Re BYANSI Samuel BAKER 2
- Citation
- RLR V. 4 - 2022
- Status
- Petition Seeking to Declare a Law Unconstitutional
- Jurisdiction
- Rwanda
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Decision
- 24 December 2021
- Posture
- Constitutional Petition / Interlocutory Decision on Standing (interest to Sue)
- Case number
- RS/INCONST/SPEC 00002/2021/SC
More details
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Decision
- 24 December 2021
- Posture
- Constitutional Petition / Interlocutory Decision on Standing (interest to Sue)
- Case number
- RS/INCONST/SPEC 00002/2021/SC
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
Byansi Samuel Baker, as a journalist, has both a personal and public interest in challenging the constitutionality of the impugned provisions, as they directly affect his professional duties and the broader right to freedom of the press. The Court held that standing in constitutional cases should be interpreted broadly, and the applicant sufficiently demonstrated a specific and general interest to proceed.
Court disposition
Applicant has standing; proceedings to continue.
Orders
- The Court finds Byansi Samuel Baker has sufficient interest to bring the constitutional challenge.
- The hearing of the substantive petition is scheduled to continue on 14/02/2022.
02
Material facts
Parties
Byansi Samuel Baker
Applicant Counsel: Me Gakunzi Musore Valéry, Me Ruramira Bizimana ZébédéeRepublic of Rwanda
Respondent Counsel: Me Mbonigaba Eulade, Me Habumuremyi Prosper03
Procedural history
Posture
Constitutional Petition / Interlocutory Decision on Standing (interest to Sue)
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
Whether Byansi Samuel Baker has sufficient interest (standing) to challenge the constitutionality of Articles 156, 157, 194, 218, and 251 of Law No 68/2018 as inconsistent with Articles 15 and 38 of the Constitution.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- Byansi Samuel Baker, as a professional journalist, argued that the impugned provisions of Law No 68/2018 restrict his daily work and the freedom of the press as guaranteed by the Constitution. He claimed both personal and public interest, as the challenged provisions hinder investigative journalism and the broader right to information.
- Respondent
- The State, represented by Me Mbonigaba Eulade and Me Habumuremyi Prosper, argued that the challenged provisions do not violate the Constitution because journalists, like other citizens, are subject to the law. They contended that not all actions of a journalist are protected as journalistic activity and that the applicant can be held accountable for acts outside the scope of journalism.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Supreme Court precedent, including Re Mugisha Richard, RS/INCONST/SPEC 00002/2018/SC
Interest to sue in constitutional matters must be interpreted broadly, considering both personal and public interest, especially where fundamental rights are at stake.
- 02
Article 38 of the Constitution of Rwanda; Article 5 and 8 of Law No 02/2013 on Media
A journalist has a professional duty to inform, educate, and promote the public interest, and enjoys constitutional protection for freedom of expression and information.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
Byansi Samuel Baker, as a journalist, has both a personal and public interest in challenging the constitutionality of the impugned provisions, as they directly affect his professional duties and the broader right to freedom of the press. The Court held that standing in constitutional cases should be interpreted broadly, and the applicant sufficiently demonstrated a specific and general interest to proceed.
Obiter and limits
- Standing in constitutional litigation should not be so restrictive as to bar legitimate claims that protect fundamental rights.
- Journalists play a critical role in society and their professional interests often coincide with the public interest in freedom of information.
Court disposition
Applicant has standing; proceedings to continue.
- The Court finds Byansi Samuel Baker has sufficient interest to bring the constitutional challenge.
- The hearing of the substantive petition is scheduled to continue on 14/02/2022.
Source and reliance status
Supreme Court · 24 December 2021
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
Supreme Court
Petition Seeking to Declare a Law Unconstitutional· 24 December 2021
Re BYANSI Samuel BAKER 2
- Source: Amategeko - Section: Decisions (Judgements) - Date: 2021-12-24 - Case/document no.: RS/INCONST/SPEC 00002/2021/SC - Collection: Supreme Court
Text
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Re BYANSI [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’IKIRENGA – RS/INCONST/SPEC 00002/2021/SC – (Ntezilyayo, P.J., Nyirinkwaya, Cyanzayire, Muhumuza na Karimunda, J.) 24 Ukuboza 2021] Itegeko Nshinga – Ikirego gisaba kwemeza ko ingingo z’itegeko zinyuranye n’Itegeko Nshinga – Inyungu z’utanga ikirego – Inyungu mu kirego kigyanye n’Itegeko Nshinga igomba kumvikana mu buryo bwagutse, ikareberwa mu burenganzira bw’abasaba ko ingingo z’Itegeko runaka zivaho kuko zituma icyari kigamijwe n’Itegeko Nshinga – Uwatanze ikirego afite inshingano zo kugaragaza umwihariko w’inyungu we ku giti cye aharanira mu rubanza. Amategeko agenga itangazamakuru – Umwuga w’ubunyamakuru – Inshingano z’umunyamakuru – Umunyamakuru akora umwuga we wo gutara amakuru agamije kwigisha rubanda, guteza imbere ibikorwa bifitiye rubanda akamaro no guteza imbere umwuga w’itangazamakuru aharanira ubwisanzure bwawo – Itegeko N° 02/2013 ryo ku wa 08/02/2013 rigenga itangazamakuru, ingingo ya 5 n’iya 8. Incamake y’ikibazo: Byansi yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga asaba kwemeza ko ingingo ya 156, iya 157, iya 194, iya 218 n’iya 251 z’Itegeko N° 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange zinyuranye n’ingingo ya 15 ndetse n’iya 38 z’Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015. Avuga ko nk’umunyamakuru w’umwuga izo ngingo zimubangamiye mu kazi ke kandi zibangamiye
ubwisanzure bw’itangazamakuru nk’uko buteganywa n’Itegeko Nshinga. Uhagarariye Leta bavuga ko izo ngingo zitanyuranye n’Itegeko Nshinga kubera ko hari ibikorwa by’umunyamakuru nk’umuntu usanzwe n’ibikorwa bye nk’umunyamakuru, bivuze ko ubuzima bwe bwose ataba ari mu bikorwa by’itangazamakuru, bityo ibyo abandi bantu basanzwe bakora nawe akaba ashobora kubikora ndetse n’ibyo bakwiye kubazwa nawe akaba yabibazwa. Muri uru rubanza habanje gusuzumwa niba Uwatanze ikirego abifitemo inyungu, aho avuga ko izo ngingo zavuzwe haruguru zibangamiye akazi ke k’umunyamakuru ukora inkuru zicukumbuye, bivuze ko afite inyungu ku giti cye akagira n’inyungu rusange zo gutanga ikirego kuko ubwisanzure bwo gutanga amakuru bufite aho buhurira n’inyungu rusange bitewe n’uko ashobora kudatangaza inkuru atinya gukurikiranwa n’ingingo mpanabyaha aregera. Muri uru rubanza, Uhagarariye Leta avuga Urega afite inyungu zo gutanga iki kirego, hashingiwe k’umwuga w’itangazamakuru akora no ku biteganywa n’ingingo ya 38 y’Itegeko Nshinga n’iya 72 y’Itegeko No 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko. Incamake y’icyemezo: 1. Inyungu mu kirego kigyanye n’Itegeko Nshinga igomba kumvikana mu buryo bwagutse, ikareberwa mu burenganzira bw’abasaba ko ingingo z’Itegeko runaka zivaho kuko zituma icyari kigamijwe n’Itegeko Nshinga.
2. Uwatanze ikirego afite inshingano zo kugaragaza umwihariko w’inyungu we ku giti cye aharanira mu rubanza.
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3. Umunyamakuru akora umwuga we wo gutara amakuru agamije kwigisha rubanda, guteza imbere ibikorwa bifitiye rubanda akamaro no guteza imbere umwuga w’itangazamakuru aharanira ubwisanzure bwawo. Urega afite inyungu mu rubanza. Iburanisha ry’urubanza rizakomeza. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015, ingingo ya 15 n’iya 38. Itegeko N° 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano, ingingo ya 156,157,194,218 n’iya 251. Itegeko No 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, ingingo ya 72. Itegeko N° 02/2013 ryo ku wa 08/02/2013 rigenga itangazamakuru, ingingo ya 5 n’iya 8. Imanza zifashishijwe: Re Byansi Samuel Baker, RS/INCONST/SPEC 0003/2021/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 10/12/2021. Re Mugisha Richard, RS/INCONST/SPEC 00002/2018/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 18/01/2019. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Ku wa 02/05/2021, Byansi Samuel Baker yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga arusaba kwemeza ko ingingo ya 156, iya 157, iya 194, iya 218 n’iya 251 z’Itegeko N° 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange zinyuranye n’ingingo ya 15 ndetse n’iya 38 z’Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015. [2] Asobanura ko asanzwe ari umunyamakuru w’umwuga ufite ikarita y’akazi nimero 17/726-1, ko yibanda cyane ku nkuru zicukumbuye
(investigative journalism) ndetse n’izo hanze y’igihugu kuva mu mwaka wa 2015 kugeza ubu, ko nyuma yaho Itegeko No 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange ritangajwe mu Igazeti ya Leta, yasanze ingingo ya 156, iya 157, iya 194, iya 218 n’iya 251 z’iryo Tegeko zimubangamiye mu kazi ke kandi zibangamiye ubwisanzure bw’itangazamakuru nk’uko buteganywa n’ingingo ya 15 n’iya 38 z’Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda. [3] By’umwihariko avuga ko:
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- ingingo ya 156 ibuza gutangaza ifoto, amajwi cyangwa amashusho ba nyirabyo batabitangiye uruhushya, nyamara hari amafoto, amajwi cyangwa amashusho bifatirwa ahantu hahuriye abantu benshi ku buryo bitakoroha kubona uruhushya rwa buri wese mbere yo gutangaza ifoto, amajwi cyangwa amashusho. - ingingo ya 157 ibuza gutangaza amagambo, amafoto n’amashusho byahinduwe nyamara mu gihe cyo gukora inkuru, umunyamakuru nk’umunyamwuga ashobora kubihindura kugira ngo inkuru yumvikane vuba kandi inyure abayumva. Asobanura ko hari igihe inkuru ishobora kuba ishingiye ku guhindura amashusho cyangwa amafoto, aribwo buryo bwitwa caricature kandi ko nk’ikinyamakuru cyitwa Charlie Hebdo kimaze imyaka 200 gikora gusa inkuru za caricature. - ingingo ya 194 ibuza umuntu wese gukwiza amakuru atariyo cyangwa icengezamatwara bigamije kwangisha rubanda cyangwa amahanga Leta y’u Rwanda. Avuga ko kuba muri iyi ngingo hakoreshwa interero umuntu wese bihonyanga uburenganzira bw’umunyamakuru kubera ko afatwa nk’undi wese kandi afite inshingano yihariye yo gutangaza ibitekerezo bishobora kutakirwa kimwe n’abantu bose, ubundi akaba yatangaza inkuru yabwiwe n’umuntu utamubwije ukuri. Byongeye kandi, kuba iyo ngingo idatanga ibisobanuro by’ijambo icengezamatwara bishobora gutuma buri rukiko rurisobanura uko rubyumva, umunyamakuru akabirenganiramo. - ingingo ya 218 ibuza gusebya cyangwa gutuka abakuru b’ibihugu
by’amahanga cyangwa abahagarariye ibihugu byabo cyangwa imiryango mpuzamahanga mu Rwanda mu gihe bari mu kazi, ibi bikaba birimo ivangura ry’abo ingingo irengera ndetse ikaba ibangamiye ubwisanzure bwo gutara no gutangaza amakuru n’ubwo gutanga ibitekerezo. - ingingo ya 251 ihana umuntu wamenye akarengane k’undi, wamenye ikorwa ry’icyaha cy’ubugome cyangwa gikomeye ntabimenyeshe inzego zibishinzwe cyangwa uwanze gutanga ubuhamya mu nzego z’ubutabera, nyamara kandi umunyamakuru afite inshingano zo kutavuga aho yakuye amakuru, kubihanirwa bikaba bibangamiye uburenzira bwo gutanga ibitekerezo. [4] Me Mbonigaba Eulade na Me Habumuremyi Prosper, bahagarariye Leta y’u Rwanda bavuga ko ingingo ya 156, iya 157, iya 194, iya 218 n’iya 251 z’Itegeko N° 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange zitanyuranye n’ingingo ya 15 ndetse n’iya 38 z’Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015 kubera ko hari ibikorwa by’umunyamakuru nk’umuntu usanzwe n’ibikorwa bye nk’umunyamakuru, bivuze ko ubuzima bwe bwose ataba ari mu bikorwa by’itangazamakuru, bityo ibyo abandi bantu basanzwe bakora nawe akaba ashobora kubikora ndetse n’ibyo bakwiye kubazwa nawe akaba yabibazwa. [5] Iburanisha mu ruhame ryabaye ku wa 13/12/2021, Byansi Samuel Baker yunganiwe na Me Gakunzi Musore Valéry na Me Ruramira Bizimana Zébédée, naho Leta y’u Rwanda iburanirwa na Me Mbonigaba Eulade ndetse na Me Habumuremyi Prosper. Habanje gusuzumwa ikibazo cyo kumenya niba Byansi Samuel Baker afite inyungu mu rubanza. II. IKIBAZO KIGIZE URUBANZA N’ISESENGURWA RYACYO
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1. Kumenya niba Byansi Samuel Baker afite inyungu muri uru rubanza [6] Byansi Samuel Baker na Me Gakunzi Musore Valéry na Me Ruramira Bizimana Zébédée bamwunganira bavuga ko afite uburenganzira bwo kurengera inyungu ze kuko nk’umunyamakuru w’umwuga, ingingo aregera kuba zinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga zimubangamira mu kazi ke ka buri munsi. Basobanura ko uretse kuba ingingo aregera zimubangamiye ku giti cye, zibangamiye na rubanda (société) bitewe n’uko inkuru zikorwa mu nyungu rusange. Basobanura ko umurongo watanzwe n’uru Rukiko mu rubanza rwa Me Mugisha Richard,1 ari uko inyungu y’umuburanyi igomba kumvikana mu buryo bwagutse, hakitabwa no ku nyungu rusange urega afite mu gusaba ko ingingo z’Itegeko zemezwa ko zinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga, kuko muri urwo rubanza ikirego cyari cyatanzwe n’umunyamategeko, uru Rukiko rusanga atari ngombwa ko ategereza ko itegeko riregerwa ribanza kumugiraho ingaruka mbere y’uko ariregera. [7] Bavuga ko Byansi Samuel Baker, nk’umunyamakuru, asanga ingingo ya 156, iya 157, iya 194, iya 218 n’iya 251 z’Itegeko N° 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange zibangamiye akazi ke k’umunyamakuru ukora inkuru zicukumbuye, bivuze ko afite inyungu ku giti cye akagira n’inyungu rusange zo gutanga ikirego kuko ubwisanzure bwo gutanga amakuru bufite aho buhurira n’inyungu rusange bitewe n’uko ashobora kudatangaza inkuru
atinya gukurikiranwa n’ingingo mpanabyaha aregera. [8] Me Mbonigaba Eulade na Me Habumuremyi Prosper, bahagarariye Intumwa Nkuru ya Leta, bavuga ko hashingiwe ku mwuga w’itangazamakuru Byansi Samuel Baker akora no ku biteganywa n’ingingo ya 38 y’Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015 n’iya 72 y’Itegeko No 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, bigaragara ko Byansi Samuel Baker afite inyungu muri uru rubanza.
UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [9] Ingingo ya 72 y’Itegeko No 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko iteganya ko umuntu ku giti cye, ikigo cyangwa umuryango ufite ubuzimagatozi bashobora kuregera Urukiko rw’Ikirenga basaba kwemeza ko itegeko rinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga iyo babifitemo inyungu. […] [10] Ingingo ya 38, igika cya mbere, y’Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015 igira iti: ubwisanzure bw’itangazamakuru, ubwo kugaragaza ibitekerezo n’ubwo guhabwa amakuru buremewe kandi bwubahirizwa na Leta. [11] Ingingo ya 5 y’Itegeko N° 02/2013 ryo ku wa 08/02/2013 rigenga itangazamakuru ivuga ko umunyamakuru afite inshingano z’ingenzi zikurikira: 1° kumenyesha amakuru; 2° kwigisha abaturage no guteza imbere imyidagaduro; 3° guharanira ubwisanzure mu gutangaza amakuru, mu kuyasesengura no mu kugira icyo ayo makuru avugwaho. Naho ingingo ya 8, igika cya gatatu y’iryo Tegeko iteganya ko buri munyamakuru afite ubwisanzure bwo kugaragaza ibitekerezo; ubwo burenganzira bukubiyemo ubwisanzure bwo gutara, kwakira, gutanga no gutangaza amakuru n’ibitekerezo hakoreshejwe uburyo bunyuranye bw’itangazamakuru. 1 Reba urubanza RS/INCONST/SPEC 00002/2018/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 18/01/2019.
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[12] Iyo izi ngingo z’amategeko zisomewe hamwe zumvikanisha ko umunyamakuru akora umwuga we wo gutara amakuru agamije kwigisha rubanda, guteza imbere ibikorwa bifitiye rubanda akamaro no guteza imbere umwuga w’itangazamakuru aharanira ubwisanzure bwawo. Itegeko rikaba rivuga ko ubwisanzure bugomba kumvikana nk’uburyo umunyamakuru agaragaza ibitekerezo ndetse n’uburyo atara, yakira, atanga kandi atangaza amakuru n’ibitekerezo hakoreshejwe uburyo bunyuranye bw’itangazamakuru. Bivuze ko hashingiwe ku biteganywa n’ingingo ya 72 y’Itegeko N° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko yibukijwe haruguru umunyamakuru afite inyungu zo kugaragaza ko hari Itegeko ryaje rinyuranya n’uburenganzira cyangwa inshingano ahabwa n’ibisanzwe bimuteganyirizwa n’Itegeko Nshinga ndetse n’andi mategeko. [13] Ku bijyanye n‘aho inyungu z’utanga ikirego gisaba kwemeza ko ingingo z’Itegeko runaka zinyuranye n’Itegeko Nshinga ziva zikagera, uru Rukiko rwabisuzumye mu manza zitandukanye harimo n’urwa Me Mugisha Richard, aho rwasanze nubwo ari ngombwa gukumira ibirego bitangwa n’abagamije kwimenyekanisha, kumenyekanisha ibikorwa byabo cyangwa guheshwa uburenganzira bugenewe abandi ndetse akaba ari ngombwa gusigasira amikoro make y’inkiko hirindwa kurangarira mu bibazo bidahari, ku bireba ibirego bijyanye n’Itegeko Nshinga inyungu igomba kumvikana mu buryo bwagutse, ikareberwa mu burenganzira
bw’abasaba ko ingingo z’Itegeko runaka zivaho kuko zituma icyari kigamijwe n’Itegeko Nshinga kitagerwaho nyamara kigomba kurengerwa.2 [14] Urukiko rurasanga uyu murongo ariwo wagarutsweho mu rubanza rwa Byansi Samuel Baker rwaciwe ku wa 10/12/2021, ariko Urukiko rwongeraho ko mu rwego rwo kwirinda ibirego bitari ngombwa bishobora kubangamira imikorere y’inkiko, uwatanze ikirego afite inshingano zo kugaragaza umwihariko w’inyungu we ku giti cye aharanira mu rubanza.3 Ku bireba uru rubanza, bikaba bigaragarira Urukiko ko Byansi Samuel Baker nk’umunyamakuru ukorera imirimo ye mu Rwanda afite inyungu bwite muri uru rubanza kuko ibivugwa mu ngingo asaba ko Urukiko rwemeza ko zinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga bireba ku buryo bw’umwihariko umurimo wo gutangaza amakuru. Ikindi kandi, Itegeko riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange rireba buri wese uri ku butaka bw’u Rwanda harimo n’abanyamakuru, bityo ingingo zaryo avuga ko zikwiye kuvaho kuko zinyuranye n’Itegeko Nshinga zikaba zishobora kumubangamira ubu cyangwa mu bihe bizaza. [15] Urukiko rurasanga rero ingingo ya 156, iya 157, iya 194, iya 218 n’iya 251 z’Itegeko N° 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange zifite aho zihuriye n’inshingano z’abanyamakuru, bikaba byumvikana ko mu gihe Urukiko rwasanga koko zinyuranyije n’ingingo ya 15 n’iya 38 z’Itegeko Nshinga nk’uko Byansi Samuel Baker n’abamwunganira
babivuga, icyo cyemezo cyaba kimufitiye akamaro, bityo akaba afite inyungu yo gutanga ikirego gisaba kuvanaho ingingo z’Itegeko avuga ko zimwambura uburenganzira ahabwa n’Itegeko Nshinga. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO 2 Reba urubanza RS/INCONST/SPEC 00002/2018/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 18/01/2019, ibika bya 19’22. 3 Reba urubanza RS/INCONST/SPEC 0003/2021/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 10/12/2021, igika cya16.
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[16] Rwemeje ko Byansi Samuel Baker afite inyungu muri uru rubanza yo kuregera kwemeza ko ingingo ya 156, iya 157, iya 194, iya 218 n’iya 251 z’Itegeko N° 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange zinyuranye n’ingingo ya 15 n’iya 38 z’Itegeko Nshinga. [17] Rwemeje ko iburanisha ry’uru rubanza rizakomeza ku wa 14/02/2022.
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