20180803 TZHC Arusha
- Citation
- 20180803 TZHC Arusha
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Court
- TZHC
- Decision
- 3 August 2018
- Posture
- Civil Revision / Ruling
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- TZHC
- Decision
- 3 August 2018
- Posture
- Civil Revision / Ruling
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The Primary Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the defamation claim as it exceeded the pecuniary limit and was not an Islamic or customary law matter; all proceedings and judgments are quashed and set aside.
Court disposition
proceedings and judgment quashed and set aside
Orders
- All proceedings and judgment in Civil Case No. 116/2012 of Karatu Primary Court are quashed and nullified.
- All execution proceedings relating to the case are quashed.
- All orders made in respect of Civil Case No. 116/2012 are set aside.
- Ag. Resident Magistrate in-charge to call the parties and read the decision to them.
- File to be returned to the District Court; DRM in-charge to summon the parties and read the ruling.
02
Material facts
Parties
Jonas Bakuru
ApplicantWilly Daffi
RespondentAmounts and remedies
- Claimed Damages: TZS 5,000,000
- Primary Court Pecuniary Jurisdiction Limit: TZS 3,000,000
03
Procedural history
Posture
Civil Revision / Ruling
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the Primary Court had jurisdiction to entertain the defamation claim exceeding its pecuniary limits
- 02
Whether the execution proceedings against matrimonial property were lawful
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The attached house is a matrimonial and family house and cannot be subject of attachment; the Primary Court lacked jurisdiction over the matter.
- Respondent
- Sought execution of the judgment for defamation and identification of applicant's house for public auction to recover the debt.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Section 18(1)(a)(ii) and (iii) and S.18(1) of the Magistrate's Courts Act, Cap. 11 R.E. 2002
Primary Courts have jurisdiction limited to civil debts not exceeding Tshs.3,000,000 and unlimited jurisdiction in Islamic and customary law matters.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The Primary Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the defamation claim as it exceeded the pecuniary limit and was not an Islamic or customary law matter; all proceedings and judgments are quashed and set aside.
Court disposition
proceedings and judgment quashed and set aside
- All proceedings and judgment in Civil Case No. 116/2012 of Karatu Primary Court are quashed and nullified.
- All execution proceedings relating to the case are quashed.
- All orders made in respect of Civil Case No. 116/2012 are set aside.
- Ag. Resident Magistrate in-charge to call the parties and read the decision to them.
- File to be returned to the District Court; DRM in-charge to summon the parties and read the ruling.
Source and reliance status
TZHC · 3 August 2018
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.
TZHC
Judgment· 3 August 2018
IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA IN THE DISTRICT REGISTRY OF. ARUSHA AT.ARUSHA CIVIL REVISION NO. 16 OF 2017 (Originating from P.C Karatu civil Case No. 116 o/2012 and Karatu District Court Civil Court Appeal No 12 o/2014) JONAS BAKU RU. ■■■■ • ■ ••• ■ •• ■ •••••• ■ ••••• ■ • ■■ • ■ • ■ • ■ • ■ I •• ■■ I ■ I~ ■■■ •••• ■ .APPLICANT
VERSUS WILLY DAFFI ...................................................... ·~··· RESPONDENT
RULING Date of Last order: 15/3/2018 Date of Ruling: 3/8/2018 BEFORE: S.C. Moshi, Judge. The ruling was taken by the court suo moto. The revision was opened upon consideration of the complaint that was lodged herein by Flora Jonas Bakuru. Flora Jonas Bakuru complained against the Karatu Primary Court. She alleged that she is wife of Jonas Bakuru who was charged of using abusive language against Wilbroad Dafi. The husband was convicted of the offence vide Cr. C. No. 150/2012. Thereafter Wilbroad Dafi opened a Civil Case, against Jonas Bakuru; Civil Case No. 116/2012. ·wilbroad Dafi sued for defamation because he had failed to prove the Criminal charge. 1 '1 He prayed for orders to be paid Tshs.5,000,000/:=. He won the case, the court (karatu Primary Court) ordered Jonas Bakuru to pay Tshs.5,000,000/=. Jonas Bakuru appealed to the K9ratu District Court, vide Civil Appeal No. 12/2014. However the Appeal was·.dismissed. Thereafter, the Decree Holder initiated execution proceedings. The decree holder (Wilbroad Dafi) identified Jonas Bakuru's house. The House is now subject of public auction to recover the debt. The complainant alleged that the attached house is a matrimonial and family house hence cannot be subject of attachment. I have considered the complaint, the records and the relevant laws and I have the following observations: The Primary Court had n·o jurisdiction to entertain the matter. Its jurisdiction was limited to recovery of civil debts whose claim was not exceeding Tshs.3,000,000/= and unlimited jurisdiction in matters relating to Islamic and customary law; see section 18(1)(a)(ii) and (iii) and S.18(1) of the Magistrate's Courts Act, Cap. 11 R.E.
2002. The claim before the primary court was neither for. recovery of civil debt nor was it an Islamic or customary claim. Even if it was a civil debt recovery claim, yet the pecuniary jurisdiction could · be limited to T.shs.3,000,000/= only. That said, it is obvious that the Primary Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter. I therefore quash and nullify all the proceedings and judgment in respect of Civil Case No. 116/2012 of Karatu Primary court. 2 1 t :1 i1 :1 .;I 11 II ri Iu I I I I likewise, I quash all proceedings r~lating to its execution. I I !I Ii in respect of Civil Case NO.l16/201f are set aside. All orders made I ! It is so ordered. No order as fo costs. 1: ' I • ! . 1I I ' I further order that the Ag. RE)Sident Magistrate in-charge should <la//
I I I ! the parties and read this decision to them. )111 i :\ ' /I' !' I The file to be returned to the D(strict ' I Court. The DRM i/c to summtjn I the parties and read the Ruling to the/n. I I i I ~~ s.c. Mlfsi-,1
I
JUDGE ' ,,,'/ 3/08/2018 . I I I' !1 3
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