Police in Mwanza Region are holding eight people in connection with the killing of seven people from the family of Eugine Philipo (60), a resident of Sima Village in Sengerema District.
The Regional Police Commander (RPC) for Mwanza, Mr Ahmedi Msangi, said that due to intelligence issues the names of the suspects are being held, for the benefit of investigations.
“A total of eight people had been arrested until Thursday in connection with the incident that occurred at Sima Village in Sengerema District and I am not going to reveal their names because investigations into the matter are still ongoing,” said Mr Msangi.
He called on the people to collaborate with the police and government offices at all times by giving necessary information upon suspecting anyone who seems to have been involved in criminality.
Explaining how the incident occurred, the RPC said that Mama Philipo was attacked by three strangers who had invaded her house wielding machetes. The attackers struck while she was asleep.
After invading the house the attackers used the machetes to hack the family members into pieces and killed them on the spot. The deceased are Eugenia Kwitema (62), Maria Philipo (56), Yohana Mabula (20), Leonard Alloys (12), Mkiwa Philipo (13) and two servants of the family identified by one name as Donald and Samson.
The attackers went into the servant’s quarter and slashed the two boys they found there to pieces. After they were satisfied that the two boys were dead, the killers approached the main house where the first person they faced was the mother, Eugenia Kwitema, whom they told to surrender money.
Trying to bargain for her life Mama Kwitema said she had only 40,000/- with her but the killers were furious over the “small amount” and threatened to kill her instantly unless she gave them more money.
Helplessly and hopelessly, she had pleaded for time to pray and say a last word to the rest of the family members in the house. The attackers would have none of that and instead proceeded to attack her, killing her on the spot.
The youngest child in the household escaped death rather miraculously. On Thursday, Sengerema authorities pledged to meet the burial cost of the bodies of the seven family members who were killed on Tuesday night.
The decision to support burial arrangements was reached after the Mwanza Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr John Mongela, directed district authorities to meet the cost for transport and coffins.
“I am equally shocked by the killings. But we have first to see how we can assist the remaining members of the family to meet some of the costs. Seven coffins are ready for the burial,” pointed Mr Mongela.
The Sengerema District Commissioner (DC), Ms Zainab Telack, could only link the incident to witchcraft, cautioning the villagers to avoid taking the law into their hands.
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