EU mission in Tanzania mourns top ministry of finance official

Dar es Salaam. The European Union delegation to Tanzania said today, July 31, 2019, that it was ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of the death of Mr Leopold Lwabaje, whose  body was found hanging on a tree in Mkuranga , describing him as ‘a well-respected colleague and a wonderful friend to many of us’.

In a condolence message published on its website, the delegation said the ‘tragic passing’ of the deputy national authorising officer of the programme support unit (PSU) in the Ministry of Finance and Planning ‘has been a great shock’ to them. 

Lwajabe, a father of one had gone missing for nine days before he was abandoned near his home in Tabata Kinyerezi by people he claimed had abducted him. 

On July 26, as he left his office to go to Mburahati Police Station where he was assisting the police with the investigation into his first disappearance incident, Mr Lwajabe, 56, disappeared again. He never returned home nor to his place of work. 

Three days later, on Monday July 29, Lwajabe’s body was found hanging from a mango tree near the Mkuranga District Hospital with a piece of rope around his neck.

 Here's an excerpt from the Delegation's condolences message: 

“Engineer Lwajabe was a well-respected colleague and a wonderful friend to many of us, and his tragic passing has been a great shock,” said the Delegation’s statement published today, July 31, 2019.

“His dedication to the Unit in the administration of the European Development Funds (EDF) over the years has always been appreciated and commended. His passion for his work, his jovial spirit and positive personality will always be remembered and cherished.

Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends and the Ministry of Finance and Planning, especially the Programme Support Unit. We continue to offer our support through this difficult time.”

Police in Coast Region where the late Lwajabe’s body was found says the preliminary investigations had shown that the official had committed suicide.

But they said that they will still investigate to see why he chose to travel all the way from Dar es Salaam to Mkuranga to take his life.