Fresh probe ordered into teacher ‘killing’ pupil incident

Dar es Salaam/Bukoba. A forensic pathologist from Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) has been sent to Bukoba Municipality to investigate the circumstances in which a Standard Five pupil at Kibeta Primary School was allegedly beaten to death by his teacher.

The pupil, Sperius Eradius, 13, was reported dead following a heavy punishment from one of his teachers.

The Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ms Ummy Mwalimu, said yesterday that an “independent” pathologist had been sent to the district to investigate the matter.

The ministry’s decision comes after the family of the deceased said they were going to abandon the body of their beloved child at the hospital mortuary pending independent postmortem by doctors from outside the region.Pupil’s guardian Rev Justus Balilemwa told The Citizen via mobile phone that the family was waiting for an independent postmortem promised by the police.

The family opposed a preliminary report of findings released by Kagera Regional Medical Officer-in charge, Dr John Mwombeki which said that the pupil’s body was found to have marks that indicated he had been beaten few days before the teacher’s punishment.

“We haven’t buried him [the deceased] yet because we are waiting for an independent postmortem by doctors from Bugando or Muhimbili National Hospital,” said Rev Balilemwa. Today, Ms Mwalimu said, “I have heard the family complaints that they did not trust the report by the regional authorities. My ministry has sent an independent pathologist and is already on the ground.”

The minister, in addition, condemned the act that was committed against the child.