An Arusha man whose manhood was cut by his wife seeks help. Baraka Melami, 40, fights for his life at Selian Hospital after his spouse, Anna Melami, allegedly sliced off his genitals in a shocking domestic assault on the evening of November 19.
The horrifying incident unfolded in their home in Enegwe sub-location, Olevolosi ward, Kimnyaki division, Arumeru district, leaving the father of three bleeding profusely and neighbours stunned when he staggered outside screaming for assistance around 9 p.m.
Baraka, speaking weakly from his hospital bed on November 20, appealed to compassionate Tanzanians for financial support to cover mounting medical bills, saying the attack happened so fast he could barely react.
Recounting the ordeal through gritted teeth, Baraka told journalists the couple had retired to bed when Anna initiated intimacy. “as usual”. Moments after he became aroused, she allegedly reached for a kitchen knife hidden under the pillow and severed his penis completely before tossing it under the bed.
“I felt warm blood everywhere. “I screamed, but she quickly turned the radio volume high so neighbours wouldn’t hear,” he whispered, adding that he believes his wife “meant well” in her own twisted way, but the pain was unbearable.
He managed to crawl outside, where passers-by found him and rushed him to Selian Lutheran Hospital in Ngaramtoni, where surgeons are battling to save his life and possibly reattach the organ.
Local authorities confirmed the gruesome details. Juhudi sub-location chairman Jonas Kisite said he received frantic calls from neighbours around 9:30 p.m. reporting screams and rushed to the scene with police.
“We found Baraka in a pool of blood. The wife had already fled,” Kisite stated, noting officers recovered the knife and severed organ, which was placed on ice and transported with the patient in hopes of microsurgery.
Anna Melami, 30, remains at large, with police launching a womanhunt across Arumeru and neighbouring districts.
Doctors at Selian described Baraka’s condition as critical but stable. Lead surgeon Dr Lucas Mfinanga said the swift response by neighbours gave them a narrow window for potential reattachment, though infection risks remain high.
“He lost massive blood and is on strong antibiotics and pain management. We need specialised care that is costly,” Dr Mfinanga explained, estimating treatment and possible reconstruction at over TSh 15 million.
Baraka, a small-scale farmer, has no medical insurance, prompting his emotional public plea: “I beg kind Tanzanians, churches, NGOs, anyone, to help me heal and see my children again.”
The incident has ignited outrage in the quiet rural community, with women’s rights groups condemning the attack while calling for Anna’s arrest and psychiatric evaluation.
Neighbours described the couple as having a turbulent marriage marked by frequent arguments over money and alleged infidelity, though nothing hinted at such extreme violence.
“They fought, yes, but this? It’s unthinkable,” said next-door resident Mama Grace. As police investigations continue, the Arusha man whose genitals were severed by his wife seeks help, and the nation grapples with rising domestic violence cases.
