Dar es Salaam: Makongoro joined in murder charge

BY KARAMA KENYUNKO

Makongoro  Joseph Nyerere, a businessman, yesterday appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam charged with the murder of fellow businessman, Onesphory Kitoli.

Makongoro, nephew to the Father of the Nation Mwalimu JK Nyerere, has been implicated along with another prominent businessman, Marijani Msofe, alias ‘Papaa Msofe’ who is facing the same charge.

The prosecution led by State Attorney Charles Anindo read the charge before resident Magistrate Agnes Mchome claiming that on November 6, 2011 in Magomeni Mapipa, Dar es Salaam, the accused Nyerere murdered Kituli against section cha 196 of penal code of 2002.

Anindo informed the court that the investigations had not been completed and requested an adjournment to February 20, next week.

Msofe is facing the same charges of killing Kituli over an alleged transaction feud over a loan exetended by the accused to the victim and secured by the latter’s house. While the motive has been clearly implicated, the ‘cause of death, (COD) that is the method used to commit the capital offence has not been made public nor whether the murder weapon has been recovered or not.

This was Makongoro’s first appearance in court and as such he was not allowed to enter any plea and remains in custody since in Tanzania, there is no bail on murder cases.

It is alleged that, Papaa Msofe gave 30m/- to Kituli and placed his house as security but claims have it that, Msofe and unidentified accomplices begun issuing ‘threats’ to the late Kituli over the matter.

Following the continued harassment, Kituli filed a case against Msofe and it is after that attempt to seek legal protection that ironically Kituli was later found dead in front of his own house, again ironically which he placed as ‘security’ on the very day judgment was due to be delivered on the harassment suit.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (14/02/2013): http://ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=51228