Mtwara — The life of 12-year-old Sumaiya Hassan Mataka has been tragically cut short, leaving the Mtwara Mikindani community in shock after her body was discovered entangled in mangroves along the Indian Ocean coast.
The Mtwara Region Police Force has confirmed the death of the minor, a standard five student at Ufukoni Primary School. Preliminary reports indicate a brutal end for the young girl; the cause of death has been identified as asphyxiation, caused by sand and mud being forcibly stuffed into her nose and mouth.
The discovery has prompted immediate concern among local residents and leaders regarding the protection of minors in the region.
A search for mangoes turns tragic
According to witnesses, Sumaiya’s day began like many others — heading out with friends in search of mangoes in the Magowela area.
Speaking to Nijuze, Mustafa Kumanga, the resident of Libya Street located in Mtwara Mikindani, recounted the child’s final known moments.
“Around 12:30 PM, she left with about four other children and came here to Magowela to look for mangoes. When they got the mangoes, they returned home,” he said. “But unfortunately, or perhaps as fate would have it, the child had a habit of wanting to return there. Her friends told her, ‘We are eating here, wait for us, then we can go pick those mangoes.’ After that, the child told them, ‘I am going, you will find me down in the valley heading to the mangoes.’”
Kumanga noted that by the time the other children tried to follow, the tragedy had already unfolded.
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Community shock and suspicion
The condition of the body has fueled speculation among some residents about possible superstitious motives — a recurring concern in parts of Tanzania despite ongoing public education against such beliefs.
Husna Mussa, resident in the Libya Street area, condemned the idea that such violence could be linked to superstition or the pursuit of wealth.
“If they were told this is an act of witchcraft… wealth does not come this way, we are being lied to,” she said. “It is like… I don’t know if it’s bhang (marijuana) or what, but let us not do this. As a parent, it is not right. I am truly hurt because I witnessed it; I was not just told a story.”
The grief is shared widely in the neighborhood.
Speaking that same day in Mtwara, Magowela Street resident Abdulkhafidhi Kilindi reflected on the loss of a child whose future had not yet begun to unfold.
“The child’s life has been cut short, but we have been cut off from her life because we wished that this child would later become someone who could help us as parents, as guardians, and the entire community in general,” he said.
Call for parental vigilance
Local leaders are urging parents to be more vigilant, especially regarding school attendance. Investigators learned that Sumaya, a pupil at Ufukoni Primary School, was not in class the day she died.
Speaking on November 22, 2025, in Mtwara, Ufukoni Ward Councilor Hamisi Mtungata called for tighter parental oversight.
“My advice to parents, especially on school days, is to ensure all our children have gone to school, verify they went, and that they return on time,” he said. “Because after questioning, it appeared this child… is a Standard Five student at Ufukoni Primary School, and yesterday it is said she did not go to school. Therefore, I urge parents to ensure we raise our children well.”
As the community mourns, police have not yet named any suspects, nor have they confirmed whether the motive was criminal, superstitious, or otherwise. The investigation remains ongoing.
