51-year-old Respicius Patrick Mtazangira, a Tanzanian teacher who had beaten a pupil with a blunt object for allegedly stealing a teacher’s bag, has been sentenced to death by hanging.

The 14-year-old pupil, Late Sperius Eradius, died from his injuries after allegedly being beaten repeatedly with firewood for three hours until he died from ‘neurogenic shock’, caused mostly by traumatic brain or spine injuries.

Judge Lameck Mlacha said the teacher had acted maliciously, and his co-accused, Heriet Gerard whose bag was stolen, was not found guilty.

According to The Citizen Tanzania, The Tanzanian health ministry, teacher’s commission, and a media women association condemned the action.