19940920 TZCA Mwanza

19940920 TZCA Mwanza

The appellant killed his sister in the honest belief she was responsible for his daughter's death by witchcraft, but as there was no sudden shock depriving him of self-control, the killing was murder.

Citation
19940920 TZCA Mwanza
Parties
Respondent: The Republic; Appellant: Unnamed Appellant
Court
TZCA
Jurisdiction
Tanzania
Judgment Date
20 September 1994
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
conviction for murder upheld
Legal Topics
Murder, Witchcraft Belief, Defences to Murder
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 1 Authorities cited 1 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

The Republic

Respondent

Unnamed Appellant

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the appellant's belief in witchcraft constitutes a defence to murder
  2. 2 Whether the conviction for murder was proper given the facts

Ratio Decidendi

The appellant killed his sister in the honest belief she was responsible for his daughter's death by witchcraft, but as there was no sudden shock depriving him of self-control, the killing was murder.

Court Disposition

conviction for murder upheld