How Mvungi hit attackers, says relative

Dar es Salaam.Constitutional Review Commissioner Sengondo Mvungi did not allow himself to get easily intimidated by the robbers who broke into his house in the wee hours of Sunday. He fought back. His family members said yesterday.

In fact the robbers started hitting Dr Mvungi in earnest after he injured one suspect on the left eye, granddaughter Dorice Mvungi told The Citizen yesterday.

“This made them very angry to the extent that they started slashing granddad while dragging him to the kitchen,” narrated Dorice.

As new details emerged yesterday on the attack of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) memberwho is also renowned lawyer and politician, Dr Mvungi police also disclosed that they are holding six people in connection with the attack. The suspects are said to have been arrested at Mpigi Magohe area, Dr Mvungi’s neighbourhoods, according to the Dar es Salaam special zone police Commissioner Suleiman Kova.

The suspects were also found with 17 pellets of bhang and 15 litres of illicit brew.

“We are still interrogating them. The manhunt is on. We will arrest all those connected to the attack. We are working closely with the police in Coast region because the area is at the border between Dar es Salaam and Coast,” said Kova refusing to name the suspects for fear of jeopardizing investigations.

Narrating further on how the attack happened family members say that Dr Mvungi had been awakened by the noise of explosives that turned out to be fireworks used by the robbers to scare away neigbours. But as he left the room to check out what was happening he met four people dragging an employee of Dr Mvungi, Mr Hoza Simon, who they had waylaid on his way back home just past midnight. Two robbers had remained outside keeping watch of neighbours.

Neighbourhood is safe

The Mpigi Magohe area in Kibamba suburb where Dr Mvungi has lived for years now is considered as a safe place neighbours and family members said yesterday.

“We have been experiencing petty theft, not armed robbery and barbarism of this kind where a person is being slashed,” a neighbour Ms Salome Emmanuel said.

In fact Dr Mvungi had not thought of putting up any security mechanisms in his five acres compound.

The Citizen visited the residence yesterday. There were no security guards. The compound is not gated. It is a sprawling one where Dr Mvungi, the 2005 presidential candidate on the NCCR-Mageuzi ticket, keep livestock, maintains vegetable gardens and two fishponds and dotted with mango trees.

On the advice of his family members Dr Mvungi had started putting up fense surround the house.

Dr Mvungi’s health

Meanwhile, the health of Dr Mvungi is still improving at Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute (MOI) where he is receiving treatment following the injuries he sustained on Sunday.

Dr Mvungi who is the deputy vice chancellor of the University of Bagamoyo and a member of the opposition NCCR Mageuzi national executive committee was attacked and seriously wounded by six gangsters who raided his house located in Kimbamba in the outskirts of the city.

MOI Public Relations Officer Almas Jumaa, told reporters yesterday that doctors who are attending to Dr Mvungi had confirmed that he was responding well to treatment.

“His condition is becoming stable but he is still in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where it is advisable that only few people can visit him because he needs more time to rest without any disturbances,’’ he said.

Since Sunday many friends, leaders and relatives have been flocking to MOI to wish Dr Mvungi a quick recovery. They include President Jakaya Kikwete, CRC chairman Judge (rtd) Joseph Warioba and Dr Salim Ahmed Salim among others.

Dr Mvungi’s close relatives who turned up in big numbers were seen in somber mood outside the facility as they waited to be allowed to see their loved one.

Yesterday, NCCR Mageuzi chairman James Mbatia said Dr Mvungi’s contribution to the nation was highly needed this time when the country is on the important process of writing a new constitution.

“We are happy that the doctors have been working tirelessly to ensure that his health is becoming stable. I want to request all Tanzanians to pray for Dr Mvungi so that he can proceed with his normal duties,’’ he said.

Reported by Henry Mwangonde, Seleman Shekonga, Katare Mbashiru