Tanzania police arrest seven in connection with gruesome murders

Dodoma. Police have arrested seven individuals in connection with the murders of three people whose bodies were exhumed from the home of a traditional healer, Nkamba Kasubi in Singida.

According to Police Spokesperson David Misime, two of the three exhumed bodies have been identified as Samwaja Said and Gidion Mnyawi, both aged 53.

The suspects in custody include Selemani Hango, Said Mangu, Nkamba Kasubi, Asha Bakari, Awadhi Wawa, Hawa Sumwa and Iddi Hussein Iddi.

Misime reported that after their arrest, Hango, Mangu and Kasubi led police and local residents to the site where they had buried Said.

Said was reportedly killed, mutilated, and then buried in a pit.

With significant public assistance, two pits were discovered on August 24, 2024. During the excavation, Mnyawi's body was found.

Mnyawi was last seen on October 15, 2023, being transported on a two-person motorcycle.

“Reports of Mnyawi’s disappearance were filed with the police. The investigation is ongoing, and forensic experts need to conduct further analysis on additional unidentified remains, which include parts of the pelvis and thighs,” Misime said.

The remains were identified with the help of Asha Migugu, the wife of Awadh Wawa, who is related to the traditional healer previously arrested.

The motive behind the murders appears to be a land dispute. Mnyawi had allegedly sold the same plot of land twice—first to Hawa Sumwa (54) and Iddi Hussein Iddi (25), and then to another buyer.

“Hawa Sumwa and Iddi Hussein Iddi reported the matter to the traditional healer, who then instructed them that Gidion Samwel needed to be sacrificed to recover their money.

This led to the planning of the murders,” Misime explained.

Salum Awadhi, another suspect, remains at large as the investigation continues.