The five were released yesterday from Butimba prison in fulfilment of President John Magufuli’s directive to pardon over 8,000 prisoners countrywide during the 56th anniversary of the Independence of Tanganyika.
Mwanza. It was jubilation here yesterday as five senior elderly citizens walked free after staying in prison for decades.
The five were released yesterday from Butimba prison in fulfilment of President John Magufuli’s directive to pardon over 8,000 prisoners countrywide during the 56th anniversary of the Independence of Tanganyika.
The five senior citizens were separately sentenced to death after they were found guilty of murder.
They are Magaigwa Mahiri (70) from Rung’abure village in Serengeti district, Benjamin Wandwi (67) from Ngamani village in Serengeti district, Chananja Luchangula (77) from Busaka village in Chato district, Maregesi Kiimba (78) from Musoma district and Shija Lugeko (71) from Mwamwajungu village in Shinyanga district.
The senior citizens could not walk out of Butimba gates with ease following their old age. Most of them were sentenced while at young age and that they had lost contacts with their family members.
They walked free at around 2pm yesterday and only Mr Magaigwa and Benjamin were received by their relatives while Mr Chananja was received by a friend. The rest had to stay at the prison as arrangements for their transportation were being organised.
Mr Magaigwa Mahiri (70) told The Citizen that he was imprisoned in 1988 after committing murder.
“I killed a man who was involved in a love affair with my wife,” he said
He noted that before he went to prison, he left a wife, Ms Maria Wansato and five children.
Mr Benjamin Wandwi (67), a resident of Ngamani village in Serengeti district noted that his live was transformed to become a church priest during his period in the prison.
“I used to conduct prayers for my fellow inmates and advising them on how to leave peacefully,” he said
He plans to open up a church after his release.
He says that he was sentenced for death penalty in 1990 for committing murder and that he had managed to have four children with his wife Angelina Benjamin.
The son of Mr Benjamin, Zablon Wandwi (28) who came to accompany his father told this paper that he was 3-years-old when his father was jailed.
“My relatives always told me that my father was jailed and I have been visiting him at the prison,” he said
Mr Maregesi Kihimba (78) noted that he was jailed seventeen years ago and that he has received news of his five relatives who died during the period while he was in prison.
He says that he managed to have two children with his wife, Nyambaye Msaye.
Mr Shija Lugeko (71) noted that he was sentenced to death penalty in 1999 and he was psychologically traumatized but he noted that he had always been praying to God.
But he says that since he was imprisoned at Butimba, he last communicated with his relative in 2000 and that he has lost contacts to his family members.
“I will seek help from the administration in the prison who will have to assist me reach home,” he said
He said that he managed to have a wife, Agnes Shija and two children.
Mr Chananja Luchagula (77) said that he was sentenced for death penalty in 1988 after he was found guilty of committing murder.
He says that he hopes that he will meet his wife, Nyambaya Msaye and five children safe.
