A priest member of the Society of Missionaries of Africa found dead in Tanzania

The dismembered body of a priest member of the Society of Missionaries of Africa, Father Michael Mawelera Samson, was found on Saturday June 11 on the banks of the Meta Rivers, in Tanzania. 

In one communicated published on June 12, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi announced the “sudden” death of Father Michael Mawelera Samson, a member of the Society of Missionaries of Africa (the White Fathers). The priest, originally from Malawi, was a missionary in the Archdiocese of Mbeya in Tanzania.

The Archbishop of Mbeya, Mgr Gervas John Mwasikwabhila Nyaisonga told theAgenzia Fides that the dismembered body of Father Samson was found around 6:30 a.m. on June 11 on the banks of the Meta River. He had disappeared the day before, Friday, June 10.

If the circumstances of his death are not yet known, the archbishop has formulated a hypothesis. He assumes that the priest was shot in the head, before being dismembered by his assailants.

“Father Samson was probably shot in the head, perhaps he was knocked unconscious and then the murderer(s) attacked his body by dismembering it. The head, neck, legs and torso have been separated. We don't think it's a witchcraft ritual because all the members of the poor body have been found. Usually, for witchcraft rituals, parts of the victim's body are removed. »

He adds that the missionary "was killed in a place other than where his body was found and was wrapped in a sheet so that it could be transported without leaving traces of blood".

Camille Westphal Perrier

Image credit: Shutterstock.com/MilTer