Erick Kabendera, the detained Tanzanian journalist will after all not be able to bid his mother farewell following the court's ruling.
Through lawyer Jebra Kambole, Kabendera had filed an application seeking permission to attend the mother's requiem mass on Friday and subsequent burial on Saturday.
Prosecutors on Thursday opposed the application even as they mourned the journalist's mother. The court failed to grant the application.
At the court, Kabendera was seen weeping uncontrollably, wiping his face occasionally as he followed the proceedings.
According to Kambole, Kabendera was despondent upon being told that Verdiana Mjwahuzi had died at Amana Hospital where she was admitted for treatment.
“He was in apparent shock and somewhat panicked when we broke the sad news to him. He remained silent for a long time and did not utter a word.”
“It was both a tough moment for us and for him as well. He changed immediately and was not the usual Kabendera. It was our turn to console him in that moment of reflection,” said Kambole who is representing the troubled journalist in the case.
A fortnight ago, the deceased had pleaded with President John Magufuli to secure the release of her son.
Among others, Kabendera is facing money laundering and fraud charges. Authorities had also questioned his citizenship.