Court sentences two to death for murder

The High Court in Tabora has sentenced two people to death by hanging after convicting them of murder.

Charles Ngwandu and Shaban Mabala were sentenced on Friday by Judge Amir Mruma, both are accused of shooting to death two persons some six years ago.

The deceased victims are Athuman Mohamed and Shaban Masudi who were shot dead on October 27, 2008 in the Isenefu area of Uyui District in an attempt to hijack a bus.

The convicted persons were found in possession of two machine guns, 34 rounds of ammunition and uniforms belonging to the Burundi army and that were linked to the shooting. 

Reading the verdict, Judge Mruma said the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence they were charged with.

According to the charge sheet, the accused hijacked two buses on October 27, 2008 at Isenefu area. They were also alleged to have shot to death Mohamed and Masudi in the incident which occurred at around 8.00am. 

The two buses, with registration numbers T 273 AMT and T 153 AQC, were heading to Tabora from Goweko village when they were hijacked, passengers ordered to strip naked and hand over all their belongings to the robbers, the court was told.

It was alleged that in execution of their mission, the robbers fired five gunshots, killing Mohamed on the spot while Shaban died at Kitete hospital where he was undergoing treatment.

In mitigation, one of the accused, Ngwandu, pleaded with the court to have mercy on him saying he was suffering from HIV/Aids.

However, Judge Mruma ignored the plea and sentenced the two to death by hanging. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN