Residents of Kilema village in Olele ward, Rombo district, Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania, are reeling from a heartbreaking incident that has left the community in disbelief.
An 82-year-old man, Edward Swai, has been accused of causing the death of his 42-year-old son, Oscar Swai, following a family disagreement. Reports suggest the dispute arose after the younger Swai wore his father’s coat, something the elder had reportedly warned against.
Family members became suspicious when Oscar was said to be missing. His sister, Kalista Fundisha Swai, took initiative by alerting village leaders and urging a deeper investigation into the matter.
Authorities responded to the concerns, and after some questioning, Edward reportedly led police officers to a burial site on his farm. The body found was later confirmed to be that of Oscar.
According to Kalista, her father’s explanation was that Oscar had taken some items without permission and had been dealt with harshly elsewhere. However, she was not convinced by this version and insisted on a formal probe, which led to the discovery.
The elderly man has since been taken into custody by police for further investigation. The community has been left questioning how such a tragic event could occur within a family and what may have led to such a grave outcome.
Online, many have expressed shock over the situation, with some questioning whether the elderly man could have acted alone and urging authorities to conduct thorough inquiries.
This incident comes as communities across East Africa reflect on the importance of conflict resolution within families and the need for mental health support and counseling.
