Arusha. The High Court Sub-Registry in Musoma has sentenced Ndisi Maswi to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murdering his neighbour, Ms Suzana Zacharia, by inflicting multiple injuries on her body with a machete.
The murder allegedly occurred on the afternoon of March 12, 2024, in the Kyabakari area of Serengeti District, Mara Region, where the accused was alleged to have attacked Ms Zacharia, accusing her of bewitching his wife.
Judge Kamazima Kafanabo, who heard the case, delivered the verdict on Thursday, September 10, 2026, with a copy later uploaded to the Court's website.
The judge said that after reviewing evidence from both sides, he found the accused guilty of murder and sentenced him to death by hanging.
How the incident happened
Mr Maswi was charged with murder contrary to sections 196 and 197 of the Penal Code.
Ms Zacharia was alleged to have sustained several injuries to her head and other parts of her body, including the severing of four fingers on her left hand.
The prosecution claimed the accused met Ms Zacharia and began attacking her, slashing her on various parts of her body.
Even when she cried out for help, Mr Maswi allegedly continued attacking her.
It was claimed that when police arrived at the scene, Ms Zacharia was taken to hospital unconscious and later died.
On March 17, 2024, Mr Maswi was arrested and taken to Mugumu Police Station.
To prove its case, the prosecution called seven witnesses and tendered six exhibits.
In his defence, the accused relied on an alibi, claiming he was not at the scene.
He said he had left his home in Kyabakari, Mugumu, and gone to Msongo village in Serengeti to weed his farm, where he stayed until March 17, 2024.
He also denied knowing the first, fourth, sixth and seventh witnesses.
Judge's decision
After hearing evidence from both parties, Judge Kafanabo said that in criminal cases, the burden of proof lies with the Republic, including proving the charge and whether the accused had malice aforethought.
Judge Kafanabo said the evidence clearly showed that Ms Zacharia had died and that her death was unnatural.
The judge said, according to the testimony of the second witness, Ms Zacharia’s husband, he heard noises near his house and, upon going outside, found his wife lying down with injuries that caused heavy bleeding.
He said the witness testified that his wife was taken to Serengeti District Hospital in Kibeyo and that he was later informed she had died.
The judge said the third witness, who examined the deceased's body, confirmed four injuries, including wounds to the head, and that four fingers on her left hand had been severed.
The witness concluded that the cause of death was heavy bleeding.
The judge said that, based on the evidence, the Court held that the prosecution had proved that Ms Zacharia died an unnatural death.
Regarding who caused the death, Judge Kafanabo said the Court reviewed the evidence and found the testimony of the first witness, who claimed to have found the accused attacking Ms Zacharia.
He said even when the witness tried to rescue her, he failed because the accused threatened to attack him.
The judge explained that the witness recognised the accused because he was his customer and bought second-hand clothes from him. He also recognised Suzana because she was his customer and often passed near their houses while he was conducting his business. The accused and deceased were neighbours.
The judge said the fourth witness, Mr Samuel Marwa, a friend of the accused, testified that he went to see the accused on March 17, 2026, and that Mr Maswi told him he had killed Ms Zacharia because she had bewitched his wife.
Judge Kafanabo said the accused, in additional statements, admitted attacking Ms Zacharia, while the fifth witness testified that the accused told him he had hidden the machete used to kill Ms Zacharia on a rocky hill outside Mtongori's house.
After analysing all the evidence, the court said the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Maswi was the person who killed Ms Zacharia.
The judge said the use of a machete, the number and severity of the injuries, and the severing of the deceased's four fingers showed that the accused intended to cause death or grievous harm.
“Considering the above, this court holds that the accused planned early to kill Suzana,” said Judge Kafanabo.
The judge said that, since the accused had been convicted of murder, the law prescribed death by hanging as the punishment.
"Considering the foregoing, the accused Ndisi has been found guilty of Suzana's murder and is sentenced to death by hanging," he said.
