Ruvuma, Tanzania – July 17, 2025: In a horrific act driven by jealousy and domestic rivalry, a 30-year-old woman in Kwizombe hamlet, Mkulukugulu ward, has been arrested for killing three young children and setting their mother’s house on fire.
The tragic incident unfolded in Namtumbo District of Ruvuma Region, according to local authorities.
Suspect Motivated by Jealousy Over Skin Tone
Speaking to Ayo TV, Namtumbo District Commissioner Ngollo Malenya confirmed that the suspect, identified as Wande Luchagula, attacked the children with a machete. She allegedly believed her husband favored the children of her co-wife because they were light-skinned.
“Wande’s act was triggered by jealousy, as she believed that her husband loved and favored the kids of her co-wife due to their complexion,” Malenya said.
The victims were named as Lugola Lutelemla (4) and eight-month-old twins Kulwa and Dotto Lutelemla.
Tragedy Unfolds While Others Were at Work
During the attack, the children’s mother and other villagers were busy harvesting crops. The children’s father had gone shopping in preparation for the household’s needs.
“When I returned, I found a huge crowd at my home. My wives were crying. That’s when I saw the bodies of my children on the ground,” the grieving father told local media.
According to witnesses, Wande began the attack with the twins, then turned on the eldest child, who was lying in the yard due to illness. A chilling detail emerged: Wande had earlier warned the boy to tell his mother that she would have other children instead.
Polygamy, Favoritism, and Tragedy
Polygamy is still practiced in parts of Tanzania, but cases like this one highlight the dark side of domestic tensions when jealousy and favoritism spiral out of control. While legal under Tanzanian customary law, polygamous families often face complex emotional dynamics that can lead to conflict if not well managed.
Authorities Condemn the Heinous Crime
Authorities have condemned the crime in the strongest terms and assured the public that justice will be served.
The Tanzanian Police Force is investigating and has detained Wande Luchagula pending formal charges. Child rights groups, including UNICEF Tanzania, have also expressed concern over the rising number of domestic violence cases affecting children in the region.
