[Tanzania] ‘Prayer’ victim buried in Arusha

THE woman who collapsed and died as a self-proclaimed faith healer was administering ‘prayers’ on her has been buried at Sokoni One church cemetery on the outskirts of Arusha City.

The late Ms Lightness Daudi Kivuyo lost her life under mysterious circumstances at the feet of a certain self-proclaimed ‘prophet of god,’ popularly known as ‘Nabii Rajabu’ who operates a healing ministry in the populous Kwa-Morombo section of Arusha City.

“There is no need to keep the body at the mortuary with escalating storage costs, so we are going to bury Lightness at the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s graveyard in Sokoni One Ward this afternoon,” said an uncle of the deceased, Mzee Ally Kivuyo yesterday afternoon. Lightness, according to her younger sister, Juliana Daudi, was taken to a prophet known as Nabii Rajabu for prayers, but while the latter was busy administering ‘miracle healing,’ Lightness collapsed and died at the clairvoyant’s feet.

The police in Arusha have confirmed the incident, with the Regional Commander, Mr Charles Mkumbwa, adding that three people have already been arrested in connection with the incident.

Suspects include husband of the deceased, Mr Shafii Mohammed, who accompanied his wife to the prophet’s house for the said prayers, ‘Nabii Rajabu,’ himself and his wife, whose name wasn’t readily available.

Ms Juliana Daudi the deceased’s sister said she was summoned at night by Lightness’s husband, who said the lady had fainted at the home of the preacher’s wife. “But I found my sister propped up on an armchair, naked, very silent and cold, with the body covered with her own Khangas,” she said.

Apparently, she further said the controversial prophet had also shaved off the lady’s hair and eyebrows. Medical officer in charge at the Regional Mount Meru Hospital, Dr Jackeline Uriwo, admitted to have received the body of the late Lightness.

“But the people who brought the body tried to pretend that she was simply sick and needed treatment, but we discovered that she was already dead,” said Dr Uriwo.

Dr Francis Coster, the incharge at the mortuary, said the husband tried to convince them that the lady had fainted and that she had the habit of remaining unconscious for over six hours, therefore they should wait before placing her in the cold room.

“We did as the husband requested and kept the body on a stretcher for eight hours, but the lady did not regain consciousness, so we decided to refrigerate it,” explained Dr Coster, who is also the Director of Arusha Funeral Services.

He admitted that the lady was clean shaven, featured horrid bruises on her arms and hands and looked like she underwent some torturous experience.

source-www.dailynews.co.tz