Dodoma. A Tanzanian lorry driver, Juma Maganga, who had been detained in South Sudan following a fatal road accident, has returned home after diplomatic intervention by the Tanzanian government.
His family thanked the minister for Minerals and the Member of Parliament for Mtumba, Mr Anthony Mavunde, for facilitating the process that led to their son’s freedom and safe return to Tanzania.
Mr Maganga was arrested in South Sudan after a road accident that occurred on February 14, 2025, in which he, while driving a heavy commercial vehicle, knocked down a soldier who later died.
The incident resulted in his detention by South Sudanese authorities as investigations and legal proceedings unfolded.
According to information provided by Mr Mavunde, the matter was handled through the courts in Juba, where Mr Maganga was required to pay a fine of $1,500.
The payment was made on December 29, 2025, a step that paved the way for his release.
Following the settlement, Mr Maganga was released from custody on December 31, 2025, and immediately began his journey back to Tanzania.
He arrived at his home in Dodoma on January 3, 2025.
Speaking to journalists in Dodoma while receiving Mr Maganga upon his return, Mr Mavunde said the Tanzanian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, played a critical role in resolving the case and easing diplomatic engagement between Tanzania and South Sudan.
He explained that the intervention helped South Sudanese authorities recognise that the Tanzanian government was standing firmly behind its citizens to ensure that justice was pursued within the framework of the law.
Mr Mavunde added that, in addition to the court-imposed fine, the case also involved traditional compensation requirements under South Sudanese customs.
These included compensation equivalent to 51 cattle, valued at about Sh36 million, payable to the family of the deceased soldier, who was survived by three wives and his parents.
For his part, Mr Maganga described his time in detention as extremely difficult, saying he endured severe hardship while in prison.
He told reporters that individuals who attempted to assist him were threatened with death, a situation that left him fearful and uncertain about his fate.
His return marks the end of nearly ten months of detention abroad and underscores the role of diplomatic engagement in assisting Tanzanian citizens facing legal challenges outside the country.
