Ten charged with Dr Mvungi's murder

TEN suspected killers of former prominent lawyer and politician, Dr Edmund Sengondo Mvungi, appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam charged with murder.

They are Longishu Losingo (29), a resident of Kariakoo Msimbazi, who is alleged to be watchman at the deceased’s residence, Chibago Magozi (32), a businessman from Vingunguti Machinjioni, John Mayunga (56), a businessman from Kiwalani and Juma Kangungu (29), who resides at Vingunguti.

The rest are Masunga Msukuma (40), a driver residing at Kitunda, Paul Mdionondo (30), a businessman from Tabata Darajani, Mianda Mlewa (40), a businessman from Vingunguti, Zacharia Msese, a trader at Buguruni, Msigwa Matonya, who resides at Vingunguti and Ahmed Kitabu, a resident of Mwananyamala.

Before Senior Resident Magistrate Sudi Fimbo, the accused persons were not allowed to enter any plea to the charge because their case will be tried by the High Court. The court adjourned the matter to December 5 for mention. The prosecution, led by State Attorney Aida Kisumo, informed the court that investigations into the case have not been completed.

She told the court that the accused persons killed Dr Mvungi on November 3, this year, at Msakuzi Kiswegere area in Kinondoni District in the city. It is alleged that a group of suspected robbers stormed the residence of Dr Mvungi (61), who was a member of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) at night and critically wounded him when he was fighting off the machete-wielding assailants.

Several people started arriving at the court premises to witness the arraignment of the suspects after some information was circulated early yesterday morning over their appearance. The suspects were brought at the court amid tight security from fully armed police officers.

Immediately after the adjournment of the case, the accused persons were taken to a lock up briefly at the court premises before being whisked into a waiting police van and taken to remand at Segerea Prison.

Dr Mvungi was first admitted at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) intensive care unit in Dar es Salaam, but his condition remained critical, prompting the doctors to refer him to Milpark Hospital in Parktown West, Johannesburg, South Africa on November 7, this year.

Dr Mvungi, the renowned lawyer and 2005 presidential candidate under NCCR-Mageuzi ticket, died in the South African hospital on November 12, from injuries he suffered during the attack. Prior to his post as CRC Member, Dr Mvungi was Advocate of the High Court and Court of Appeal.

He was a Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public and had been a Dean of the Faculty of Law and lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam and a Board Member and Affiliation Vice-Chairman for the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT). Until his death he was Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Bagamoyo. Dr Mvungi also worked as journalist with Uhuru and Mzalendo newspapers in the 70s and 80s, before leaving to pursue law studies.

Daily News Tanzania: