Dar es Salaam — Police here have arrested four suspects in connection with the murder of James Temba, a 24-year-old second-year student at the Institute of Finance Management (IFM), whose beheaded body was discovered floating in the Msimbazi River on April 30, 2026.
The Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police announced the arrests as investigators intensify efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of the Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance student.
The four suspects in custody are Stephen Rogers Chaka, 31, a laboratory officer from Hai in Kilimanjaro Region; Anna Frank Lema, 30, known as “Happiness,” a resident of Tabata Chang’ombe in Dar es Salaam; Twalibu Hamisi, 23, known as “Mputo,” from Kigogo in Kinondoni; and Michael John, 26, known as “Tambari,” also from Kigogo in Kinondoni.
Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Jumanne Muliro told a press conference on May 6 that all four suspects are being questioned in connection with the incident.
The body of James Temba was found near the Kipawa area in Ilala at approximately 3:00 p.m. on April 30, 2026, in a condition that shocked residents and sparked widespread concern about the nature of the crime.
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An unsettling video that circulated on social media showed the body floating in the water from the neck downward, wearing black trousers, with a discoverer audibly expressing shock at the beheading.
Troubling timeline
The family’s account provides a troubling timeline of events leading to the discovery. Rogers Robert Temba, the victim’s father, reported that his son did not return home on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, which was unusual as James normally attended college and returned home the same day.
“That Thursday was the day we became suspicious after noticing the silence. His phone calls were not going through. We started looking for his friends and asked them, but their responses were the same: they were also trying to reach him, but his numbers were unavailable,” Rogers Temba told reporters at his home in Tabata Chang’ombe.
The father explained that the last time James’s phone rang was on Wednesday, April 29, just before 8:00 p.m. After that, the phone could no longer be reached.
On the same Thursday, a young woman who worked at a stationery shop in Tabata Chang’ombe called James’s mother asking if he was at home. When the family later attempted to follow up with the girl, her phone number was no longer answering, prompting them to report the matter at Tabata Police Station.
Initially, police informed the family that there was no information regarding their missing relative. However, they were advised that a beheaded body had been found and were directed to the Stakishari Police Station for further information.
At Stakishari, officers informed the family that the body had been taken to the police barracks in Kurasini. Due to it being Friday night, they were advised to return the following morning.
On Saturday morning, the family, accompanied by several neighbours and relatives, went to the Kurasini police barracks morgue. After providing information, they were granted access to view the body.
“We went there and provided information,” Rogers Temba said. “They agreed and took us to see the body, which had been beheaded. During the examination, I identified it as my son’s body. His mother was also present, and she recognised a mark on his hand and confirmed that it was our son.”
Following the identification, police provided the family with instructions on procedures for collecting the body and arranging burial. Officers from Ukonga and investigators from Stakishari subsequently visited the family home to take detailed statements.
Soft-spoken individual
James Temba was described by those who knew him, including fellow students, as a soft-spoken individual who had never had any issues with anyone. He was the youngest of three children in his family.
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The body was transported to Kilimanjaro for burial on May 6, 2026, as the family prepared to lay their son to rest.
In their official statement, Dar es Salaam police confirmed that the investigation into the incident is ongoing and appealed for public cooperation. Muliro stated that evidence is being collected and that all individuals involved, according to the evidence gathered and to be gathered, will face legal action.
The four suspects remain in police custody as interrogations continue. Authorities have not yet disclosed specific charges or the alleged motive behind the killing.
