. The District Court of Mufindi has sentenced three siblings to six months in prison or a fine of Sh500,000 each after they pleaded guilty to vandalising an electricity pole belonging to the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), claiming they were acting on instructions from God.

The convicted individuals—Emma Makombe (30), Shujaa Makombe (27), and Ruby Makombe (32)—are all members of the same family and residents of Nzivi Village in Mufindi District, Iringa Region.

The incident occurred on May 6, 2025, when the trio cut down a power pole located near their residence. When arraigned in court on Monday, May 13, they told Senior Resident Magistrate Benedict Nkomola that they had received divine orders to destroy the infrastructure.

Senior State Attorney Twide Mangula, who prosecuted the case, told the court that the accused committed the offence of malicious damage to property, contrary to Section 326(1) of the Penal Code, Chapter 16, Revised Edition 2022.

“The accused jointly destroyed public property by cutting down a Tanesco pole, claiming they had been sent by God,” said Mr Mangula.

The court found the three guilty on their own plea. Magistrate Nkomola ruled that there was no doubt as to their responsibility, given their admission in court.

“Since the accused persons have admitted to the charge, this court convicts Emma Makombe, Shujaa Makombe and Ruby Makombe as charged,” the magistrate said.

Although they were given the option to pay a fine of Sh500,000 each, the siblings failed to do so and were sent to prison to begin serving their sentences.

Before sentencing, the prosecution confirmed that the accused had no previous criminal record but urged the court to impose a deterrent punishment.

“The court should issue a sentence that will serve as a lesson to others who may attempt similar acts under misguided beliefs,” said Mr Mangula.

In their defence, the accused claimed the court lacked the authority to judge them, asserting that only God had the right to punish them.

“This court has no power over us. Only God can judge. We were simply obeying His voice, which commanded us to cut the pole so that there would be no electricity in our area,” said Emma, a statement echoed by the other two siblings.

Following the ruling, Blandina Kinemeu, a relative of the accused and resident of Tanangozi in Iringa Municipality, expressed shock at the development.

She told The Citizen that her relatives had become increasingly isolated and committed to a belief system that does not allow the use of electricity.

“They said the pole was installed without their consent, and the next morning they claimed they had received God’s permission to remove it,” said Ms Kinemeu.

She added that the trio do not belong to any church but conduct their religious practices privately at home.

“As a family, we are surprised. They were never like this. It all began after Emma returned from working in Dar es Salaam, saying she had been sent by God,” she said.