KAGERA (Tanzania), Jan 19 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — FOUR people appeared before the Biharamulo District Magistrate’s Court on for allegedly poisoning food that caused the death of seven children from the same family.
State Attorney Editha Tuka named the accused as Jenipher Nyakidi (19), Mernes Petro (22), and Hassan George (47)-all residents of Biharamulo District’s Nyakanazi village and Emmanuel Julius (31) a resident of Bugengere village in Geita Region.
She told the court that the four accused jointly colluded to poison the food that was consumed by the seven children from the same family, who died on diverse dates between Nov 13 and Nov 17, 2023.
Biharamulo District Magistrate Subira Mashambo ordered the accused to be remanded in custody, noting that the murder case will be tried before the High Court at a later date to be fixed by the High Court Deputy Registrar. He adjourned the case until Jan 29, this year for another mention.
Speaking last week on the arrest of the quartet, Kagera Regional Police Commander Assistant Commissioner (ACP) Blasius Chatanda said that initial investigations revealed that the crime was committed as revenge on the family of Lazaro Sinabanka (61) after accusing them of stealing their chicken.
According to ACP Chatanda, police acted swiftly after four children died and managed to recover an insecticide (Blazion) hidden at Jenipher’s home.
“When the suspects, Jenipher Nyakidi (19) and Mernes Petro (22), became aware that police were on their heels, they escaped to neighbouring Burundi and later went hiding at the house of their brother identified as Emmanuel Julius (31), a resident of Mbogwe District’s Bugengere village in Geita Region, he said.
The RPC said food samples eaten by the children were later taken to the Chief Government Chemist, who confirmed that the victims had eaten food containing Blazion.
ACP Chatanda named the deceased children as Melisa Lazaro (11), a Standard Two pupil at Muungano Primary School, Melines Lazaro (9), who was in Nursery, Kahindi Samson (9), Happiness Lazaro (12), Brian Ezekiel (3), Josephina Juma (5) and Melciana Lazaro (11).
He explained that four other members of the family survived after receiving timely treatment at the Biharamulo District Designated Hospital (DDH). — NNN-DAILYNEWS
