Court sentences former Ward Executive to death for strangling his wife

A former ward executive officer in Dar es Salaam has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his wife. Dominic Mushi, 34, was found guilty by the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court of strangling his wife, Diana Hugo, an NMB Bank employee, in October 2024.

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After evaluating evidence from both parties, the court is satisfied that Diana died an unnatural death caused by a person (Mr Mushi) following strangulation and asphyxiation.

The court heard that Ms. Hugo's body was discovered on a bed with signs of bleeding. Mushi initially claimed his wife's cries were from night terrors, but the prosecution presented 15 witnesses and six exhibits. The defense relied solely on Mushi's testimony.

Principal Resident Magistrate Hassan Makube addressed three key questions: the victim's death, whether it was natural or caused by another person, and the accused's mental state. "After evaluating evidence from both parties, the court is satisfied that Diana died an unnatural death caused by a person (Mr Mushi) following strangulation and asphyxiation," Makube stated.

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Evidence shows the accused was the last person seen with the deceased; he was best placed to explain what killed Diana.

The magistrate emphasized that Mushi was the last person seen with Ms. Hugo. Neighbors testified hearing her scream for help, but Mushi insisted she was merely dreaming. The court found the circumstantial evidence pointed conclusively to murder, leading to the death sentence.

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The prosecution called 15 witnesses and produced six exhibits to prove the charge against the accused, while the defence relied on a single witness, the accused himself.