MWE Correspondent
A harrowing family tragedy has ended in a courtroom as the High Court, sitting in Kisutu, sentenced 64-year-old Sophia Mwenda and her 39-year-old son, Alphonce Magombola, to death by hanging after they were found guilty of murdering a close family member.
The court ruled that the pair were responsible for the stabbing death of Beatrice Magombola, Sophia’s eldest daughter, on December 1, 2020, at their home in Kijichi, Temeke District. Following the murder, Beatrice’s body was reportedly abandoned in Zinga, Bagamoyo District, in the Coast Region.
According to statements recorded at Oysterbay Police Station, Sophia admitted to killing her daughter to prevent her from testifying in a legal dispute over the sale of a family house in Mbeya, which she and Alphonce had sold without consulting other family members. The property fetched 45 million Tanzanian shillings, with Sophia receiving 12 million and Alphonce taking the remainder, while Beatrice’s sister, Rachel, received just 1 million.
Principal Resident Magistrate Mary Mrio, who had been granted special jurisdiction to hear the case, delivered the verdict on September 30, 2025. She emphasized that under Tanzanian law, murder carries a mandatory death sentence.
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“In view of this, the Court sentences Sophia and Alphonce to death by hanging. The right of appeal remains open should you wish to challenge this judgment,” Magistrate Mrio said.
Legal experts note that the case highlights the extreme consequences that can arise from unresolved family disputes over property. Civil society groups have also weighed in, urging the justice system to ensure all procedures are strictly followed and calling for broader discussions about the use of capital punishment in Tanzania.
Observers say the appeals process could become a critical stage in the case, offering the defendants an opportunity to challenge both procedural and evidentiary aspects of the trial. Meanwhile, the case has captured nationwide attention, drawing discussions about family conflicts, financial disagreements, and the responsibilities of parents in extreme circumstances.
The verdict marks a stark reminder of the fragility of familial trust and the devastating impact of domestic disputes, while prompting a wider conversation about justice, accountability, and the role of courts in resolving conflicts that tragically spiral out of control.
