Dar actress Lulu denies killing actor Kanumba

BONGO Movie Actress, Elizabeth Michael Kimemeta, alias Lulu, denied killing her lover, Steven Kanumba, when she was arraigned at the High Court in Dar es Salaam.

She had been summoned to the court to answer a manslaughter charge she is facing following the death of Kanumba in 2012. Judge Rose Temba, who conducted the proceedings, adjourned the matter to next session when the full trial will take off.

Before adjournment of the trial, Senior State Attorney Monica Mbogo presented memorandum of facts, detailing how the offence was committed and disclosed that only four witnesses would be called by the prosecution to substantiate the allegations against Lulu.

She also tendered two exhibits, including a sketch plan of the scene of crime and the postmortem report, revealing that Kanumba died because of cardio respiratory failure due to increase of intracranial pressure with tonsilor herbiation of brain following traumatic brain concussion.

On the other hand, advocates Peter Kibatala and Fulgence Masawe, for the accused person informed the court that their client would call five witnesses to dispute the charge, though she admitted some of facts presented by the prosecution, notably her relationship with Kanumba.

Lulu is charged with murdering without intention a former local movie star Steven Kanumba on April 7, 2012, at Sinza Vatican. Kanumba was said to have been embroiled in a brawl with his girlfriend at his home.

Reading the memorandum of facts, the prosecutor alleged that on the material day, Kanumba spent a day at his home together with his young brother Seth Bosco. At around mid night, Kanumba told his young brother to prepare for outing.

“While preparing themselves, the accused person came and upon entering the house she went straight to the deceased room,” the prosecutor alleged. She went on, “After some few minutes, the deceased young brother heard the deceased and accused person quarreling.”

According to the prosecutor, Bosco also heard the deceased complaining as to why Lulu was talking to her boyfriend in his presence. Thereafter, she alleged, the quarrel went on and latter fighting whereas the accused person was heard crying.

“The deceased’s young brother approached the deceased bed room door and saw the accused person trying to force herself out of the room, but was pulled inside by the deceased and the door was locked from inside by the deceased,” the prosecutor further alleged.

Shortly later, she said, the accused person got out of the room and informed Bosco that Kanumba had fallen down. Bosco quickly entered the room and found his brother lying on the floor unconscious. He immediately informed Kanumba’s private doctor one Palpas Kageiya on the matter.

The deceased’s doctor rushed to the scene and upon examining Kanumba he realized he was already dead, but did not disclose such situation to Bosco. Instead, he advised that Kanumba should be taken to the Hospital.

When all such events were happening, Lulu had already left the place. At Muhimbili National Hospital where Kanumba was taken, the doctors examined his body and later he was pronounced dead.

The incidence was reported at Salender Bridge Police Station and later at Oysterbay Police Station. Lulu was arrested the same night at Bamaga area.

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