By Daniel Itai, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
(News of The South) – Tanzanian journalist Erick Kabendera was yesterday denied access to bury his mother after prosecutors said the Magistrate’s Court had no jurisdiction to release him.
The late Verdiana Mjwahuzi who was Erick’s mother died on Tuesday at Amana Hospital in the country’s capital.
Two weeks ago, Ms. Mjwahuzi pleaded with President Magufuli to pardon her son who has been detained since July for money laundering, tax evasion and leading organised crime.
Defence lawyers filed an application for Kabendera to be granted permission to attend her mother’s burial which was scheduled for Friday.
“Erick was taking care of his mother all the time before his arrest. It’s therefore important for him to attend considering that there is only one mother who dies, given last respect and buried only once in lifetime,” said Jebra Kambole one of the defence lawyers.
State Attorney Wankyo Simon said only the High Court had the autonomy of hearing Kabendera’s case.
“We really regret for loss of his mother but it should be noted that this court has no powers to allow him considering that cases of economic crimes are heard in the High Court,” said the prosecutor.
Kabendera’s incarceration has drawn international criticism and added to rising concerns about press freedom in Tanzania. Kabendera is expected to appear before the High Court on the 13th of January for the alleged economic crimes.
Comments
About Author
