder in the community.
Geita ranks fifth in Tanzania for such incidents. Regional Commissioner Martine Shigela inaugurated the campaign at the EPZA hall in Geita, with Regional Police Commander ACP Safia Jongo highlighting that witchcraft beliefs in mining areas are a major cause of violence.
“Suspects often admit to committing violence due to witchcraft beliefs, such as being told by a traditional healer that raping a three-year-old would result in finding gold,” said ACP Jongo.
“This campaign aims to educate miners on modern mining practices to eliminate such harmful beliefs and reduce violence in the community.”
ACP Jongo noted a decline in murder cases from 49 last year to 32 this year. “For example, last year we had 49 murder cases by October, but this year, we have 32.
Although there is a positive trend, cases of rape decreased from 86 last year to 75 this year, sodomy cases dropped from 7 to 6, assault cases decreased from 26 to 21, and school pregnancies reduced from 27 to 25.”
Commissioner Shigela urged all leaders, from village chairpersons to ten-house representatives of the ruling party, to ensure gender-based violence and child abuse are controlled in their areas.
Activists committed to combating violence expressed their readiness to support the police in eradicating such acts from the community. “If we unite, both those fighting against violence and those committing it can be educated to eliminate these acts from our society,” emphasized Anuary Aziz, a prominent activist against gender-based violence.
Meanwhile, as the Geita High Court continues its second session, grappling with complex murder cases and delivering pivotal judgments, the community remains engaged in the effort to address underlying issues contributing to violence.
With ongoing trials shaping legal precedents and public discourse, the collaborative efforts of activists, law enforcement, and local leaders are crucial in fostering a safer environment for all residents of Geita.
