Widow speaks about Mvungi’s unfulfilled plans

University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Dean of School of Law, Prof Bonaventure Rutinwa briefs his member of the school a programme for the funeral of Dr Sengondo Mvungi during their visit of the late don’s Kibamba Msakuzi residence on the outskirts of the city. Dr Mvungi died at Millpark Hospital in South Africa on November 3, and his body is expected today. According to the funeral time table, the burial will be on Monday at Kisangara Juu Village in Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region. PHOTO I JOSEPH ZABLON.

Dar es Salaam. She may not have been seen sitting next to the renowned late lawyer Dr Sengondo Mvungi at public functions, but within the Mvungi Family, friends and relatives, Ms Anna Shayo, is a popular figure.

Another fact that may help to bring home the idea of Ms Shayo’s proper and exhauted place is that had the late Dr Mvungi clinched the presidential seat when he battled it out with President Jakaya Kikwete and other eight candidates in 2005, Ms Shayo would have been this country’s First Lady.

For the first time, the widow of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) member, Ms Anna Shayo, has broken her silence, saying the death of her bread winner was the first ever major blow that shocked her family.

In an interview with The Citizen, Ms Shayo, who chose to remain silent for more than ten days since her husband was attacked by machete wielding robbers at their Kibamba Msakuzi residence on the outskirts of the city said, her husband had a number of plans he had to accomplish for the well-being of the family.

Although she did not want to divulge into details, she fears that their most of the plans might fail to materialise in the absence of her husband.

The CRC member, who was an advocate of the High Court and Court of Appeal, was slashed with machetes in November 3 at his residence. He was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute before he was flown to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg for further treatment a week ago.

He died on Tuesday at the South African hospital after a nine-day battle with injuries he suffered during the robbery.

“He was everything in this family, a caring and loving husband who always did everything in his capacity to ensure that the family is happy,’’ said Dr Mvungi’s widow.

What many Tanzanians didn’t know is that despite being a lawyer, university lecturer and renowned politician, Dr Mvungi was also trained in Karate and Judo.

This was revealed by Professor Palamagamba Kabudi who studied with Dr Mvungi in high school and university and later worked with him.

Yesterday, a convoy of more than 20 academicians from the University of Dar es Salaam visited Dr Mvungi’s residence to console the family. Mvungi’s body arrives in Dar today.