I quarrelled with Kanumba: Lulu

Dar es Salaam. A local actress, Ms Elizabeth Michael aka Lulu, yesterday confessed to have quarrelled with star actor Steven Kanumba but she denied to have caused his death.

Lulu made the plea yesterday at the High Court when manslaughter charges were read against her by senior state attorney Monica Mbogo.

Lulu is charged with unintentional killing of Kanumba on April 7, 2012 at his Sinza Vatican home in Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam. “I admit that we had a quarrel on that night but I deny causing his death,” Lulu told the Court.

Lulu, led by his advocate, Mr Peter Kibatala, also admitted that she had a relationship with Kanumba.

Reading memorandum of facts, Ms Mbogo alleged that the accused and deceased had a romantic relationship and that it was on that basis that the accused was welcome to visit the home of the deceased. On the fateful day, Kanumba and his younger brother, Mr Seth Bosco, were preparing to go out when Lulu entered the house and went straight to Kanumba’s room. After a short while, Mr Bosco heard a heated argument between Kanumba and Lulu. He claimed to hear Kanumba questioning Lulu why she took another man’s call while they were together.

According to reports, Seth witnessed as Lulu attempted to get outside the room but was refrained by Kanumba who pulled her back. After a while, Ms Mbogo told the Court, Lulu informed Seth that Kanumba had fallen. Seth then went in Kanumba’s room only to find him lying down. He had to call Kanumba’s private doctor who after examining the victim found him dead.

During the hearing of the case, prosecution intends to call four witnesses while the defence has lined up five witnesses along with two exhibits to substantiate the defence.

Lulu was first arraigned at Kisutu Resident Magistrates’ Court in April, 2012, where she was charged with murder. She was then not allowed to enter any plea as murder cases are only tried by the High Court. She was remanded in prison for almost seven Months before prosecution amended the charges to manslaughter whereby in January 2013, the High Court released her on bail on the condition of securing two sureties who are government employees.

The two sureties were required to sign a bond worth Sh20 million each.