20010921 TZHC Moshi

20010921 TZHC Moshi

The appellant's admission of non-consensual sexual intercourse, corroborated by medical and witness evidence, established rape beyond reasonable doubt. Customary marriage cannot be contracted without the free and full consent of the woman, and the defence of Chagga customary marriage is invalid in law and fact.

Citation
20010921 TZHC Moshi
Parties
Appellant: Leonard Jonathan; Respondent: Republic
Court
TZHC
Jurisdiction
Tanzania
Judgment Date
21 September 2001
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Rape, Customary Marriage, Consent, Sexual Offences, Women's Rights
Source Language
English

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Authorities cited 6 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Leonard Jonathan

Appellant

Republic

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the appellant raped the complainant or married her under Chagga customary law
  2. 2 Whether the conviction was supported by evidence beyond reasonable doubt

Ratio Decidendi

The appellant's admission of non-consensual sexual intercourse, corroborated by medical and witness evidence, established rape beyond reasonable doubt. Customary marriage cannot be contracted without the free and full consent of the woman, and the defence of Chagga customary marriage is invalid in law and fact.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Conviction and sentence of 30 years imprisonment plus ten strokes of the cane upheld