A Tanzanian gospel singer is facing manslaughter charges after he was accused of killing his wife in cold blood with a knife and an ax.
Appearing before Arusha Resident Magistrate Nestory Baro, the singer – Mosses Pallangyo- pleaded not guilty after he was arraigned over the brutal murder of his wife Mary Mushi,29, on December 25, 2019.
According to the Regional Police Commander Jonathan Shanna, police officers laid a trap for the Ilkiushin native and nabbed him on December 28 while reportedly on his way to a hideout in Kenya.
“Chanzo kamili cha ugomvi hakijulikani lakini taarifa za awali zianaeleza huenda ni wivu wa mapenzi,” said Shanna.
Speaking after the arrest, Latieli Pallangyo – the father of the Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania singer, revealed that the incident occurred less than three months after the young couple moved in together.
“Hapakuwa na Ugomvi wowote na walitegemea kusherehekea sikukuu ya Krisimasi vizuri. Mara baada ya Mary kupika chai aliendelea na shuguli za kawaida mpaka mauti yalipomfika kwa kupigwa na shoka chumbani kwake,” he said.
In a twist, Mushi’s kin insisted that dowry must be paid before laying her to rest and demanded a fine of Sh 5 million.
“Moses hakuwai kulipa mahari ya kuishi na ndugu yetu. Sasa kwa utaratibu, licha ya kilichotokea, lazima mahari ilipwe kwa ndugu ili marehemu azikwe,” said one of Mushis’s brothers, Jerimiah Peter.
A position shared by her eldest sister, Jennifer Pallangyo who added: “Ni ukweli Moses alikua hajalipa mahari. Sasa kwa taratibu zetu, huwezi kumzika binti kabla hajalipiwa mahari. Wazee wanakutana nyumbani kwa mary ili kujua mahari ndipo mwili uzikwe.”
Speaking at the funeral on January 3, District Commissioner Jerry Muro urged the two families to let the law take its course.
“Tujifunze kusamehe. Mungu anataka tusameheane kwa kila jambo. Hivyo msiba huu uziunganishe familia mbili za Pallangyo na Mushi,” he said, adding that, “Lazima haki pia itatendeka. Hayo mengine tuwaachie polisi,”
Mosses Pallangyo was remanded in Kisongo Central Prison until January 28 when the case will be heard. The deceased left behind a daughter.
