Tanzania Case Law: Decisions & Judgments | LexChat

Tanzania Case Law

Criminal procedure

  • 1 Jan 2026

    Judgment Patrice Odongo V R

    Citation
    Judgment Patrice Odongo V R
    Court
    TANZLII

    The prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the appellant, as supervisor, stole the specified amounts from the businesses, corroborated by his own admissions and documentary evidence. The variance between the charge and evidence was immaterial and did not prejudice the appellant. The forfeiture order was lawfully made as the properties were proceeds of crime.

    • Stealing
    • Forfeiture of property
    • Criminal procedure
    • Evidence
    • Variance between charge and evidence

  • 13 Mar 2025

    ERICK FRANCISCO

    Citation
    ERICK FRANCISCO
    Court
    TANZLII

    Appeal dismissed on conviction, but sentence reduced from five to two years after the court found the original term severe for a first offender.

    • Theft
    • Criminal procedure
    • Evidence
    • Sentencing
    • Criminal-appeal
    • Criminal-procedure

  • 28 Feb 2025

    MIRAJI ATHUMANI FINAL

    Citation
    MIRAJI ATHUMANI FINAL
    Court
    TANZLII

    The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the appellant was found in possession of the stolen goods because the purported certificate of seizure was not valid, and the oral evidence of seizure was unsupported, rendering the conviction unsafe.

    • Possession of suspected stolen property
    • Search and seizure
    • Standard of proof
    • Chain of custody
    • Criminal procedure

  • 1 Jan 2025

    CRIMINAL APPEAL NO

    Citation
    CRIMINAL APPEAL NO
    Court
    TANZLII

    The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the appellant was the perpetrator of the rape, as the victim's evidence was contradictory regarding the identity of the perpetrator and the circumstances of disclosure, and there was insufficient corroboration. The contradictions and omissions in the prosecution case created reasonable doubt, warranting acquittal.

    • Rape
    • Sexual offences
    • Evidence
    • Burden of proof
    • Credibility of witnesses
    • Criminal procedure

  • 1 Jan 2025

    REVISION FINAL

    Citation
    REVISION FINAL
    Court
    TANZLII

    The High Court declined to intervene in the pending proceedings of the trial court, holding that the trial court has jurisdiction to determine the legality and propriety of the charge and that there was no irregularity or illegality in the trial court proceedings. The application was premature and not properly filed.

    • Criminal procedure
    • Publication of false information
    • Cyber crimes
    • Judicial review
    • Powers of revision

  • 1 Jan 2025

    CRIMINAL APPEAL NO

    Citation
    CRIMINAL APPEAL NO
    Court
    TANZLII

    The conviction and sentence were quashed because the search was conducted at night without justification or court leave, in violation of section 40 of the Criminal Procedure Act, and the only independent witness did not corroborate the law enforcement officers' testimony regarding the discovery of narcotic drugs. These procedural and evidentiary failures created reasonable doubt, requiring acquittal.

    • Narcotic drugs
    • Criminal procedure
    • Search and seizure
    • Chain of custody
    • Burden of proof
    • Sentencing

  • 23 Dec 2024

    criminal decision 2024 12 23 15 42 11

    Citation
    criminal decision 2024 12 23 15 42 11
    Court
    TANZLII

    The plea of guilty was unequivocal, the charge sheet contained sufficient particulars, and the trial court followed proper procedure. The appeal lacked merit and was dismissed.

    • Plea of guilty
    • Defective charge
    • Unnatural offence
    • Rape
    • Criminal procedure

  • 6 Dec 2024

    ELIAS FRANCISCOMINANI

    Citation
    ELIAS FRANCISCOMINANI
    Court
    TANZLII

    The trial court's failure to comply with mandatory procedural requirements under section 231 of the Criminal Procedure Act, including informing the accused of his rights and properly admitting evidence, resulted in a prejudicial and unfair trial, necessitating nullification of proceedings and retrial.

    • Incest
    • Fair trial
    • Child sexual abuse
    • Criminal procedure

  • 4 Nov 2024

    NGALAYO TAYEI 222 Eduted

    Citation
    NGALAYO TAYEI 222 Eduted
    Court
    TANZLII

    The trial was vitiated by failure to amend the charge to reflect the minor's age and lack of social welfare officer attendance; material contradictions existed between the charge and evidence regarding the crops damaged; identification evidence was insufficient and not free from the possibility of mistaken identity; prosecution failed to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt.

    • Malicious damage to property
    • Criminal procedure
    • Juvenile justice
    • Evidence
    • Identification
    • Variance between charge and evidence