A woman is accused of killing her stepchildren because they are more “light-skin” than she is

Skin color, sad killings, and jealousy.

Allegedly, a Tanzanian woman killed the three children of her co-wife. 
Jealousy over their lighter skin was the driving force.

Following claims that a woman killed her co-wife’s three children out of extreme jealousy over their paler skin tone than her own, a highly unsettling episode in Tanzania’s Ruvuma district has garnered international attention.

The “Amplifier” program, which was hosted by journalist Millard Ayo and aired from Clouds FM studios in Mikochen, Dar es Salaam, revealed the tragic tale that originated in Namtumbo District.

The terrible atrocities are allegedly done by the accused, Wande Luchangula, a woman in her 30s, in the Namtumbo District’s Kwizombe sub-village, Mkulukulu street, Lusewa ward.

According to reports, Luchangula killed the children with a machete (also known as a “panga”) and then set fire to the family’s home.

Witnesses Reveal Graphic Details

A terrifying picture of what happened is painted by the testimonies of several kids who were at the house. They claimed that after calling one child, the suspect sent them a message telling their mother to get ready to have more children. 

A pair of twins were playing outdoors when Luchangula allegedly snatched one of them, brought him inside, and placed him next to another youngster. He then allegedly attacked both of them with machetes until they passed away from their wounds. 

That was not the end of the violence. She then allegedly went up to a third youngster, Lugola, who was sleeping outside and in poor health, and used a machete to cut off his head. 
A woman allegedly murders her co-wife’s children because they are browner. // Civility

Motive Based on Skin Color Bias and Perceived Favoritism

The severe murders are said to have been motivated by strong envy over the children’s skin color. 

Luchangula’s co-wife’s children were described as “weupe” (lighter-skinned), whilst her own children were classified as “weusi” (darker-skinned). 

According to reports, she thought that their shared husband, Mzee Lutemla, preferred the lighter-skinned kids above her own. 

Ngolo Malenya, the district commissioner for Namtumbo, attended the scene and discussed the intricate dynamics of the family. 

The first of Mzee Lutemla’s three wives reportedly had eleven children, the second had nine, and the third had four. 

Commissioner Malenya saw that resentment had grown among the family members due to beliefs that the father preferred some children over others.

“There is that state of loving light-skinned women and there is that state of loving light-skinned children,” he added, acknowledging that society prefers those with lighter skin.

Additionally, it was said that the second wife’s primarily dark-skinned children were frequently beaten.

Commissioner Malenya urged people in polygamous marriages to respect each wife equally, stressing the terrible results of such prejudices. 

“Therefore, I urge those who have more than one wife to love your wives equally.”