A tragic story has shaken Mbeya, Tanzania, after law student Shyrose Mahande, a 21-year-old at Chuo Kikuu cha Mzumbe, was brutally murdered just days after being kidnapped. Her body was later found burned, despite her father having sent money in response to ransom demands.
How was Shyrose Mahande kidnapped?
According to her father, Dr. Mabula Mahande, Shyrose was kidnapped on Saturday, September 13, by unidentified individuals. Soon after, he received a distressing phone call from the kidnappers, who claimed they were heading toward Tabora with his daughter. They demanded a ransom and warned that she would only be released upon payment.
To worsen the ordeal, the kidnappers sent him a video showing Shyrose being tortured. “When I saw her in so much pain, I released a certain amount,” Dr. Mahande revealed.
How was her death discovered?
Dr. Mahande explained that he was later contacted by police with devastating news. “I was later called by the police who said that a Good Samaritan had seen a store on fire and called firemen to put it out. When it was out, they saw the body of the law student, and it has since been moved to the mortuary,” he said.
Tributes have poured in for Shyrose from her fellow students, lecturers, and local leaders. A classmate described her as humble, polite, and hardworking, especially during her training sessions. A community leader expressed sorrow at the loss: “As a community, we are dismayed, especially when you remember that our community is the eye of the province, but we accept.”
Shyrose’s death has left her family, friends, and community in deep mourning. Her story has also sparked renewed concern about safety, kidnapping, and violent crime in Tanzania.
By Risper Akinyi