Man sentenced to death for killing three siblings in Arusha

Arusha. A man has been sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty of murdering three siblings—Ester Matei, Lydia Matei, and Anjela Barnaba—in a brutal stabbing attack in Mchangani Village, Arusha, in 2022.

The murders took place on September 18, 2022, when Anjela, along with her cousins Ester and Lydia, visited their father’s grave to clean it. 

The trio discovered that there was no cross on the grave, prompting them to search for one in nearby areas. It was at this point that they encountered Raymond Milanzi, who, according to reports, had a land dispute with the deceased.

Milanzi allegedly confronted the victims and ordered them to leave. A violent altercation ensued, during which Milanzi struck Ester with the back of an axe. 

Shortly after, Milanzi returned with another man, Matei, and they both attacked the three women. Ester was stabbed in the chest, Anjela was stabbed in the right armpit, and Lydia was also fatally injured. The victims later died from their wounds.

Court ruling

The Mtwara High Court, in a ruling delivered on April 4, 2025, found Raymond Milanzi guilty of the murders and sentenced him to death by hanging. Judge Martha Mpaze, who presided over the case, said the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to prove Milanzi’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

In her judgment, Judge Mpaze noted that while there was no direct evidence linking Milanzi to the crime, the circumstantial evidence, including witness testimonies, strongly pointed to his involvement. 

She also highlighted the possible connection between the murders and an ongoing land dispute between Milanzi and the victims.

Key testimonies

Hebeti, the daughter of Anjela, was a key witness in the case. She testified that she ran to the village to seek help after hearing the attacks. Upon returning to the scene, she found all three victims dead.

A forensic pathologist, Dr Rajab Nasoro, testified that all three victims died from severe blood loss caused by multiple stab wounds. Ester’s chest wound was 7 cm long, Lydia’s wound was 6 cm by 4 cm, and Anjela’s wound was 6 cm by 4 cm.

The Chairperson of Machinda Hamlet, Anjelina Joseph, also provided crucial testimony. 

She was informed of the killings by a passerby and later accompanied police to Milanzi’s home, where a knife, believed to be the weapon used in the attack, was found. However, this knife was not presented as evidence in court.

The investigating officer, Sargent Boaz,  said that Milanzi voluntarily surrendered to the police on the day of the murders, confessed to the crime and provided a statement after being informed of his legal rights.

The defence

During the trial, Milanzi denied the charges, claiming that the case was fabricated due to a land dispute. 

He alleged that he had encountered the victims and other individuals at the scene, and a fight broke out. 

He claimed that the victims were injured during this altercation and that he had nothing to do with their deaths.

However, Judge Mpaze rejected this defence, stating that Milanzi’s violent actions demonstrated premeditation and malice. She noted that the victims were elderly women who were physically vulnerable and that Milanzi’s actions were brutal and callous.

Conclusion

Judge Mpaze concluded that Milanzi’s actions were deliberate, and his defence of self-defence was unfounded. She reaffirmed the death sentence, stating that the severity of the crime warranted the ultimate penalty.

Raymond Milanzi’s right to appeal the decision was explained, and the judgment was made available on the court’s online platform.