TANZANIA
HIGH COURT DIGEST
1967-1968
VOLUMES
1 &11
FACULTY
OF LAW
DAR
ES SALAAM
CIITATION
These digests are cited as in the
following example;
[1967] H.C.D. n.203.
The number in square brackets indicates
the year, and the final number indicates the number of the digest, not the page
number.
EDITOR’S
NOTE
This
volume is a re-publication, in a more convenient form, of the Tanzania High
Court Digest for the years 1967 and 1968.
The
digests appear as before, except that typographical errors and omissions which
crept into the originals have been corrected to the best of our abilities. The
classification of cases under headings such as “Procedure” and “Income Tax” has
been dropped, as have the brief summaries which formerly appeared at the head
of each digest, since the Cumulative Index renders these redundant. The Index
itself is completely new, and was drawn up on the basis of a careful re-reading
of all digests, and in certain instances of the original cases. It should be
noted that the numbering of the cases in the 1968 volume has been altered, due
to an over-lap of numbers in the original Digest.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This
volume is the product of the combined work of many people, including most staff
members of the following people should be mentioned in particular. Mr. S. Huber,
all former editors of the Digest. As well as Mr.S.M.M.Amlani, Mr. E.K Chesaning
and Mr. F.R.S.Onyango, our student assistants.
Lal+ Patel
Brian
Slattery
The Editors
Identification of Cases
The system of identifying cases which
are digested is as shown by the following example:
“Ali s/o Hamisi vs., (PC) Crim. App.
828-D-66;19/1/67; Saidi J.”
(1) (2) (3) (4)
(5) (6) (7) (8)
(1)Parties-the full name of each
party is given, first name first. Where there are several plaintiffs,
defendants, or accuseds only the name of the first party is given. “R” is the
abbreviation used for “Republic”.
(2)Court of Origin- this
indicates the type of court in which the case was originally heard. “(PC)”
stands for “
(3) Type of Case – the following
abbreviations are used:
Civ. App. Civil
Appeal
Civ. App. Civil
Application
Civ. Case. Civil
Case
Crim. App. Criminal Appeal
Crim . Case Criminal Case
Crim. Rev. Criminal Revision
Crim. Sass Criminal
Session
Mart. Conf. Matrimonial Confirmation
Misc. Apple. Miscellaneous Application.
Misc. Crim. Cause Miscellaneous Criminal Cause
(4) Case Number – this is the number assigned to the
case by the High Court in the series indicated by parts (2) and (3) of the
citation.
(5) City - this indicates the city in which the case
was heard, or to whose registry the case was assigned, by the High Court. “D”
is
(6) Year of Filing – this
indicates the year in which the case was filed with the High Court, and
assigned a case number.
(7) Date of Decision – this
is the date appearing on the decision
handed down by the High Court.
(8) Name of Justice – this indicates the
High Court Justice who decided the case and wrote the judgment.
Thus,
in the example given, “Ali s/o Hamisi v. R.” is Primary Court Criminal Appeal
Number 828 of 1966 in the Dar as Salaam registry, decided on 19 January 1967,
by Mr. Justice Saudi.
Inspection
Notes. Inspection Notes contain information and counsel useful to magistrates
and advocates alike, and are therefore included in this Digest. The cases
involved are assigned no high Court number. The citation her, therefore,
includes the number assigned by the court whose decision was considered by the
High Court, the name of the court, and the cit in which that decision was rendered.
The date given is that of the issuance of the Note by the High Court.
HIGH
COURT DIGEST
COMULATIVE
INDEX
1967
– 1968
EDITOR’S
NOTE
INDEX
Due to the large number of criminal
cases digested, it has been found convenient to have separate indexes for civil
and criminal topics. The Civil Index includes all “non-criminal” points of law
which arise, whether in civil of criminal cases. The Criminal Index encompasses
all points of law relating directly to criminal prosecutions for offences
against the Penal Code and other statutes creating penal offences. The
classification system of the Civil Index is based on that developed for the
African Law Reports by Dr. Alan Milner. The Criminal Index uses an original
classification system, which hopefully represents an improvement of other
current systems.
In both Indexes, as in the Name Index,
cases are referred to by year and number, as in: 1968/423. It should be noted
that the final number is the case number, not the page number.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This Index was prepar Q`ed by Brian Slattery with the
assistance of S.M.M Alana and F. R. S. Onyango.
NAME INDEX
1
A.
Abbas G. Essaji et al vs. Gordon D.
Solanki c/o Solanki Taylor 1967/227
Abbasi G. Essaji vs. Gordon Dewji
Solanki 1967/279
Abedi Shekulwavu vs. Salim Juma 1967/88
Abdallah Mohamed vs. R.
1968/177
Abdalla s/o Siki vs. R.
1968/299
Abdallah Abede Tamim v. Salim Salum Hekan 1967/44
Abdallahamid vs. Rama dhani Shemdoe 1967/431
Abdallah s/o Saidi vs. R. 1967/12
Abdallah Salinu vs. Ramadhani
Shemdoe
1968/129
Abdallah Salum vs. Twentsche Overseas Trading Co. Ltd. 1967/228
Abdallah Tamim vs. Said Alley
1967/113
Abdi s/o Omari vs. R.
1968/324
Abdi Salum vs. Kheri Salim
1967/381
Abdul Javer Heghji vs. Alibhai
Mitha 1967/235
Abdul s/o Salumu vs. R
1967/107
Abdulaziz Velji Ratansi vs. Sher
Singh
1968/413A
Abdulrasul Haji Jooma vs. Harman Singh Bhamra 1967/41
Abraham s/o Lanjou vs. R.
1968/180
Abu A Mwenge vs. R. 1967/453
Adamu s/o Athumani vs. R 1967/148
Adamu Mtondo vs. Likuna Omari 1968/289
Adam Kharid vs. Amina Rajabu 1968/405
Adam Shabani vs. R. 1967/193
Adiza Malifeza v. R 1968/192
African Bazaar vs. Hassani Abdallah 1968/338
Agnes Asser Mguya vs. Bakiri E.
Mbaga 1967/326
Ahmed Ibrahim vs. R
1968/365
Akber Merali Alibhai vs. Total Jamhuri
Service Station 1967/175
Akilimali Rumisho vs. Kaunara
Kisano 1968/211
Alex s/oAndrea vs. R. 1967/339
Alex Godfrey Mungumbele vs. R. 1968/241
Alexander s/o Ngimna vs. R. 1968/234
Alexander Tryphon Dembiniotis vs.
Central African Co. Ltd. 1967/55
Alfred Bazila vs. R. 1968/309
Alfred Christopher Carere vs. R 19667/223
Alibah s/o Dadi vs. R. 1968/308
Ali Nyamgunda vs. Emilian Kihwili 1967/177
Ali Mohamed vs. R. 1968/63
Ali Simba vs. R. 1968/240
11
Allen Nyelo vs. R. 1967/213
Alli s/o Iddi vs. R 1967/219
Alli s/o Islam vs. R. 1967/1
Alli
s/o Mohamed vs. R 1967/241
Alli Mohamed vs. R. 1968/277
Alli s/o Nassoro vs. R 1967/314
Alli s/o Ramadhani vs. R. 1968/430
Alli Mohamed vs. R 1968/146
Aloice Matanda vs. Samany Ngapanyi 1968/416A
Aloys Ignas vs. Simeo s/o Mulokozi 1968/400A
Aloys Kamuzora vs. R. 1968/428A
Amani Chogo Chacha vs. Riobo
Nyambara 1967/433
Amani Zephania Kimweri vs. R. 1968/50
Ambokile Mwamalango vs. R 1967/275
Amina Katume vs. Eustace Ngyakowa 1968/13
Amina Rajabu vs. Adam Kharid 1968/405
Amirali Rashid Rajwani vs. R 1967/305
Amiri s/o Juma vs. R. 1968/61
Amiri Ludongo vs. Hija Gamba 1968/457A
Amiri s/o Rashidi vs. 1968/302
Amiri Salehe vs. R. 1968/193
Amosi s/o Marwa vs. R. 1967/357
Amradha
Construction Co. vs.
Amiri s/o Ahmed vs. R. 1968/329
A.M. S. Lemki vs. R. 1968/229
Anage s/o Temu vs.R. 1967/404
Andogwisye s/o Mwambunga vs. R. 1968/378
Andrea s/o Kimbulu vs. R. 1968/312
Andrea Ndibalema vs. R. 1968/291
Andrea Rafael vs. Antonio Masakunya 1968/132
Andrea Wisai vs. Fransiska Opong 1968/17
Andreas
s/o Manake vs. R. 1967/368
Angasisye s/o Mwalkuga vs. R. 1968/325
Aniset Bonaventura vs. R. 1967/272
Anthony Mhikwa vs. R 1968/420A
Anyandulik s/o Mwaikusa vs. R 1968/270
Arusha Tailoring vs. Mrs. T, Pucci 1967/424
Asukile s/o Mwankyoma vs Manyasa s/o
Mainge 1967/165
Asumani s/o Mataka vs. R 1968/427
Atanasi s/o Kawuwu vs R 1968/30
111.
Attilia Mosca vs. Hassanali Kassam
Damji 1967/176
Attilio s/o Mosca vs. R 1968/295
Athmani Lusaju vs. Sadiki Athumani 1968/128
Athumani Alli vs. R.
1967/444
Athumani Hatibu vs.R. 1968/396
Athumani s/o Kassim vs. R. 1968/143
Athumani Mtaka vs. R 1967/452
Angaburg Pennyle Lekajo vs. R 1967/276
Augustine s/o Machau vs. R. 1967/67
Augustino Brown Chanafi vs. R. 1968/73
Automobile Stores Ltd. vs. L.K
Msosa 1968/226
Awali Mlanga vs.R 1968/242
Azaria vs. Mbuya
1967/33
Azuerali
Kajimji & others vs.
The City Council of
B
Babla
& Gajjar Auto Garage vs. Surjit Singh Toor
t/a Frank Sestine &
Bi Baikiliza Kamrugisha vs. Bi.
Kyobalychwa. 1968/248
Bakari s/o Issah vs. R.
1968/33
Bi. Bagonzi d/o Kasindo vs Rafael Kasindo 1968/291
Bakiri Hoya vs. Gabriel Mdoe 1967/229
Balikulije Mpumagi vs. Nzwili
Mashengu 1968/20
Balukunika s/o Mhozi vs. R. 1968/392
Balyehaila Mulagilwa
vs. Bwemi Mulagilwa 1968/164
Bandama Johnson Malindi vs. R. 1967/220
Bamsongile s/o Mwalugaja vs. Sifumwike.
s/o Mwandinde 1967324
Barthazar Barongo vs. Mary Bendicto 1968/209
Barthlomew Ndyanabo vs. Petronida
Ndyamukama 1968/339
B.A.T. Kenya Ltd. vs Express Transport
Co. Ltd. 1967/374
Bawari s/o Abedi vs. R 1967/11
Benadus Okemba vs. Okoko Aran 1968/15
Benbros Motor Tanganyika Ltd. vs.
Ramalal Haribhai Patel 1967/435
Benedict s/o Beatus vs. R 1967/406
Bigwomunda Malaula vs. Bahanda Rwoje 1968/205
Birsingh vs. Ramnik J. Khetia 1967/286
Bituro d/o Msiba vs. Magero Naguguri
1968/162
Bosco Lucas s/o Sungura vs. R 1967/186
Boniface Muhigi vs. Philemon Muhigi 1967/231
B. Sirley &Co.Ltd. vs Tanganyika Tegry Plastics Ltd. 1968/290
Bugi s/o Rioba vs.R. 1967/68
1V
Bundile d/c Waziri vs. Tokla d/o
Paul 1967/158
The Manager,Burhani Saw Mills Ltd. vs.
R 1968/395
Burns & Blane Ltd. vs. United
Construction Co. Ltd. 1967/156
Braison s/o Sachayo vs. R 1967/365
C
Cecelia
Fernandes vs. Noordin Ali Vali Issa 1967/172
Celestin Alai Mzigo vs. R. 1967/103
Chababila s/o Kakobe vs. R 1968/319
Chacha Gikaro vs. Marwa Maroro 1968/3
Chacha s/o Matiku vs. R. 1968/189
The Manager, Chambogo Magnesite Co. Ltd.
vs. R. 1968/150
Chanungu Chipaeni vs. R 1968/268
Charles Herbert Withens-Payne vs. Commission of Income Tax 1968/406A
Charles s/o Hizza vs. R 1967/362
Charles s/o Makanyaga Makoba vs. R 1967/271
Charles s/o Mumba vs. R
1967/221
Chibaga s/o Jumbe vs. R. 1968/389
Chibaya s/o Mbuyape vs. James s/o
Mlewa 1967/434
Chicua
Alias Wadson s/o Kaombwe vs. R. 1967/63
Chikondamu Ching’ang’a vs. R. 1967/403
Chimanlal Chimilal vs. R 1967/448
Christian Simon Briyo vs. R. 1967/419
Christina Ndege vs. Daudi Wankaniya 1968/255
Christopher s/o Lucas vs. R 1968/175
The city Council of
The city Council of
C.K.
Matemba t/a Matemba & Co. vs.
Jumanne Yamuhunga t/a
Citizen Club 1968/118
C.K.Matemba vs. Mary Matemba 1968/252
Clement s/o Mbella vs. R 1968/31
Cleophace Anthony vs. Paul Edward 1968/137
Commissioner of Customs &
Excise vs. Tarmal Industries Ltd. 1967/327
Constantin Hamanya vs. Elias Kayoza. 1968/125
Cosmos s/o Athumani vs. R. 1967/120
Cosmos Patrick Chanda vs. R 1968/111
C.K.Chipanda vs. R.
1968/421
D
Dahaye Marsaw vs. Darabe Gayidamuyi 1967/373
Damas Sabi vs. John Kisika 1968/136
Dani s/o Timoth vs. R 1968/427A
Daniel s/o Ignana vs. R 1967/84
Daniel Kambegwa vs.R. 1968/333
V.
Daniel Mtunze vs. R 1968/321
Daniel s/o Mugema vs. R. 1967/99
Daniel Marwa vs. Surati Mwita 1968/133
Daniel Sinsinimwezi vs. R
1968/106
Daniel s/o Sindirimwezi vs. R. 1968/327
Daniel s/o Stephen vs. 1967/399
Daniford Shanghai vs. R 1967/268
Dauda s/o Hamisi vs. R 1967/21
Daudi James vs. R.
1968/71
Daudi Mwabasile vs. R 1967/59
Daudi Wankanya vs. Christina Ndege 1968/255
Dausen F. Sawe vs. Oforo Semu Swai 1967/429
Dar es Salaam Motor Transport Co. Ltd.
vs. Metha 1967/423
David Mwita s/o Paulo vs. R. 1967/134
Dr.
M. Daya, Administrator, H.H. The
Dengwa s/o Masiku vs. R. 1967/454
Deusdedit Kashanga vs. Bi Baitu
Rwabigene 1968/165
Dhaniben Chaku Hirji vs. Vinay Chondua
G. Modessa 1967/51
Didas s/o Paulo vs. Christina d/o Leiza 1968/448A
Dimishky vs. Sergio Mauritzi 1968/465A
Director, Jinnah’s
Donald s/o Musa vs. Tutilo s/o Yonathan 1967/118
Donolus s/o Ishindike vs. R. 1967/290
Doto s/o Luhende vs. R. 1968/439
Doto d/o Sweya vs. Mhinda d/o Sweya 1968/345
D.T.Dobie & Co. Ltd. vs. Manji’s
Ltd. 1968/161
Duncan Mberelie vs. Gibson Mawalla 1968/454A
E
Ebrahim
Abdullah Bahurmuz vs. The City Council of
Dar es Salaam 1967/179
Edmund van Tongereu vs. Tanganyika Tegry
Plastics Ltd. 1968/401A
Edward s/o Hamisi vs. R. 1967/348
Edward Kalemela vs. Mnyebe Rwenjege 1968/80
Edward Michael vs. R. 1968/58
Edward
Opiyo vs. R. 1968/55
Edward Mponzi vs. R. 1968/438
Edward Rwehabula vs. John Rwehabula 1968/53
Elgeyo Border Wheat Farms Ltd. vs.
R 1968/307
Eli Haji Salum Mbogoromwe vs. Asumini
d/o Ngobesi 1968/383
Eliakimu s/o Zacharia vs. R 1967/407
V1.
Elikana s/o Mekijanga vs. R 1968/335
Eliezwa Sangwe vs. R 1968/187
Eliud s/o Kuzwa vs. R. 1968/159
Eliyaforo Hosea vs. Fraeli Kimarya 1968/331
Emanuel Paul vs. Daudi Tibendelena 1968/169
Emmanuel Bwegilire vs. Juma Hamisi 1967/45
Emmanuel Tumbotele vs. R 1968/144
Enock s/o Shombe vs. R 1968/219
Ephraimu Obungo vs. Naftael Okeyo 1968/288
Essak Ismail & Sons vs. Martini
Mwanga 1968/352
Esther David Mmari vs. Emmanuel Makaiki 1967/178
Evarister Martin vs. Tefumwa
Tibishubwamu & Another. 1968/412
Ezekiel s/o Luka vs. Kijana s/o
Mtenda 1968/404
F
Fabian Maganga vs. R 1967/346
Fanuel s/o Kiula vs. R. 1967369
Farrah Inc. S.A. vs. The Ottoman
Bank 1968/356
Fatehali Ali Peera vs. Onorato Dolla
Sauta 1968/414
Fatuma d/o Omari vs. Rashidi s/o
Athumani 1967/173
Faustin Joseph vs. R. 1968/246
Felista Ishekanyoro vs. Martin Nanyika 1968/12
Ferdinand s/o Rajabu vs. R. 1967/38
Fideli Nyembe vs. R.
1968/34
Fitina s/o Nchuma vs. R. 1968/430A
Francis Chilemba vs. R. 1968/471A
Francis s/o Mtangi vs. R
1968/235
Francis Ngumbo vs. R. 1968/103
Francis (Aoka) s/o Oyengo vs. R. 1967/309
Francis Kanyuka vs. R 1967/305
Francis s/o Kitana vs, R. 1967/224
Francis s/o Mwijage vs. Boniface s/o
Kabalomeza 1968/341
Frixos Costa Meinarid vs. Ingra 1968/286
G
Gabriel
Mugenda vs. Sospeter Bocho. 1968/89
Gabriel Nzigula vs. Rooza d/o
Muyungi 1968/126
Mrs. G.A.H.Adat vs. R. 1968/152
Gauderinsia Samwel vs. Melchor
Marcel 1967/333
Geofray s/o Buyombe vs. R. 1968/373
Geofrey
Malamia vs. R 1968/306
George Tumpes vs. R. 1968/416
Gervas Ngaiza Baitilwa vs. Ngaiza
Baitilwa 1968/11
V11.
Gokar Damji & Sons vs. Gulamhusein
Saleh Haji 1968/285
Gordon Masika vs. R. 1968/107
Govindram Insherdar vs. R. 1968/432A
Gulamhussein Bros vs. Kantibhai C. Patel 1967/293
Guli Tsauna vs. R 1967/440
H
Habib
Punja &Sons vs. Madam Margot Agas
1967/380
Haki s/o Nangalwanya vs. R. 1968/57
Halfani Salum vs. Hasifa Kondo 1967/181
Halidi s/o Twalibu vs. R 1968/423
Halidi s/o Athumani v. R 1967/93
Halifa Ibrahim 1968/310
Halima
Guleti vs. Ibrahim Ahmed 1968/76
Halima Mgaya vs. Saada Juma 1968/93
Halimoja Kavira vs. R. 1968/418A
Hamadi Sadiki vs. R. 1968/431
Hamea s/o Mohamed vs. Omari s/o
Abdallah 1967/48
Hamidu s/o Udu vs. R 1967/246
Hamisi s/o Bakari vs. R. 1967/34
Hamisi Mlezi vs.Umoja Printers 1968/350
Hamisi s/o Shaha vs. R. 1967/253
Hamisi
s/o Issa vs. R.
Hamisi Juma vs. R.
1968/429A
Hamisi s/o Mtanga vs. R. 1967/409
Hamisi Kinyaju vs. Hussein Mkondo 1967/53
Hamisi Salum Mnenjon vs. R. 1968/72
Hamisi Simbane vs. R. 1967/176
Harnam Singh vs. R. 1968/280
Hashidi s/o Ally vs. R. 1967/215
Hassanali Issa & Co. v. Jeraj
Produce Store 1967/52
Hashimu s/o Mohamed Mfaume vs. R
1968/272
Hassani Abasi s/o Mohamed vs. R. 1968/220
Hassan s/o Mohamed vs. R. 1968/429
Hassan s/o Sefu vs Muru s/o Mohamed 1968/405A
Hassani Abdalla vs. African Bazaar 1968/338
Hassani Abdalla Mbaga vs. R. 1968/160
Hassani Mirambo vs. R. 1968/440A
Hassani s/o Mohamed vs. R. 1968/417A
Hassanali Issa & Co. vs. Jeraj Produce
Store 1968/52
Hassanali Walji vs. R. 1968/172
Hatibu s/o Nyakita vs. R. 1967/298
V111.
Hemedi Shemela vs. Amiri Shemela 1967/162
Henock s/o Mtoi vs. Frida d/o Yafeti 1968/204
Henrico s/o Welengaile vs. Felician s/o
Kiraama 1967/347
Henery Gervase vs. R 1967/129
Henry Kiteleaye vs. R. 1967/205
Hilarius Karario vs. Subaya Kirahi 1968/95
Horn Makindi vs. R 1967/188
H.S. Mangat vs. B. Sharma 1968/167
Hulda John vs.
Hussein Adam vs. Asili Abdullah 1968/92
Hussein Kijuu vs. R 1967/421
Hussein s/o Hamza vs. R 1968/223
I
I.A Fergusson vs. R. 1967/245
Ibrahim Ahmed vs. Halima Guleti 1968/76
Ibrahim Lihoha vs. R. 1967/230
Idefonce Mpendakazi vs. R. 1967/124
Iddi d/o Kungunya vs. Ali s/o Mpate 1967/49
Ignatius Balamuzi vs. Jeremiah
Peter 1968/400
Ingra vs. Frixos Costa Moimaridi 1968/286
Inosence s/o Pangras Nsimgura vs. R 1968/275
In re Abdallah Salim Ali Ab-Salaam 1967/174
In re Dara F. Keeka & Mohamedali
Nasser Damji 1967/320
In re Mohamedhusseni Shariff Jiwa 1967/238
In re Petition by Habel Kasenha 1967/166
In re Petition by K.A. Thabit 1967/167
In re R.V. Sakerbai M. A. Gangji 1967/243
In re Shariff Jamal & Sons Ltd 1967/155
Isaya s/o Longei vs. R. 1968/316
Isaya s/o Maguje vs. R 1968/155
Isidori s/o
Ismael s/o Rashid vs. R. 1968/139
Ismail s/o Bakari vs. R. 1967/420
Issa s/o Amri vs. R. 1968/195
Issa s/o Balati vs. R. 1967/22
Issa s/o Jakale vs. R. 1968/100
Issa s/o Mwamdachin vs.R 1967/414
Issa s/o Ntoka vs. R. 1968/374
Issah
s/o Kibwana vs. R. 1967/239
International Trading &Credit
Company of
Izaak
Sempanama vs. Leokadia Mwombeki
1968/212
1X.
J.
Jackson James vs. R. 1967/273
Jacob Tibufumula vs. Abraham Kipala 1967/40
Jacob Timifumula vs. Daud Justinian 1968/134
Jacob Timifumula vs. Ntange Bebwa 1968/14
Jafenia s/o Shimba vs. Masuka s/o Nyanda 1968/10
Jairi s/o Mwaipopo vs. R. 1968/300
Jairosi Yohane vs. R. 1968/218
Jajdin P. Madhani vs. The New Great
Insurance Co. of India Ltd. 1967/153
Jamal Hirji vs. Hassanali Kassam Harji 1967/234
James s/o Yohane vs. R. 1967/145
Jando
vs.R 1967/7
Japhet
Fungameza vs. R. 1968/422A
Japhet s/o Mangwa vs. R. 1967/293
Jayant
D. Desai vs. Hashi Warsama 1967/171
Jayantilal Narbheram Gandesha vs. Killingi Coffee Estate Ltd &
Panyotis Preketer 1968/399
Jean s/o Kisila vs.R 1967/370
Jeremiah
s/o Mhindi vs. R. 1968/273
Jeremius
s/o Boramwenda vs. R. 1967/191
Jesa Ibrahim vs. R 1968/236
J. M. Kika, Messrs. vs. R. 1968/59
Joaquin Gregory D’Silva vs. R. 1968/266
Joas s/o Ernest vs. R. 1967/335
Joha s/o Juma vs. R 1968/474A
John s/o Elirehema vs. R. 1968/278
John Hamisi vs. Boniface s/o Paul 1968/166
John Joseph vs. R. 1968/425
John Kenneth Peterson vs. R. 1968/271
John s/o Kiwanuka vs. R. 1967/102
John Lwehabura vs. Edward Lwehabura 1968/358
John Masumbuko vs. R. 1968/433A
John Micheal & Msekwa vs. R. 1968/274
John Mtandara vs. R. 1968/303
John Ngarama vs. R. 1967/264
John Paul vs. R. 1967/347
John Sheta vs. R 1967/192
John Silanda vs. R 1968/322
John Wamaana vs. R. 1968/49
John Wayage Nyamahenda vs. R. 1968/432
X.
John Yakubora vs. R. 1968/367
Johathan Chamande vs. R. 1968/237
Joseph Imira vs Iddi Hamedi 1968/355
Joseph vs. R. 1967/29
Joseph Arah Teso vs. R. 1967/398
Joseph Constantine vs. Losilale
Ndaskoi 1968/381
Joseph s/o Jacob vs. R 1967/5
Joseph Kimanlando vs. Philemon Mshiu 1968/138
Joseph Lawrence Mchara vs. R. 1967/274
Joseph s/o Mburi vs.R. 1967/408
Joseph Michael vs. R. 1968/435
Joseph Selemani vs. R. 1968/444A
Josephat Kabijengo vs Laurian Kyoka 1968/124
Joshwa s/o Motiya & Mangit s/o
Motiya vs. R. 1968/311
Juma Alibax Said vs. R. 1967/383
Juma s/o Abdallah vs. R. 1967/396
Juma s/o Athumani vs. R. 1968/197
Juma s/o Faranani vs. R. 1967/19
Juma s/o Kisunda vs. Hema s/o Mjie 1967/322
Juma s/o Masudi vs. R. 1968/109
Juma s/o Muhumpa vs. R 1968/115
Juma s/o Ramadhani vs. R. 1968/147
Juma s/o Saidi vs. R. 1967/78
Juma s/o Saidi vs R. 1967/391
Juma Swalehe vs. R. 1967/391
Jumane & Ali s/o
Hamisi vs. R. 1967/278
Jumane s/o Masudu vs. R. 1967/307
Jumanne Dumwala vs. R. 1968/437
Jumanne Juma vs. R. 1968/304
Jumanne
Yamulung t/a Citizen Club vs. C.K. Matemba, t/a
Metumba & Co. 1968/118
Jyantilal Lavji Kara Shah vs. R. 1968/328
K
Kabusu Mtogori vs. Wambura Nyamaisa 1968/26
Kagaba s/o Mikaliha vs. Dandila d/o
Biguma 1967/428
Kahema s/o Mkwe vs. R. 1968/435A
Kahumbila Mgalula vs. R. 1967/100
Kakengele Msagikwa vs. R. 1967/43
Kamando Mahinyira vs. R. 1967/149
Kamili Sambulu vs. R. 1967/146
Kanifiun
Odero vs. Nelons Ongina 1968/342
X1.
Kantibhai C. Patel vs. Gulamhussein
Bros. 1968/293
Kantibhai C. Patel vs. Gulamhussein
Bros. 1968/463A
Kapasyu s/o Mwaipunga vs. Mwendilemo s/o
Mwaikyusa 1968/88
Kaneo Kisabasu Tills vs. R. 1967/101
Karoli Kanwa vs. Yustinian Mpinzire 1968/86
Kasunga
Mwaikitalina vs. Kituidisya Mapata
1968/210.
Kasuli & Densi s/o Sanziki vs. R.
1968/113
Katabazi s/o Kahurananga vs. R 1968/361
Kataliche s/o John vs. R. 1967/367
Katamba s/o Mwaisunga vs. R. 1967/58
Kawagere s/o Muhinda vs. Josephina s/o
(sic) Buhirame 1968/9
Khadija d/o Abdallah vs. Saidi Omari 1968/249
Khetiani vs. The New India Insurance Co.
Ltd. 1968/402
Kibwana Salehe vs. R. 1968/391
Kidele s/o Juma vs. Thomas s/o
Shenkunde 1968/458A
Kidevu Msese vs. R. 1967/303
Kidukila d/o Alli vs. Rashidi s/o Rashid 1967/164
Kijana
s/o Mlinda vs. Ezekiel s/o Luka 1968/404
Kikale s/o Mwaikajunga vs. Enos s/o
Mwaikambo 1967/281
Killungi
Coffee Estate Ltd. & Panyiotis Preketa vs.Jyantilal
Narbheram Gandoha 1968/399
Kinionge Mwalimu vs. Kavuli Ngoma 1968/348
Kinou s/o Msengi vs. R. 1968/469A
Kipung’etich Arap Korir vs. R. 1967/394
Kirisa s/o Kitentera vs. Patiri d/o Magesa
1968/254
Kisema Ndutu vs.Masholo Mishiga 1968/8
Kishan Singh Sandoo-The Bankrupt vs.
Mokund Ram Aggrawal 1968/25
Kishorilal Dhamiran Aggarwal vs. R. 1968/331
Kitenge s/o Kisonge vs. R. 1968/294
Kitila s/o Tintina vs. R. 1968/65
Kiyungi s/o Abdukheri vs.R. 1967/64
Kizengeze s/o Mugamba vs.R. 1967/4
Koba
s/o Joseph vs.R. 1968/96
Kombo s/o Haji & Ngage vs. R. 1967/225
Kondo s/o Omari vs. R. 1967/418
Korba s/o Farah vs. R. 1967/92
Kotak Ltd. vs. Vallabhdas Kco verji 1967/111
Kotak Ltd vs. Vallabhdas Koo verji 1968/386
Kuthum Ally Kara vs. Yassin Omar 1968/340
Kumbata Hahimbo vs. Kumbala Mugendi 1967/54
Bi Kyobalichwa vs. Bi. Baikiliza Kamugisha 1968/248
X11.
Ladislane s/o Lukari vs, R. 1968/112
Lalji Naran vs. United Construction Co.
Ltd. 1968/403
Lameck Bundala vs. R. 1968/54
Lalji Makanji Karanja vs. The
Commissioner of Income Tax 1967/438
Laurant Ochola vs. Tembo Odoyo 1968/19
Laurean Baitu vs. Stanslaus Tibenda 1968/410
Laurian Kahokwe vs. R. 1967/147
Leo Abora vs.R.
1967/240
Leo Mkasu vs. Salum Mohamed
El-Shukery 1968/408A
Leo s/o Pigangoma vs. R. 1967/131
Leonard s/o Fue vs. R. 1968/283
Leonard Karomba vs.Mustafa Buhorwa 1968/131
Leonard Kasiko vs.R.
1968/45
Leonard Makanya vs. Nimwinda d/o
Pue 1967/377
Lehman’s (E.A) Ltd vs. R. Lehman &
Co. Ltd 1968/77
Lakole s/o Mengwa vs. R. 1967/397
Leshalon s/o Ncosha vs. R. 1968/62
Lesindamu Kinawanama vs. Nobani
Shila 1968/78
Likuna Omari vs. Adamu Ntondo 1968/289
Limango s/o Shomari vs. R. 1968/67
Limbu s/o Kiloshimba vs. R. 1967/65
Lohnro Ltd. vs. Alexandre Tryphon
Donbeniotis 1967/237
Lucas s/o Gangaye vs. R. 1968/226
Ludivico s/o Kishabu vs. R. 1967/194
Lugenya s/o Mila vs. R. 1967/66
Lulu s/o Titu vs. R. 1968/330
Luth d/o Nkotwa vs. Nova s/o
Mwandumbya 1967/161
Lwelanda s/o Benane vs. R. 1968438A
M
Mabula Masota Charles vs. R. 1968/238
Machibya Magida vs. R. 1967/257
Mackneyo Kingu s/o Nakala vs. R. 1968/105
Madole Mbichi vs. Makongoro
Nyamwaji 1968/28
Magahe Kisanda vs. R. 1967/83
Magati s/o Mchoya vs. R. 1968/375
Magobe Mkale vs. Gembe Kanoni 1967/430
Magwa s/o Juma vs. R. 1967/31
Magibo Makaba vs. R. 1968/301
Mahende Isauchu vs. R. 1968/422
Makafu Nyamrunda vs. Muga Okande 1968/83
X111.
Makasi German vs. R. 1968/297
Makubi s/o Wana vs. R. 1968/363
Makunya s/o Njarangi vs. R. 1967/144
Malika s/o Kabendera vs. R. 1968/433
Malolela s/o Ngimbe vs. Chiseo Chimali 1967/334
Manager,
Mandwa Koshona vs. R. 1967/361
Maneno s/o Salum vs. R. 1968/419
Marisuku Mohan Mawji vs. R. 1968/51
Manyoni Witate vs. Palapala Kakoro 1967/86
Mapera s/o Sandegyu vs. R. 1967/90
Marcus Leopold Lupembe vs. R. 1967/190
Maria Theresa Chiu vs. Vana Shiu Muig 1968/251
Martin Bikonyoro vs. Celestin Kaokola 1968/87
Martin Kamau vs. R.
1968/442A
Martin Mlasani vs.R. 1968/101
Martin Mwanga vs Essak Esmail & Sons
1968/352
Martin Mwiyula vs. R. 1967/137
Martin Senzota vs. R. 1967/80
Mariambai Rajabali and John P. Curtis 1968/120
Marwa Kibahi vs. Thomas Nyangi 1968/90
Marwa Nyirunga vs. R. 1967/358
Bi. Mary w/o Bilauri vs Calist
Bilauri 1968/412A
Masika s/o Nusurupia vs. R. 1968/313
Masika
s/o Nusurupia vs. R. 1968/263
Mary Matemba vs C.K. Matenba 1968/252
Masaiti
Magessa vs. R. 1967/344
Masalu Mpiwa vs. R. 1967/123
Masemu s/o Butiki vs. R. 1967/81
Maseuba Musile vs. Sahe Balalu 1968/202
Masera Mwita vs. Matilo Muhahe 1968/450A
Masuko Kerera vs Marwa Nyauonke 1967/436
Maswi s/o Wambura vs. Ryoba s/o Muhono 1968/85
Matenyanu s/o Nzagula vs. R. 1968/420
Matheo Marere vs R. 1967/316
Mathias s/o Kajara vs. R. 1967/242
Matride d/o Rukonge vs. Mwita
Nyantumutwa 1968/4
Matonya Chima vs. R. 1967/98
Mayagila s/o Shina vs. R. 1967/62
Mbaruku Ndima vs. R. 1967/212
Mbushi s/o Maganga vs. R. 1968/269
Mchelengwanyingi s/o Masala vs.R. 1968/370
X1V
Meliki s/o Mayala vs. R. 1968/376
M.G.Pardhan vs. Ali Mohamed Osman 1968/462A
M.H.Iskander, Dr., vs. R. 1967/153
Michael Y. Nungzwa vs. R. 1967/25
Michael Zephania vs. R. 1967/218
Miderege s/o Bemeye vs. R. 1968/74
Mipaa Masenga s/o Mananjimia vs. R. 1968/265
Misango s/o Semuba vs. R. 1967/133
Mkhandi Ghumpi vs. Fatuma Salim 1967/284
Mkonongo Moto vs. Monjelwa Sangasi 1967/328
Mkwe s/o Lakimoja vs. R. 1967/372
Mnonya M.S. vs. Ali Abdallah 1967/379
Modest @ Bishingwe vs. R. 1968/360
Mohamedi s/o Ally vs. Amina d/o Saidi 1967/287
Mohamed s/o Abdallah vs. R. 1967/360
Mohamed Hemed Kakopo vs. R. 1967/341
Mohamed s/o Issa vs. R. 1968/262
Mohamed s/o Mzee vs. R. 1968/148
Mohamed Ngoyani vs. Mtumwa Dodo 1967/114
Mohamed s/o Saidi vs. R. 1967/385
Mohamed s/o Saidi vs. R. 1968/473A
Mohamed Salum vs. R. 1968/151
Mohamed Stambuli vs.Mwanaharusi Selemani 1968/357
Mohamed Yusufu vs. Tunda Kassim 1968/447A
Mohamedali Virji Walji vs. Shinynga
AfricanTrading Co.Ltd 1968/401
Mohamedi s/o Salum vs. Salehe Mtakata 1968/456A
Mohans vs. A.G.Virjee 1967/112
Monanka Nyamweli vs. R 1968/217
Morison s/o Shem vs. R. 1968/417
Moses s/o Kalamu vs. R. 1967/151
Moshi d/o Rajabu vs. R. 1967/384
Moshua s/o Mduru vs. R. 1968/227
Moshilicki s/o Mediri vs. R. 1968/261
Mrisho s/o Pazi vs. Tatu d/o Juma 1968/119
Mrisho s/o Seffu vs. R. 1968/140
Mshamu Omari vs. R. 1968/326
Msine Ludivico s/o Niganya vs. R. 1967/201
Msengi s/o Kiula vs. R. 1968/179
XV
Msengwa s/o Mnyellele vs. R. 1968/431A
Mtatiro Mwita vs. Mwita Mariana 1968/82
Mtatiro Waiyage vs. R. 1967/68
Mtematuku s/o Mlima vs. R. 1968/108
Mngaya Marwa vs. Shona Goro 1968/130
Muhumudu s/o Kibwana vs. R. 1968/186
Bi Mukagilaya Bitasimbile vs. Raphael
s/o Rubili 1968/349
Mukeku Mtisu vs. R. 1968/97
Mulewa s/o Chilongani vs. Ngalya s/o
Mulewa 1967/422
Munyaga Wagokwa vs. Mulinga Katama 1968/7
Musa s/o Bakari vs. R. 1968/239
Musa s/o Kiumbe vs. R 1967/202
Musa s/o Makono vs. Rehema d/o Hassani 1967/159
Musa s/o Mgonjwa vs. R. 1968/108
Musa s/o Thomas vs. R. 1968/439A
Mussa s/o Abdallah vs. R. 1967/415
Mussa Ali Mahambi vs. R. 1968/157
Mussa s/o Hassana vs. R. 1967/262
Mussa s/o Gungachuma Panga Massai vs. R.
1968/468A
Mussa s/o Kandege vs. R. 1968/398
Musua d/o Shumbi vs. R. 1968/222
Mutesiga Mpohi vs. Felician Rasheho
Barthazal 1968/453A
Mwaja s/o Mkomawanyu vs. Mazengo s/o
Ndungu 1968/122
Mwanaibu d/o Ramadhani vs. R 1968/472A
Mwantanga binti Selemani vs. Dougulas
Jay Meleck 1968/466A
Mwindino s/o Mohamed vs R. 1967/386
Mwita Mecha vs. Mary Wangai d/o Wemra 1967/432
Mzee Hamisi vs. Shabani Songe 1967/236
Mzee Walipesa vs. Rajabu Ngayo 1968/24
Mzee s/o Selemani vs. R. 1968/364
Mwanachi Engineering & Contracting
Co. Ltd vs. S.N.Teja 1968/213
N
Naisikiye s/o Lalemone vs. Mbaya s/o
Kikayo 1967/116
Namaini K.K. vs. R. 1967/138
Nanji Gangji Alidina vs Globe
Merchantile Corp. Ltd. 1967/157
Nanji Trading Co, Ltd. vs. Suryakant & Bros. 1967427
Nanyanji vs. Mwanaarafa s/o
Mwenyimanzi 1967/42
Nitin Coffee Estate Ltd. vs. Naram
Mistry 1968/117
Nathanel Ijukaire vs. Martin Kalokola 1967/85
National & Grindlays Bank Ltd. vs.
Mohamedali Shariff 1968/379
Nasoro Asumani vs. R
1967/182
XV1.
Nasoro Mohamed vs. R. 1967/446
Nassoro s/o Sadiki & Mosh s/o Sadiki
vs. R. 1968/334
Ndanivyanje s/o Burauhusainye vs. Yusufu
Barakabifse 1968/415A
Ndayanyi s/o Lucas vs. R. 1967/85
Ndesario s/o Yose Kaaya vs. R. 1968/245
Ndewingia s/o Paulo vs. R. 1968/41
Ndewawiosia d/o Ndeamtzo vs. Imannuel
s/o Malesi 1968/127
New India Insurance Co. Ltd. vs. Ali
Foto 1968/455A
Ndaida Msasu vs. Rajabu Hanai 1968/16
Ngaliha s/o Soli vs. R. 1967/104
Ngoliki s/o Mpulula vs. R 1968/231
Ngongoseke s/o Mwangalanzi vs. R. 1967/258
Ngoye s/o Kwakila vs. Ndemeye s/o
Kihampa 1967/39
Ngulila s/o Mwakanyemba vs.R. 1968/314
Nhombe s/o Mbulangwa vs. Chibaya s/o
Mbuyape 1967/378
Nikura binti Mbwana vs. El Buhriy Kitabu
Cha Nihiki 1967/232
National Bank of Commerce vs. Yusuf
Hussein Alidina 1968/445A
N.J. Amin Ltd. vs. V.B.Patel & Co.
Ltd. 1968/256
Njole Sandanda vs. R 1968/258
Noorally Hasham Ramji vs. Julias Kerenge 1968/413
N. R. Ladak & Sons vs. R. 1968/424A
Ntibabara s/o Mwalcha vs. R. 1968/419A
Nuru s/o Ayubu vs. R. 1968/279
Nwisoma Alli Hussein Nyamahaka vs. R. 1968/181
Nyabilimo Andrea vs. R. 1967/345
Nyagolira Ginonge vs.Chagha Gosaye 1968/409
Nyakasara Kilimo vs. Marwa Mwita 1968/6
Nyaku s/o Ntandu vs. R. 1968/56
Nyamato d/o Mkama vs.R. 1967/356
Nyamhanga Chacha vs. Chacha Mang’asa 1968/94
Nyamhanga Wausanga vs. Mkami Bange 1968/408
Nyamosi Asao vs. R. 1967/251
Nyanditi d/o Makori vs. Wichoka Masanja 1967/323
Nyasi s/o Aloys vs. R. 1968/69
Nyungwi s/o Nhamhali vs. Bozzi s/o
Lyangholo 1968/203
Nziku d/o Nalimu vs. Mayila Kamanda 1968/451A
O
Official Receiver vs. Mokund Raru
Aggawal 1968/407A
Olerivan s/o Mollel vs. R. 1967/259
Omari s/o Kanyonge vs. Oure Oruchi 1968/406
Omari s/o Juma Mkindo vs. R. 1968/441A
XV11.
Omari s/o Mussa Msusa vs. R. 1968/99
Omari s/o Mwendifwa vs. R. 1967/304
Omari Saidi vs. R. 1967/142
Omolo s/o Omolo vs. Okengo s/o Obuto 1968/2
Omoro Nyagierere vs. Matitiro Machango 1967/283
Onesmus. M. Ngowi vs. Modesta Nhigula 1967/292
Onorato
Della Sauta t/a New Phenix Restaurant vs. Michael
George Seohdoulis 1968/380
Oscar Mwambola vs. R. 1968/441
Oscar Jones Mwambola vs. R. 1968/423A
Ottoman Bank, The vs. Farrah Inc. S.A 1968/356
Ottoman Bank, The, vs. Hanna Gaui 1968/385
Otto s/o Miller vs.R. 1968/393
P
Pancras Elias vs. Gretian Pancras &
Another 1968/411
Pangras Kamandu Mbunda vs. R. 1967/401
Pangras s/o Liprima vs. R. 1968/178
Pascal Joseph Mlay vs. Anthony Phoneas 1968/1
Paschal s/o Nzalaniko vs. R. 1967/366
Paskale s/o Stephano vs. R. 1968/196
Paskazia
d/o Bwahama vs. Alloys Cyrilo 1967/117
Patel vs. International Motor Mart 1968/403A
Patiri d/o Magesa vs. Kirisa s/o
Kitentera 1968/254
Patrick s/o Isango vs. R. 1967/442
Patrick s/o Taumba vs. R. 1967/252
Paul Joseph vs. Nkoka Kulwa 1968/250
Paul T. Msibi vs. R. 1968/64
Paulo Ferdinand vs. Fungeuce Bigutu 1968/29
Paulo John Iddy vs. Mashauri Milanga 1968/5
Paulo Joseph vs. R. 1967/340
Paulo Kajima vs. R. 1967/318
Paulo Kemigani vs. R. 1968/426
Paulo Kihani vs. R. 1967/350
Paulo Kulola vs. R. 1968/332
Paulo s/o Mwanyiti vs. R. 1967/187
Paulo s/o Nzuri vs. Pius Koroso 1968/452A
Paulo Tamvule vs. R. 1967/126
Paulo s/o Vincent vs. R. 1968/436A
Peter John vs. R. 1967/183
Peter John Burt vs. Christine
Hassnoot Burt. 1968/382
Peter s/o Kasenha vs. R. 1967/338
XV111.
Peter Mashauri vs. R. 1968/91
Peter s/o Mutabuzi vs. R. 1968/149
Peter Mwamsula vs. Amulike Mwamasika 1967/285
Peter S. Shirima vs. Latito
Kirikangovi 1967/426
Petro s/o Kihisi vs. R. 1967/289
Petro Kinani vs. Bi Dariagums 1968/460A
Petro Masani Ausi vs. R. 1968/437A
Petro s/o Sang’undi vs. R. 1968/40
Pius M. Monyo vs. Julius Brashi 1968/449A
Pius M. Konyo vs. R. 1967/392
Pius s/o Zacharia vs. R. 1967/256
R
R. vs. Abala
1967/23
R. vs. Abdallahamid s/o Dalyusufu 1967/244
R. vs. Abdallah Mohamed 1967/352
R. vs. Abdallah Selemani & Mshwahili
Selemani 1967/354
R. vs. Alex Goswino Liengela 1967/249
R. vs. Ali s/o Nassoro 1967/109
R. vs. Alistaliki s/o Masumbuku 1967/343
R. vs. Alli s/o Saidi 1967/364
R. vs. Alfonce Paul 1967/353
R. vs. Ally John 1967/24
R. vs. Ally Kage 1967/132
R. vs. Amani Zephania Kimweri 1968/50
R. vs. Amosi s/o Mwakisitu 1967/185
R. vs. Andrea s/o Katwera 1967/110
R. vs. Andrea Msafiri 1967/450
R. vs. Atanasi s/o Kawuwu 1968/30
R. vs. Athumani Ali 1867/20
R. vs. Athumani Mlia 1967/198
R. vs. Athumani Selemani 1967/210
R. vs. Atupelye d/o Ludivico 1967/389
R. vs. August Mawinga 1967/17
R. vs. Belan s/o Samson 1967/393
R. vs. Calboake Camarasingha 1967/143
R. vs. Cephas s/o Simon 1967/136
R. vs. Chama Magine 1967/69
R. vs. Charles Kiteleaya 1967/204
R. vs. Chrisant Kalo 1967/267
R. vs. Christopher s/o Ngembilo 196/388
R. vs. Clemant s/o Mbella 1968/31
X1X.
R. vs. Cosmas Patrick Chanda 1968/111
R. vs. Daniel Sinsirimwezi 1968/106
R. vs. Danison s/o Simbacungile 1967/71
R. vs. Dodo Bakari 1967/211
R. vs. Donough J. Mahon 1967/351
R. vs. D’sai 1967/30
R. vs. Ernest Telega 1967/121
R. vs. Esta Ikumboga 1967/447
R. vs. Evadi s/o Sylvester 1967/130
R. vs. Fideli Nyembe 1968/34
R. vs. Fimbo s/o Lawio 1967/140
R. vs. Francis s/o Ngumbo 1968/103
R. vs. Gordon Masita 1968/107
R. vs. Green Mwanaigwa 1967/265
R. vs. Halfani Reli Kapile 1967/2
R. vs. Haruna Ibrahim 1967/76
R. vs. Hassani Omari Hassani 1967/139
R. vs. Hassani H. Dewji 1967/349
R. vs. Iddi Noel. 1967/195
R. vs. Issa Jakala vs. R. 1968/100
R. vs. Jssumail s/o Hamisi 1967/8
R. vs. Jaffari s/o Musa 1967/299
R. vs. Jani s/o Esmaili 1967/336
R .vs. James s/o Sulu 1967/141
R. vs. Joha s/o Mdachi 1967/355
R. vs. John s/o Augustine 1967/61
R. vs. John s/o Mshindo 1967/199
R. vs. John Muselewa 1967/145
R.
vs. John Wima
R. vs. Joseph Michel 1967/253
R. vs. Juma s/o Abdalla 1968/36
R. vs. Juma s/o Masudi 1968/109
R. vs. Juma Mfalasau 1967/363
R. vs. Juma Mohamed 1967/306
R. vs. Juma Muhumpa 1968/115
R. vs. Justin Ngwaulangwa 1967/269
R. vs. Kasuli & Deusi s/o Sanziki 1968/113
R. vs. Kinumeu Meuridi 1967/311
R. vs. Ladislane s/o Lukasi 1968/112
R. vs. Koba s/o Joseph 1968/96
R. vs. Lokordilo s/o Manyanga 1967/13
XX.
R. vs. Lucas Fatungisha 1967/263
R. vs. Mackneyo Kuigu 1968/105
R. vs. Macdonald Lenge 1967/247
R. vs. Magagania s/o Tunda 1967/261
R. vs. Mansuku Mohan Mawji 1968/51
R. vs. Martin Mlasani 1968/101
R. vs. Masanja Zango 1967/214
R. vs. Mazumbuko Lengisia 1967/77
R. vs. Mathew Andrew 1967/105
R. vs. Marko Matoto 1967/270
R. vs. Maulidi s/o Yusufu 1967/70
R. vs. Mgoma s/o Makunya 1967/106
R. vs. Milango s/o Misoji 1967/96
R. vs. Mley s/o Kinyamali 1967/342
R vs. Mohamed (Werema) s/o Ntari 1967/301
R. vs. Moris Kamanya 1967/208
R. vs. Mulengelu s/o Hahambie 1967/391
R. vs. Musa Issa Mkokowa 1967/402
R. vs. Nanji Kara
1967/74
R. vs. Ngado d/o Mwakalunga 1967/300
R. vs. Nicholaus David Matota 1967/439
R. vs. Nsea s/o Loti 1967/217
R. vs. Nrikumana Chizanya 1967/15
R. vs. Omari s/o Hassani 1967/200
R. vs. Patrice Matata 1967/413
R. vs. Pauni Nasinda 1967/207
R. vs. Petro s/o Kikamala 1967/127
R. vs. Rafel Mbaga 1967/387
R. vs. Rafael Alphonce 1967/197
R. vs. Raphael Lameck 1967/27
R. vs. Raphael Yohanas 1967/9
R. vs. Remigius Bakari 1967/203
R. vs. Revocultus s/o Nsolo 1967/315
R. vs. Rutema Nzungu 1967/445
R. vs. Saidi s/o Abdallah 1967/209
R. vs. Saidi Hussein 1967/260
R. vs. Saidi Tatoo 1967/277
R. vs. Salimu Hassani 1967/382
R. vs. Sefu Abdulla 1967/16
R. vs. Semberit s/o Magun Kassembero 1967/95
R. vs. Shahani Hamisi 1967/135
R. vs. Tanga African Motor Transport 1967/28
XX1.
R. vs. Teodosio s/o Alifa 1967/216
R. vs. Thomas s/o Mfaume 1967/18
R. vs. Ugwiisu Mwasokwa 1967/411
R. vs. Usumau s/o Mpangani 1967/390
R. vs. William s/o Gahagumbi 1967/82
R. vs. Yahaya Mohamedi 1967/308
R. vs. Lehman & Co. Ltd. vs. Lehmans
(E.A.) Ltd. 1968/77
Rajabu Abdalla vs. R. 1967/416
Rajabu s/o Athumani vs. R. 1967/449
Rajabu s/o Mahanga vs. R. 1968/102
Rajabu s/o Marijani vs. Hadija s/o Saidi
1967/43
Rajabu s/o Mohamed vs. R. 1968/68
Ramadhani Alli vs. R. 1968/191
Ramadhani s/o Athumani vs. R. 1968/110
Ramadhani s/o Masudi vs. R. 1967/32
Ramadhani s/o Saidi vs. R. 1968/343
Ramadhani Tendwa vs. R. 1968/184
Ramlal Pandit vs. R. 1968/317
Range Chacha vs. Elias Nyirahu 1967/115
Raphael Kasindo vs. Bi Bagonzi d/o
Kasindo 1968/291
Rashidi s/o Mashaka vs. R 1968/276
Rashidi s/o Hamisi vs. R. 1967/189
Rashidi s/o Hamisi vs. R. 1967/310
Rasimini s/o Yasini vs. R. 1968/436
Rashidi Mohamed vs. R. 1968/369
Rashidi s/o Omari vs. R. 1968/418
Rashidi s/o Omari vs. R. 1968/296
Rashidi s/o Ramadhani vs. R. 1968/323
Rashidi Shimie vs. R. 1968/315
Rominiselle s/o Elisawo vs. R. 1967/75
Reventinato Totinate Mangisto vs. R. 1968/154
Revocate s/o Pascal vs. R. 1968/35
R. F. Mboya vs Merwa Singh Mangat 1968/446A
Riddock Motors Ltd. vs. Ahmed Okash 1968/170
Robert B. Lugackingira vs. Leornard F.
Luckangira 1967/163
Robert s/o Nyangange vs. 1967/26
Romani Alfred vs. R. 1968/215
Robinson s/o Piti vs. R. 1968/264
Rukondo s/o Kamano vs. R. 1968/48
Rusebe Sweya vs. Jacob Kitale 1968/407
XX11
S
Sahayaga Farmers Cooperative Ltd. vs.
Anthony Mwita 1968/354
Safiani s/o Shahani vs. R. 1968/281
Saidi Ali vs. R. 1967/94
Saidi Aleiko vs. Mwatatu d/o Ibrahim 1967/50
Saidi Mohamed Geshi vs. Hamadi
Rashidi 1967/73
Saidi Abdallah vs. R. 1967/266
Saidi Ali Mandai vs. R. 1967/14
Saidi Ally vs. R. 1968/198
Saidi Bakari Kionywaki vs. R. 1967/443
Saidi Juma vs. R. 1968/158
Saidi Kasongo vs. R. 1967/150
Saidi Mtondo vs. R. 1967/46
Saidi Meke vs. R. 1967/37
Saidi Omari vs. Khadija d/o
Abdallah 1968/249
Saidi s/o Rajabu vs. R. 1967/184
Saidi Sefu vs. Aidan A. Mwambeta 1967/180
Saidi s/o Yusufu vs. R. 1968/60
Saidi Ramadhani vs. Miriam Ikung 1967/160
Salada Tofiki vs. Hamisi Waziri
Mwenda 1968/171
Salehe s/o Kassim vs. R. 1968/366
Salum Haruna vs. R. 1968/37
Salum Mohamed 1968/98
Salum s/o Salum vs. R. 1968/142
Salumu s/o Rashid vs. Hadija d/o
Abdallah 1967/154
Sambwe Mwakiluka vs. Andrew
Mwakamsole 1967/87
Samson s/o Karuwana vs. R. 1967/317
Samuel
Shadrack Machango vs. Tubidas Naranda’s Morjaria 1968/22
Samwel
s/o Baruni vs. R. 1967/337
Samwel s/o John vs. R. 1967/294
Samwel s/o Komba vs. R. 1967/60
Samwel Mwendawano vs. R. 1967/451
Sanga vs. Sanga 1968/414A
Sangi Manyenyi vs. R. 1968/47
Sangwa Ndelele vs. R. 1968/298
Sardar
Mohamed vs. R. 1968/388
Sarukele Kazobwako vs. Ntakajela 1967/375
Sitima Clumbe vs. Luhi Marassi 1967/330
Sayale s/o Seliani vs. R. 1968/243
Selemani Alkani vs. R. 1968/233
Selemani Athumani vs. R 1968/424
Selemani s/o Dadi vs. Lata d/o Ali 1968/23
XX111.
Selemani s/o Hoti vs. Iddi s/o Omari 1967/282
Selemani Rashidi vs. R. 1968/70
Semdoup s/o Melita vs. R. 1968/230
Shauri s/o Dighis vs. Mohe s/o
Dighis 1968/344
Shabani Furia vs. Lokila Maura 1967/280
Shabani s/o Ismael vs. R. 1968/214
Shabani Mnasasi vs. Hassani Mcharo 1967/329
Shabani Mvutakamba vs. R. 1967/97
Shabani Nassor vs. Rajabu Simba 1967/233
Shah Ali vs. R. 1968/434A
Shamshudin Kassam Vibji vs. R. 1967/10
Sheikh Kassim Suleman vs. Ayubu Kanigila
1968/79
Shendakaji s/o Makwayo vs. R. 1968/232
Share Kimboka vs. R. 1968/52
Shila s/o Mchomba vs. R. 1968/39
Shinyanga African Trading Co. Ltd. vs.
Mohdali Virji Walji 1968/401
Shomari Kitimu vs. Kambi Selemani 1967/170
Sidori Francis vs. R. 1968/362
Sigismund s/o Heremenigrid vs. R. 1967/297
Sita s/o Mayoyi vs. Mululu s/o
Nhambali 1968/201
Silvester s/o Malicel vs. R. 1968/141
Simeon Osita vs. Adriunus Sarere 1968/21
Simon s/o Gadu vs. R. 1968/425A
Simon Joseph vs. R. 1968/426A
Simon Kashumale vs. Leornard Mutajiraha 1968/135
Simon s/o Mkoma, Mark s/o, Masisila,
Francis s/o Miramba vs. R. 1968/387
Simon Robert vs. R. 1967/417
Sisti Nganga vs. R. 1968/282
Sixtus s/o Anini vs. R. 1967/6
Songo d/o Musoma vs. R. 1968/32
Standard Bank Ltd. vs. John Bibiano
Fernandes 1967/332
South India Corp Private Ltd. vs. H.J.
Stanley 1968/336
South India Corp. (Travancore) Private
Ltd. vs. H. J. Stanley 1967/168
Sosthenes s/o Kagyabukana vs. Theobald
Kagyabukana 1968/337
Stanley Mnzava vs. Hulda John 1968/253
Stephen s/o Mwinga vs. R. 1968/225
Stephen Kagatula vs. R. 1968/434
Stephen Afred vs. William Afred. 1968/116
T
Taj Mohamed vs. The City Council of Dar
es Salaam 1968/247
XX1V.
Taj Mohamed vs. The City Council of Dar
es Salaam 1968/287
Tanganyika Tegry Plastics Ltd. vs. B. Sirley & Co. Ltd. 1968/290
Tanzania
Exhibitors Ltd. vs. Karimbhai Hassanali Adamjee
Jariwalla 1968/404A
Tatu d/o Juma vs. Mrisho s/o Pazi 1968/119
Tatu Selemani vs. Cosata 1967/288
Bi Temalilwa d/o Bijumi vs. Bernardino
Baitilwake 1968/359
Terewaeli W. Swai vs. Elingaya w/o
Terewaeli 1968/208
T.C.Harley vs. R. 1968/156
Thimotheo Timanyika vs. Hassani
Timanyika 1968/411A
Thomas & Mkiria Ikwabe vs. R. 1968/3
Thomas vs. Thomas
1967/47
Thomas Ngarumari vs. Stephan Ngarumari 1968/163
Thabiti Ngalila vs. R. 1968/182
Thuma vs. R.
1967/35
Tom Abraham Selma Mandara vs. R. 1968/75
Transgen Trust vs. Tanzania Zoisiti
Corp. Ltd. 1968/461A
Tuhani s/o Ngura vs.R. 1968/44
Tulali s/o Kisongo vs. R. 1968/368
Tulsdas Khimji vs. Yusufali Gulamhusein
Essaji &Another 1968/464A
Tuwati s/o Mzee vs. R. 1968/42
Twentsche
Overseas Trading Co. (
Africa Cycle Corp. 1968/27
U
Uburial Titita Msuja vs. R. 1967/254
Ujagar Singh vs. The Mbeya Cooperative
Union 1968/173
Umoja Printer vs. Hamisi Mlezi 1968/350
United Bus Service Ltd. Co. vs. The New
United
Construction Co. Ltd. vs. Lalji Naran
1968/403
Upendra Manibhai Patel vs. R. 1967/400
V
Valentine Makwaba vs. Maxmillan Mwingura
1968/409A
Vendelin s/o John Costa vs. R. 1968/190
Verdiana Kyabuye & Others vs. Gregory
Kyabuye 1968/459A
Volter Hopp vs. R. 1967/91
W
Walimu Jilala vs. John Mongo 1968/81
Wambura Chacha vs. R. 1967/319
Wambura Kirangi vs. R. 1968/46
Wambura Makindi vs. R. 1968/38
XXV.
Wambura Wambahe vs. Karambo Muhoro 1967/376
Waukuru d/o Kisuku vs. Kiraki s/o
Zwaku 1968/121
Wanyang’ura s/o Matuja vs. R. 1968/467A
Warioba s/o Kandoso vs. R.
1967/125
Wandwi s/o Chacha vs. Nyaganane Makoro 1968/123
Watson Seafood & Poultry Co. vs.
Hassanali Hirji Shariff 1967/56
Waziri s/o Abdallah vs. R. 1968/377
William Alfred vs. Stephen Alfred 1968/116
William Kibena vs. R. 1968/320
Wilfred Asasiana vs. R. 1968/397
William s/o Nyanda vs. R. 1967/313
William Msaka vs. R. 1968/216
William s/o Petro vs. R. 1968/260
William Ruhai vs. Ruhai vs. Majura
Ebwahi 1968/207
William
Murray vs. Fatehally H.J. Jurji t/a
Car & Commercial House 1968/390
William Stephano and Bilauli Zalula vs.
R. 1968/428
X
Xaver Haule vs. R. 1967/302
Xaver s/o Janda vs. R. 1968/318
Y
Yakobo s/o Mulaki vs. R. 1967/312
Yau Shiu Ming vs.Maria Theresa
Chiri 1968/251
Yasini Ramadhani vs. R. 1968/372
Yohana s/o Kuramaga vs. R. 1967/36
Yuda Yakobo vs. R. 1967/405
Yustace Mhina Mahita vs. R. 1967/248
Yusufu Kahonga vs. R. 1968/188
Yusufu Mauriti vs. R. 1967/410
Z
Zacharia s/o Kasanga vs. R. 1968/66
Zamberi Muga vs. Wanzira Muga 1968/410A
Sephanina s/o Kipande vs. R. 1968/267
Zubaria Mussa vs. Saidi Selemani 1968/17
XXV1
CIVIL INDEX
XXV11
CIVIL
ADJOURNMENT
See; PROCEDURE.
ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES
See; SUCCESSION.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
(See also; LANDLORD AND TENANT; PUBLIC AUTHORITES) Natural justice – Tribunal
may not base decision on knowledge special to it unless placed before parties.
1968/414
ADVOCATE
See: LEGAL PROFESSION
AFFILIATION
See: FAMILY LAW – Parentage.
AGENCY
See; CONTRACT.
ALIENS AND NATIONALITY (See also Criminal Index)
Immigration Act.
“African” includes Swahili people 1967/174.
Applicant declared citizen despite prior
inconsistent statements. 1967/174.
Burden of proving citizenship on
applicant. 1967/174.
“Citizen” defined. 1967/174
“Swahili” defined 1967/174
APPEAL
Appeal out of time
Discretion to hear must be exercised judicially.
1968/116.
Permissible where appellant sick.
1967/115.
Permissible where delay due to absence
of advocate. 1968/336.
Permissible where delay due to error of
advocate. 1967/279.
Petition denied when filed two years
late. 1968/390
Credibility of witnesses
Trial court has little advantage over
appeal court where lengthy period between trial and judgment. 1968/390
Trial court is best judge. 1968/76
Cross – appeal – Copy of decree appealed
from must be filed. 1967/153
Dec appealed from – Failure to produce
copy of is fatal. 1967/153
De novo action – Allowed where appellant
lacked legal advice and did not know of more favourable
procedure in primary court. 1968/253
Dismissal of suit in default of
appearance – No appeal from. 1968/351.
XXV111.
CIVIL
APPEAL(Continued)
Case
originating in primary court – Point of law of general public importance must
be at stake. 1967/422
Cross
– appeal – Extension of time allowed where delay due to absence of advocate.
1968/336
Evidence
Additional
evidence admitted only in exceptional circumstances. 1968/201; 1968/494.
Additional
evidence considered. 1967/429.
Insufficiency
of evidence – Remand for taking additional evidence. 1967/423
Ex parte application – Appeal court
cannot vary order of trial court on ex parte
Application
without proper appeal. 1968/78
Ex parte judgement in primary court –
Appeal court limited to review of evidence
On
record. 1968/337.
Installment payments of judgement debt –
No appeal permitted from order.
1968/235
Issues of fact – May be reviewed on appeal.
1968/390.
Judgement by consent – Should not be
upset on appeal. 1968/80.
Judgement supported by evidence – New
trial ordered where irrelevant matters
Considered.
1967/112
Limitation period
Computed
from date of judgement not of decree. 1967/226
Computed
from date of receipt of copy of judgement. 1967/154
Notice of appeal not received by party –
Appeal reheard. 1967/373.
Notice to appeal defective – Appeal should
be heard where appellant has no l
Legal
experience. 1968/354
Order appealed from
Certified
copy required. 1967/111; 1967/153; 1967/227.
Form
in which required copy should be drafted. 1967/227.
Refusal
to hear appeal due to absence of order appealed from does not constitute dismissal
of appeal. 1967/279.
Orders of primary court – No restriction
on right of appeal from. 1968/400
Procedure – Both parties have right to
be heard on appeal. 1968/94
Rent Restriction Act – Judgement
refusing application to stay execution of
consent order for vacation of premises is appeal able. 1968/293
Reversal of decision of trial court – Criterion
is whether decision below is
reasonable and can be rationally
supported – Appeal court must not try the
case again 1968/76.
Revision
High Court on revision cannot set aside
admission of time – barred application by
Lower
court because matter does not concern jurisdiction. 1968/118
XX1X.
CIVIL
APPEAL (Continued)
Revision (Contd.)
Interlocutory
decree cannot be upset on revision 1968/399
Power
of High Court on revision. 1968/118; 1968/399.
Right
to be heard on appeal – Pertains to both parties 1968/94
Taxing master – Decision normally conclusive 1967/177; 1968/502
Ultra vires judgement – Upheld on appeal where interference would cause
Hardship to innocent parties.
1968/120
ARBITRATION
Arbitration
award as condition precedent to right of action under insurance contract .
1968/402
Arbitration
clause which is not condition precedent to contract not enforceable by specific
performance. 1968/501.
Failure
to invoke arbitration clause on first learning of law suit estops party from
raising clause as defence 1968/346
Stay
of proceedings for arbitration
Not
mandatory 1968/402
When
permissible. 1968/247
Waiver
of arbitration – Must be pleaded. 1968/402
ARUSHA LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW
ASSESSORS
See PROCEDURE.
ASSOCIATIONS
Business names
Amendment
– High Court has exclusive jurisdiction. 1967/158.
Failure
to register – When relief obtainable from disability to sue.
1968/286.
Suit
under misstated firm name not barred. 1968/380
Companies
Account
stated – May be reopened where fraud or common mistake proved. 1968/77.
Balance
sheet – Not always account stated. 1968/77.
Directors
– Authority of managing director to bind company.
1968/441.
Directors
– Company empowered to borrow from members or directors. 1968/442
Directors
–Managing director authorized to purchase goods for company from companies
controlled by him where goods required and other directors consent. 1968/401
Liquidation
– Company in liquidation should normally be required to give security for costs
in law suit. 1968/356.
XXX
CIVIL
ASSOCIATIONS (Continued)
Companies (Cont.)
Residence of trading company determined
by site of principal place of business. 1968/356.
Restoration to register of companies –
Proper form of action 1967/155
Winding up – Claims based on loans to
company by members not to be deferred to claims of other creditors. 1968/442.
Partnership
Bankruptcy
– When is dissolved. 1968/25; 1968/447.
Dissolution
– Effective only on notice given by partner’s trustee in bankruptcy not on adjudication.
1968/447.
Dissolution
– Haya custom. 1968/212
Dissolution
– Time at which dissolution occurs for purposes of limitation of actions.
1968/25.
Formation
– Sharing of profits from farm not sufficient evidence of partnership where
alleged partners were joint owners of property. 1968/447
Fraudulent
dealing with partner – Restoration to pre – partnership position. 1967/236
Husband
and wife – Assumed not to be partners in absence of special circumstances. 1967/49
Loan
by partner to partnership – Other partner not liable for full amount due –
Partnership is liable. 1968/172.
Profits
– Partners share equally. 1968/136
Purchase
by partner of other partner’s interest. 1967/53
Wages
– Suit by partner improper. 1967/175.
Societies
Improper
use of society’s funds – Proper parties to suit. 1968/138
Members’
rights to sue – Primary court has no jurisdiction. 1968/138
ATTACHMENT
See: PROCEDURE
BAILMENT
Apportionment of blame. 1967/374
Common law liability – Not affected by
agreement to insure. 1967/374
Compensation to bailee for services
rendered. 1967/332.
Damages.
Loss of profits due to damage to
machine. 1967/374
Measure of value of machine irreparably
damaged. 1967/374.
Rate of interest allowable on money due. 1967/ 1967/374
Limitation of actions for recovery.
1967/330. Limitation of liability
clause – Must be brought to attention of other party. 1967/374.
XXX1.
CIVIL
BAILMENT (Continued)
Loss of goods bailed – Owner bears loss
– Customary law. 1967/282
Negligence of bailee – Burden of
proof. 1967/374.
Theft of goods bailed and partial
recovery – Luo custom. 1968/2
BANKRUPTCY
Act of bankruptcy – Claim that creditor’s statement was materially
incorrect can be raised after petition of bankruptcy has been accepted by court
and creditors’ meeting held. 1968/379.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE
See: NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS.
BRIDEWEALTH.
See: FAMILY LAW.
BURDEN OF PROOF
See: EVIDENCE
BUSINESS NAMES
See: ASSOCIATIONS.
CHAGGA LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
CHEQUES
See NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS.
CHOICE OF LAW
See. CONFLICT OF LAWS.
COMPANIES
See: ASSOCIATIONS.
COMPENSATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS
See: LAND LAW.
CONCUBINAGE
See:
FAMILY LAW
CONFLICT OF LAWS
Criminal
law – Attempted murder – Transaction taking place in two countries – Triable in
Family
law – Claim for custody of child – Case governed by customary law of community
where child resides. 1968/3; 1968/5.
Succession
– Conflict between tribal and religious laws. 1967/159
CONTRACT
Accord and satisfaction – Claim for back wages barred by agreement for
re-employment at higher salary after dispute arose. 1968/338.
XXX11
CIVIL
CONTRACT (Continued)
Account state – Consideration for agreement to have
account stated by third party is mutual promise of parties to adopt third
party’s decision. 1968/401
Agency
Agent
may be sued on contract where principal cannot be sued. 1967/424
Agent
not bound by contract made on behalf of disclosed principal. 1967/424
Application
– Technical rules and notions of contract should not be applied to claims
originating in rural communities. 1968/288
Barter agreement
Where
person gives animal in exchange for goods and animal dies within a year, person
is obliged to replace it unless death is due to negligence of other party. Kuria custom. 1968/82.
Goods
not delivered – Damages awardable. 1967/378
Breach
Retaking
by seller after buyer’s failure to pay
full price. 1967/113.
Proper
defendant. 1967/430
“Common carrier” defined.
1967/423
Conditional sale – Failure by buyer to pay
within reasonable time invalidates contract. 1967/45
Contractual notice through mails – Relevant date is date of receipt
barring unusual delay of mail. 1968/247.
Customary law – When applicable 1968/381
Counterclaim – Discretion of court to exclude. 1968/444
Damages
Awarded
where plaintiff proves breach of contract but not damages 1968/287.
Barter
agreement – Damages should be measured by current price of undelivered
goods. 1967/378
Breach
of contract for sale of land – Damages not awardable for “trouble created”.
1968/132
Breach
of employment contract – Employer’s right to damages where no special loss
shown. 1968/443.
Fraudulent
sale of land. 1968/13
Goods
undelivered due to breach in anticipation. 1967/157
Liquidated
damage clause sets maximum limit of damages but does not dispose of necessity
to prove actual damage. 1968/247; 1968/287.
Measure
of – Loss partially paid for by insurance company. 1967/228.
Required
degree of clarity in plaint. 1967/228
Special
damages distinguished from damages claimed by way of set-off. 1967/156.
XXX111
CIVIL
CONTRACT (Continued)
Defences – “Non est factum” –
Burden of proof. 1967/425.
Disposition of government leasehold – Contract which is inoperative as
disposition of land may be valid as regards collateral matters. 1968/1
Employment
Employer’s
damages for employee’s breach where no special loss shown 1968/443.
Employee
entitled to overtime when contract is silent. 1968/403
Employee
entitled to accumulation of leave when rehired at higher salary after temporary
dismissal. 1968/403
Employee
entitled to payment during illness when contract is silent. 1968/443.
Employee’s
right to terminate when assigned unanticipated duties. 1968/443.
Implied
terms regarding leave and termination in oral contract. 1968/117
Requirement
of notice of intent to terminate under probationary contract. 1968/443.
Evidence
“Verbal
understandings” between parties to written contract are of no effect. 1968/1.
Writing
to effect that goods shall be returned on payment of debt – Proof of return of
goods is evidence of payment. 1967/379.
Fraudulent sale of land – Vendee entitled to purchase price, costs of
house erected and crops planted and costs of litigation to establish title
against true owner. 1968/13
Fraud – See Misrepresentation.
Fundamental breach – Breach of condition converted into breach of
warranty when buyer of unworkable vehicle fails to refuse delivery. 1968/486
Hire – purchase – Hirer of insured vehicle who bears the risk of its
loss is entitled to recover on insurance policy. 1968/346.
Implied terms in oral contract of employment. 1968/117
Loans – See; MONEY LENDING.
Misrepresentation
Claim
that agreement to have account stated was not binding because of undisclosed
fraud rejected because fraud not proven. 1968/401
Misdescription
of dimensions of land to be sold constitutes fraud. 1968/339
Undervaluation
of insured vehicle – Insurer may disclaim liability under comprehensive policy.
1968/346.
Privity of contract
Discussed.
1967.156
Notion of should not be applied to
claim originating in rural communities. 1968/288.
XXX1V
CIVIL
CONTRACT (Continued)
Procedure
– Amendment to pleading should be fully allowed where no injustice results.
1968/256.
Repudiation
of delivery – Not possible after ownership has passed. 1967/157.
Rescission
Party rescinding must restore all benefits
received, including cost of repairs. 1967/426.
Vendor of automobile may void sale. 1967/426.
Right
to sue for debt not affected by agreement to extend time for payment. 1967/426
Running
account – Legal significance. 1968/161.
Specific
performance
Arbitration clause which is not condition
precedent cannot be enforced by specific performance. 1968/501
When court will grant. 1968/132;
1968/444.
Warranties
– Disclaimer of only valid where party carries out essentials of contract
1968/486.
Waiver
– Loss of rights by conduct. 1967/427.
COOPERATIVE
See; ASSOCIATIONS
COSTS
See. PROCEDURE.
COURTS
See; PROCEDURE – Jurisdiction.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
See: FAMILY LAW.
CUSTOMARY LAW
Affiliation
Ordinance – Parentage. 1968/253
Application
Agreement entered into between persons of
same tribe presumed to be in accordance with customary law. 1968/82.
Can govern contracts for sale of house
though no specific tribal law involved. 1968/445
Cannot apply to parties lacking any
common ground. 1967/171; 1968/445.
Changes in customary law cannot be imposed
by courts. 1967/163; 1967/434.
Claim for custody of child
governed by customary law of community where child resides. 1968/3; 1968/5.
Conflict between tribal and religious law. 1967/159.
XXXV
CIVIL
CUSTOMARY LAW (Continued )
Application (Continued)
Contract
– Should be applied in broad non – technical way to suits originating in rural
communities. 1968/288.
Custom
ignored when contrary to natural justice. 1968/88.
Custom
not applied where clearly outdated. 1968/129.
Custom
not to be followed when repugnant to justice 1967/119
Customary
Law Declaration applied where tribal law unclear. 1967/162.
Customary
law to be applied where not repugnant to justice or morality or written law.
1968/82
Obsolete
custom should be given effect to when it reflects intention of parties.
1967/39.
Modified
by “equity” and “common sense”. 1968/347.
Arusha law – Contract. 1968/381.
Chagga law
Gift
– Land occupied by donor’s wife. 1967/46
Land
– Repossession of land let out on lease. 1968/211.
Customary Law Declaration
Family
law – Breach of promise to marry.
1967/377
Family
law – Concubinage. 1968/250
Family
law – Concubinage – Property obtained jointly. 1968/123.
Family
law - Custody of children. 1968/3;
1968/4; 1968/83; 1968/206; 1968/250; 1968/343.
Family
law – Custody of illegitimate children.
1967/87; 1967/432.
Customary law Declaration
Family
law – Legitimacy of children. 1968/206; 1968/343.
Family
law - Maintenance of illegitimate children.
1967/326.
Family
law – Marriage. 1968/16; 1968/405; 1968/406.
Family
law – Parentage. 1967/377; 1968/204; 1968/250; 1968/253; 1968/488.
Family
law – Payment of bridewealth. 1968/492.
Family
law – Refund of bridewealth 1967/86; 1967/115; 1967/283; 1967323;
1968/6;1968/15; 1968/84; 1968/122; 1968/202; 1968/203; 1968/345.
Family
law – Right of wife to produce of field planted before divorce. 1967/160.
Family
law – Validity of marriage. 1968/209
Guardianship
–
Limitation of actions. 1967/231; 1967/330; 1967/333;
1967/373;
1967/433; 1968/2; 1968/9; 1968/24;
1968/26; 1968/492.
XXXVI
CIVIL
CUSTOMARY LAW (Continued)
Customary Law Declaration (Continued)
Succession
– Claim by deceased’s wife. 1967/161
Succession
– Disinheritance of heir. 1968/29; 1968/164; 1968/359.
Succession
– Inheritance of land by female. 1967/428; 1967/429; 1968/127; 1968/499.
Succession
– Oral wills. 1967/325; 1968/105; 1968/291.
Succession
– Rights of child of widow sired by relative of deceased husband. 1968/163
Succession
– Rights of illegitimate child of daughter of deceased. 1968/127
Succession
– Rights of full sister of deceased. 1968/450.
Succession
– Written wills. 1968/358.
Wills
– Requirements. 1968/452
Definition. 1967/163; 1967/434.
General
Bailment
– Compensation to custodian. 1967/334
Bailment
– Loss of goods Bourne by owner. 1967/282.
Contract.
1968/288.
Contract
– Proper defendant. 1967/430
Family
law – Custody of children. 1967/431
Family
law – Maintenance of deserted wife. 1968/208.
Family
law – Payment of bridewealth. 1968/121.
Family
law – Return of bridewealth. 1967/376; 1967/433; 1968/408
Land
law – Change in course of river. 1967/230; 1968/497.
Land
law – Customary tenure under allocation by chief. 1968/21.
Land
law – Disposition of land to church by local authority. 1967/324
Land
law – Land pledged by usurious loan agreement. 1968/169.
Land
law – Licence to occupy land. 1967/437
Land
law – Long occupation. 1967/233; 1968/7; 1968/20.
Land
law – Revocation of Licence. 1967/329.
Succession
– House owned by deceased but built with aid of another. 1968/162
Tort
– Crop destruction. 1968/407.
Tort
– Refusal of headman to allow sale of pombe. 1968/404.
Haya law – Gift – Conditional gift.
1967/39.
Haya law
Family
law – Custody of children. 1968/405.
Family
law – Marriage. 1968/405.
Land
– Adverse possession 1967/117.
XXXV11
CIVIL
CUSTOMARY LAW (Continued)
Haya law (Continued )
Land – Inheritance of by female.
1968/86.
Land – Ownership of reeds. 1968/493.
Land - Pledge of. 1968/87; 1968/126;
1968/131; 1968/134; 1968/169.
Land – Publicity essential to any
transaction intended to pass property. 1968/134.
Land – Redemption of clan land. 1967/117; 1967/231; 1968/87; 1968/124;
1968/126; 1968/131; 1968/134; 1968/248; 1968/347; 1968/410; 1968/411;1968/412.
Land – Satisfaction of judgement deby by
sale of land. 1968/137
Partnership – Dissolution. 1968/212
Succession – Deceased with no issue.
1968/451.
Succession – Disinheritance of heirs or
“Kubachwa”. 1968/205.
Succession – Distribution of estate
between childless widow and sons of deceased. 1968/12.
Succession – Inheritance of land by
female. 1968/86.
Succession – Inheritance of tenants’
land by son. 1968/11.
Succession – Licence to pick crops from
bequeathed land. 1968/125
Succession – Method of division among
heirs. 1967/163
Succession – Revocation of wills.
1967/40
Hehe law – Land law – Right to newly
deposited land. 1967/230.
Hindu law – Damages – Computation of loss
to family of son who is “provider” under Hindu custom. 1967/51
Islamic law – See ISLAMIC LAW.
Jurisdiction – District court has
concurrent jurisdiction with primary court. 1968/341.
Kuguru law – Succession – Matrilineal
succession. 1967/118.
Kurio law
Contract
involving exchange of goods. 1968/82.
Family
law – Return of bridewealth. 1968/85
Limitation of actions. 1967/231;
1967/330; 1967/333; 1967/373; 1967/433; 1968/2; 1968/9;1968/24;’ 1968/26; 1968/492.
Luo law – Bailment – Theft. 1968/2
Makonde law – Family law – Custody of
children. 1968/5
Masai law – Family law – Custody of
children 1967/116
Mulu law – Family law – Wedding
presents. 1968/344.
Ngoni law – Succession. 1967/159
Ngurime law- family law- Custody of
children 1968/254
Nyakyusa law
Family law – Gift of mourn in cow” for
funeral. 1967/2856.
Land custom contrary to natural justice
1968/88
XXXV111
CIVIL
CUSTOMARY LAW (Continued)
Nyaturu law
Family
law – Custody of children. 1967/322./
Family
law – Divorce. 1967/284
Procedure – Assessors
should be used in customary law cases. 1968/209.
Proof
High
Court relies upon “balance of opinion” of assessors and lower court magistrates.
1968/344.
Opinion
of assessors to be followed. 1967/164; 1967/229; 1967/434.
Sambaa law
Family law – Award of one cow for maintenance of
child outdated custom 1968/129
Land
– Right to occupation under traditional chieftainship. 1967/88
Succession
– Right of women to inherit real estate. 1967/229; 1968/498.
Sukuma law
Land
– Occupation for eight years insufficient
to bar claim. 1968/8.
Land
–
Zanaki law – Succession – Rights of full sister of deceased. 1968/450
Zaramo law – Family law – Dowry.
1967/164.
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DUTIES
Interpretation
Customs
Tariff Ordinance – Commissioner must classify product so as to make it
subject to highest rate of duty.
1967/327.
Customs
Tariff Ordinance – Words naming scheduled products should be given ordinary
“business” meaning. 1967/327.
Limitation of one year on demand for additional duty. Customs Tariff
Ordinance. 1967/327
“Soap” defined. 1967/327.
DAMAGES
See: BAILMENT; CONTRACT; PROCEDURE; TORT.
DEPOST
See; BAILMENT.
DIVORCE
See: FAMILY LAW.
See: APPEAL.
XXX1X
CIVIL
ELECTIONS
District Council election challenged.
Proceedings of Branch Annual Conference
not reviewable Branch annual conference nominations not by-election. 1967/166
Result voided where symbols of
candidates reversed. 1967/167.
EMPLOYMENT
See: CONTRACT; LABOUR LAW.
ESTOPPEL
Arbitration
clause – Failure to invoke on first learning of lawsuit estops party from
raising it as defence. 1968/346
Official
cannot be estopped from performing statutory duty. 1967/327.
EVIDENCE
Admissions
Failure
to deny claim made in particulars constitutes admission. 1968/170
Statement
by third party, admissible if in response to request by party to suit.
1967/168.
Statement
that goods shall be returned on payment of debt Proof of return of goods is
evidence of payment. 1967/379
Statement
that runs against pecuniary interest is admissible. 1968/494.
Assessors – Opinions as to customary law
to be followed. 1967/164; 1967/229; 1967/434.
Blood – test – Use of to determine
parentage. 1967/431.
Burden of proof
Blood
relationship. 1968/357.
Crop
destruction. 1968/407.
Gift
of land. 1968/498.
Immigration
Act – Burden of proving citizenship is on applicant. 1967/174.
Income tax – Burden lies on party
contesting assessment. 1967/438.
Legitimacy
of children. 1968/12
Liability
to pay local rates 1968/90
Marriage
and subsequent divorce. 1968/357
Negligence
of bailee. 1967/374.
Negotiable
instruments – Holder presumed to be holder in due course until contrary
proved. 1968/290
“Non
est factum”. 1967/425.
Ownership
of property upon which execution is
levied. 1967/328.
Parentage.
1967/377; 1968/204; 1968/250; 1968/253; 1968/488.
XL
CIVIL
EVIDENCE (Continued)
Business
entries – Opinions of experts not acceptable. 1967/168.
Contract
– Verbal “understandings” between parties to written contract are of no effect.
1968/1.
Credibility
of witnesses. See: Witnesses.
Customary
law – Proof of – 1967/164; 1967/229; 1967/434; 1968/344.
Expert
evidence – Must be oral. 1967/168.
Extra
– Judicial discussion with magistrate who presided in past case – Improper to
base
judgment
on. 1967/328.
Extra
– Judicial statement of deceased given weight.
1967/173.
Findings
of fact and law based on magistrate’s personal knowledge – Parties must be
given opportunity to contradict them.
1968/168.
Handwriting – Identification – Evidence
of experts not necessary. 1968/355.
Notice to produce – Technical device not
to be required of layman. 1968/355.
Plaint – Should have copies of exhibits
attached. 1968/355.
Secondary evidence – Draft of letter
admissible to prove contents of letter lost or
destroyed. 1968/170.
Visit of site – Advisable for magistrate
to consult with village officials rather than to rely
entirely on personal observation.
1968/168.
Witnesses
Competency
of agent to testify as to principal’s affairs. 1967/423
Credibility
– Best judged by trial court. 1968/76
Credibility
– Court should give reasons for believing or disbelieving. 1968/390.
Credibility
– Trial court has little advantage over appeal court where lengthy period
between trial and judgement. 1968/390.
FAMILY LAW
Affiliation – See. Parentage.
Bridewealth (See also Divorce).
Claim
for payment barred by long passage of time customary Law Declaration. 1968/492.
Claim
by bride against older sister – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/345.
Father
of bride has no right to seize cattle where bridewealth unpaid. 1968/490.
Off
– spring of animals paid as bridewealth belong to persons receiving bridewealth
Customary Law Declaration.
1968/15.
Not
returnable on death of wife. 1967/376.
XL1
CIVIL
FAMILY LAW (Continued)
Concubinage – Man who follows woman to her holding entitled to one –
fourth of property obtained with his help. Customary Law Declaration. 1968/123.
Custody of children.
As
between cousins, custody awarded to cousin who raised children. 1968/121
Children
born in wedlock belong to father – Customary Law Declaration 1968/3; 1968/4.
Children
of uncertain parentage belong to legal husband. Masai custom. 1967/116.
Claim
for custody governed by customary law of community where child resides. 1968/3;
1968/5.
Custody
of illegitimate children awarded to mother, Makonde custom 1968/5
Divorced
mother entitleds to custody of female child until puberty. Islamic law.
1968/249
Father
of children born in wedlock has absolute right to custody notwithstanding
welfare of children. Customary Law Declaration. 1968/83.
Father
of legitimatized child has right to custody where in child’s interests –
Customary Law Declaration. 1968/206.
Father
of legitimatized child has right to custody where in child’s interests. Islamic
Law. 1968/206.
Husband
entitled to child conceived during marriage. Islamic law. 1967/232
Limitation
of actions. 1967/280.
Devoiced
mother entitled to custody of female child until puberty. Islamic law. 1968/249
Father
of children born in wedlock has absolute right to custody notwithstanding
welfare
of children. Customary Law Declaration. 1968/83
Father of Legitimatized child has right
to custody where in child’s interests – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/206.
Father of legitimatized child has right
to custody where in child’s interests – Islamic law. 1968/206.
Husband entitled to child conceived
during marriage – Islamic law. 1967/232.
Limitation of actions. 1967/280.
Man with whom mother is living has no
right to child conceived by legal husband. Islamic law. 1967/169.
Mother of child whose custody awarded to
father entitled to reasonable access – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/3.
Mother should have custody of male child
until age of seven if consistent with interests of child. Islamic law.
1968/383.
Natural father entitled to custody of
child he legitimatize. Customary Law Declaration. 1968/343.
Parent cannot transfer right of custody
to another – Islamic Law 1968/249.
XL11
CIVIL
FAMILY LAW (Continued)
Custody of children (Continued)
Parent
normally entitled to custody. 1967/154
Parent’s
right to custody not barred by long failure to exercise it. 1967/280
Party
who maintained child entitled to compensation from party later
awarded custody
1967/431;1968/3.
Party who maintained child entitled to
compensation from party later awarded custody. Nyaturu custom. 1967/322
Sufficiency of evidence. 1967/178.
Welfare of child main
consideration. 1967/432.
Welfare of child main consideration –
Customary Law Declaration 1968/250; 1968/405.
Welfare of child main consideration –
Islamic Law. 1968/249.
Where under customary law marriage is
deemed to be between wife and husband’s mother husband has no right of
custody on divorce – Ngurime custom.
1968/254
Divorce
Amendment
of pleading – Affidavit denying collusion not necessary. 1968/252.
Application
to withdraw – Affidavit denying collusion not necessary. 1968/252
Bridewealth
– Considerations governing refund. 1968/408.
Bridewealth
– Full refund not always necessary where
wife quilty party – Customary Law Declaration. 1967/86.
Bridewealth
– Full refund not always necessary where wife initiates divorce.- Customary Law
Declaration. 1967/323.
Bridewealth – Full refund where wife quilt
party – Customary Law Declaration 1967/115; 1968/6.
Bridewealth – Limitation on action for
refund. 1967/433.
Bridewealth – No refund where divorce has
not yet occurred. Customary Law Declaration 1968/84.
Bridewealth – No refund where husband
failed to support wife – Customary Law Declaraion. 1968/122.
Bridewealth – No refund where marriage
lasted long time and produced children – Customary Law Declaraion. 1968/202
Bridewealth – No refund where wife
driven from matrimonial home. 1968/207
Bridewealth – No refund where wife
driven from matrimonial home – Nyaturu
custom. 1967/284.
Bridewealth No refund where wife gave birth prematurely
Customary Law Declaration. 1968/122.
Bridewealth – Partial refund where
marriage did not produce children-Customary Law
Declaration 1967/283.
Bridewealth – Partial refund where
marriage lasted long time and produced children – Customary Law Declaration.
1968/203.
Bridewealth – Refund can be ordered even
where children born of marriage if wife quilty party. 1967/433; 1968/130.
XL111
CIVIL
FAMILY LAW (Continued)
Divorce (Continued)
Bridewealth
– Suit for refund must be directed at parents of former wife not at her new
husband – Kuria custom 1968/85
Cannot be granted on petition alone.
1967/47
Consideration for divorce or “khului” –
Payment by wife in atonement for disobedience or “kiyamu” not recognized
Islamic law. 1967/42
Constructive desertion – Not where
husband makes genuine efforts to have wife return. 1968/491
Effected by three talaks not one.
Islamic law. 1968/289.
Failure to serve third party involved in
alleged adultery. 1968/252
Formula for verbal divorce – Islamic
law. 1967/48.
Husband must provide separate accommodation
or costs of maintenance during period of pregnancy to former wife pregnant at
time of divorce – Islamic law. 1968/92
Jurisdiction – Court can grant divorce
where marriage celebrated elsewhere if petitioner has lived in
Jurisdiction – Court has no jurisdiction
where expatriate has not acquired domicile of choice in
Jurisdiction to rescind decree nisi.
1968/252.
Marriage presumed to subsist until
dissolution proved. 1967/48.
Primary court has no jurisdiction in
divorce suit between Asian Muslim and non Asian Muslim. 1968/120
Recall of wife divorced by one talak –
Some form of communication necessary to wife of walli. Islamic law 1968/496.
Requirements for “khula” divorce –
Islamic law. 1968/383.
Rescindment of decree nisi – Main
considerations are hope of reconciliation and protection of financial interests
of wife. 1968/252
Rescindment of decree nisi – Religious
principles may possibly be considered. 1968/252.
Revocation of divorce effective although
dowry not fully paid. Islamic law. 1968/289
Right of wife to produce of field
planted before divorce. Customary Law Declaration. 1967/160
Withdrawal of petition – Decree nisi
later granted on prayer of respondent – Error curable. 1968/252.
Use of blood test. 1967/431.
Guardianship
Guardian
has no right to sell property of minors.-Customary Law Declaration. 1968/9.
Limitation
of actions for recovery of property improperly sold by guardian. Customary Law
Declaration. 1968/9.
XL1V
CIVIL
FAMILY LAW (Continued)
Illegitimate children
Belong
to father of woman. Customary Law Declaration. 1967/432.
Belong
to mother. Makonde custom. 1968/5.
Birth
during marriage conclusive proof of legitimacy Evidence Act. 1968/357.
Burden
of proof. 1968/12.
Children
of informal marriage are illegitimate – Islamic Law 1967/50
Damages
awardable. 1967/377.
Father
of child born of unmarried woman must pay for child’s maintenance until
majority. Customary Law Declaration 1967/326.
Legitimatized
by subsequent marriage of parents. Customary Law Declaration. 1968/206.
May
be legitimatized by subsequent marriage of parents – Islamic Law. 1968/206.
Natural
Father may legitimatize child by making payment to father of child’s mother –
Customary Law Declaration. 1968/343.
Presumption
that child born after six months of marriage is legitimate not rebutted by impotence
of husband – Islamic Law. 1968/383.
Presumption
that child born within six months of marriage is Illegitimate is probably superseded
by provisions of Evidence Act –Islamic Law. 1968/357.
Right
of material family to custody and bridewealth may lapse with time – Customary
Law Declaration. 1967/87.
Maintenance
Award
of one cow for maintenance of child outdated custom.
-
Reimbursement
must reflect actual costs of maintenance.
-
Sambaa
custom. 1968/129.
Husband responsible for maintenance of
wife living separately
-
Islamic
Law 1967/287
Husband responsible for maintenance of
wife where there is separation but no divorce. 1968208.
Proof as to cost of. 1967/431; 1968/129.
Marriage
Absence
of marriage certificate does not invalidate customary law marriage – Customary
Law Declaration. 1968//405; 1968/406.
Breach
of promise to marry – Damages awardable. 1967/377
Bridewealth
not essential to validity – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/209; 1968/405.
Customary
marriage does not become “Christian” by subsequent baptism of spouses. 1968/17.
Customary
marriage cannot be superseded by Islamic marriages until dissolved – Customary
Law Declaration. 1968/16.
XLV
CIVIL
FAMILY LAW (Continued)
Marriage (Continued)
Extra
– judicial statement of deceased concerning status of woman co-habiting with
hima should be given weight. 1967/173.
Failure
to produce marriage certificate does not bar court from finding valid marriage
– Islamic Law. 1968/18.
Long
co-habitation raises presumption of marriage. 1967/173.
Long
cohabitation raises presumption of marriage – Islamic Law. 1968/18
Requirement
of bridewealth – Zaramo custom. 1967/164.
Suit
respecting incidents of marriage must be instituted in primary court. 1968/341.
Parentage
Burden
of proof – Customary Law Declaration. 1967/377; 1968/204; 1968/250; 1968/253;
1968/488.
Children
born in concubinage presumed to belong to man with whom mother is living
despite mother’s naming of third party as father. – Customary Law Declaration.
1968/250.
Man
who had sexual relations with woman and whom she named as responsible for her
pregnancy is held to be father of child – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/488.
Mother’s
claim must be corroborated – Affiliation Ordinance. 1968/253
Proof
of –Use of blood tests. 1967/431.
Recall of wife
Order
to return against will contrary to good policy. Islamic law 1967/170
Time
limitation of three months. – Islamic Law. 1967/170.
FATAL ACCIDENTS
See: TORT.
FEES
See: PROCEDURE – Costs.
FREEHOLD TITLE (CONVERSION) AND GOVERNMENT
LEASES ACT. CAP. 523
See: LAND LAW
GIFTS
Conditional gifts – Ha custom. 1967/239.
Gift of land – Burden of proof falls on
party who claims gift was not absolute. 1968/498
Land occupied by donor’s wife may be
given to child of other wife.- Chagga custom. 1967/46.
Wedding presents need not be exchanged
by half – brothers. Mbulu custom. 1968/344.
GOVERNMENT LEASE
XLVI
CIVIL
GUARDIANSHIP
See: FAMILY LAW.
HA LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW
HAYA LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW
HEHE LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
HINDU LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
HIRE PURCHASE
See: CONTRACT.
ILLEGITIMACY
See: FAMILY LAW.
IMMIGRATION
See: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY.
IMPROVEMENTS
See: LAND LAW – Compensation for
improvements.
INCOME TAX
Burden of proof – Burden on party
contesting assessment to prove it excessive. 1967/438.
Deductions – Development levy not deduct
able – Amount withheld from salary to be included in income. 1968/446.
Land – Gains from sale – When taxable.
1967/438.
INHERITANCE
See: SUCCESSION.
INJUNCTION
See: PROCEDURE.
INSURANCE
Agreement to insure does not affect
common law liability. 1967/374.
Arbitration
See: ARBITRATION
Exclusion of liability – Clause in motor
vehicle policy excluding liability where driver is “unauthorized” driver –
Policy avoided as against insured but not as against third parties. 1968/495.
Hire – purchase – Hirer of insured
vehicle entitled to recover on policy where risk of loss is on him. 1968/346.
Lost profits – Claim under comprehensive
policy denied. 1968/346.
Misrepresentation – Undervaluation of
insured vehicle Insurer may disclaim liability under comprehensive policy.
1968/346.
XLV11
CIVIL
INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES
See: STATUTES.
INTESTACY
See: SUCCESSION.
ISLAMIC LAW
Family law
Child
born prior to marriage of parents may be legitimized. 1968/206.
Children
of informal marriage are illegitimate. 1967/50.
Consideration
for divorce or “khului” – Payment by wife in atonement for disobedience or “kiyamu” not recognized. 1967/42.
Divorce
– Formula for verbal divorce. 1967/48.
Divorce
is effected by three pronouncements not one. 1968/289.
Divorce
– Husband must provide separate accommodation or costs of maintenance during
period of pregnancy to former wife pregnant at time of divorce. 1968/92.
Divorced
mother entitled to custody of female child until puberty. 1968/249
Failure
to produce marriage certificate does not mean valid marriage does not exist.
1968/18.
Father
of legitimatized child has right to custody where in child’s interest.
1968/206.
Husband
entitled to custody of child conceived during marriage. 1967232.
Husband
responsible for maintenance of wife living separately 1967/287.
Man
with whom mother is living has no right to custody of child conceived by legal
husband. 1967/169.
Mother
should have custody of male child until age of seven if consistent with
interests of child. 1968/383.
Order
that spouse return against will contrary to good policy. 1967/170.
Parent
cannot transfer right of custody to another 1968/249.
Presumption
of marriage after long cohabitation as man and wife. 1968/18.
Presumption
that child born within six months of marriage is illegitimate is probably superseded
by provisions of Evidence Act. 1968/357.
Presumption
that child born after six months of marriage is legitimate not rebutted by impotence
of husband. 1968/383.
Recall
of wife divorced by one talak – Some form of communication necessary to wife or
walli. 1968/496.
Recall
of wife – Time limitation of three months. 1967/170.
Requirements
for “khula” divorce. 1968/383.
Revocation
of divorce effective although dowry not fully paid. 1968/289.
XLV111
CIVIL
ISLAMIC LAW (Continued)
Family law (Continued)
Welfare
of child primary consideration in determining custody. 1968/249.
Jurisdiction
District
court has concurrent jurisdiction with primary court-Islamic law not customary
law. 1968/340.
Primary
court has no jurisdiction in divorce suit between Asian and non-Asian Muslims.
1968/120.
Procedure
– Court should specify in judgement which school of Islamic Law is applicable.
1968/289.
Statement
of Islamic law – Not yet in force but helpful as guide. 1968/18
Succession
Father
of deceased illegitimate child cannot claim share of estate. 1967/50.
Property
of deceased wife presumed to have been purchased with money of husband should
go to husband. 1968/119.
Wakf – Conditions for validity. 1967/43.
JURISDICTION
See: PROCEDURE
JURISPRUDENCE
Precedent
– Decisions of Court of Appeal for Eastern Africa in cases arising from Aden
are binding. 1967/286.
Reception
of English law – Trustee Act, 1893.1967/238.
KUGURU LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
KURIA LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
LABOUR LAW
Breach
of employment contract – Employer’s right to damages where no special loss
shown. 1968/443.
Claim
for back – Wages – Barred by agreement for re-employment at higher salary after
dispute arose. 1968/338
Illness
– Employee entitled to payment during illness when contract silent. 1968/403.
Leave
Employee
entitled to accumulation of leave when rehired at higher salary after temporary
dismissal. 1968/403.
Implied
terms in oral contract. 1968/117.
Overtime – Employee entitled to when contract silent. 1968/403.
XL1X
CIVIL
LABOUR LAW (Continued)
Security of Employment Act
Dismissal
and suspension distinguished. 1967/435.
Right
of action arising before effective date of Act. 1967/435
Vesting
of jurisdiction in conciliation board is “procedural” legislation. 1967/435.
Termination
Employee
entitled to terminate when assigned unanticipated duties. 1968/443/
Implied
terms in oral contract. 1968/117
Notice
of intent to terminate required under probationary contract. 1968/443
LAND LAW
Abandoned land – See: Allocation.
Adverse possession
Occupant
of land for eighteen years should not be disturbed. 1967/233.
Occupant
of land for twenty-three years should not be disturbed. 1968/20.
Occupant
of land since German times should not be disturbed. 1968/7.
Original
owner’s claim waived by failure to develop land 1968/19.
Period
of eight years insufficient to bar claim by original occupant. – Sukuma custom.
1968/8
Twelve
year period required for acquisition. 1967/117; 1968/210.
Allocation
Abandoned
land – Reallocation by village headman before two years have passed since abandonment
unlawful under by-laws of District Council. 1968/210.
Abandoned
land – Reallocation by Village Committee after ten years where original occupant
had no “animus revertendi” is lawful. 1968/409.
Disposition
to church by local authority permissible. 1967/324.
Land
allocated by chief – Reallocation by Village Executive Officers invalid.
1968/21
Land
allocated to chief – Right of occupation continues after abolition of
chieftainship. 1967/88
Land
already occupied – Village Development Committee should not reallocate. 1967/436.
Land
temporarily vacated – Reallocation by Village Development Committee wrong.
1968/255. CONTRA 1968/449.
Vacated
land – Divided between owners of adjacent land despite allocation by Village
Development Committee. 1968/133.
Alluvion – See: Rivers.
L
CIVIL
LAND LAW(Continued)
Community – held land – Dispute between factions of community as to use
of – Primary court lacks jurisdiction. 1968/79.
Compensation for improvements
Recovery
of land – Occupant entitled to compensation from owner for improvements.
1967/117.
Redemption of land – Purchaser entitled
to compensation Haya custom. 1968/124; 1968/412.
Redemption of land – Red emptor entitled
to compensation from original owner who reclaims land. –Haya custom. 1968/347.
Repossession of land let on lease –
Tenant entitled to compensation – Chagga custom. 1968/211.
Revocation of licence – Licensee
entitled to compensation. 1967/329
Sale of land – Purchaser in possession
entitled to compensation from defaulting vendor or to specific performance.
1968/132
Sale of land – Purchaser in possession
not entitled to compensation for improvements effected after learning of dispute over title. 1968/349.
Valuation of trial court should not be
upset on appeal without good reason. 1968/211.
Disposition of government lease – Freehold Titles (Conversion) and Government
Leases Act, Cap. 523.
“Assignment”
defined. 1968/1.
Contract
which is inoperative as disposition of land may be valid as regards collateral
matters. 1968/1.
“Sale”
which constitutes assignment is voie
until consent of commissioner obtained. 1968/1.
Void disposition - Transferee entitled to recover purchase
money and running expenses as “advantages”. 1968/1.
Execution of decree – Objection to sale of land to satisfy judgement
debt can only be made by party to original dispute – Haya custom. 1968/137.
Gift of land – Burden of proof falls on party claiming gift was not
absolute. 1968/498.
Immovable property – Defined. 1968//381.
Lease – Suit for repossession after thirty-six years allowed-Chagga
custom. 1968/211.
Licence – Third party’s licence to pick crops from bequeathed shamba
terminates upon death of owner – Does not run against successor to shamba.
1968/125
Licence to occupy land – Conditions for ripening into permanent right of
occupancy 1967/437.
Pledge of clan land
Creditor
of debt not entitled to take possession of land when it is worth considerably
more than amount due. –Haya custom. 1968/169.
Distinguished
from sale – Haya custom. 1968/87.
L1
CIVIL
LAND LAW (Continued)
Pledge of clan land (Continued)
Pledgor
has no right of “redemption” – Haya custom 1968/`134
Property does not pass if debt not paid on time unless
court order obtained – Haya custom. 1968/134
Redeemed
land becomes property of person who pays sum due – Haya custom. 1968/87;
1968/126.
Repayment
of debt by pledgor out of time permitted – Haya custom. 1968/131.
Publicity essential to any transaction intended to pass property in land
– Haya custom. 1968/134
Redemption of clan land. See: Compensation for improvements: Pledge of
clan land; Sale of clan land.
Reeds – Ownership of – Haya custom.
Right of way – Cattle path cannot be pre-empted by individual for
cultivation 1968/348
Rivers – Change in course – Right to newly deposited land – Customary
law. 1967/230; 1968/497.
Sale of clan land
Distinguished
from pledge – Haya custom. 1968/87.
Land
bought from third party not clan land – Haya custom. 1968/411.
Limitation
period for redemption – Three months from date of sale or date when redeeming
party hears of sale – Haya custom. 1967/117; 1968/411; CONTRA 1968/412.
Purchaser
must be party to suit in redemption – Haya custom. 1968/248.
No
question of redemption arises when documents of sale are forged. – Haya custom.
1967/117.
Sale
by female without consent of relatives – Haya custom.1968/248
Sale
to member of clan – No right of redemption – Haya custom. 1968/410.
Sale
without reference to family – Redeemed land becomes property of person who
repays purchase price. – Haya custom 1967/231.
Strict
proof required of all conditions for redemption. 1968/411.
Sale of land
Misrepresentation
as to dimensions of land renders sale void. 1968/339.
Purchaser
in possession entitled to compensation for improvements from defaulting vendor
or to specific performance. 1968/132.
Void
– Buyer entitled to remain in possession until refund of purchase price.
1968/349.
Void
– Buyer entitled to return of purchase price but not compensation for improvements
effected after learning of dispute over title. 1968/349.
Void
– Sukuma custom. 1968/10.
L11
CIVIL
LAND LAW(Continued)
Title to land – Proof – Documentary or other direct evidence of sale not
required. 1968/23
Trees owned by one party growing on land of another – Rights of parties.
1968/93.
Village Development Committee. See: Allocation.
Visit of site – Advisable for magistrate to consult with village
officials rather than to rely entirely on personal observations. 1968/168.
Wife’s claim to land jointly
developed with husband. 1967/49.
Women’s rights to inherit land
Customary
Law Declaration. 1967/161; 1967/428; 1967/429; 1968/127; 1968/499.
Haya
custom. 1968/86.
Sambaa
custom. 1967/229; 1968/498.
LANDLORD AND TENANT
Claim for rent – Primary court has no
jurisdiction. 1967/171.
Common lodging house – Landlord cannot deprive tenant of protection of
Rent Restriction Act by obtaining licence for common lodging house. 1967/172.
Consent order – Rent Restriction Act – Power of court to vary. 1968/503;
1968/504.
Costs – Landlord who misled tenant to pay costs of action and appeal.
1967/234.
Procedure – Rent Restriction Act – Tribunal may not base decision on knowledge
special to it unless placed before parties. 1968/414.
Rent Restriction Act
Application.
1967/172; 1967/234.
Interpretation.
1967/286; 1967/380; 1968/22; 1968/293; 1968/386; 1968/413; 1968/414; 1968/503;
1968/504; 1968/505; 1968/506.
Registration of lease – Rent Restriction Act – Tribunal has no power to
register. 1968/505
Renewal of tenancy – Rent Restriction Act – Option to renew at higher
rent – Definition of. “standard rent” and “progressive rent”. 1967/380.
Standard rent
Rent
Restriction Act – Applicant not bound by statement of standard rent in
application to board where other parties not misled. 1968/22.
Rent
Restriction Act – Board may award rent for period for which applicant claims
only mesne profits, where latter claim is based upon applicant’s misguided
statement of claim. 1968/22.
Rent
Restriction Act – Disparity between rents of suit premises and of neighbouring
premises not special circumstance justifying alteration of standard rent.
1968/414.
L111
CIVIL
LANDLORD AND TENANT (Continue)
Standard rent (Continued)
Rent
Restriction Act – Method of determining. 1968/506.
Rent
Restriction Act – Power of tribunal to alter. 1968/506
Rent
Restriction Act – Power to fix standard rent retroactively. 1968/414.
Rent
Restriction Act – Tenant may sublet premises for any rate not exceeding
standard rent. 1968/22.
Tenancy
at will – When it exists. 1967/286.
Vocation of premises
No
notice to quit is required fro tenancy at will. 1967/286.
Premises
which are “mined” in violation of Township Rules are not governed by Rent Restriction
Act. 1967/234.
Primary
court has no jurisdiction. 1967/114.
Rent
Restriction Act – Before order of ejectiment is made landlord requires
certificate from Minister that action is in “public interest” and Board or
court ruling that action is “reasonable”. 1968/213.
Rent
Restriction Act – Judgement refusing application to stay enforcement of consent
decree is applicable. 1968/293.
Rent
Restriction Act – Order of possession must be “reasonable” even where rent in arrears.
1968/413.
Rent
Restriction Act – Resident Magistrate apparently has no jurisdiction to issue
consent order for vacation of premises. 1968/293.
Rent
Restriction Act – When consent orders for possession should be issued.
1968/504.
When
valid order may be stayed by court. 1967/41; 1968/293.
LAW REFORM
Injunction – Desirability of altering rule which forbids application for
temporary injunction prior to filling of suit. 1968/501.
Possession of property suspected of having been stolen-Definition of
offence too technical. 1968/221.
LAW REFORM (FATAL ACCIDENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS)
ORDINANCE, CAP. 360,
See: TORT.
LEASE
See: LAND LAW.
LEGAL PROFESSION
Witnesses – Irregular for advocate to appear both as counsel and as
witness. 1968/399.
Fees – See: PROCEDURE – Costs.
LEGITIMACY
See: FAMILY LAW – Illegitimate children.
L1V
CIVIL
LIMITATION OF ACTIONS
Accounts due
Partial
payment. 1968/170.
Written
acknowledgement. 1968/170.
Appeal. 1967/154; 1967/226.
Bridewealth
Payment
of. 1968/492.
Refund
of. 1967/433.
Cattle – Recovery of. 1967/373.
Contract
Compensation
for breach. 1968/26.
Recession.
1968/26.
Running
account. 1968/161.
Specific
performance. 1968/26
Custody of children. 1967/280.
Customary law actions. 1967/231; 1967/330; 1967/333;1967/373; 1967/433;
1968/2;1968/9; 1968/24; 1968/26;1968/492.
Customs duties – Claim for additional payment. 1967/327.
Ex parte judgement – Application
to set aside. 1967/176; 1968/292; 1968/353.
Guardianship – Recovery of property improperly sold by guardian 1968/9.
Land
Recovery
of. 1968/24.
Redemption
of. 1967/117; 1968/87; 1968/124; 1968/411; 1968/412.
Loan of money – Claim for repayment. 1967/281.
Partnership – Dissolution of. 1968/25.
Private debt – Claim for repayment. 1967/333.
Property lost or acquired by theft. 1968/26.
LOANS
See: MONEY – LENDING.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
See: PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.
LUO LAW
See; CUSTOMARY LAW.
MAINTENANCE
See: FAMILY LAW.
MAKONDE LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
MALICIOUS PROSECUTION
See: TORT.
MARRIAGE
See: FAMILY LAW.
LV
CIVIL
MASAI LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
MBULU LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
MONEY-LENDING
Loans
Borrower
need not repay money destroyed in accidental fire 1967/281.
Exorbitant
rate of interest not recoverable. 1967/85
Interest
rate of 6% per annum allowed for period between judgement and payment.
1968/135.
Interest
rate of 25% per annum exorbitant – Rate of 9% per annum substituted. 1968/135.
Limitation
of actions. 1967/281.
Primary
court has no jurisdiction in action for loan not governed by customary or
Islamic law. 1968/80.
MORTAGE
See: LAND LAW.
MUNICIPALITIES
See: PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.
NATIONALITY
See: ALIENS
NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS
Cheques
– Signer personally liable although name of principal company stamped on
cheque. 1968/350.
Consideration
– Allegation of duress obliges holder to prove consideration. 1968/52.
Holder
in due course
Holder presumed to be holder in due course
until contrary established. 1968/290.
Holder of not consideration for which has
failed not holder in due course when close connection with promisee is proven.
1968/290.
Promissory
notes
Alteration by insertion of place of payment
is material alteration as between endorsees. 1968/485.
Alteration by insertion of place of payment
not material alteration, as between maker and holder in due course. 1968/485
NGONI LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
NGURIME LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
LVI
CIVIL
NYAKYUSA LAW
See; CUSTOMARY LAW.
NYATURU LAW
See; CUSTOMARY LAW.
PARENTAGE
See; FAMILY LAW.
PARTNERSHIP
See; ASSOCIATIONS.
PLEADINGS
See; PROCEDURE.
PLEDGE OF LAND
See: LAND LAW.
PRECEDENT
See: JURISPRUDENCE.
PROBATE
See; SUCCESSION – Administration of estates.
PROCEDURE
Adjournment
Granted
to allow party to obtain senior counsel. 1967/237.
Where
case delayed by repeated unexplained absences of adjournment granted only where security for costs is post
1968/448
Amendment of pleading
Divorce.
1968/252.
Should
be allowed fully where no injustice results. 1968/25
Appeal: See: APPEAL.
Appearance – Defendant’s capacity to be sued in primary court as
representative of church. 1967/324.
Arbitration. See: ARBITRATION.
Assessors
District
Court not bound to sit with assessors. 1967/375.
Primary
and district courts should have assessors in customary law cases. 1968/209.
Attachment
Execution
of decree of attachment must be ordered by court. Warrant issued by District
Registrar is invalid. 1968/27.
Whether
property belongs to judgement debtor or not. 1968/400.
Companies
– Restoration to register of companies –proper form of action. 1967/155.
Costs
Allowed
where plaintiff forced to take suit because defendants disagree as to apportionment
of liability 1968/453.
LV11
CIVIL
PROCEDURE (Continued)
Costs (Continued)
Awarded
where plaintiff proves breach of contract but fails to prove damages 1968/287.
Bill
of costs for services in criminal case. 1967/320.
Calculation
of costs in defended case. 1967/288.
Decision
of taxing officer not to be lightly interfered with. 1968/502
Determination
where trial court. lacked jurisdiction but heard suit following illegal
practice. 1968/81.
Discretion
of trial court in award of costs is reviewable where no reasons given.
1967/288.
Instruction
fees – Calculated on bases of work done in preparation for trial not on basis
of length of trial. 1968/173.
Instruction
fees – No special formula applicable but use of per diem figure helpful.
1968/502.
Instruction
fees – Policy of reducing court fees irrelevant in assessing instruction fees.
1968/173.
Landlord
who misled tenant to pay costs of action and appeal. 1967/234.
May
be awarded at time of interlocutory ruling. 1967/288.
“One
– sixth” rule ignored. 1968/502.
Parties
bear own costs where neither responsible for loss sued upon. 1967/281.
Plaintiff
cannot claim costs if suit brought prematurely and without notice to defendant.
1967/321.
Right
to costs where party succeeds on some but not all grounds of action. 1967/55.
Scale
– High Court scale used where action “reasonably” filed in High Court.
1968/287.
Settlement
out of court – Costs may be claimed although action withdrawn. 1967/54.
Taxing
master’s decision as to quantum normally decisive. 1967/177.
Travel
expenses – Based on cost of air fares. 1968/173.
Travel
expenses of witnesses – Fact that witnesses did not testify due to settlement before
trial is irrelevant. 1968/173.
Damages – Requirements in pleading. 1967/156.
Death of defendant between preliminary and final decree – Action does
not abate – No limitation period within which application to bring
administrator’s name on record must be brought. 1968/385.
Dismissal of suit in default of appearance – No appeal from –
Application for restoration of suit should be made. 1968/351.
Execution of decree
Objection
to sale of land to satisfy judgment debt can only be made by party to original
dispute. – Haya custom. 1968/137.
Successful
litigant may not execute decree by himself – Court order necessary. 1968/28.
LV111
CIVIL
PROCEDURE (Continued)
Ex parte application – Appeal court cannot vary order of trial court on
exparte application without any proper appeal. 1968/78.
Ex parte judgement
Letter
by defendant to court denying liability bars ex parte judgement. 1968/352.
Limitation
period for application to set aside computed from date decree becomes known to
applicant. 1967/176; 1968/292; 1968/353.
Non-appearance
used as delaying tactic. 1967/56.
Premature
when entered only fifteen days after defendant received summons. 1968/118.
Proper
service of summons must be proved. 1967/178.
Ex parte judgement in primary court – Proper method to challenge.
1968/337.
Finality of judgement – Improper judgement in earlier case cannot be
ignored or reversed by court in subsequent case. 1967/433.
Framing of issues – Failure to do so not in
itself fatal 1968/355.
Injunction
Application
for temporary injunction cannot be filed before suit is filed. 1968/501.
Considerations
determining whether temporary injunction should be issued. 1968/501.
Installment payments of judgement debt – No appeal permitted from order.
1968/285.
Institution of proceedings
Civil
proceedings in respect of incidents of marriage must generally be taken in
primary court. 1968/341.
Civil
proceedings need not be instituted in primary court where other court has
concurrent jurisdiction. 1968/340.
Rule
that suits must be instituted in lowest courts competent does not deprive
higher courts of jurisdiction they otherwise possess. 1968/341.
Instruction fees. See: Costs.
Jurisdiction
Action
relating to immovable property under customary law must be taken in primary
court. 1968/381.
Appeal
court cannot vary order of trial court on ex parte application without any
proper appeal. 1968/78.
Business
names (Registration) Ordinance – High Court has exclusive jurisdiction to amend
business name. 1967/158.
Cannot
be conferred by consent of parties. 1968/120.
Customary
law – District court has concurrent jurisdiction with primary court. 1968/341.
Divorce
– Rescindment of decree nisi. 1968/252.
Divorce
– Court can grant divorce where marriage performed elsewhere if petitioner has
lived in Tanzania for over three years. 1968/251.
L1X
CIVIL
PROCEDURE(Continued)
Jurisdiction (Continued)
Islamic
law – District court has concurrent jurisdiction with primary court. 1968/340.
Judgement
of court lacking jurisdiction upheld where no objection made. 1967/333.
Land
held by Muslim community – Primary court has no jurisdiction over dispute
between factions as to use of land. 1968/79.
Primary
court – Administration of estates. 1968/357.
Primary
court has jurisdiction in personal actions where defendant is normally resident in area. 1968/3.
Primary
court has jurisdiction in claim for damages for crop destruction under customary
law. 1968/407.
Primary
court has jurisdiction in contractual claim which can be dealt with under customary
law. 1968/288; 1968/445; CONTRA 1968/81.
Primary
court has no jurisdiction in civil suit between Asian and African where there
is no common ground of customary law. 1968/445.
Primary
court has no jurisdiction in case involving trespass by animal. 1968/456.
Primary
court has no jurisdiction in suit over registered land, even where registration
occurs after suit is filed. 1968/487.
Primary
court has no jurisdiction in divorce suit between Asian and non-Asian Muslims.
1968/120.
Primary
court has no jurisdiction in action for recovery of loan. 1968/80.
Primary
court has no jurisdiction in civil action not governed by customary or Islamic
law or taken by government for recovery of civil debt. 1968/80; 1968/81;
DOUBTFUL 1968/288.
Primary
court cannot hear suit relating to contractual obligations of unincorporated
body. 1968/138.
Primary
court has no jurisdiction over land outside of district. 1968/119.
Primary
court has jurisdiction within whole district. 1968/119.
Private
debt – Primary court probably has no jurisdiction. 1967/333.
Rent
Restriction Act – Common lodging house. 1967/172.
Rent
Restriction Act – Courts have no jurisdiction where no attempt made to use
remedies specifically provided. 1967/41.
Rent
Restriction Act – Primary court cannot issue ejectment order. 1967/114.
Rent
Restriction Act – Primary court cannot hear claim for rent. 1967/171.
Rent
Restriction Act – Resident Magistrate apparently has no jurisdiction to issue
consent order for vacation of premise. 1968/293.
LX
CIVIL
PROCEDURE(Continued)
Particulars – Failure to deny claims specified there constitutes
admission. 1968/170.
Partnership – Suit for wages by partner improper. 1967/175.
Plaint – Failure to sign by plaintiffs – Significance. 1968/501.
Pleadings
Allegations
in statement of defence deemed in issue without reply by plaintiff. 1968/390.
Binding
on parties. 1967/424.
Court
may ignore defective written statement of defence and enter judgement ex parte
– Power should be exercised with caution. 1968/354.
Court
may strike out portions of defective pleading only when defect cannot be cured
by amendment. 1968/354.
Court
should not strike out defective written statement of defence where defendant is
of limited education and of no legal experience. 1968/354.
Withdrawal
of suit without prejudice permissible for plaintiff without counsel. 1967/426.
Premature claim – Right to sue for debt not affected by extension of
time for payment. 1967/426.
Res judicata – Holding that law provides no remedy is equivalent to
decision on merits. 1968/386.
Security for costs – When required. 1968/357.
Seizure of property under court order pending trial. 1968/294.
Service of summons
Defective.
1967/178.
Failure
to serve interested third party in divorce suit. 1968/252.
Substitution of judges in course of High Court trial. 1967/332.
Withdrawal of petition – Divorce. 1968/252.
Witnesses – Primary responsibility to procure witnesses lies on parties.
1968/95; 1968/201.
Third party notice – Application made after pleadings closed will
usually be refused. 1967/179.
PROMISSORY NOTES
See:
NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS.
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES
Municipalities
– Sanitary services – Charges – City’s right to recover from owner of premises
not dependent upon owner’s ability to recoup from tenant. 1968/384.
RECEPTION OF ENGLICH LAW
See: JURISPRUDENCE.
REDEMPTION OF LAND
See: LAND LAW.
RENT RESTRICTION
See: LANDLORD AND TENANT.
LX1
CIVIL
RES JUDICATA
See: PROCEDURE.
REVISION
See: APPEAL.
RIGHT OF WAY
See: LAND LAW.
SAFE KEEPING
See: BAILMENT; CUSTOMARY LAW.
See: CONRTACT.
See: LAND LAW.
SAMBAA LAW
See: CUSOMARY LAW.
SECURITY OF EMPLOYMENT ACT
See: LABOUR LAW.
SEDUCTION
See: TORT.
SOCIETIES
See: ASSOCIATIONS.
STARE DECISIS
See: JURISPRUDENCE.
STATUTES
Interpretation
Customs
Tariff Ordinance – Commissioner must classify product so as to make it subject
to highest rate of duty. 1967/327.
Customs
Tariff Ordinance – Words naming scheduled products should be given ordinary
“business” meaning. 1967/327.
Ejusdem
generic rule applied. 1968/457.
Penal
statutes have no retrospective effect. 1968/458.
Penal
statutes must be strictly construed. 1967357.
Reference
to marginal notes. 1967/218; 1968/229; 1968/244.
Retrospective
section warrants successive actions only where facts have changed since section enacted. 1968/386.
Statutes
affecting existing rights of action – Must be explicit to extinguish rights.
1967/435.
Statutes
affecting procedure – Deemed to apply to
all actions both before and after enactment. 1967/435.
Statutes
must be construed as whole. 1967/357.
LX11
CIVIL
SUCCESSION.
Administration of estates.
Application
for revocation of letters of administration – Where prior proceedings
defective, grant of letters not revoked but qualified by declaration of interests
of applicants. 1968/357.
Jurisdiction
– Primary Court has jurisdiction, without pecuniary limits, where customary or
Islamic law is applicable and matter is not governed by marriage, Divorce and
Succession (non-Christian Asia tics) Ordinance. 1968/357.
Intestacy
Caretaker
of land has no rights to share of land. 1968/500.
Child
of widow sired by relative of deceased husband has full rights of inheritance
from deceased – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/163.
Conflict
between tribal and religious law – Ngoni custom 1967/159.
Deceased
with no issue – Haya law. 1968/451.
Distribution
of estate – Haya custom. 1967/163.
Distribution
of estate between childless widow and sons of deceased. – Haya custom. 1968/12.
Father
of dead illegitimate child cannot claim share of estate – Islamic law. 1967/50.
Holding
of tenant passes to son unless will specifies otherwise. Haya custom 1968/11.
House
registered in name of deceased but built with aid of another. 1968/162.
Illegitimate
son of daughter of deceased has superior claim to nephew of deceased –
Customary Law Declaration. 1968/127.
Matrilineal
succession – Kuguru custom. 1967/118.
Property
of deceased wife which is presumed to be purchased with money of husband should
go to husband – Islamic law. 1968/119.
Son
of deceased born by inherited wife has right to estate. Customary Law
Declaration. 1967/162.
Third
party’s licence to pick crops from bequeathed shamba terminates upon death of
owner – Does not run against successor to shamba. 1968/125.
Where
deceased leaves no children, full brothers or wife, his full sister is entitled
to inherit.- Zanake custom. 1968/450.
Women’s
rights to inherit land – Customary Law Declaration. 1967/161; 1967/428;
1967/429; 1968/127; 1968/499.
Women’s
rights to inherit land – Haya custom. 1968/86.
Women’s
rights to inherit land – Sambaa custom 1967/229; 1968/498.
Wills
Disinheritance
of heir – Haya custom. 1968/205.
Disinheritance
of heir – Heir may apply for court decision as to whether disinheritance was
justified – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/29.
LX111
CIVIL
SUCCESSION (Continued
Wills (Continued)
Disinheritance
of heir – Not mandatory that heir be given opportunity to clear himself before
testator or family council – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/29.
Disinheritance
of principal heir. 1968/164; 1968/358; 1968/449.
Disinheritance
of principal heir – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/359.
Oral
bequest made near death is valid – Customary Law Declaration. 1967/325.
Oral
wills – Requirements – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/165; 1968/291.
Revocation
of will – Haya custom. 1967/40.
Suit
for distribution of estate in accordance with will premature. 1968/291.
Written
wills – Invalid where testator and witnesses do not sign in each other’s
presence – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/452.
Written
wills – Must be signed. 1968/164.
Written
wills – Requirements – Customary Law Declaration. 1968/358.
SUKUMA LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
TAXATION
See: INCOME TAX.
TAXATION OF COSTS
See: PROCEDURE – Costs.
TORT
Assault
– Damages may be awarded without proof of serious injury or material loss.
1968/440.
Attack
by domestic animal – Liability of owner. 1967/421.
Claim
for damages caused by refusal of village headman to allow sale of pombe – No
remedy under customary law. 1968/404.
Crop
destruction – Customary law. 1968/407.
Damages
Assault
victim may claim nominal damages. 1968/440.
Compensation
ordered in criminal proceedings does not oust jurisdiction but must be
considered. 1968/342.
Contributory
negligence – Apportionment of damages depends on facts of each case. 1967/331.
Defamation
– Fact that plaintiff provoked defamatory
outburst is material. 1968/167.
Destruction
of commercial vehicle – Damages allowed for lost profits. 1968/453.
Interest
awarded at 7% 1968/453.
LX1V
CIVIL
TORT(Continued)
Damages (Continued)
Measure
of loss to family of son who is “provider” in Hindu custom. 1967/51.
Measure
of loss to father of young daughter – Loss of society and bride-price. 1967/165
Motor
accident – Severe injuries. 1968/454.
Previous
recovery in criminal case not bar to civil suit. 1968/455.
Seduction.
1967/180; 1967/181.
Theft
by third person after motor accident not too remote. 1968/454.
Upkeep
of animals seized for trespass. 1968/456.
Colloquial
meaning of words a defence though legal meaning would make statement defamatory.
1968/166.
Damages
reduced where plaintiff provoked defamatory
outburst. 1968/167.
Malice
does not exist where defendant honestly and reasonably believes in truth of
communication 1968/167.
Defamation
Malice
exists where defendant through anger is reckless with truth so as to abuse occasion
of qualified privileged. 1968/167.
Malice
require where communication privileged. 1968/128; 1968/167.
“Privileged
occasion” implies legitimate and reciprocal interest in communication on part
of defendant and third person. 1968/167.
False imprisonment – Imprisonment by virtue
of court judgement not actionable. 1968/14.
Malicious prosecution
Defendant’s
resort to legal counsel not in itself defence. 1967/235.
Former
proceedings must be terminated in plaintiff’s favour. 1967/235.
Malice
is essential element. 1967/235.
Negligence
Contributory
negligence – Apportionment of damages depends on facts of each case. 1967/331.
“Last
opportunity” rule superseded. 1967/331.
Leaving
stationary unlighted vehicle on road at night constitutes prima facie
negligence. 1967/331.
Safe
speed while driving at night. 1967/331.
Seduction
Damages
which may be awarded. 1967/181.
Damages
which may be awarded where no pregnancy results. 1967/180.
LXV
CIVIL
TORT (Continued)
Trespass
Where
cattle are seized following trespass on cultivated land damages can be claimed
only for four days upkeep of cattle. 1968/456.
Customary
law inapplicable. 1968/456.
TRUSTS
Breach
of trust permissible with consent of all
beneficiaries. 1967/238.
Sale
of trust property
Burden
of proof. 1967/381.
Invalid
without consent of all beneficiaries. 1967/381
Trustee Act (1893) applicable.
1967/238.
UNINCORPORATED BODIES
See:
ASSOCIATIONS.
VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
See: LAND LAW – Allocation.
WAKF
See: ISLAMIC LAW.
WILLS
See: SUCCESSION.
WITNESSES
See: APPEAL; EVIDENCE; PROCEDURE.
ZANAKI LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
ZARAMO LAW
See: CUSTOMARY LAW.
LXVI
CRIMINAL
INDEX
LXV11
CRIMINAL
ABDUCTION
Charges of indecent assault and abduction permissible for single
transaction. 1968/257.
Intent to have sexual intercourse necessary. 1968/257.
“Woman” defined – Does not include girl under sixteen years of age.
1968/360.
ABETTING
See: AIDING AND ABETTING.
ABSOLUTE LIABILITY
See: MENS REA.
ABUSE OF OFFICE
Arrest
without warrant by Divisional Executive Officer. 1968/364
ABUSIVE LANGUAGE
Charge
– Proper form. 1967/440.
Purpose
of statute
Prevention of incitement to physical violence
– Annoyance of listeners not sufficient for conviction. 1967/61; CONTRA:
1967/91.
Prevention of public disturbance – Anger
and annoyance of listeners sufficient for conviction. 1967/91; CONTRA: 1967/61
ACCESSORIES AFTER THE FACT
Alternative verdicts – Accessory after the fact to murder cannot be
substituted for murder. 1967/72.
ACCIDENT
Wounding by accident not offence. 1967/84.
ACCOMPLICES
See: EVIDENCE.
ACCOUNTING
See: FALSE ACCOUNTING.
ACTUAL BODILY HARM
See: ASSAULT CAUSING ACTUAL BODILY HARM.
ADMISSIBILITY
See: EVIDENCE.
AFFRAY
Elements of offence. 1968/214.
Plea of guilty by only one party. 1968/214.
AGE OF ACCUSED
See: MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS (CONTROL AND MARKETING)
ACT, CAP. 486
Forfeiture of agricultural products – Not provided for in Act. 1968/30;
1968/31 1968/314.
LXV111
CRIMINAL
AGRICULTURE
Failure to cultivate prescribed minimum area – Duty of Land holder to
measure area himself. 1967/182.
AIDING AND ABETTING
Unlicensed dealing in broadcast receivers – Broadcast Receiving
Apparatus (Licensing) Act, Cap; 548-Knowledge that acts were illegal essential.
1967/1.
AIDING PRICONERS TO ESCAPE
Negligence insufficient for conviction 1968/309.
ALTERNATIVE COUNTS
See: PROCEDURE
ALTERNATIVE VERDICTS
See: PROCEDURE
AMMUNITION
See: ARMS AND AMMUNITION ORDINANCE.
ANIMALS
See: FAUNA CONSERVATION ORDINANCE,
INJURING ANIMALS, THEFT.
APPEAL
Acquittal
in District Court after conviction in Primary Court – Only Director of Public
Prosecutions may appeal to High Court. 1967/58.
Appeal
court should not sustain conviction on bases of independent review of evidence
not considered by trial court. 1967384.
Bail
– Power of court to review forfeiture by bondsman. 1967/244.
Bail
pending appeal
Appeal must have overwhelming chance of
success. 1967/243; 1968/174; 1968/295.
Granted only in exceptional circumstances.
1967/243; 1968/295.
Illness treatable in custody not special circumstances.
1968/174.
Petition of clemency not appeal and bail
cannot be granted. 1967/109.
Burden
of proof – Misdirection – Harmless error. 1967/241.
Conviction
quashed where magistrate could have been influenced by character evidence.
1967/127.
Defective
charge – Curable on appeal where charge set out all ingredients of offence.
1967/21.
Defective
charge cannot be complained of in appeal against sentence. 1968/331.
Defective
raised first on appeal – Not genuine. 1967/3; 1967/289.
LXIX
CRIMINAL
APPEAL – (Continued)
Evidence
Appeal
court in as good position to weigh circumstantial evidence as trial court. 1967/383.
Appeal
court may consider contradictory evidence given by witness at prior trial.
1967/4.
Appeal
court usually bound by trial court’s view of credibility of witness. 1967/59.
When
appeal court will return case to trial court for hearing of additional
evidence. 1968/215.
Failure to appear
Appeal
may be heard where there are written arguments. 1968/53.
Sickness
is reasonable explanation. 1968/53.
Failure by trial magistrate to analyses prosecution case – Ground for
granting appeal. 1967/384; 1968/216.
Guilty plea – No appeal from conviction on unequivocal guilty plea.
1967/239.
Inquiry by High Court to trial court – Failure to reply. 1967/5
Jurisdiction of High Court - No
authority to revise an order of acquittal. 1967/121; 1967/247.
Leave to appeal out of time – Standards. 1967/290.
Order based on subordinate court’s finding as to age of accused may be
set aside by High Court. 1968/145.
Petition of clemency – Not appeal. 1967/109.
Record of trial court lost – Re-trial necessary. 1967/120; 1967/291.
Reversal of conviction where reasonable doubt. 1967/89.
Ruling cannot be appealed until case completed. 1968/271.
Summary rejection of appeal by district court not permitted. 1968/218;
1968/258
Sentence
See:
SENTENCE
Witnesses – Defence to magistrate’s discretion in calling defence
witnesses. 1967/258.
ARMS AND AMMUNITION ORDINANCE, CAP. 223.
Failure to renew licence not offence. 1968/176.
Plea of guilty – Equivocal. 1968/457.
Possession of firearm
Forfeiture
of firearm improper where owner is innocent third party. 1967/299.
Forfeiture
of firearm improper where owner who is third party has not been heard. 1967/90
Imprisonment
for six months excessive. 1967/90.
Imprisonment
in default of fine – Length of term governed by Penal Code provisions.
1968/415.
Unlicensed pledge may be convicted. 1967/90.
“Transfer” of firearm – Temporary transfer not included. 1967/439;
1968/387; 1968/457.
LXX
CRIMINAL
ARREST
See: ABUSE OF OFFICE; ESCAPE FROM LAWFUL
CUSTOM; PROCEDURE.
ARSON
Burning
of one’s own house lawful where human life and adjacent buildings not endangered.
1967/185.
Evidence
– Threat to burn house after event sufficient to establish guilt. 1967/186.
Negligence
not sufficient for conviction. 1967/6.
Plea
of guilty – Equivocal. 1968/32.
ASSAULT CAUSING ACTUAL BODILY HARM
Alternative
verdicts – Assault causing actual bodily harm cannot be substituted for assault
with intent to steal 1968/428.
Charge
of malicious injury to property in addition to assault charge improper.
1967/131.
Provocation
– No defence to charge – Grounds for mitigation in sentencing. 1968/34.
Self
– defence – Attack with wooden pestle unjustified in retaliation for severe slap.
1967/266.
Sentence
Corporal punishment imposable only in
aggravating circumstances. 1968/471.
Imprisonment for eight months excessive for
domestic offence. 1967/266.
ASSAULT PUNISHABLE WITH FIVE YEARS
Charge
– Proper form. 1967/440.
Sentence
– Imprisonment for three years excessive for elderly first offender. 1968/440.
ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO STEAL
Alternative
verdicts – Assault causing actual bodily harm cannot be substituted for assault
with intent to steal. 1968/428.
ASSAULTING POLICE OFFICER
See: ASSAULT PUNISHABLE WITH FIVE YEARS.
ASSEMBLY
See:
UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY.
ATTEMPTED ESCAPE FROM LAWFUL CUSTODY
Distinguished
from escape. 1968/179.
ATTEMPTED MURDER
Arrow
shot from distance – Causing grievous harm rather than attempted murder.
1968/48.
Common
intention not shown by joint assault prior to act complained of. 1968/47.
LXX1
CRIMINAL
ATTEMPTED MURDER (Continued)
Intention
to cause death essential – Intention to cause grievous harm insufficient.
1967/342; 1967/388.
Setting
afire house knowing person to be inside – Not attempted murder. 1967/342.
ATTEMPTED OBTAINING BY FALSE PRETENCES
Attempted
theft distinguished. 1967/452.
ATTEMPTED RAPE
Alternative
verdicts – Indecent assault can be substituted for attempted rape. 1967/76.
Mere
preparation distinguished. 1967/76; 1968/228.
Sentence
– Compensation appropriate where complainant injured. 1967/207.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
Sentence
Corporal punishment inappropriate.
1968/479.
Imprisonment inappropriate. 1967/30;
1967/79; 1967/270; 1968/310; 1968/479.
Probation inappropriate. 1968/310.
ATTEMPTED THEFT
Alternative
verdicts – Malicious injury to property cannot be substituted for attempted
stealing from motor vehicle 1968/480.
Mere
preparation distinguished. 1967/452.
Stealing
from motor vehicle – Attempt not established by proof of effort to open
vehicle. 1968/480.
Stealing
from person – Partially removing purse from pocket constitutes attempt.
1967/275.
BAIL
See: APPEAL; PROCEDURE.
BHANG
See: CULTIVATION OF NOXIOUS PLANTS
(PROHIBITION) ORDINANCE
BRAWLING
Act
must be likely to cause breach of peace. 1967/217.
Two
or more persons must be involved. 1967/246.
BREACH OF PEACE
See:
ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.
BREAKING
Does
not include cases where person has right to break. 1967/80.
Includes
opening of door with key. 1967/111.
LXX11
CRIMINAL
BREAKING AND COMMITTING FELONY
Alternative
verdicts
Malicious
injury to property can be substituted for breaking and committing felony.
1967/81.
Theft
can be substituted for breaking and committing felony. 1967/31.
“Breaking”
does not occur where person has legal right to do the act. 1967/80.
“Building”
Garage not included. 1967/146 B; 1967/81.
Refers
only to human habitation – “Goat house” not building . 1967/365.
Charge
of theft superfluous. 1968/182.
Evidence
of complainant which is preposterous does not rule out conviction. 1968/175.
Housebreaking
instruments should not be returned to accused convicted in same proceeding of
shop-breaking. 1967/23.
Intent
must exist at time of breaking. 1967/80.
“Shop”
does not include bar. 1967/31.
BREAKING WITH INTENT TO COMMIT FELONY
Not
scheduled offence under Minimum Sentences Act. 1967/214.
BRADCAST RECEIVING PPARATUS (LICENCING )
ACT, CAP. 548
Unlicensed
dealing – Employee of shop owner not “carrying on business”. 1967/1.
“BUILDING”
See: BREAKING AND COMMITTING FELONY.
BURDEN OF PROOF
See:
EVIDENCE.
BURGLARY
See:
HOUSEBREAKING.
CANNABIS SATIVA
See:
CULTIVATION OF NOXIOUS PLANTS (PROHIBITION) ORDINANCE.
CATTLE-THEFT
See:
THEFT.
CAUSATION
See:
HOMICIDE.
CAUSING GRIEVOUS HARM
See:
GRIEVOUS HARM.
CHARGE
See:
PROCEDURE.
LXX111
CRIMINAL
“CHARITY”
See:
MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT
CHEATING
Conviction
quashed where nothing obtained. 1968/240
Facts
constituting offence. 1967/187.
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
See:
EVIDENCE.
CLAIM OF RIGHT
Honest
belief based on reasonable grounds. 1967/271; 1968/482.
Legal
bases to claim not necessary – Good faith required. 1967/147; 1968/398.
No
defence when previously repudiated in civil case. 1967318.
Unauthorized
taking of unpaid salary not covered. 1968/373.
CO-ACCUSEDS
See: EVIDENCE.
COMMON ASSAULT
Corporal
punishment by teacher which exceeds permissible bounds may constitute assault.
1968/33.
Pounding
on door and threatening use of force not assault – Charge of intimidation more
appropriate. 1967/335.
Sentence
– Imprisonment for six months excessive for elderly first offender. 1968/459.
COMMON INTENTION
Arrow shot by unidentified member of group
Common
intention established for offence of grievous harm. 1968/48.
Common
intention not established for offence of attempted murder. 1968/47.
Mob beating
All
participants entitled to benefit from provocation given to certain members of
mob. 1967/390.
All
participants not liable for robbery occurring in course of beating. 1968/52.
Liability
of all participants for resulting death. 1967/390.
COMPENSATION
See: MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT; SENTENCE.
CONCEALING BIRTH OF CHILDREN
Facts
constituting offence. 1967/447
CONCURRENT SENTENCES
See:
SENTENCE.
LXX1V
CRIMINAL
CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE
See: SENTENCE.
CONFESSIONS
See: EVIDENCE.
CONSERVATION
See: FAUNA CONSERVATION ORDINANCE.
CONTEMPT OF COURT
Charge
Absence
of specific charge not miscarriage of justice where contempt continues after
warnings. 1967/63.
Specific
charge should usually be made. 1967/63.
Refusal to appear and give evidence – Does not apply to accused.
1968/459.
Refusal to produce document not offence where court does not believe document
exists. 1968/362.
Showing
disrespect
Mens rea required. 1968/460.
Does not include obstructing court messenger executing search warrant.
1967/188.
Summary
procedure. 1968/460.
Wrongfully
retaking possession of land – Does not include failure to vacate land sold in
execution of judgment. 1967/337.
“CONVERSION”
See:
THEFT.
CO-OPERATIVES
See: MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
See:
MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT; SENTENCE.
CORROBORATION
See:
EVIDENCE.
CORRUPTION
See: PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ORDINANCE.
CREDIBILITY
See:
EVIDENCE.
CRIMINAL TRESPASS
Alternative
verdicts – Criminal trespass cannot be substituted for cattle theft. 1968/269.
Claim
of right previously repudiated in litigation no defence. 1967/318.
Dispute
as to ownership should be settled first in a civil action. 1968/158.
LXXV
CRIMINAL
CRIMINAL TRESPASS(Continued)
Intention
– Conviction quashed where accused wished only to escape apprehension for other
offence. 1967/420.
“Property”
refers only to private property – Does not include public offices. 1967/225.
Sentence
– Imprisonment for eighteen months ultra virus and excessive for minor offence.
1967/267.
CULTIVATION
See: AGRICULTURE.
CULTIVATION OF NOXIOUS PLANTS
(PROHIBITION) ORDINANCE, CAP. 134
Possession
of bhang
Identification – Unsafe to convict on bald
assertion of policeman that “he knows bhang”. 1968/37.
Sentence – Twelve months imprisonment
excessive. 1967/144.
CURRENCY NOTES ORDINANCE, CAP. 175
Forgery
Uttering forged notes – Intent to defraud must
be alleged in charge. 1967/82.
Uttering forged notes – Equivocal guilty
plea. 1967/82.
CUSTODY
See: ESCAPE FROM LAWFUL CUSTODY
CUSTOMARY LAW
Sentence
– Belief that act constituting offence was justified by customary law is
mitigating factor. 1967/109.
CUSTOMS
See:
EAST AFRICAN CUSTOMS MANAGEMENT ACT.
DEFAMATION
See: LIBEL.
DEFENCE OF PERSON
Assault
with wooden pestle unjustified in response to severe slap. 1967/266.
DEFILEMENT OF GIRLS UNDER TWELVE
Plea
of quilt – Equivocal. 1967/96.
Sentence
– Imprisonment for long terms undesirable for youthful first offenders.
1968/477.
DEMANNDING PROPERTY WITH MANACES
Robbery
distinguished. 1968/279.
DENTISTS
See:
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE.
DESTROYING EVIDENCE
Knowledge
of impending trial essential. 1968/141.
LXXV1
CRIMINAL
DETENTION
See:
PREVENTIVE DETENTION ACT.
DIAMOND INDUSTRY PROTECTION ORDINANCE,
CAP. 129
Possession
of diamonds by another in presence of accused – Does not establish joint possession.
1967/94.
DISOBEDIENCE OF LAWFUL ORDERS
Failure
to pay judgment debt not covered. 1968/308.
Refusal
to answer police officer not covered. 1967/27.
Violation
of order of Area Secretary covered. 1967/301.
DISOBEDIENCE OF STATUTORY DUTY
“Statute
or Ordinance” – Includes subsidiary legislation but not order of Area
Secretary. 1967/301.
DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING DRIVING LICENCE
See: ROAD TRAFFIC.
DISSUADING PERSONS FROM ASSISTING WITH
SELF-HELP SCHEMES
Refusal
to participate not offence. 1967/443.
DISTRESS
See:
SENTENCE.
DOCTORS
See:
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE.
“DOCUMENT”
See:
OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT.
DOMESTIC OFFENCES
See:
SENTENCE.
DRUGS
See: FOOD AND DRUGS ORDINANCE.
“DWELLING”
See: HOUSEBREAKING.
EAST AFRICAN CUSTOMS MANAGEMENT ACT,
1952
Concealing
imported goods – Goods held for transshipment must be declared. 1967/64.
Possession
of uncustomed goods – Goods held for transshipment must be declared. 1967/64.
EAST AFRICAN RAILWAYS AND HARBOURTS ACT,
1950
Obstructing
working of train – Trial by High Court only. 1968/97.
EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, CAP. 366
Failure
to keep records of oral contracts – Fines excessive. 1967/138.
LXXVII
CRIMINAL
ENDANGERING SAFETY OF RAILWAY PASSENGERS
Specific
intent required. 1968/368.
Trial
by High Court only. 1967/8.
ENTERING WITH INTENT TO COMMIT FELONY
Conviction
quashed where accused had general permission to enter. 1968/196.
ESCAPE FROM LAWFUL CUSTODY
Attempt
distinguished from full offence. 1968/179.
No
defence that charge is later dropped so long as arrest lawful. 1967/65.
Prior
arrest essential – Presence of officer not conclusive evidence of arrest.
1967/9.
EVIDENCE
Accomplice
Co
– participant in riot not accomplice – Testimony does not require corroboration.
1967/348.
Police
decoy not accomplice – Corroboration of evidence not required. 1968/40.
Police
officer participating in police trap not accomplice – Corroboration required as
matter of practice but not of law. 1967/338.
Self
– exculpatory statement of accomplice inadmissible as evidence against accused.
1967/93.
Testimony
of very secondary accomplice does not require corroboration. 1968/297
Unsafe
to convict on uncorroborated testimony of accomplice. 1967/14; 1967/67;
1967/94; 1967/222; 1967/295; 1967/338; 1968/98.
Admissibility
Accomplices’
statements. 1967/93.
Admissions.
1967/190; 1967/249; 1968/181; 1968/298.
Bank
statement produced by police witness also acting as prosecutor inadmissible.
1967/453.
Confessions.
1967/124; 1967/252; 1967/385; 1967/386; 1968/99; 1968/112; 1968/143; 1968/181;
1968/182; 1968/298; 1968/299; 1968/365; 1968/474.
Evidence
obtained in illegal search admissible. 1968/39; 1968/302.
Evidence
of possession of stolen goods not specified in charge admissible when connected
with offence charged. 1967/385.
Extra-judicial
statements. 1967/12; 1967/66; 1967/198; 1968/262; 1968/273; 1968/301.
Hearsay.
1967/68; 1967/249.
Identification
of accused in report to police – When admissible. 1968/101.
Previous
convictions. 1967/13; 1967/127; 1967/184; 1967/253; 1968/41; 1968/263;
1968/365.
LXXV111
CRIMINAL
EVIDENCE(Continued)
Admissibility (Cont.)
Statement
indivisible for purposes of admissibility. 1968/298.
Trial
within trial not essential where no assessors present. 1968/181.
Admissions
Inadmissible
where made to Divisional Executive Officer. 1967/249.
Inadmissible
where obtained prior to police investigation. 1967/190.
Inadmissible
where obtained through promise not to prosecute. 1967/249.
Statement
admitting shortage of funds in case of theft constitutes admission not confession.
1968/181.
Burden of proof
Alibi
– Need not be proved by accused. 1967/445; 1968/417.
Alibi
– Need not be “reasonably true” 1968/142.
Conviction
– Must be based on prosecution evidence. 1967/384.
Defence
– Finding that defence case was “pack of lies” not proper basis for conviction.
1967/384.
Defence
– Need not be proved by accused. 1967/241; 1967/251; 1967/369; 1968/366.
Gold
Trading Ordinance – Proof of nature of metal. 1967/15.
Immature
offender aged ten years – Prosecution must prove capacity to know wrongfulness
of act. 1967/18.
Provocation
– Prosecution must disprove existence of 1967/343; 1967/390.
Rape
– Prosecution must show lack of consent beyond reasonable doubt. 1968/267
Recent
possession of stolen goods. See RECENT POSSESSION.
Statement
that testimony of important prosecution witnesses could reasonably be true
implies misdirection. 1967/250.
Unlawful
possession of government trophy. 1967/383.
Child of tender years as witness – Requirements and proper procedure.
1967/57; 1967/124; 1967/191; 1967/198; 1967/300; 1968/33; 1968/199; 1968/260.
Circumstantial evidence
Appeal
court in as good position to weigh as trial court. 1967/383.
Death
provable by – Body need not be found. 167/130.
Standard
of proof. 1968/219.
LXXIX
CRIMINAL
EVIDENCE(Continued)
Co-accuseds
Confession
– Corroboration required. 1967/386.
Confession
– May serve as corroboration for other evidence. 1967/10.
Plea
– Inadmissible as evidence against other accused 1967/68.
Testimony
in defence – Corroboration not required. 1967/366.
Confessions
Admissibility
in general. 1968/181.
Admissible
as against co-accused. 1967/386.
Admissible
where induced by fear of witchcraft. 1967/386.
Admissible
where made to Divisional Executive Officer, 1968/143.
Admissible
where made to ten-house cell leader. 1968/182
Admissions
distinguished. 1968/298.
Inadmissible
where involuntary. 1968/365.
Inadmissible
where made to Assistant Village Executive Officer. 1967/124.
Inadmissible
where made to District Council messenger. 1968/99.
Inadmissible
where made to police officer. 1967/252; 1967/385; 1968/112; 1968/182; 1968/474.
Corroboration
Accomplices
– Requirements 1967/14; 1967/67; 1967/94; 1967/222; 1967/295; 1967/338;
1968/98; 1967/348; 1968/40; 1968/297.
Assistant
who was not suspect – Not required. 1968/181.
Children
of tender years – Requirements. 1967/191; 1968/33; 1967/124.
Co-accuseds
– Requirements. 1967/66; 1967/68; 1967/10; 1967/386; 1968/366.
Dying
declarations – Requirements. 1967/445; 1968/38.
Experts
– Requirements. 1967/197.
Sexual
offences – Requirements. 1967/204; 1967/205; 1968/260; 1968/300; 1968/369;
1968/370.
Suspects
– Requirements. 1967/454.
Testimony
of two witnesses, both requiring corroboration, cannot corroborate each other.
1967/195; 1968/260.
Unsworn
testimony – Requirements. 1967/195; 1968/419.
Credibility
Contradictory
evidence given by witness at prior trial may be considered on appeal. 1967/4.
Contradictory
extra – judicial statement renders testimony suspicious. 1967/341.
Contradictory
prior statement destroys credibility. 1968/390
Prejudgment
of reliability of witnesses prior to hearing their testimony improper.
1967/123.
LXXX
CRIMINAL
EVIDENCE(Continued)
Statements
of person accused of infanticide unreliable due to birth trauma and lactation.
1967/447.
Testimony
of four year old child not worthy of credibility apart from question of
corroboration. 1967/249.
Trial
court’s finding as to credibility usually binding on appeal court. 1967/59.
Villager’s
estimates of dates and distances not reliable. 1968/180.
Documentary evidence produced and examined in court but lost before
judgement – Improper to acquit only because of loss. 1967/387.
Dying declaration – Corroboration required. 1967/445; 1968/38.
Evaluation of property – Expert testimony advisable. 1967/383.
Exhibits – Failure to produce stolen article as exhibit when it was
produced and identified in court does not affect weight of evidence. 1967/296.
Experts
Evidence
of medical officer as to exact age of accused not reliable. 1968/188.
Unsafe
to base conviction on uncorroborated testimony of handwriting expert –
Opportunity for accused to commit offence not sufficient corroboration.
1967/197.
Extra – judicial statements
Identifying
co-accused – Admissible if part of confession. 1967/66.
Identifying
co-accused – Requires corroboration. 1967/66.
Identifying
murderer – Made by deceased – Admissible. 1967/198.
Mode
to police – Admissible only with caution. 1967/12.
Made
to police by accused following accident – Admissible 1968/282.
Made
to police by persons not called as prosecution witnesses – Accused has right of
access to. 1968/301.
Made
to police by witnesses – Admissible as corroboration of testimony in court.
1968/262.
Failure of accused to testify under oath – Significance. 1968/75.
Findings of fact – Reasons for should be stated in judgement. 1968/390.
Fingerprints
Proper method of identifying. 1967/126.
Proper
method of introducing as evidence broken glass with accused ’s fingerprints.
1967/126.
Handwriting
Identification
by non-experts allowable. 1968/282.
Identification
of. 1968/438.
LXXX1
CRIMINAL
EVIDENCE(Continued)
Hearsay
Testimony by policeman as to statement
made by third party implicating accused inadmissible. 1967/68
Testimony reporting statement of child
identifying accused inadmissible. 1967/249.
Identification
Of
accused not adequate because not accompanied by details. 1967/194.
Of
bhang – Assertion of policeman that he knows bhang must be supported. 1968/37.
Of
government trophy. 1967/383.
Of
liquor – Accused ’s admission insufficient. 1968/422.
Of
liquor by police – 1968/302; 1968/304.
Of
stolen goods – Complainant must be asked for description or special marks
before goods are shown to him. 1967/446; 1968/129.
Of
stolen goods – Ordinary goods not distinguishable by special marks. 1967/11.
Of
stolen goods – Production of property in court not essential. 1968/261.
Identification parade
Accused
must be placed among at least eight others – Unsatisfactory to show several
suspects among nine persons. 1967/340.
Complainant
should not be told suspect is definitely on parade. 1967/340.
Must
provide ‘water-tight’ evidence if sole support of conviction. 1968/144;
1968/183.
Judicial notice
Legislation
before National Assembly not yet enacted. 1968/417.
“Mbege”
as local liquor. 1968/302.
Registration
of co-operative – Only if published in Gazette. 1967/404.
Photographs – Proper method of introducing as evidence. 1967/261;
1967/383.
Previous convictions
Considered
prior to conviction when issue raised by accused – Harmless error. 1967/253.
Should
not be considered on appeal as to conviction. 1967/184.
Should
not be considered prior to conviction. 1967/13; 1967/127; 1968/41; 1968/263;
1968/365; 1968/313.
Prima
facie case defined. 1968/43.
Proof
Age
of accused – Evidence of medical officer as to exact age not reliable.
1968/188.
Age
of accused – Doubt operates in his favour. 1968/396.
LXXX11
CRIMINAL
EVIDENCE (Continued)
Proof
Arson
– Evidence of threat to burn house after event sufficient to establish guilt.
1967/186.
Possible
but preposterous evidence by complainant does not rule out conviction.
1968/175.
Villagers’
estimate of dates and distances not reliable 1968/180.
Sexual offences
Corroboration
of complainant’s testimony – Statement by complainant to others shortly after
incident not sufficient corroboration.
1967/205.
Corroboration
of complainant’s testimony – Torn clothing not necessarily corroborative of
rape. 1968/370.
Corroboration
of complainant’s testimony normally required. 1967/204; 1967/205.
Corroboration
of complainant’s testimony not required where evidence is extremely convincing.
1968/369.
Corroboration
of complainant’s testimony not required where magistrate clearly warns himself.
1968/260; 1968/300.
Corroboration
not required for burglary charge where intended felony is sexual offence.
1968/260.
Suspects – Testimony of likely
suspect requires corroboration 1967/454.
Unsworn statement by accused – Questions by court proper, but not cross
– examination by prosecution. 1968/45
Unsworn testimony – Corroboration required. 1967/195; 1968/419.
View of locus – Notes taken by judge – Must be read out in court and
evidence allowed to be called. 1967/12.
Witnesses
Court’s
power to call – Court has complete discretion to call witnesses not called by
parties. 1968/159.
Court’s
power to call – Should be used only when vital and when parties refuse to call
witnesses in question. 1967/252.
Court’s
power to call – Restricted when prosecution has not proved case. 1967/196.
Cross
– examination – Accused has right to cross-examine co-accused who gives testimony.
1967/444; 1968/44.
Cross-examination
– Accused has right to cross-examine previous prosecution witnesses after
alteration of charge. 1968/423.
Cross
– examination – Accused has right to cross-examine prosecution witnesses.
1968/100.
Cross
– examination – Court must inform accused of right to cross – examine prosecution
witnesses. 1967/304.
Defence witnesses
Called
only on condition that accused deposit
money for expenses – Improper. 1968/160.
LXXX111
CRIMINAL
EVIDENCE(Continued)
Court
must inform accused of right to have doctor who prepared medical report called
as witness – Failure to do so harmless error in circumstances. 1967/297.
Hostile
witnesses – When witness should be declared hostile. 1968/200.
Prosecuting
officer appearing as witness – Failure of justice. 1967/278.
Prosecution
witnesses – May be called for defence. 1968/305.
Prosecution
witnesses – May be recalled by magistrate for elaboration concerning issue
raised by defence. 1968/305.
Prosecution
witnesses – May not be recalled to bolster case after accused has given evidence.
1968/220.
Single
witness – Court may convict upon testimony of where it is absolutely reliable.
Doubt where other available evidence has not been produced. 1967/125.
Single
witness – Special care necessary in evaluating testimony. 1968/102.
Testimony
cannot be given by letter. 1968/246.
Wife
of accused – Accused must be informed of rights. 1968/418.
Wife
of accused – Cannot testify except on accused ’s application. 1968/39.
Witnesses
who have heard prior testimony should be allowed to testify. 1967/128;
1967/192; 1967/193; 1968/149.
EXPULSION OF UNDESIRABLES ORDINANCE,
CAP. 39
Factors to be considered before ordering
expulsion. 1967/183.
EXTRA – JUDICIAL STATEMENTS
See EVIDENCE.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH POLICE
SUPERVISION ORDER
Non – compliance with several
requirement of single order constitutes one offence. 1967/255.
FALSE ACCOUNTING
Charge must specify intent to defraud.
1968/481.
Facts constituting offence. 1968/438.
Intent to defraud analyzed. 1968/155.
Sentence – Offence of omission less
serious than one of commission. 1968/154.
FALSE ASSUMPTION OF AUTHORITY
Facts constituting offence. 1967/254.
Sentence – Imprisonment for twelve
months excessive in circumstances. 1967/254.
LXXX1V
CRIMINAL
FALSE DOCUMENT
See: MAKING FALSE DOCUMENT.
FALSE INFORMATION
Report to police that object taken as to
forfeit by community consensus had been stolen. 1968/461.
FALSE PRETENCES
See: OBTAINING BY FALSE PRETENCES.
FAUNA CONSERVATION ORDINANCE, CAP. 302
Effect
of statute not retrospective. 1968/458.
Forfeiture
of firearm – Unjust when property of innocent third party. 1967/299.
Game
trophy
Burden of proof as to lawful possession.
1967/383.
Evaluation of. 1967/383.
Game meat not trophy. 1967/16.
Game meat is trophy for purpose of s. 47(1)
(b), but not for purposes of s. 2, s.47 (1) (a) or s.47(1) (c). 1967/69.
Identification of. 1967/383.
Importation
of – Meaning of “import” – Knowledge of nature of imported property essential –
Correct method or charging. 1967/383.
Ostrich
eggs covered. 1968/388.
Possession
of – Fine should be related to value of trophy. 1967/336.
Possession
of – Knowledge of nature of goods possessed essential. 1967/383.
Wilde
beast tail – Not covered. 1968/458.
Hunting
in prohibited area – Fine more appropriate than imprisonment in circumstances.
1968/472.
Hunting
without licence – Order of forfeiture of gun unjust where property of innocent
third party. 1967/299.
Hunting
without obtaining general game licence. 1968/361.
Transfer
of game licence – Not offence. 1968/361.
FINE
See: SENTENCE.
FIREARMS
See: ARMS AND AMMUNITION ORDINANCE.
FOOD AND DRUGS ORDINANCE, CAP.93
“Sale” – Definition of term as used in
statute. 1968/221.
FOOD HANDLING BY – LAWS
Separate but related acts constitute
separate offences. 1967/352.
LXXXV
CRIMINAL
FORCIBLE ENTRY
Erecting
building on property of another – Conviction quashed. 1968/283.
FORESTS ORDINANCE, CAP. 389
Cutting
trees – Whether done on unreserved land in Tanga Region. 1968/91.
FORFEITURE
See:
SENTENCE.
FORGERY
See
also: CURRENCY NOTES ORDINANCE.
Elements
of offence. 1968/438.
Illiteracy
no defence. 1968/374.
Issuance
of receipts after wrongful collection of monies. 1968/110.
FRAUDULENT FALSE ACCOUNTING
See: FALSE ACCOUNTING.
GAME
See: FAUNA CONSERVATION ORDINANCE.
GOLD TRADING ORDINANCE, CAP. 127
Burden
of proof as to nature of metal. 1967/15.
“GOVERNMENT PROPERTY”
See: MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT.
GOVERNMENT TROPHY
See: FAUNA CONSERVATION ORDINANCE.
GRIEVOUS HARM
Charge
– Must include word “unlawfully”. 1968/392.
Charge
of grievous harm in addition to charge of practicing without licence invalid
for duplicity. 1967/201.
Facts
constituting offence. 1968/48.
Loss
of one tooth not grievous harm. 1968/265.
Negligence
not sufficient for conviction. 1967/70.
Plea
of guilty
Equivocal. 1968/392.
Unsatisfactory to merely admit wounding.
1968/46.
Sentence
Corporal punishment illegal. 1967/401.
Provocation mitigating factor. 1968/509.
GUILTY PLEA
See:
PROCEDURE – Plea of guilty.
LXXXVI
CRIMINAL
GUNS
See: ARMS AND AMMUNITION ORDINANCE.
HARBOURS
See: EAST AFRICAN RAILWAYS AND HARBOURS
ACT.
HARM
See: GRIEVOUS HARM.
HOMICIDE
Attempted
murder – See: ATTEMPTED MURDER
Causation
– Must prove death not caused by improper medical treatment – Reasonable doubt
exists in absence of evidence as to treatment received. 1967/389.
Common
intention
Liability of all participants in mob beating
for resulting death. 1967/390.
Participants in group beating causing death
entitled to benefit from provocation given to certain members of group.
1967/390.
Manslaughter
High degree of recklessness in confining
many people in small cells. 1968/367.
Negligent causing of death by traditional
doctor. 1968/222.
Persons causing death in fight usually
guilty of manslaughter rather than murder. 1968/49.
Sentence – Compensation paid out of fine appropriate
where death could not be anticipated. 1967/136.
Sentence – Imprisonment for one week where
accused killed one of gang which attacked him. 1967/343.
Sentence – Imprisonment for twenty months
for killing resulting from pombe party. 1967/354.
Sentence
of one day for woman who killed to protect aged husband. 1967/356.
Sentence of one day for woman who, while
pregnant, killed unfaithful husband. 1967/355.
Murder
Alternative verdicts – Accessory after the
fact to murder cannot be substituted for murder charge. 1967/72.
Assessors’ request for investigation of
accused ’s sanity refused by court – Facts do not warrant investigation.
1967/198.
Death provable by circumstantial evidence.
Body need not be found 1967/130; 1968/50.
Malice aforethought – Intoxication –
Incapability of forming intent. 1967/71.
Persons causing death in fight usually
guilty of manslaughter rather than murder. 1968/49.
Prima facie case not established. 1968/43.
LXXXV11
CRIMINAL
HOMICIDE (Continued)
Threat
to burn down deceased’s house – Insufficient evidence to convict. 1967/130.
Provocation
Burden
on prosecution to disprove existence of provocation 1967/343; 1967/390.
Lawful
refusal of food not provocation in circumstances. 1967/198.
Mere
words generally insufficient. 1968/186.
Ordinary
test does not apply where accused intoxicated. 1967/71; 1968/508.
Quarrel
with wife not provocation in circumstances. 1967/343.
Swearing
and pushing not sufficient provocation where lethal weapon used. 1968/464.
HOUSEBREAKING
Alternative
verdicts – Malicious injury to property cannot be substituted for housebreaking.
1968/270; CONTRA 1968/428.
“Breaking” constituted by opening of
door with key. 1967/111.
Burglary – “Night” begins at 7.00 pm –
Time of offence must be clearly proved. 1967/366.
Charge must specify felony intended.
1967/416.
“Dwelling “- Includes house occupied
intermittently. 1967/53.
Intent to commit felony essential – Must
be disclosed in guilty plea. 1967/32.
Sentence – Consecutive sentences
improper for convictions for housebreaking
and theft. 1968/239.
HUNTING
See:
FAUNA CONSERVATION ORDINANCE.
IDENTIFICAION
See:
EVIDENCE.
IGNORANCE OF LAW
Mistake
of fact based on ignorance of law. 1968/280.
Sentence
– Mitigating factor. 1967/109.
IMMIGRATION ACT, CAP. 534
Prohibited
immigrant – Ministerial order need not be proved by Minister’s testimony.
1968/266.
“IMPORT”
See: FAUNA CONSERVATION ORDINANCE.
IMPRISONMENT
See: SENTENCE.
INCEST BY MALES
Triable by High Court only. 1968/140.
LXXXV111
CRIMINAL
INDECENT ASSAULT
Alternative verdicts
Indecent assault can be substituted for attempted
rape. 1967/76.
Rape
cannot be substituted for indecent assault.
1967/57.
Burden of proof – Prosecution must show lack of consent beyond
reasonable doubt. 1968/267.
Charges of indecent assault and abduction permissible for single
transaction. 1968/257
INFANTICIDE
Proof
of cause of death – Statements of accused unreliable due to birth trauma and
lactation. 1967/447.
INJURING ANIMALS
Alternative
verdicts – Injuring animals can be substituted for cattle theft. 1967/106.
Killing
of cattle distinguished from cattle theft. 1967/106.
INSANITY
Assessor’s
request for investigation of accused ’s sanity refused by court. 1967/198.
Intention
to steal – Doubtful where accused
mentally disturbed. 1968/103.
Unsoundness
of mind at time of trial – Proper procedure. 1968/187; 1968/420;1968/223;
1968/427.
INSULTING LANGUAGE
See:
ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.
INTENTION
See: COMMON INTENTION; MENS REA.
INTIMIDATION
Facts constituting offence. 1967/335.
INTOXICATION
Capability
of forming intent required for offence of murder. 1967/71.
Provocation
– Test of ordinary man does not apply to intoxicated individual. 1967/71.
Rape
– Mistake as to consent of complainant. 1968/370.
JUDICIAL NOTICE
See:
EVIDENCE.
JUDICIAL OFFICERS
Immunity
from criminal prosecution for acts done in good faith in exercising judicial functions-
judicial functions defined. 1967/443; 1968/364.
JURISDICTION
See: PROCEDURE.
LXXX1X
CRIMINAL
JUVENILES
Children
and young persons – Medical examiner’s certificate not conclusive as to age of
accused. 1968/145.
Compensation
– Court may not order parent of young offender to pay compensation without
giving him hearing. 1967/300.
Corporal
punishment
Cannot be imposed on juvenile in addition
to other punishment such as approved school order or repatriation order
1967/24; 1968/306.
Finding of age essential. 1967/33.
Medical evidence as to age required where
accused on borderline of adulthood. 1967/269.
Evidence – Corroboration required for
dying declaration by child of tender years. 1968/38.
Immature offenders aged ten years
Burden on prosecution to show he had capacity to know he should not do
the act. 196718.
Capacity to know wrongfulness of act may be inferred from circumstances
in case of assault. 1967/300.
Immature
offenders – Failure by trial court to consider question of capacity. 1968/146.
Imprisonment
– Inappropriate for young persons conviction of rape. 1967/98.
Proof
– Evidence of medical officer as to exact age of accused not reliable.
1968/188.
Sentences
under Corporal Punishment Ordinance and Children and Young Persons Ordinance mutually
exclusive. 1968/306.
Witnesses
– Child of tender years – Requirements and procedure. 1967/57; 1967/124;
1967/191; 1967/198; 1967/300; 1968/33; 1968/199; 1968/260.
KILLING ANIMAL WITH INTENT TO STEAL
Cattle
– theft distinguished. 1967/367.
Governed
by provisions in Minimum Sentences Act, 1963, relating to cattle – theft. 1967/367.
LABOUR
See:
EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE; NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND ACT.
LAND
See:
AGRICULTURE.
LARCENY
See:
THEFT.
LAWFUL CUSTODY
See:
ESCAPE FROM LAWFUL CUSTODY; RESCUE FROM LAWFUL CUSTODY.
LAWFUL ORDERS
See:
DISOBEDIENCE OF LAWFUL ORDERS.
XC
CRIMINAL
LIBEL
Privileged
publication – Criticism of public official in good faith. 1968/296.
Publishing
defamatory matter
Matter must be communicated to someone other
than person defamed. 1967/248.
Mere publication by speech not offence.
1967/293.
LIQUOR
Identification
of liquor – Accused’s admission insufficient. 1968/422.
Identification
of liquor by police. 1968/302; 1968/304.
Making
liquor without licence separate offence from selling without licence. 1967/392.
Possession
of moshi by co-accused in accused’s presence does not establish joint possession.
1968/303.
Possession
of moshi – Fine must bear reasonable relation to accused’s power to pay.
1968/371.
Servants
and agents – Licence liable only for
acts of servant committed on premises. 1967/392.
LOCAL LIQUOR ORDINANCE, CAP. 77
See:
LIQUOR.
MAKING FALSE DOCUMENT
Defective
charge – Curable on appeal where charge set out all ingredients of offence. 1967/21.
MALICE AFORETHOUGHT
See:
HOMICIDE.
MALICIOUS INJURY TO PROPERTY
Act
must be intentional. 1968/147.
Alternative
verdicts
Malicious injury to property can be
substituted for breaking and committing felony. 1967/81.
Malicious injury to property cannot be
substituted for attempted stealing from motor vehicle. 1968/480.
Malicious injury to property cannot be
substituted for housebreaking. 1968/270; CONTRA 1968/428.
Damage
to clothing during assault – Not separate offence. 1967/131.
Defence
– Land – owner has right to remove anything brought on land by trespasser.
1967/73.
Negligence
not sufficient for conviction – Ill-will not essential. 1967/19.
MANSLAUGHTER
See:
HOMICIDE.
MATERIAL FACTORS
See:
SENTENCE.
XC1
CRIMINAL
MARIJUANA
See:
CULTIVATION OF NOXIOUS PLANTS (PROHIBITION) ORDINANCE, CAP. 134.
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS AND DENTISTS ORDINANCE,
CAP. 409.
Practicing
without licence
Additional charge of grievous harm invalid
for duplicity. 1967/201.
Administration of several injections for
gain constitutes one offence. 1967201.
Receipt of consideration necessary element
of offence. 1967/200.
MENACES
See:
DEMANDING PROPERTY WITH MENACES.
MENS REA
Aiding
and abetting offence against Broadcasting Receiving Apparatus (Licensing ) Act, Cap. 548-
Knowledge that act constituted offence essential. 1967/1.
Aiding
prisoners to escape – Negligence insufficient. 1968/309.
Arson
– Negligence insufficient. 1967/6.
Attempted
murder – Intention to cause death not merely grievous harm essential. 1967/342;
1967/388.
Breaking
and committing felony – Intent must exist at time of breaking. 1967/80.
Contempt
of court – Showing disrespect – Mens rea required. 1968/460.
Corrupt transaction – Must be done with “evil mind”.
1968/363.
Criminal
trespass – Intent to escape not sufficient mens rea 1967/420.
Destroying
evidence – Knowledge of impending trial essential. 1968/141.
Endangering
safety of railway passengers – Specific intent required. 1968/224.
Failure
to report accident – After injury to person – Conviction sustained where driver
did not know of injury. 1968/152.
False
accounting – Intent to defraud analysed. 1968/155.
Grievous
harm – Intent to cause grievous harm essential- mere negligence insufficient.
1967/70.
Housebreaking
– Intent to commit felony essential. 1967/32.
Malicious
injury to property – Mens rea required. 1967/19; 1968/47.
Obtaining
by false pretences – Intent to defraud defined. 1968/73.
“Permitting”
unlawful use of vehicle – Mens rea required. 1968/395.
XC11
CRIMINAL
MENS REA (Continued)
Possession
of housebreaking instruments – Intent to commit felony essential. 1967/396.
Receiving
stolen property – Mens rea may be inferred from concealment of goods. 1967/37.
Theft
– Fraudulent intent need not be formed at time of taking. 1967/272; CONTRA
1968/197.
Theft
– Fraudulent intent essential. 1968/375; 1968/376.
Unlawful
importation or possession of government trophy. Knowledge or nature of property
essential. 1967383.
Unlawful
wounding – Mere accident not offence. 1967/84.
Uttering
forged notes – Intent to defraud must be alleged in charge. 1967/82.
XC111
CRIMINAL
MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT, CAP. 526
Age
of accused – Any doubt operates in his favour. 1968/389; 1968/396.
Evidence of medical officer not reliable as
to exact age. 1968/188.
Prison medical officer must give independent
opinion. 1968/396.
Alternative
verdicts – Scheduled offence cannot be substituted for non – scheduled
Offence. 1968/322; 1968/475.
Appeal – Sentence may be enhanced on
appeal so as to accord with Act after original sentence served. 1967/311.
“Charity” – African Liberation Committee
included 1967/358 Tanganyika Parents’ Association, T.A.PA., included 1967/313.
Umoja wa Wanawake possibly included 1967/142
Compensation – Meaning of “obtained in
s. 6(1). 1968/190.
Method of recovery. 1968/316.
Order for distress in default of payment improper. 1968/190.
Order must be put in monetary terms. 1967/309; 1968/62; 1968/507.
Power to award under Act not limited by s. 176, Criminal Procedure Code
1967/23.
Purpose of s. 6(1). 1968/507.
Confirmation of sentence – Required only
where minimum exceeded by six months. 1968/311.
Cooperatives – Improper to remand case
to trial court for evidence of registration. 1967/404.
Judicial notice of registration may be taken only if proof is given of
publication in Gazette. 1967/404.
Registration must be proved. 1967/357.
Corporal punishment – Age of accused. –
Doubt operates in accused’s favour. 1967/450.
Age of accused – medical examination necessary where accused claims
exemption. 1968/321.
Age of accused – Specific finding necessary. 1967/194.
Cumulative orders in respect of several convictions for scheduled offences.
– Improper even though convictions are in separate cases. 1967/405; 1968/318;
1968/417; CONTRA 1967/406; CONTRA 1967/419.
Cumulative orders in respect of several convictions for f scheduled offences
- Improper where convictions are in single trial. 1967/265.
“Government property” – Funds of African
Liberation Committee not included. 1967/358.
Funds of National Bank of Commerce not included 1968/323.
Grounds for leniency – Not available in
cases of cattle – theft. 1967/312; 1967/361.
XC1V
CRIMINAL
MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT, CAP. 526 (Continued)
Specific finding necessary for all grounds. 1968/234; 1968/236.
Interpretation – Must be strictly
construed. 1967/357.
“Political party” – Umoja wa Wanawake
not included. 1967/142.
Previous convictions – Cannot be
considered unless admitted or proved. 1967/19
Conviction occurring after commission of
scheduled offence not included 1967/148.
Severe
penalty warranted. 1967/412; 1968/276.
Probation order – Improper for scheduled
offence. 1967/143.
Procedure – Recording should be made of
exact value of stolen property and age of
accused. 1967/100.
Public service – East African Common
Services Organization included. 1967/276.
East African Community included. 1968/473.
East
African Posts & Telecommunication Administration included. 1968/438.
National Development Corporation not included. 1968/435.
National Development Credit Agency not included 1968/437.
Special constables included 1968/235.
Scheduled offences – Breaking with
intent to commit felony not included. 1967/214.
Entering with intent to commit felony not included. 1968/67.
Killing animal with intent to
steal included. 1967/367.
Receiving property stolen during burglary included even when accused did
not know of burglary. 1968/474.
Receiving stolen property
included. 1967/37.
Stealing government property – Essential that accused know or be deemed
to know of government ownership. 1967/317.
Theft by servant not included. 1968/194.
Sentence imposed under s. 5(2) – May not
be in the alternative. 1968/69.
May not be combination of corporal punishment
and imprisonment 1968/68.
Sentence in excess of minimum – Should
only be imposed when aggravating circumstances exist such as abuse of trust,
previous convictions, etc. 1967/213.
“Special
Circumstances”
May be found at magistrate’s
discretion. 1967/103.
May be found by High Court on
revision. 1968/325.
May be found where accused committed crime for “good” Motive. 1968/476.
May be found where accused has
dependants. 1967/359; 1968/107.
May be found where accused is repentant. 1968/476.
XCV
CRIMINAL
MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT, CAP. 526 (Continued)
May be found where accused is very poor.
1968/327.
May be found where accused is very
youthful. 1967/410; 1968/476.
May be found where accused obtained
nothing from his crime. 1967/359.
May be found where accused pleads guilty
on first appearance in court 1968/325.
May be found where amount or value
involved is small. 1967/104; 1967/360; 1967/408; 1968/409;1968/327.
May be found where crime is “silly”
1967/104; 1968/325.
Must be distinct from other statutory
grounds for leniency. 1968/326.
Not found where sum involved is Shs.
45/70. 1967/407.
Not found where sum involved is Shs.
50/-. 1967/408.
Unlikely to be found where accused
commits series of offences over several months. 1968/274
Time in custody- May not be taken into consideration. 1967/25; 1967/314;
1967/399.
“Trades union” – Workers Development Corporation not included. 1967/362.
Value of property – Amounts involved in series of thefts should not be
added together. 1968/321; 1968/324.
Burglary
– Value of property stolen, is relevant not value of property recovered.
1968/512.
Leniency
permissible where exactly Shs.100/- involved. 1968/275.
Receiving
stolen goods – Value of goods received is relevant, not value of goods stolen. 1968/106. Valuation
of stolen cheque. 1968/397.
MINING ORDINANCE, CAP. 123
Prospecting
without authority – Forfeiture mandatory penalty. 1967/132.
MISTAKE OF FACT
Ignorance
of law may be basis for. 1968/280.
Rape
– Mistake as to consent of victim due to drunkenness. 1968/370.
MISTAKE OF LAW
See: IGNORANCE OF LAW.
MONEY
See:
CURRENCY NOTES ORDINANCE.
MOTOR VEHICLE
See:
THEFT; ROAD TRAFFIC
MURDER
See:
HOMICIDE
XCV1
CRIMINAL
NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND ACT, ACT 36 of
1964
Failure
to pay contribution – Duty arises only after registration. 1968/259.
Failure
to pay contribution for persons temporarily employed on piecemeal basis.
1968/307.
Failure
to register – Determination of number of employees. 1968/259.
NATIVE LIQUOR ORDINANCE See: LIQUOR.
“NIGHT” See: HOUSEBREAKING.
OBSTRUCTING POLICE OFFICER. See: ASSAULT PUNISHABLE WITH FIVE
YEARS
OBTAINING CREDIT BY FALSE PRETENCES
Conviction
quashed where accused falsely represented employer would pay for goods obtained
1968/156.
Obtaining
goods by false pretences distinguished. 1968/331.
OBTAINING GOODS BY FALSE PRETENCES
Alternative
counts of theft and obtaining by false pretences where conviction on one count
acquittal should not be entered on second count. 1968/177.
Attempt
– See: ATTEMPTED OBTAINING GOODS BY FALSE PRETENCES.
Charge
– Each offence must be charged in separate count. 1967/34.
Nature of false pretence must be set out.
1967/220; 1968/277.
Separate charge must be made for each
payment unless payments made simultaneously 1967/34
Intent
to defraud – Defined and distinguished from intent to deceive. 1968/73.
Minimum
Sentences Act – Not covered by 1968/51.
Obtaining
credit by false pretences distinguished. 1968/331.
Promise
as to future action not false pretence. 1968/277.
Promise
as to performance of future services not false pretence. 1967/316.
Theft
distinguished. 1968/51; 1968/75; 1968/109; 1968/110; 1968/277; 1968/278;
1968/281; 1968/332; 1968/374; 1968/377.
Whether
cheque which is dishonored constitutes false pretence. 1967/453.
OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT, CAP. 45.
Bail
– When it may be granted to person arrested under Act. 1967/441.
“Document”
construed. 19658/463.
Sentence
– Communicating contents of official secret document Imprisonment for eighteen
months justified in order to enhance security consciousness. 1968/463.
ORDERS See: DISOBEDIENCE OF LAWFUL ORDERS.
XCV11
CRIMINAL
PASSENGERS See: ENDANGERING SAFETY OF RAILWAY
PASSENGERS
PERJURY
False
evidence must be material to case. 1968/224.
PERSONATING PUBLIC OFFICERS
Performance
of official act essential element of offence. 1967/302.
PLEA See: PROCEDURE
POLICE SUPERVISION ORDER See: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH POLICE
SUPERVISION
ORDER; SENTENCE.
“POLITICAL PARTY” See: MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT.
“POSSESSION” (See also: RECENT POSSESSION)
Goods
buried on premises shared by several persons – Joint possession not
established. 1967/222.
Goods
possessed by another in presence of accused – Does not establish joint possession.
1967/94; 1967/303.
POSSESSION OF HOUSEBREAKING INSTRUMENTS
Forfeiture
– Housebreaking instruments should not be returned to accused convicted in same
proceeding of shop-breaking. 1967/23.
Intent
to commit felony essential element of offence. 1967/396.
Possession
of keys not offence in circumstances. 1968/195.
POSSESSION OF PROPERTY SUSPECTED OF HAVING
BEEN STOLEN
Alternative
verdicts – Theft cannot be substituted for possession of property suspected of
having been stolen although reverse can be done. 1967/273.
Elements
of offence. 1967/221; 1967/370; 1967/371; 1968/113; 1968/430.
No
conviction possible where accused is thief. 1968/482.
No
conviction possible where owner of property can be identified. 1967/273;
1968/108; 1968/334.
Plea
of guilty cannot be accepted before accused has been given opportunity to give
satisfactory explanation. 1967/273.
PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ORDINANCE, CAP.
400
Alternative
verdicts – Person charge under s.3(1) cannot be convicted under s.6. 1968/149.
Corrupt
transaction c/s.3 (1) – No conviction where accused was not empowered to do solicited
act – Ten-house leader not government official. 1967/442.
Transaction
must be related to principal’s affairs. 1967/62.
XCV111
CRIMINAL
PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ORDINANCE, CAP.
400 (Cont’d)
Corrupt
transaction c/s. 3 (2) – Conviction quashed where accused had no intention to
corrupt. 1968/363.
Immaterial
that officer bribed was not empowered to do solicited act. 1967/92.
Money
paid as bribe by accused cannot be ordered forfeited under s. 3 (3) (b).
1967/92; 1968/231.
PREVENTIVE DETENTION ACT, CAP. 490
Detention
order implicitly worked where detainee charged in court for act prompting detention
– Bail may be granted. 1968/139.
PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS See: EVIDENCE; MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT.
SENTENCE.
PRINCIPLES OF PUNISHMENT See: SENTENCE.
PRISONERS See: AIDING PRISONERS TO ESCAPE
PRISONS ORDINANCE, CAP. 58
Supplying
prohibited article to prisoner. 1968/268.
PROCEDURE
Adjournment
– Right to adjournment of trial in order to obtain counsel. 1967/99.
Alternation
of charge in course of trial – proper procedure. 1968/225; 1968/226.
Alternative
counts – Where conviction is entered on one count, acquittal should not be
entered on other count. 1968/177.
Where conviction is entered on one count, no
verdict should be entered on other count. 1967/396.
Alternative
verdicts – Accessory after the fact to murder cannot be substituted for murder.
1967/72.
Assault causing bodily harm cannot be
substituted for assault with intent to steal. 1968/428.
Criminal trespass cannot be substituted for
cattle theft. 1968/269.
Indecent assault can be substituted for attempted
rape. 1967/76.
Injuring
animal can be substituted for cattle-theft. 1967/106.
Malicious injury to property can be
substituted for breaking and committing felony. 1967/81.
Malicious injury to property cannot be substituted
for attempted stealing from motor vehicle. 1968/480.
Malicious injury to property cannot be
substituted for house-breaking. 1968/270; CONTRA 1968/428.
Offence scheduled under minimum sentences
act cannot be substituted for non-scheduled offence. 1968/322; 1968/475; CONTRA
1967/276.
Prevention of Corruption Ordinance – Person
charged under s. 3 (1) cannot be convicted under s. 6. 1968/149.
XCIX
CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE(Continued)
Rape
cannot be substituted for indecent assault. 1967/57.
Receiving
stolen property can be substituted for theft. 1967/108; 1967/417.
Retaining
stolen property can be substituted for receiving stolen property. 1967/368.
Robbery
with violence cannot be substituted for robbery 1968/465.
Stealing
by agent cannot be substituted for stealing by agent cannot be substituted for
stealing by public servant. 1967/224.
Stealing by public servant cannot be substituted for
stealing by servant. 1968/484; CONTRA 1967/276.
Theft
cannot be substituted for receiving stolen property 1967/108.
Theft
can be substituted for beating and committing a felony. 1967/31.
Theft
cannot be substituted for possession of property suspected of having been
stolen although reverse can be done. 1967/273.
Arrest – Accused’s wife cannot be arrested to force accused’ surrender.
1968/330.
Arrest without warrant by Divisional Executive Officer. See: ABUSE OF OFFICE.
Attachment and sale of property – Proper procedure. 1967/382.
Autrefois acquit – Not applicable where first trial nullity. 1968/464.
Bail – Circumstances justifying partial payment of bond by sureties –
Escape of accused in daring and unexpected way. 1967/245.
Condition
that accused shall appear daily at police station not valid and no penalty can
be imposed for its breach. 1967/245.
Consequences
of default – Surety may not be imprisoned. 1968/96.
Forfeiture
by bondsman where accused fails to appear but is later produced by bondsman –
Power of court to review forfeiture by way of revision. 1967/244.
May
be granted where accused was originally detained under Preventive Detention Act
and subsequently charged. 1968/139.
Special
conditions improper. 1968/416.
Surety’s
obligation continuous until affirmatively discharged. 1967/245.
When
it may be granted to person arrested pursuant to official secrets act.
1967/441.
Bail pending appeal. See: APPEAL.
Change of venue – Grounds for. 1968/416.
C
CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE(Continued)
Charge – Abusive language – Proper form. 1967/440.
Accused
charged separately cannot be tried together 1967/344.
Alteration
during trial. 1968/312.
Assault
with intent – Proper form 1967/440.
Cattle
– theft – Owner or special owner of cow must be specified. 1967/415.
Charge
against different persons for unrelated offences may not be joined in same information.
1967/303.
Contempt
of court – Specific charge should usually be made. 1967/63.
Defective
charge curable on appeal where particulars set out all ingredients of offence.
1967/21.
False
accounting – Intent to defraud must be specified. 1968/481.
Grievous
harm – Proper form 1968/392.
Grievous
harm in addition on to practicing with out licence invalid for duplicity.
1967/201.
Housebreaking
– Proper form. 1967/416.
Land
under repealed statute – Error sometimes curable 1968/423.
Material
variation between particulars of charge and facts proved. 1968/54; 1968/55.
Obtaining
by false pretences – Charge must set out nature of false pretence. 1967/220.
Obtaining
by false pretences – Each offence must be charged in separate count. 1967/34.
Obtaining
by false pretences – Intent to defraud must be alleged. 1968/55.
Obtaining
by false pretences – Separate charge should be made for each payment. 1967/35
Rogues
and vagabonds – Insufficient particulars given. 1968/148.
Separate
instances of single offence – Charges should be consolidated. 1968/372.
Separate
offences must be charged in separate counts. 1967/346.
Theft
– Property stolen should be itemized.
1967/446.
Theft
superfluous to charge of shop breaking. 1968/182.
Twin
charges of abusive language and brawling proper for acts occurring in single
transaction. 1968/36.
Twin
charges of indecent assault and abduction permissible for single transaction
1968/464.
Where
new charges is brought after prosecution witnesses have already testified accused
must be advised of right to recall witnesses. 1967/201; 1967
Wrong
quotation of section number harmless error. 1967/345.
C1
CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE(Continued)
Counsel
– Right to adjournment in order to obtain counsel. 1967/99.
Defence
– Where defences of various accused are different they should not be considered
together. 1967/251.
Discharge
of accused following withdrawal of complaint in
Dispensing
with presence of accused – When proper. 1968/464.
Extra
– Judicial statement – Must be re-recorded at trial. 1968/189.
Interpretation
of evidence – Record must show accused understood language used to interpret.
1967/394
Judgment
– Failure by trial magistrate to analyse prosecution case improper. 1968/216.
Jurisdiction
– Causing death by dangerous driving – Triable by Resident Magistrate not
District Magistrate. 1968/178.
Endangering safety of railway passengers –
Triable by High Court only. 1967/8.
In cost by mates – Triable by High Court
only, 1968/140.
Obstructing working of train – Triable by
High Court only. 1968/97.
Notes
taken by judge in view of locus – Must be read out in court. 1967/12.
Petition
for clemency – Not an appeal. 1967/109.
Plea
– Failure to take plea nullifies proceedings. 1967/74; 1967/133.
Must be taken for every charge 1968/424;
1968/425; 1968/426.
Plea
of guilty – Acceptable where clear despite claim that it was obtained by
inducement. 1967/305.
Accused cannot plead guilty when plea is
taken to possession of property suspected of having been stolen – Must be given
opportunity to give explanation. 1967/273.
Accused must be given opportunity to
confirm or deny facts stated. 1968/427.
Arson – Equivocal. 1968/32.
Defilement – Equivocal. 1967/96.
Driving while efficiency impaired by drinks
– Equivocal. 1968/151.
Grievous harm – Equivocal. 1968/46;
1968/56.
May be withdrawn before sentencing.
1968/429.
Must constitute full and explicit admission
of ingredients of offence. 1967/397.
No appeal from unequivocal guilty plea.
1967/239.
Possession of housebreaking instruments. –
Equivocal. 1967/396.
Robber – Equivocal. 1967/150.
C11
CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE(Continued)
Plea of guilty - Statement of
facts either meaningless or do not support charge. 1968/466.
Theft
– equivocal . 1968/333.
Theft
by public servant – Equivocal. 1967/152.
Transfer
of firearm – Equivocal. 1968/457.
Uttering
forged notes – Equivocal. 1967/82.
When
advocate may enter plea on behalf of accused. 1967/395
Words
of accused in pleading guilty must be recorded as nearly as possible. 1967/257.
Prosecution – May not produce evidence after close of defence case
except in most unusual circumstances. 1967/298; 1967/339.
Record of evidence – Gratuitous punctuation of accused’s testimony
improper. 1968/57.
Retrial – Appropriate where first trial declared nullity. 1968/75.
Appropriate
where trial court neither considered nor decided issues in case. 1967/242.
Criteria
in ordering. 1967/444; 1968/149.
Not
ordered where accused has spent substantial times in prison. 1968/392.
Ordered
where it would allow prosecution to fill in gaps in case. 1967/60.
When
trial before another magistrate is appropriate. 1967/453
Return – Proper form in offences coming under minimum Sentences Act.
1967/203.
Right of accused to examine statements made to police by persons not
called as prosecution witnesses. 1968/301.
Search – Evidence obtained in admissible. 1968/39.
Substitution of charges – See: Alternative verdicts.
Transfer of case from primary court – not discretionary. 1968/312.
Transfer of case from primary court to resident magistrate’s court – not
prejudicial to accused. 1968/227.
Transfer of case to new magistrate – Grounds. 1968/272.
Trial – Accused charged separately cannot be tried together. 1967/344.
Hold
before magistrate who has previously convicted accused – not necessarily improper.
1968/58.
Hold
before successive magistrates. 1967/134; 1967/75; 1967/347.
Trials
of different persons for unrelated offences should be separate. 1967/303.
Trial within a trial – Not essential in determining admissibility of
evidence where no assessors present. 1968/181.
C111
CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE(Continued)
Witnesses – Accused need not give advance notice of request to call witnesses.
1967/123.
Accused
to be advised of right to recall witnesses who testified before new charge
laid. 1967/201. AND 1967/256.
Court
must caution accused who cross-examines prosecution witness in manner prejudicial
to own case. 1967/339.
Court
should call witness only when vital and when request for parties to do so has
been refused. 1967/252.
Evidence
must not be obtained by prosecuting a witness in a separate case. 1968/313.
Magistrate
has duty to call defence witnesses essential to just decision. 1967/258.
Magistrate
must record whether or not accused requested witnesses. 1967/202.
Power
of court to call witnesses when prosecution has not proved case is restricted.
1967/196.
Prosecution
may not call witnesses after close of defence case except in exceptional circumstances.
1967/339; 1968/220.
Refractory
witness – Does not cover witness who does not refuse to answer but merely
answers improperly or unsatisfactorily. 1967/319.
PROBATION See: MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT; SENTENCE.
PROHIBITED IMMIGRANT See: IMMIGRATION ACT.
PROOF See: EVIDENCE.
“PROPERTY” See: CRIMINAL TRESPASS.
PROVOCATION See: ASSAULT CAUSING ACTUAL BODILY HARM;
HOMICIDE; SENTENCE.
PUBLIC SERVICE See; MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT.
PUBLICATION See: LIBEL
RAILWAYS See: EAST AFRICAN RAILWAYS AND HARBOURS
ACT.; ENDANGERING
SAFETY
OF RAILWAY PASSANGERS;
RAPE
Alternative
verdicts – Rape cannot be substitute for indecent assault. 1967/57.
Attempt
– See: ATTEMPTED RAPE.
Consent
– Agreement to engage in sexual intimacy does not constitute consent to intercourse.
1968/329.
Complainant
too drunk to resist. 1968/370.
Evidence
– Torn clothing not necessarily corroboration. 1968/370.
Uncorroborated
testimony of complainant inadequate basis for conviction. 1967/204; 1967/205.
C1V
CRIMINAL
RAPE(Continued)
Intention
– Possibly lacking due to drunkenness. 1968/370.
Sentence
– Partial consent of complainant mitigating factor. 1968/329.
RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY
Alternative
verdicts – Receiving stolen property can be substituted for theft. 1967/108;
1967/417.
Retaining
stolen property can be substituted for receiving stolen property. 1967/368.
Theft
cannot be substituted for receiving stolen property. 1967/108.
Mens rea may be inferred from concealment of goods. 1967/37.
Property must be shown to have been stolen 1968/430.
Sentence – Application of Minimum Sentence Act. 1967/37.
RECENT POSSESSION
Accused’s
explanation need not be reasonable and convincing. 1967/107.
Burden
of proof does not shift to accused. 1967/38.
Conviction
for receiving rather than theft appropriate where small portion of stolen
property recovered after one and half months. 1968/335
Conviction
for robbery improper where accused were merely in presence of party possessing
stolen goods. 1967/67.
Conviction
justified in absence of any explanation. 1967/148.
Five
months “recent” in respect to uncommon articles. 1967/454.
Four
months not “recent” where stolen item is easily transferable. 1968/483.
Four
years not “recent” in case of cattle theft. 1968/149.
One
month “recent” in case of theft. 1968/157.
Possession
of leg of stolen animal one day after theft not sufficient evidence for conviction.
1968/330.
Presumption
of guilt rebutted by explanation naming friend as owner of property. Prosecution
must disprove explanation. 1967/122.
Presumption
of guilt rebutted by explanation which could reasonably be true. 1967/68;
1967/418; 1968/242.
Presumption
of guilt rebutted by explanation which could reasonably be true – Court need
not believe explanation. 1967/83.
Six
months not “recent” where small portion of stolen property recovered. 1967/417.
REGULATION OF WAGES AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
ORDINCE CAP. 300
Contract
of service – Whether exists. 1968/421.
REPARTIATION See: SENTENCE.
CV
CRIMINAL
REPORT TO POLICE See: FALSE INFORMATION
RESCUE FROM LAWFUL CUSTODY
Covers
rescues of all lawful prisoners, whether convicted or merely awaiting trial.
1967/294.
RESISTING LAWFUL ARREST See: ASSAULT PUNISHABLE WITH FIVE
YEARS.
RETAINING STOLEN PROPERTY See: RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY.
RETRIAL See: PROCEDURE.
REVISION See: APPEAL.
RIOT
Evidence
of co-participant in inter – tribal battle does not require corroboration.
1967/348.
Presence
at meeting leading to riot coupled with flight from scene of riot sufficient
for conviction. 1967/348.
Presence
at meeting leading to riot not sufficient for conviction. 1967/348.
Presence
at scene of riot not sufficient for conviction. 1967/348
ROAD TRAFFIC
Carrying
goods for hire without licence- Cancellation of road licence or vehicle registration
illegal. 1967/448.
Causing
death by dangerous driving – Driver dazzled by lights – Duty to slow or stop.
1968/273.
-Duty
of care owed to passengers and users of road. 1968/394.
Defective
brakes – No provision for double convictions where both handbrake and footbrake
are defective. 1967/260; 1967/349; 1968/150.
Disqualification
from holding driving licence. – Accused must be given opportunity to show” special
reasons”. 1967/206
Order imposed on manager of offending
company. 1968/59.
Should exceed length of prison term.
1968/293.
Special reasons cannot be “general”.
1968/468.
“Special reasons” do not exist where accused allowed other to
drive uninsured vehicle 1967/135.
“Special reasons do not exist where
accused did not know that insurance had expired. 1968/468
“Special reasons” do not exist where accused
has good driving record. 1968/153.
“Special reasons” do not exist where
accused’s job requires him to drive extensively. 1967/259; 1967/350.
“Special reasons” do not exist where accused’s
livelihood depends on driving. 1968/153; 1968/431.
“Special reasons” do not exist where
unlicensed farm vehicle was driven on public road for short distance in order
to be repaired. 1967/351.
CV1
CRIMINAL
ROAD TRAFFIC (Continued)
Disqualification from holding driving license (cont’d)
“Special
reasons” exist where driver was mechanic delivering repaired vehicle to owner.
1967/308.
“Special
reasons” must relate to offence rather than offender. 1967/206; 1967/259;
1967/350; 1968/153; 1968/468.
Two
year period excessive in circumstances. 1967/277.
Driving defective, unlicensed, uninsured vehicle – Accused charged
specifically with driving cannot be convicted on basis that he was owner and in
charge of vehicle at time. 1967/398.
Driving while efficiency impaired by drinks – Elements of offence.
1968/151.
Failure to comply with conditions of road service license Only license-holder
may be charged. 1968/432.
Failure to report accident – Conviction sustained where accused did not
know injury occurred. 1968/152.
-
Not
offence where damage only caused to adjacent property. 1968/60
Foreign vehicle – Whether car registered in Zanzibar is foreign.
1968/229.
Neglect of traffic directions – Failure to obey policeman Essential that
policeman be engaged in regulation of traffic. 1967/307.
“Permitting” unlawful use of vehicle – Mens rea required. 1968/395.
Public Service vehicle – Carrying passengers for hire without license –
Cancellation order mandatory for second conviction even where previous
conviction concerned different vehicle. 1967/306.
Carrying passengers for hire without licence. – Fire of Shs. 35/-
inadequate. 1967/105.
Carrying passengers for hire without licence – Persons liable. 1967/77.
“Road”- Possibly does not include estate
road. 1968/433.
Sentence – Primary duty with respect to
motor vehicle rests with owner not driver – Driver should not be fined heavily.
1967/20.
ROBBERY
Alternative
verdicts – Robbery with violence cannot be substituted for robbery. 1968/465.
Common
intention – Participants in group beating not all liable for robbery which
occurs in course of beating 1968/52.
Demanding
property with menaces distinguished. 1968/279.
Does
not cover case where force is used after theft but not immediately after.
1967/372.
CV11
CRIMINAL
ROBBERY(Continued)
Separate
offences are not created by Penal Code provision relating to robbery with violence.
1968/115.
Threat
of force does not necessarily exist where accused are armed and “force” complainant
to hand over money –Guilty plea equivocal. 1967/150.
Violence
must be for the purpose of stealing. 1968/74; 1968/243.
ROGUES AND VAGABONDS
Charge
– Insufficient particulars given. 1968/148.
Facts
constituting offence. 1968/195.
Homelessness
does not constitute roguishness. 1968/469.
Maximum
Sentence should not usually be imposed on first offender. 1967/353.
Presence
for illegal or disorderly purpose essential element of offence. 1967/396;
1968/61.
“SALE” See; FOOD AND DRUGS ORDINANCE
SCHEDULED OFFENCES See: MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT.
SEARCH AND SEIZURE See: also PROCEDURE
Absence
of accused does not invalidate search of premises. 1967/449.
SECRETS See: OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT.
SECURITY See: OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT.
SELF-DEFENCE See DEFENCE OF PERSON
SELF-HELP SCHEMES See: DISSUADING PERSONS FROM ASSISTING
WITH SELF-HELP
SCHEMES.
SENTENCE
Enhancement of sentence – Accused must be given notice. 1968 / 320.
Appeal – Enhancement of sentence – Appeal court may enhance sentence in
accordance with Minimum Sentences Act after original sentence has been served.
1967/311.
Fine
under Shs. 100/- not appeal able to High Court without leave. 1967/240.
Lenient
sentence determined by proper methods not enhanced on appeal. 1967/201.
Reduction
of sentence – Proper only where sentence so excessive as to be unsuitable.
1968/237.
Sentencing
power of District Court on appeal does not exceed that of Primary Court.
1967/189; 1967/310; 1968/194.
Sentencing
power of High Court on appeal does not exceed power of subordinate court. 1967/7.
Compensation – Allocation as between two or more accused. 1968/62.
Appropriate for minor case of manslaughter. 1967/136.
CV111
CRIMINAL
SENTENCE(Continued)
Compensation – Appropriate in case of attempted rape where complainant
injured. 1967/207.
Appropriate
where man assaults woman. 1968/227.
Frivolous
or vexatious charge – Basis for award. 1968/393.
Frivolous
or vexatious charge – Persons against whom it may be ordered. 1968/317.
Only
appropriate in domestic offences. 1967/208.
Limited
to Shs. 2,000/- In cases not under Minimum Sentences Act. 1967/211.
Loss
must be proved. 1967/22; 1967/78; 1968/190.
May
be awarded to cover expenses incurred by complainant in searching for stolen
property. 1968/230.
May
be awarded for business losses resulting from criminal acts. 1968/35.
May
not be awarded in respect of separate case. 1967/393.
Must
be made in terms of money if made under Minimum Sentences Act. 1967/309;
1968/62; 1968/507.
Should be made in favour of owner of property at
time of theft. 1967/101.
Parent
of young offender may not be ordered to pay compensation without being heard.
1967/300.
Concurrent sentences – Appropriate for conviction for abusive language
and brawling arising from same transaction. 1968/36.
Appropriate
for convictions for housebreaking and theft. 1968/239.
Appropriate
for crimes arising out of same transaction 1967/26; 1967/27; 1967/137;
1968/154; 1968/321; 1968/328.
Appropriate for offences of burglary and indecent assault
when parts of single transaction. 1967/262.
Appropriate
for separate but similar offences. 1968/372.
Appropriate
for offences of theft and false accounting where amount is small and accused
first offender. 1967/403.
Inappropriate
for separate transactions on consecutive days 1968/331.
May
be ordered for separate convictions on same day for related offences. 1967/405.
Orders
for corporal punishment cannot be
concurrent. 1968/63; 1968/64.
Sentences
can be ordered to run concurrently with previous sentence as from date imposed.
1968/510.
Sentences
for conviction in separate primary court trials must run consecutively.
1967/102.
Sentences
presumed to run consecutively unless otherwise ordered. 1968/63.
Conditional discharge – Where appropriate. 1968/238.
Corporal punishment Age of accused – Accused should receive benefit of
doubt about age. 1967/450.
CIX
CRIMINAL
SENTENCE(Continued)
Corporal punishment – Finding essential. 1967/33.
Medical
evidence as to age required where accused on borderline. 1967/209; 1967/269.
Cannot
be imposed on juvenile in addition to other form of punishment such as approved
school order. 1967/24.
Inappropriate
for attempted suicide. 1968/479.
May
be imposed for assault only in aggravated cases. 1967/402; 1968/191; 1968/319;
1968/471.
May
not be imposed for causing grievous harm. 1967/401.
May
not be imposed on juvenile in addition to repatriation order. 1968/306.
Only
one order imposable in single trial. 1968/64; 1967/265.
Orders
in separate trials cannot be concurrent. 1968/63.
When
imposable on adults. 1968/470.
Distress – Improper where appeal is pending. 1968/192.
Order
for imprisonment in default of distress improper before attempt at distress
made. 1967/261.
Domestic offences – Principles relating to. 1967/208; 1967266; 1968/65;
1968/105.
Fine – Appropriate as substitute for short prison term. 1967/362.
Appropriate
for minor case of manslaughter. 1967/136.
Desirable
to inquire into financial means of accused. 1967/139; 1968/227.
Employment
Ordinance – Failure to keep records of oral contracts – Fines excessive.
1967/138.
Fauna
Conservation Ordinance – Government trophy – Amount of fine proportionate to
value of property. 1967/336.
Fauna
Conservation Ordinance – More appropriate than imprisonment. 1968/472
Inappropriate
for witchcraft. 1967/110
Maximum
term of imprisonment in default six months. 1967/210; 1967/139.
May
not be suspended. 1967/217
Must
be cumulative – Cannot be concurrent . 1967/140.
Must
bear reasonable relation to accused ’s power to pay. 1967/210; 1967/451;
1968/192; 1968/371.
Road
traffic – Carrying passengers without licence – Fine of thirty-five shillings
inadequate. 1967/105.
Road
traffic – Primary duty for obtaining vehicle licence rests with owner not
driver-Driver should not be fined heavily. 1967/20.
Sentence
of less than Shs. 100/- Not appeal able to High Court without leave. 1967/240.
Should
not exceed one-third of accused ’s monthly income 1967/451.
CX
CRIMINAL
SENTENCE(Cont’d)
Fine – Terms of imprisonment in default of fines cannot be concurrent .
1967/140; 1967/141; 1968/66; 1968/232.
Forfeiture – Agricultural Products (Control and Marketing) Act –
Unlawful buying of products – Order of forfeiture improper. 1968/30. 1968/31;
1968/314.
Arms
and Ammunition Ordinance – Unlawful possession of firearm – Improper where
owner has not been heard. 1967/90.
Arms
and Ammunition Ordinance – Unlawful possession of firearm – Improper where
owner is innocent third party 1967/299.
Fauna
Conservation Ordinance – Unauthorized possession of firearm – Forfeiture order unjust
where firearm belongs to innocent third party. 1967/299
Housebreaking
instruments should not be returned to accused convicted in same proceeding of
shop-breaking 1967/23.
Mining
Ordinance – Prospecting without authority – Forfeiture mandatory penalty.
1967/132.
Mining
Ordinance – Prospecting without authority-Mandatory. 1967/132.
Prevention
of Corruption Ordinance – Money paid as bribe by accused cannot be ordered
forfeited. 1967/92; 1968/231.
Quantum
of recovery where forfeiture wrongful. 1968184.
Imprisonment – Arms and Ammunition Ordinance – Unlawful possession of
firearm – Six months excessive. 1967/90.
Assault
with intent – Three years excessive for elderly first offender. 1968/459.
Attempted
suicide – Inappropriate. 1967/30; 1967/79; 1967/270; 1968/310; 1968/479.
Common
Assault – Six months excessive for elderly first offender. 1968/459.
Communicating
contents of official secret document – Eighteen months justified to enhance security
consciousness. 1968/463.
Criminal
trespass – Sentence of eighteen months ultra vires and excessive for offence
involving Shs. 13/50. 1967/267.
Domestic offence – Inappropriate.
1968/65; 1968/105.
Domestic
offence – Long term excessive. 1967/266; 1968/477.
False
assumption of authority – Twelve months excessive 1967/254.
Manslaughter
– Inappropriate in minor case 1967/136.
Manslaughter
– One week sentence imposed when accused killed member of gang which attacked
him. 1967/199.
Manslaughter
– Three months appropriate where death resulted from ruptured spleen. 1968/511.
Possession
of bhang – Twelve months excessive. 1967/144
Rape
Inappropriate for young offender. 1967/98.
CX1
CRIMINAL
SENTENCE(Cont’d)
Imprisonment – Short terms undesirable. 1967/305; 1967/364; 1968/61.
Stealing
from person – Sentence of twelve months enhanced to two years for offence
involving Shs. 1/- where accused had three relevant previous convictions.
1967/268.
Theft-sentence
of twelve months excessive for offence involving Shs. 13/50. 1967/267.
Unlawful
possession of bhang – Twelve months excessive. 1967/144.
Unlawful
wounding – Nine months appropriate where provation existed. 1968/513.
Unnatural
offence – Inappropriate. 1967/315.
Wrongful
confinement – Maximum penalty excessive in circumstances. 1967/146.
Youthful
first offender – Long term undesirable 1968/477;
Youthful
first offenders – Short terms undesirable
1967/216; 1968/238.
Imprisonment in default of fine – Arms and Ammunition Ordinance –
Unlawful possession of firearm – Length of prison term governed by Penal Code
provisions. 1968/415.
Limitation
on. 1968/233.
Terms
cannot be concurrent. 1967/140; 1967/141; 1968/66; 1968/231.
Material factors – Accused ’s good record. 1968/193.
Belief
that offence was justified under customary law. 1967/109.
Carelessness
of complainant. 1968/323.
Failure
to charge co-participants in offence. 1968/509.
Frequency
of offence in area – Should be considered in open court. 1967/212.
Guilty
plea. 1968/325; 1968/510.
Intoxication.
1967/95; 1968/193; 1968/434.
Intoxication
not mitigating factor in view of prevalence of crime in area. 1967/17.
Lack
of premeditation. 1968/472.
Leading
role in crime 1967/225.
Loss
of job Consequent upon offence. 1968/434.
Manslaughter
– Death could not be anticipated. 1967/136.
Manslaughter
– Killing by woman to protect aged husband-Sentence of one day. 1967/356.
Manslaughter
– Pregnancy of accused at time of killing – Unfaithfulness of deceased –
Sentence of one day. 1967/355.
Manslaughter
– Sentence of forty months where accused killed father in course of struggle.
1967/363.
Manslaughter
resulting from pombe party – Sentence of twenty months. 1967/354.
CX11
CRIMINAL
SENTENCE(Continued)
Material factors – Maximum sentence for offence with which accused
should properly have been charged. 1968/331.
Mistake
of law. 1967/109.
Partial
consent of complainant in rape case 1968/329.
Pending
charge – Cannot be taken into consideration. 1967/400.
Possible
hereditary taint of insanity. 1967/95.
Provocation.
1968/34; 1968/509.
Sudden
temptation. 1968/323.
Time
spent in custody. 1967/82
Minimum Sentences Act. See: MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT..
Mitigation. See: Material factors.
Police supervision – Failure to comply with several requirements of
single order constitutes one offence only. 1967/255.
May
not be ordered for acts done after imposition of sentence. 1967/29.
Powers – Order to pay costs of maintenance in jail illegal. 1967/411.
Previous convictions – Accused must be given chance to confirm or deny
them. 1967/28; 1968/427.
Disentitle
accused to leniency but not grounds for ultra-severe sentence. 1968/72.
Only
relevant convictions may be considered. 1967/145.
Proof
required. 1967/29; 1967/145; 1967/215; 1968/42; 1968/70; 1968/71; 1968/220;
1968/436.
Principles of punishment – Co-accused who are first offenders should
receive identical sentences. 1967/210.
Discrimination
between co-accused on basis of prior convictions improper in circumstances-Ringleader
may deserve more severe punishment. 1967/225.
Maximum
penalty should not generally be imposed on first offender. 1967/353.
Offences
committed is main determining factor in assessing punishment. 1968/72.
Offences
of omission deserve more lenient treatment than offences of commission.
1968/154
Sentence
must bear relation to gravity of offence, i.e., value of property involved.
1967/267.
Where
there are several convictions arising from one transaction concurrent sentences
should be imposed whose total is appropriate to the entire transaction. 1968/328.
Probation – Improper to impose other
punishment in additions to probation order. 1967/413.
Inappropriate
in case of attempted suicide. 1968/310. Violation of probation by commission of
further offence -Not punishable as offence in itself. 1968/310.
CX111
CRIMINAL
SENTENCE(Continued)
Procedure – Accused may not be given choice of punishments 1968/104.
Accused
should be heard in mitigation. 1967/305.
Commencement
of sentence – Cannot predate conviction. 1967/399; 1968/315.
Court
may alter sentence after verbally pronouncing it if proceedings not yet
complete. 1967/400.
Enhancement
on revision. – Accused must be given notice. 1968/320
Omnibus
sentence – Improper to impose single sentence for several convictions. 1967/263;
1967/264; 1968/220.
Only
one sentence imposable for single offence of cattle theft – Conviction under
two sections does not authorize two sentences. 1967/100.
Record
must disclose sentencing proceedings.
1967/99.
Repatriation order – May not be imposed on juvenile in addition to
corporal punishment. 1968/306.
Revision. See: Appeal.
Suspended Sentence – Fine may not be suspended. 1967/217.
SEXUAL OFFENCES See: EVIDENCE; also individual
headings.
“SHOP” See: BREAKING AND
COMMITTING FELONY.
SODOMY See: UNNATURAL OFFENCES.
“SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES” See: MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT.
“SPECIAL REASONS” See: ROAD TRAFFIC.
STATUTORY DUTY See: DISOBEDIENCE OF STATUTORY DUTY.
STEALING See: THEFT.
SUBSTITUTION OF CHARGES See: PROCEDURE – Alternative verdicts.
SUICIDE See: ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
SUSPENDED SENTENCE See: SENTENCE.
“TAKING” See: THEFT.
TESTIMONY See: EVIDENCE.
THEFT
Alternative
counts of theft and obtaining by false pretences –Where conviction is entered
on one count no conviction should be entered on second count. 1968/177.
Alternative
verdicts – Criminal trespass cannot be substituted for cattle-theft. 1968/29.
Injuring
animals can be substituted for cattle-theft. 1967/106.
Receiving stolen property can be substituted for theft.
1967/108.
CX1V
CRIMINAL
THEFT (Continued)
Alternative verdicts – Stealing by agent cannot be substituted for
stealing by public servant. 1967/224.
Stealing
by public servant cannot be substituted for stealing by servant. 1968/484; CONTRA 1967/276.
Theft
can be substituted for breaking and committing felony. 1967/31.
Theft
cannot be substituted for possession of property suspected of having been
stolen although reverse can be done. 1967/273.
Theft
cannot be substituted for receiving stolen property. 1967/108.
Animus furandi. See Fraudulent intent.
Attempt. See: ATTEMPTED THEFT.
Cattle-theft- Charge defective where owner of cow not specified.
1967/415.
Compensation
order must be in terms of money not cattle. 1967/309; 1968/507.
Compensation
proper for expenses of complainant in searching for stolen cattle. 1968/230.
Evidence
– Leg of sheep found with accused – Insufficient proof. 1968/330.
False
claim of ownership without “taking” not offence. 1968/430.
Killing
animal with intent to steal distinguished 1967/106; 1967/367.
Limited
to live animals. 1967/218.
Minimum
sentence mandatory in all cases – section 5(2),
Minimum
sentence Act, inapplicable. 1967/312; 1967/361.
Charge – should itemize property stolen. 1967/446.
Claim of right. See: CLAIM OF RIGHT.
“Conversion” – Distinguished from loan. 1967/219.
Verbal
misrepresentation of amount due on cheque presented at bank. 1968/323.
Crime not reported to police – Does not preclude conviction. 1968/108.
Defence of lawful possession to be accepted if possible true. 1968/264.
Definition in Tanzania includes both fraudulent conversion and
larceny. 1967/36.
Fraudulent intent – Doubtful where accused is mentally disturbed.
1968/103.
Essential
element. 1968/376.
Intention
to return money taken – Does not affect guilt. 1968/112; 1968/280.
Must
be intention to deprive permanently. 1968/375.
Need
not be formed at time of taking 1967/272; CONTRA 1968/197.
CXV
CRIMINAL
THEFT (Continued)
Identification of stolen goods – Complainant must be asked for
description or special marks before goods are shown to him 1967/129; 1967/446.
Ordinary
goods without special marks 1967/11.
Money innocently received – Animus furandi must be formed at time of reception.
1968/197.
No offence where object is taken as forfeit by Community consensus.
1968/461.
Obtaining by false pretences distinguished. 1968/51; 1968/75; 1968/109;
1968/110; 1968/277; 1968/278; 1968/281; 1968/332; 1968/374; 1968/377.
Plea of guilty – Equivocal. 1968/333.
Property not found in possession of accused – Does not preclude convictions.
1968/108.
Property taken need not have value. 1968/333.
Sentence – Stealing from person – Sentence of twelve months enhanced to
two years where value of property was Shs. 1/- and accused had three relevant
previous convictions. 1967/268.
Twelve months excessive for theft of
Shs. 13/50. 1967/267.
Stealing by public servant – Covers misappropriation by employee of
District Council of funds intended for judiciary. 1967/419.
Does
not cover appropriation of money intended for government which accused had no
authority to collect – Appropriate charge stealing by agent. 1967/224.
Does
not cover case where monies never received by government . 1968/110.
Does
not cover retention by servant of money intended for but not owed to master.
1967/223.
Equivocal
guilty plea – Mere negligence insufficient. 1967/152.
Money
received outside scope of normal duties gained “by virtue of his employment”.
1968/382.
“Public
servant” defined. 1968/241.
Question
of employment must be specifically dealt with. 1968/378.
Testimony
of handwriting expert insufficient basis for conviction – Opportunity for accused
to commit offence not sufficient corroboration. 1967/197.
Whether
money stolen belonged to government. 1968/484.
Stealing by servant – Appropriation of unpaid salary without
authorization. 1968/373.
Does
not cover negligent loss of money. 1967/369.
Lack
of intent to collect funds on behalf of employer. 1967/274.
Proof
of negligent accounting does not justify conviction. 1967/151.
Stealing from motor vehicle – Conviction quashed where goods not removed
from vehicle. 1968/198.
Conviction
quashed where thing stolen part of motor vehicle. 1968/244.
CXV1
CRIMINAL
THEFT(Continued)
Stealing from person – Act of picking pocket where purse only partially
removed constitutes attempt. 1967/275.
“Taking” – Conviction for stealing from motor vehicle quashed where
goods not removed from vehicle. 1968/198.
Not
taking in absence of proof that accused moved goods. 1964/414.
No
taking where accused did not remove goats from goat-house. 1967/365.
Things capable of being stolen – Includes water running in furrow.
1968/245.
Whether
wild animal which is wounded by one party is capable of being stolen by another
person who finds it dead – Ownership of animal not obtained by wounding
1967/341.
“TRADES UNION” See: MINIMUM SENTENCES ACT
TRAFFIC ORDINANCE CAP, 168 See: ROAD TRAFFIC.
TRAINS See: EAST AFRICAN RAILWAYS AND HARBOURS ACT.
TRANSPORT LICENSING ORDINANCE CAP. 373 See: ROAD TRAFFIC
“TRANSFER” See: ARMS AND AMMUNITION ORDINANCE
FAUNA CONSERVATION
ORDINANCE.
TRESPASS See: CRIMINAL TRESPASS.
TRIAL See: PROCEDURE.
TROPHY See: FAUNA CONSERVATION ORDINANCE.
UNDESIRABLES See: EXPULSION OF UNDESIRABLES
ORDINANCE
UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY
Facts
constituting offence. 1967/225.
UNLAWFUL WOUNDING
Accidental
wounding not offence. 1967/84.
Sentence
– Nine months appropriate where provocation existed. 1968/513.
UNNATURAL OFFENCE
Corroboration
not required where evidence extremely convicting. 1968/369.
Sentence
– Imprisonment possibly inappropriate form of punishment. 1967/315
UNSOUNDNESS OF MIND See: INSANITY
UTTERING FALSE DOCUMENTS
Illiteracy
no defence. 1968/374.
Issuance
of receipt after wrongful collection of monies. 1968/110
UTTERING FORGED NOTES See: CURRENCY NOTES ORDINANCE.
VAGABONDS See: ROGUES AND VAGABONDS.
WILD-LIFE See: FAUNA CONSERVATION ORDINANCE.
WITCHCRAFT ORDINANCE, CAP. 18
Sentence
– Fine inappropriate. 1967/110.
CV11
CRIMINAL
WITNESSES See: EVIDENCE; PROCEDURE.
“WOMAN” See: ABDUCTION.
WOUNDING See: UNLAWFUL WOUNDING.
WRITTEN THREATS TO MURDER
Breach
of peace distinguished. 1968/185.
Triable
by High Court only. 1968/185
WRONGFUL CONFINEMENT
Arrest
without warrant by Divisional Executive Officer. 1968/364.
Sentence
– Maximum prison term excessive in circumstances. 1967/146.
TANZANIA
HIGH COURT DIGEST
1967
(1967) H.C.D.
-1-
1. Ali s/o Islam v. R., Crim.
App. 828-D-66; 19/1/67; Biron, Ag. C.J.
Accused was convicted of dealing in
broadcast receivers without a licence (Broadcast Receiving Apparatus
(Licensing) Act, 1964,s. 5(1), on evidence that he had hidden several radios
when he observed a police officer
approach the store and produced no licence when the radios were found.
Held
(1) The accused was not “carrying on business” under the Act, since he was
an employee only. To be “carrying on business” one must exercise some control
or act as a partner. (2) Accused was nonetheless guilty if he aided or abetted
another person in committing the offence, with full knowledge that it was an
offence (P.C. s. 22). (3) Concealment of the evidence that an offence had been
committed was sufficient to show men rea.
2. R. v. Halfani Reli Kapile, Misc.
Crim. 1-D-67; 2/1/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted on five counts of
stealing and two of forgery. He petitioned the High Court to permit him to go
free on bail, pending an appeal of his conviction.
Held:
(1) Bail pending and appeal of a criminal conviction will be granted only in
exceptional circumstances, citin R. v. Lernster (Duke), 17 Cr. App. R. 147. (2)
Accused notes that he has dependants, is a Tanzanian citizen, and that the
charge of theft is not an uncommon one. These are not sufficient to constitute
valid grounds for granting bail.
3. Jura s/o Kanslawi v. R., Crim.
App. 16-D-67; -/1/67; Saidi, J
Accused was convicted ,inter alia, of
stealing. When arrested, he admitted having stolen the articles in question. On
appeal, for the first time, accused claimed that in fact it was his property
which had earlier been stolen from him by the complainant.
Held:
“The appellant has raised his claim to the property so ( ) late. Had his claim been genuine, he
should have raised it from the beginning of the proceedings”.
4.Kizengeze s/o Mugamba v. R.
Crim. App. 99-M-66; 3/1/67; Platt, J
Accused was charged with cattle theft
(P.C. ss. 265, 268). His trial was begun before one magistrate but before it
was completed a second magistrate was appointed who commenced a trial de novo.
Held:
The appellate court could consider testimony given before the first magistrate
which tended to contradict testimony given by a prosecution witness, since, had
the accused been represented by counsel, counsel would have introduced the
testimony by deposition. Citing R. v. Wilbald s/o Tiba-nyendela (1948) 15
E.A.C.A. 111.
5.Joseph s/o Jacob v. R., Crim.
App. 603-M-66; 19/1/67; Platt, J.
Appellant, convicted of theft,
complained that his trial had not been public, but had been held in a trial
magistrate’s home. The District Court summarily rejected his appeal.
Held:
(1) The District Court should have taken appellant’s affidavit and obtained a
reply from the trial magistrate. (2) Since the magistrate had not responded to
the High Court’s inquiry in a “reasonable” length of time, and since appellant
had nearly completed his sentence, appeal was allowed without further inquiry.
(1967) H.C.D.
-2-
6. Sixtus s/o Anini v.R.,Crim.
App. 870-D-66; 10/1/67; Otto, J.
Accused had been hunting pigs, and had
set a fire in a forest to capture a wounded pig which had escaped. The fire
spread and three house were burned.
Held:
Where the evidence establishes an accused ’s careless or negligent conduct, but
does not establish willful or unlawful behavior, as here, an arson conviction
will not stand.
7. Jando v.R., Crim App. 32-D-67;
18/2/67; Biron, Ag. J
Accused was convicted in Magistrate
Court on his own pleas to several charges of forgery (P.C.ss.333,337) and theft
by public servant (P. C. ss. 265, 271) and given various concurrent and
consecutive sentences to talling 10 years’ imprisonment. The Penal Code, section
7, as amended by the Magistrate Courts Act of 1963, Schedule 6, Part 111,
limits sentences imposed by subordinate courts to 3years, for offenses not
included in the schedules of the Minimum Sentences Act of 1963. Accused’s
offenses were not scheduled offenses. The Criminal Procedure Code, section 12,
limits subordinate courts to consecutive sentences of no more that twice the
amount ordinarily authorized, and states that higher sentences may be imposed
only by higher courts to which the subordinate courts may refer appropriate
cases.
Held:
(1) Since the subordinate court did not refer the case to a higher court, no
more than 6 years’ imprisonment could be imposed by it. (2) Though the 10-years
sentence might be fully deserved, the appellate jurisdiction of the High Court
in sentencing matters was limited by the sentencing power of the subordinate
court, so that it too, could impose a sentence of no longer than 6 years.
Citing Badan Njoroge s/o Gaithuma v.R., 17E. A. C. A. 136.
8.R. v. Issumail s/o Hamissi.
Crim. Rev. 1-A-67; 2/1/67; Bannernan, J.
Accused pleaded guilty in District Court
to a charge of intentionally endangering the safety of persons traveling by
intentionally endangering the safety of persons traveling by railway (P.C. s.
224 (2)).
Held:
The Criminal Code (Cap. 20, s. 4) requires that such offenses be tried in the
High Court. (See also Cap. 20, First Schedule, Part A, Column 5.) A district
Court Magistrate may hold a preliminary inquiry and commit the accused to the
High Court, but may not take a plea or sentence the accused.
9. R. v. Raphael s/o Yohanes,
Crim. Rev. 3-D-67; 7/1/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused was convicted of escape from
lawful custody (P. C. s.116) on evidence that he ran away from a policeman
while allegedly showing him where stolen goods had been hidden.
Held:
Although it was shown that accused was physically in the presence of an
officer, the prosecution had the burden of showing that accused had been placed
under arrest at the time he fled.
10. Shamshudin Kassam Vibji v. R.,
Crim. App. 871-D-66; -/2/67; Hamlyn, J.
The accused, with several others, was
convicted of stealing goods in transit (P.C. ss. 265 and 269). The confession
of another of the accused was admitted against him.
(1967) H. C. D.
-
3 –
Held: (1) Pursuant to section 30 of the Indian Evidence Act,
when there is introduced into evidence a confession made by one accused which
also affects other of the accused, “the court may take into consideration such
confession as against such other person…..” (2) As against such other person
“such confession is to be treated more as corroborative of other evidence …..,
it is not, as it were, evidence completely probative in its own right.” The
appeal was dismissed.
11. Bawari s/o Abedi v. R., Crim.
App. 15-D-67; -/1/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of shopbreaking
and stealing (P. C. s. 296 (1) ). The shop owner identified an ordinary looking
pair of Khanga found in the possession of the accused as one of the item
stolen. The defense that accused had legitimately purchased the item was
rejected on the ground that he had produced no receipt.
Held:
(1) Exhibition of a pair of khanga not distinguishable from other such items by
special marks or features will not support a finding that they are the same as
those stolen. (2) The burden is not upon the accused to prove his defence, but
is upon the prosecution to disprove it beyond a reasonable doubt.
12. Sumaili s/o Bwalo v. R.,
Crim. App. 780-M-66; Abdallah s/o Saidi v.R. Crim, App. 785-M-66;
9/1/67; Platt, J.
Accused were covicted of stealing by a
public servant (P. C. ss. 265 and 270.)
Held:
(1) A judge must read or have read in court any notes taken during a view of
the locus and allow evidence to be called on any points covered therein. Citing
Mwanja s/o Nkii v. R., 16 E.A.C.A, 142; Musaka v. Uganda, (1964) E.A. 700. (2)
Extra-judicial statements made to police officers by the accused may not be
admitted without caution if the officers are not available to give evidence.
(3) Such statements may not be admitted without caution if made while the accused
are in custody where or not the officers give testimony. (4) If a prima facie
case has not been independently established, guilt may not be inferred merely
from the accused ’s “unimpressive demeanor or evidence” Citing Raferi Munya v.
R., (1953) 20 E. A. C. A. 226.
13. R. v. Lokordilo s/o Manyanga,
Crim. Rev. 5-A-67; 7/1/67; Bannerman, J.
The accused was convicted of breaking
and clearing land within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for the purpose of
cultivation without a written permit (Cap. 18, ss. 9(b) (i) and 18, as amended
by Act 43 of 1964). During the presentation of its case the prosecution
introduced evidence that the accused had previously been fined for cultivating
in the area.
Held:
Evidence of the previous conviction was wrongly admitted as it was not open to
the prosecution to prove any previous conviction or bad character at that stage
of the trial.
14. Salum s/o Chakapu v. R.,
Crim. App. 884-D-66, Saidi Alli Mandai v.R. 885-D-66; 25/1/67; Biron, J.
Accused were convicted of housebreaking
and stealing solely upon the testimony of their alleged accomplice who was convicted
on his own plea. Neither of the accused had a criminal record.
Held:
Although uncorroborated testimony by an alleged accomplice may support a conviction,
the “general practice”
(1967) H. C. D.
-4-
Is not to convict on such evidence.
Departures from this practice are justified only if the judge, fully cognizant
of the dangers, is satisfied that the accomplice’s testimony is so
exceptionally cogent that the danger has disappeared. Citing Canisio s/o Walwa
v. R., 25. E.A.C.A. 453.
15. R.v.Nrikumana Chizanya, Crim
Rev. 1-M-67; 3/1/67; Platt, J.
Accused pleaded guilty to unlawful
possession of raw gold, which was forfeited, and he was sentenced to 6 months
imprisonment. Some months later an assay was run on the metal and it turned out
to be copper, and not gold.
Held:
The conviction was quashed. Under section 21 of the Gold Trading Ordinance, the
burden of proof is on the prosecution to show that a metal is in fact gold, the
burden of proof on that issue is on the party making such claim.
16. R.v.Sefu Abdullah, Crim. Rev.
19-D-67; 18/2/67; Otto, J.
Accused were convicted o unlawfully
possessing a Government trophy (Cap. 302, ss. 49, 53) upon evidence that they
were found in the possession of greater kudu and impala meat.
Held
in no case can the possession of game meat support a charge of unlawful
possession of Government trophy. The act defines a Government trophy as being a
durable portion, and meat is not a durable portion of an animal. The
convictions were quashed.
17. R. v. August Mawinga, Crim.
Rev. 93-A-66; 6/1/67; Bannerman, J.
Accused, while under the influence of
pombe, severely cut a woman with a panga. He alleged that he meant only to
strike her with the side of the knife. The court stated, obiter; “The learned
magistrate is fully aware of the prevalence of crimes of violence of this
nature in his area, and the fact that the accused said he was drunk when he
committed the offense should in no way be taken as minimizing its gravity ……”
18. R.v. Thomas s/o Mfaume. Crim.
Rev. 4-D-67; 6/1/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused, 10 years of age, kindled a fire
to warm himself while grazing cattle. The fire spread and burned the
complainant ’house. Accused was convicted of negligently doing an act with fire
or omitting to take precautions against the danger of fire, and compensation of
Shs. 2,540/- was awarded. (P.C. s. 16)
Held:
(1) P. C. s. 15 provides that a person under the age of 7 years is not responsible
for any act or omission, and that a person under the age of 12 years is not
criminally responsible unless at the time of the act, he had the capacity to
know that he should not commit the act. The burden is on the prosecution to
show that the accused had known that he should not kindle the fire. (2) A
father, ordered to pay compensation for the act of his child, must be given the
opportunity to be heard in opposition to the order.
19. Juma s/o Faranani, Crim. App.
860-D-66; 13/2/67; Hamlyn, J.
During an altercation between police and
accused, a policeman’s watch-strap was snapped. Accused was charged with
malicious damage to property.
(1967) H.C.D.
-
5 –
Held: The “malice” involved in malicious property damage (P. C.
s. 326) “probably” connotes something more than mere negligence or mischance,”
though it is not necessary to prove the
Accused
’s “ill-will” toward the policeman. Charge dismissed.
20. R. v. Athumani Saidi, Crim.
Rev. 5-D-67; 9/1/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused was convicted of using a motor
vehicle on a public road without a valid licence (Traffic Ordinance ss. 6, 70),
and fined Shs. 150/- or distress.
Held:
The primary responsibility for obtaining a vehicle licence rests with the owner
of the vehicle, and a fine of Shs. 150/- is excessive when applied to a mere
driver. A fine of Shs. 30/- was substituted.
21. Dauda s/o Hamisi v. R. Crim.
App. 340-M-66; 14/1/67; Platt, J.
Accused was charged with making a false
document (P.C. s. 335 (b) ). The charge was defective in that Section 335(b)
merely defines the offense. The substantive section creating the offense and
prescribing the punishment for forgery is section 337 of the Penal Code.
Held:
Under Section 346 of the Criminal Procedure Code, an irregularity in a charge
is curable where the accused was not prejudiced by it. The irregularity does
not prejudice the accused where, as here, “The particulars set out all the
ingredients of a charge” Citing R. v. Indu Prasad Dave, Crim. Rev. No. 40 of
1963; and distinguishing Uganda v. Hadi Jamal (1964) E.A. 294.
22. Issa s/o Bilali v. R. Crim
App. 825-D-66; /1/67; Saidi, J.
The accused was convicted of stealing
and shop breaking. Compensation of Shs. 12,000/- was awarded to the owner of
the automobile which had been stolen and damaged.
Held:
An award of compensation cannot be made in the absence of evidence as to the
amount of loss. The award was set aside.
23. R.v.Abala. Crim. Rev. 7-A-67;
10/2/67; Bannerman, J.
Accused was convicted of shop breaking
and stealing (P. C. 296 (1) and of possessing tools suitable for shop breaking
with intent to commit a felony (P. C. s. 298 (b) ). Compensation was awarded
under Minimum Sentences Act, Cap. 526, s.6, which authorizes compensation
“equal to the value of the property as assessed by the court”
Held:
(1) The power to order full compensation under section 6 of the Minimum Sentences
act is not limited by Criminal Procedure Code section 176 which otherwise limits
compensation awarded by “any court” to Shs. 2,000/- (2) Tools suitable for shop
breaking should not be returned to an accused convicted in the same proceeding
of shop breaking.
24. R. v. Ally John. Crim. Rev.
9-M-67; 10/2/67; Bannerman, J.
The accused, a juvenile aged 15, was
sentenced to ten strokes and was also committed to an approved school (Children
and Young Persons Ordinance, Cap. 13, s. 24).
(1967) H.C.D.
-
6 –
Held: Under Cap. 17, s. 6 a juvenile convicted of any offence
under the Penal Code other than one punishable by death “shall be liable to
corporal punishment in licu of any other punishment …” Since corporal
punishment is in licu of other punishment, the order committing the accused to
an approved school was quashed, for the corporal punishment had already been
carried out.
25.Michael Y. Nungzama v. R.,
Crim. App. 704-D-66; 5/1/67; Biron, J.
Accused was convicted of theft (P. C.
ss. 271 and 285. The minimum sentence prescribed by law was imposed. The
accused claimed that the time which he spent in custody prior to sentencing
should be credited against the sentence.
Held:
Such credit is precluded by Criminal Procedure Code section 295 which provides,
“Every sentence shall be deemed to commence from and to include the whole of
the day on which it was pronounced except where otherwise provided in this Code
or the Penal Code”. Quaere whether such credit would be permitted if more than
the minimum sentence were imposed.
26. Robert s/o Nyagangare, Crim.
App. 48-D-67; 17/2/67; Otto, J.
The accused was convicted on one count
of fraudulent false accounting and two counts of stealing by a person employed
in the public service. The sentence on the first of these counts was made to
run consecutively to the latter two counts, which were to run concurrently with
each other.
Held:
The fraudulent and false accounting was part and parcel of the charge of theft
and arose out of the same transaction. Therefore, all sentences should have
been made to run concurrently. It was so ordered.
27. R. v. Raphael Lameck, Crim.
Rev. 6-A-67; 30/1/67; Bannerman, J.
Accused were convicted for creating a
malicious disturbance at a police station and of damaging the physical plant in
the process. The sentences on the two counts were ordered to run consecutively.
While in custody one of the accused had refused to give his name and address
when ordered to do so by a policeman.
Held:
(1) Because both offenses arose out of the same transaction, they “……. Should
have been ordered to run concurrently and not consecutively in the absence of
any facts justifying an order to the contrary. “(2) The accused committed no
wrongful act under Penal Code section 124 by refusing to answer the police
officer. His name and address could have been obtained within 24 hours at the
time of arraignment before a magistrate.
28. R. v. Tanga African Motor
Transport, Crim. Rev. 9-D-67; 10-1-67, Mustafa, J.
Accused was convicted of violating the
Transport Licensing Ordinance, Cap. 373, ss. 23(3) and 26(1) (i), on his own
plea, and fined Shs. 450/- or distress.
Held:
Prior convictions for similar ordinance violations may not be considered in
sentencing unless the accused is gives the opportunity to acknowledge or deny
them. Fine was reduced to Shs. 30/- or distress. R. v. Tanga African Motor
Transport Crim. Rev. 7-D-67; 10/1/67, Mustafa, J. Accord: R. v. Tanga African
Motor Transport, Crim. Rev. 8-D- 67; 10/1/67; Mustafa J
(1967) H. C. D.
-
7 –
29. Joseph v. R. Crim. App.
218-D-66; 20/1/67; Bannerman, J.
Accused was convicted of assaulting a
police officer, resisting lawful apprehension, and robbery with violence (P. C.
ss. 243 (b), 243 (a), 285 and 286). In imposing sentence of three years and 24
stokes on the last count the court relied upon the statement of the
prosecutor-unsubstantiated, and challenged by the accused-that the accused had
previously been convicted of housebreaking and stealing. As he was led from the
courtroom, accused made a threatening remark, and for this statement it was
ordered that he be subject to police supervision for two years after completion
of his sentence (C. P. C. s. 308 (1) (a).
Held:
(1) An unsubstantiated allegation of a prior conviction, challenged by the
accused, will not support an increase in a sentence imposed. (2) Criminal Procedure
Code section 308(1) (a) may not be applied in punishment for acts done after
sentencing – even momentarily afterward-as it requires the order to be made “at
the time of sentencing”. The proper procedure would have been contempt of
court.
30. R. v. D’sai, Crim. Rev.
18/D/67; 16/2/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of attempting
suicide contrary to P.C. s. 217 and sentenced to four months imprisonment.
Held:
Individuals convicted of this offence ought not be sent to jail but should be
discharged absolutely or conditionally. An order for absolute discharge was
substituted.
31. Magwa s/o Juma v. R., Crim.
App. 46-M-67; Platt, J.
Held: (1) Section 296 of the Penal Code,
covering shop breaking, does not include breaking and entering a bar. The
distinction, though unrealistic, is well settled judicially. (2) Breaking and
entering a bar is theft, however (P. C. s .265), and such a charge may be
substituted by virtue of Paragraph 33(1) of the Primary Courts Criminal
Procedure Code. Charge substituted.
32. Ramadhani s/o Masudi v. R.,
Crim. App. 851-D-66; 10/1/67; Otto, J.
Accused allegedly pleaded guilty to a
charge of housebreaking (P. C. s. 294 (1) ). In his plea, he admitted breaking
and entering the room of a friend, but said that he had not intended to steal
anything. The agreed facts showed that the accused was found inside the place
and that the padlock had been broken.
Held:
(1) Neither the facts nor the plea disclosed any intent on the part of the
accused to commit a felony in the dwelling place; therefore, the crime of
housebreaking was not established. (2)Because the plea did not disclose felonious
intent, it was equivocal, and therefore could not be given any weight.
33. Bakari s/o Issa v. R., Crim.
App. 800-D66; 11/1/67; Biron, J.
Accused were convicted of housebreaking
(P.C. s. 294(1) ) and stealing (P.C. s. 265). One charge of housebreaking was
dismissed as against all the accused. All but one of the accused were acquitted
of the remaining charge or were successful on appeal.
The
Court State, obiter: (1) With respect to the dismissed housebreaking charge,
the fact that the house was occupied only intermittently did not preclude a
conviction. (2) With respect to two of the accused who presented evidence of
their minority, medical evidence of their ages should have been adduced and a
finding made thereon before they were awarded the statutory corporal punishment.
(1967) H.C.D.
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34. Hamisi s/o Bakari v. R.,
Crim. App. 652-M-66; 7/2/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused was convicted of obtaining money
by false pretences with intent to defraud from 13 different persons. These
charges were all contained in a single count.
Held:
The charge should have been in 13 separate counts (cf. C. P. C. s. 138). “Here
the appellant would not know the details of the charge and in fact as to what
the whole case was about …..”
35. Thuma v. R. Crim App.
355-M-66; 7/1/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of obtaining by
false pretenses (P.C. s. 302). Charges against a co-accused were dropped, but
fresh charges against the accused were not filed. The several payment which
accused allegedly obtained were all charged in a single count.
Held:
(1) Each of the several payments must be covered in a separate count unless the
charge is that they were paid simultaneously. (2) A fresh charge should be made
against persons still charged when charges against co-accused are withdrawn. (3)
Intent to defraud must be expressly alleged and proven by the prosecution.
36. Yohana s/o Kuranga v. R.,
Crim. App. 23-D-67; -/2/67; Hamlyn, J
Held: Penal Code section 258, which defines stealing, included
the offense of fraudulent conversion of property as well as larceny. Although
fraudulent conversion and stealing are distinct offenses under the 1916 Larceny
Act, Penal Code section 258 designates both as theft.
37. Saidi Meke v. R., Crim. App.
850-D-66; 11/1/67; Biron, J.
Accused was convicted of receiving
stolen goods and of stealing from a motor vehicle.
Held:
(1) Mens Rea in the crime of receiving stolen goods may properly be inferred
from the accused ’s possession of the goods and from his concealment of some,
though not all, of the goods stolen in an established theft or burglary. (2)
Under the doctrine of recent possession, a person found in possession of stolen
goods may be rebuttably presumed to have stolen them and may be convicted
either of receiving, or stealing or, in appropriate case, of housebreaking. (3)
Under the Minimum Sentences Act of 1963, an accused may be given the scheduled
sentence for receiving stolen goods if he knew or should have known that the
goods had been feloniously taken. He need not have known that they were taken n
the course of an offense set out in Part 1 of the schedule to the act. Citing,
reluctantly, R. v. Mohamed Naweki, (1964) E.A. 353.
38. Ferdinand s/o Rajabu v. R.,
Crim. App. 14-D-67; 19/2/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of housebreaking
and stealing (P.C. ss. 294 and 295) upon evidence found sufficient by the reviewing
court. The magistrate had directed himself that possession of recent stolen
property by the accused will cause the law to presume the commission of the
theft or guilty receipt.
Held
(1) An accused ’s possession of property recently stolen may support an
inference of guilty knowledge but does not shift to the accused the burden of
proving his innocence. (2) A misdirection as to the burden of proof was not
critical since the evidence established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
(1967)H.C.D.
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9 –
39. Ngoye s/o Kwakila v. Ndemere s/o
Kihamba, Civ. App. 39-M-66; 17/2/67; Mustafa, J.
Pursuant to the Waha custom of
“Bugabile” which was found by the lower court to be no longer part of the
customary law, appellant received a cow from respondent. “Bugabile” was a
concept some what like that of conditional gift; accordingly, respondent, after
several years had passed, sought to revoke the gift and recover the cow.
Held:
Although the custom is no longer practiced, the concept of “Bugabile” should be
given effect ( and the revocation of the “gift” sanctioned), since it reflects
the intention of the parties.
40. Jacobo Tibufumula v. Abrahim
Kipala, Civ. App. 29-M-66; 14/2/67; Mustafa, J.
This action was brought to determine the
distribution of property of the deceased. Respondents claimed the property
under a will executed by the decedent in September 1959. Appellants claimed
under a will which decedent allegedly made in September 1963 revoking the prior
will.
Held:
Pursuant to the customary law of the Haya trible, in order to revoke a will
either its witnesses or a majority of them must be called and informed of the
revocation or, should this not be possible, at least ten witnesses must be called
to make a valid revocation. (Customary Law of the Hay Tribe, Cory and Hartnool,
paragraphs 51 and 52) None of these provisions were
complied with and the second will did
not super cede the first.
41. Abdulnasul Haji Jooma v. Harnam
Singh Bhambra, Civ. App. 3-D-67; 22/2/67; Saidi, J.
In an earlier action respondent was
ordered to vacate premises which he had leased from appellant. In the present
action the trial court ruled that the previous order be stayed for three months
to enable respondent to find new premises.
Held:
Section 151 of the Indian Civil Code gives a court inherent jurisdictional over
cases not specifically covered by other jurisdictional sections if a denial of
hearing would subvert justice. However, the above section is inapplicable to
the present case since respondent failed to avail himself of other remedies
specifically provided (C.P.C. s. 148; Rent Restriction Act, s. 19 (5)).
42.Nanyanje v. Mwanaarafa s/o
Mwenyimanzi, Civil App. 263-D-651 15/2/67; Duff,J.
Appellant claimed that money paid by his
wife was not “khului”, or consideration for a divorce, but was a consideration
in atonement for her disobedience, known as “kiyamu”.
Held:
(1) Mohammedan Law recognized as remedies of a husband against a disobedient
wife the right to diverse the wife, the right to refuse to maintain her and the
right to institute a civil suit for restitution of conjugal rights. (2) the
last of the above remedies, the institution of a civil suit, might occasion a
payment to the petitioning husband, but Mohammedan law does not seem to recognize
any reparatory payment known as “Kiyamu”. (3) The payment in the present case
was in consideration for divorce and was not in atonement for disobedience.
(1967) H.C.D.
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10 –
43. Rajabu s/o Marijani v. Hadiji s/o
Saidi, Civ. App. 42-D-66; -/2/67; Saidi J.
Held: (1) Absolute and permanent dedication of wakf property by
the wakf is necessary for an effective
wakf. (2) A wakf is conditional and fails if it is only to take effect upon the
death of the owner, who continues to utilize and exercise control over the
property. (3) If one executes a deed of wakf without the intention to divect
himself of ownership of the property, but rather to immunize it from claims
others might have against him, the deed fails. (4) A wakf is generally to be
created by a separate deed rather than by will.
44. Abdallah Abede Tamimu v. Saidi
Salum Hekan, Civ. App. 20-D-66; 16/2/67; Hamlyn J.
Plaintiff brought actions against three
defendants in a plaint which, because it was drafted without the assistance of
counsel, failed to delineate a cause of action. Preliminary objection was made
by defendants alleging misjoinder of parties, misjoinder of causes of action,
and failure to state a cause of action.
Held
(1) An objection, without elaboration, that a plaint “disclosed no cause of
action” will not be entertained by the court. (2) The plaintiff, after paying
taxed costs incurred by defendants in the present suit, may withdraw the suit
with liberty to file any fresh suit or suits.
45. Emanuel Bwegilire v. Juma Hamisi,
(PC) Civ. App. 135-M-66; 3/3/67; Mustafa J.
Defendant, while engaged in an action
over the ownership of a shamba, contracted to sell the shamba to plaintiff if
he won that action. Plaintiff made a down payment of Shs. 100/- the balance of
Shs. 1200/- to be paid if defendant won his law-suit. Defendant was successful,
and soon thereafter, on August 22, 1960, plaintiff wrote him: “…….. I will come
on 3rd of 4th September 1960, so that we can finish the
matter. “ Between August 22 and September 3, plaintiff was arrested, and then
spent three years in jail, without paying the balance of Shs. 1200/- In
1966, plaintiff claimed the right to
“complete the purchase,” but defendant had sold the shamba to a third party.
Held:
(1) Defendant’s obligation to sell the shamba to plaintiff was conditional upon
payment of the balance by plaintiff within a reasonable time after defendant
obtained plaintiff within a reasonable time after defendant obtained clear
title. (2) Defendant, however, was not entitled to the Shs. 100/- paid earlier
toward the purchase, and plaintiff was allowed to recover this sum.
46. Stephen s/o Sokoni v.
Millioni s/o; Sokoni (pc) Civ. App. 183-D-67, 19/2/67, Saidi J.
The magistrate granted petitioner a
divorce, relying solely on the contents of the petition. Cap. 364, Martimonial
Causes Rules, Rule 25 (1) stipulates that witnesses at a trial or hearing of
any matrimonial cause be examined viva voce or, with the permission of the
court, that facts be proven by affidavit.
Held:
A decree dissolving a marriage cannot be made where no evidence was examined by
the court. The case was returned to the lower court to allow petitioner to
substantiate his claim.
47. Thomas v. Thomas, Mat. Conf.
1-D-67; 4/3/67; Duff, J.
The magistrate granted petitioner a
divorce, relying solely
(1967) H.C.D.
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11-
On the contents of the petition. Cap.
364, Matrimonial Causes Rules, Rule 25(1) stipulates that witnesses at a trial
or hearing of any matrimonial cause be examined vivavoce or, with the
permission of the court, that facts be proven by affidavit.
Held:
A decree dissolving a marriage cannot be made where no evidence was examined by
the court. The case was returned to the lower court to allow petitioner to
substantiate his claim.
48. Hamea s/o Mohamed v. Omari s/o
Abdullah, P. Cv. App. 227-D-65; 7/3/67; Biron, Ag. C. J.
A husband obtained an order from a
Primary Court requiring appellants to permit their daughter, his wife to return
to him. It appeared that he had told her that if she visited his sick relative
at a hospital on a certain morning, rather than on the previous evening as he
wished, they would be divorced. It was not clear whether he had said, “I will
divorce you” or “If you go you are divorced.” The High Court ”s language suggests,
but does not state explicitly, that the wife may have wished to return to her
husband, and that it was her parents’ objections which necessitated a lawsuit.
Held:
(1) A marriage is deemed valid and subsisting until its dissolution is proved.
(2) Under Muslim Law, the formula for verbal divorce is precise; “I will divorce
you” is a mere threat; “If you go you are divorced” is a phrase resulting in
divorce upon the realization of the stated condition. Appeal dismissed;
Judgment allowing the wife to return to her husband upheld.
49 Iddi d/o Kungunya v. Ali. s/o
Mpate, (PC) Civ. App. 81-D-66; 27/2/67; Saidi, J.
Respondent a divorced woman, sued her
former husband for shares of four shambas owned by him but developed through
their joint efforts during covertures.
Held:
A wife owes her husband a duty to assist him with his gainful word, whether it
be cultivation, shop keeping, or any other lawful engagement. “Absent a
contribution of capital by the wife, or some special agreement between husband
and wife, the divorced wife will not be treated as a partner in the man’s enterprises.
50. Saidi Aleiko (Administrator) v.
Mwatatu d/o Ibrahim, (PC) Civ. App. 25-D-66; 3/3/67; Otto, J.
The father of a deceased child sought a
share of her estate. He admitted that he had not formally married her mother,
but he argued that the child was legitimate because he had always accepted her,
and the other offspring of this union, as his own. All parties agreed that, in
question of inheritance by parents, an illegitimate child is deemed the child
of the mother only.
Held:
Under Islamic law, there can be no “marriage” without the proper formalities.
The children of this union were therefore illegitimate, and the father may not
inherit from them.
51. Dhaniben Chaku Hirji v.
Vinaychandra G. Modessa, Civ Case 33-D-66; 29/3/67; Otto, J.
(1967) H.C.D.
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12 –
Deceased had managed a Hindu family
business, which was owned by his father. When he was killed, his mother brought
an action on her own behalf and on behalf of some of her children as dependants
of the deceased. Following Hindu family custom, the family lived “as a Unit”.
Accordingly, the deceased withdrew approximately Shs. 2500/- each month from
the profits of the business (which were more than Shs, 50,000/- yearly), for the
maintenance of the family.
Held:
Though mathematical computation might be impossible, the family was dependant
of the father’s business, and its profits were only partly attributable to the
son; his role as “provider,” under Hindu custom, does not of itself establish
the total dependency of the family upon him Shs. 500/- (funeral expenses) and
Shs. 2000/- (general damages) were awarded to plaintiff and dependants.
52. Hassamali Issa & Co. v. Jeraj
Produce Store, Civ. App. 20-D-66; -/2/67; Hamlyn, J.
Appellant brought an action on a cheque.
Leave was given to defend upon an affidavit alleging that the cheque was given
by defendant under duress. Appellant argued that duress had to be proven before
appellant would be obliged to prove consideration for the underlying contract.
Held:
(1) An action upon a negotiable instrument succeeds unless, fraud, mistake or
“something similar” is averred. (2) Where such averral is made, “acceptance of
the affidavit makes it incumbent on the holder to prove consideration.” The
affidavit destroys the plaintiff’s “position of being entitled to a decree on
the ground that the defendant is deemed to admit the allegation in the plaint,
“and “the case becomes a simple suit for recovery of money.”
53. Hamisi Kinyaju v. Hussein Mkodo,
(PC) Civ. App. 32-A-66; 21/2/67; Bannerman, J.
Plaintiff and defendant were partners in
a butchery business, each having contributed Shs. 500/- at the outset. In 1964,
defendant purchased plaintiff’s share of the business for the amount of his
original investment. Plaintiff then filed the present action claiming
additional compensation for other assets which he had contributed to the
business.
Held:
Plaintiff could have claimed for a dissolution of the partnership and an
accounting, and would have been entitled to one half of the partnership assets.
However, he chose in stead to sell his entire interest in the business for Shs.
500/-. This sale extinguished all interest which he had in the assets, just as,
between the partners, it ended his responsibility for the liabilities. Judgment
for defendant.
54.Kumbata Mahimbo v. Kumbata
Mugendi, (PC) Civ. App. 52-D-66; 1/3/67; Saidi, J.
Appellant had brought an action in a
primary court for unpaid bride wealth. The parties settled the case respondent
agreeing that the bride wealth was due. Appellant withdrew his suit without
claiming costs, and later filed another action for the costs of the initial
suit.
Held;
“The fact that (appellant) withdrew the action cannot debar him from claiming
his costs…….” The bride wealth was in fact due, and was paid only after
appellant brought legal proceedings. The respondent could have avoided the
costs by paying his just debt, and “cannot now escape the liability to pay the
costs of the suit.”
(1967) H.C.D.
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13 –
55. Alexander – Tryphon Dembeniotis
v. Central Africa Co. Ltd., Civ. Case 29-D-66; -/3/67; Otto, J.
Plaintiff sued to cancel an agreement,
alleging lack of consideration and claiming that the agreement had been
obtained by extortion. Defendant admitted lack of consideration, and submitted
the agreement for cancellation, but denied the claim of extortion. Plaintiff
was denied full costs, and appealed.
Held:
Full costs should be awarded to a plaintiff who “ has succeeded in the main purpose
of his suit” and “obtained the precise form of relief he wanted.” It is
immaterial that he did not succeed with one of the claimed grounds of relief
since the resolution of that claim did not affect the result. Citing Jiwan
Singh v. Rugnath Jeram, 12 E. A. C. A. 21, and authorities cited therein.
56.Watson Seafood & Poultry Co.
v. Hassanali Hirji Shariff, Civ. Case 8-D-66; 29/3/67; Otto, J.
In a claim for goods sold and delivered,
judgment was entered against defendants in ex parte decree, when they failed to
appear on the day the suit had been called on for hearing.
Held:
A party’s failure to give proper instruction to his advocates does not justify
non-appearance at a hearing. Citing Simon Petero Zirabamuzale v. Andrew Gorrect
(1962) E.A 694. A party cannot claim “sufficient cause” where his
non-appearance seems to have been “another episode in a long line of delaying
tactics.”
57. Robert s/o Sakila v. R.,
Crim. App. 928-M-66; 25/2/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of defiling a girl
under the age of 12 years (P.C. s.136(1)) on evidence which disclosed that the
girl was between 12 and 13. The republic sought to have the Court “alter the
finding” to one of “guilty of rape” (P.C s.131), pursuant to its powers under
Criminal Procedure Code section 319. At the trial, various children of
uncertain age testified after the magistrate had informed them of the
importance of giving evidence and the gravity of the oath.
Held:
Criminal Procedure Code section 319 authorizes the High Court to “alter
findings” on appeal where the error to be remedied affects only the charge
itself; where the evidence does not sustain a charge of defilement, the High
Court may not alter the finding to one of rape. (2) The magistrate’s duty, as
to witnesses of “tender years” is not just to admonish them of the serious
nature of the oath, but to determine whether they understand the oath, and to
allow then to testify only after being satisfied that they do. To attempt
merely to inform them of their duties is to commit an error which is in itself
a sufficient ground of appeal. Distinguishing Oloo Gai v. R., (1960) E.A.86.
58. Katamba s/o Mwaisunga v. R.,
P. Crim. App. 15-D-67; 25/3/67; Hamlyn, J.
The accused was convicted in primary
court of assault; a fine and compensation were awarded. The accused then appealed
to the district court and his appeal was allowed. The present appeal was
brought by the complainant.
(1967) H.C.D
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14 –
Held: Section 21 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1963 provides
that in proceedings of a criminal nature, the Director of Public Prosecutions
alone has the right to appeal to the High Court in cases in which a district
court has substituted an acquittal for a conviction in a primary court.
Therefore the High court lacks jurisdiction to hear this appeal.
59. Daudi Mwabusila v. John Mwakfwila,
L. Civ. App. 30-D-66; -/-/67; Hamlyn, J
Appellant sued for six head of cattle in
primary court. He relied on the testimony of two witnesses whom the magistrate
found not to be credible. On appeal, the district court found that this testimony
was credible and therefore reversed the judgment.
Held:
The witnesses did not appear in person at the appeal, and the district court
should have followed the valuation of their creditability given by the trial
court. An appellate court should reassess the credibility of witness only if
there are circumstances of an unusual nature which appear in the record,
particularly if as here, the testimony has explicitly been rejected by the
trial court. The judgment of the district court was set aside and that of the
primary court restored.
60. Samwel s/o Komba v. R. Crim.
App. 1-D-67; -/3/67; Otto, J.
Accused was convicted of theft on
inadequate evidence, some of it hearsay. Accused had served several moths of
the sentence at the time of appeal. Conviction was reversed on appeal.
Held:
Retrial will not be ordered in cases where it would allow the prosecution to
“fill in gaps in its case.” The court noted, obiter: “This appellant has
already served several months of his sentence which could not be taken into account
in the event of conviction ensuing should a retrial be ordered.”
61. R.v. John s/o Augustino,
Crim. Rev. 29-D-67; 17/3/67; Hamlyn, J.
While intoxicated, accused verbally
deprecated the President o Tanzania, and said that he would burn down the house
of anyone who disagreed with him. One witness was “very annoyed ”and another
claimed “not to have been pleased” by accused ’s remarks. Accused was convicted
of “using insulting language …… in such manner as is likely to cause a breach
of the peace “ (P. C. s. 89(1)(a))
Held:
(1) The statute is aimed at preventing incitements to physical violence. Mere annoyance
or displeasure among the listeners is not sufficient. (2) The threats to burn
the houses of those who disagreed were not relevant; the breach of the peace
referred to by the statute contemplates only action by the listeners.
62. Mayagila s/o Shima v. R.,
Crim. App. 921-D-66; 17/3/67; Otto, J.
The accused was convicted of a corrupt
transaction with an agent (Cap. 400, ss. 3(1), (4). The complaining witness had
been charged with cattle theft and had properly been released at the
instigation of a police inspector. Afterwards, the accused, who was a special
constable, demanded payment of Shs. 100/- from the complainant, purportedly on
behalf of the inspector. The complainant paid under threat of a new prosecution.
There was no evidence that the inspector was involved.
(1967) H. C. D.
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15 –
Held: Although a crime was undoubtedly committed, the crime
charged was not proven. At the time of the solicitation, nothing could be done
or forborne to be done in relation to the principal’s affairs. The accused was
acting entirely for himself and it is immaterial whether he could himself have
caused the complainant to be re-arrested.
63. Chicna alias Wadson s/o Kaombwe
v. R. Crim. App. 881-D-66; -/3/67; Otto, J.
Appellant had been repeatedly and
clearly in contempt of court. The magistrate, acting under section 114 (2) of
the Penal Code, summarily convicted appellant and ordered him to pay Shs.
150/-.
Held:
While in most cases of contempt a charge should be framed and the accused given
a chance to answer it, where an accused had continued his contempt after
several warnings there was “no miscarriage of justice by reason of the fact
that the specific charge was not drawn.”
64. Kiyungi Abdukheri v. R.,
Crim. App. 22-M-67; 1/3/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused, a sailor on a ship docked in
Kigoma, had on board a quantity of cigarettes, which he failed to declare. His
explanation was that he planned to transship the cigarettes on a ship bound for
Urundi, which had not yet arrived in Kigoma. The lower court ordered a fine of
Shs. 1000/-, or three months imprisonment in default.
Held:
In such circumstances, cigarettes held for transshipment must nonetheless be declared
to customs. The sentence was proper, and the goods were forfeited to East
African Customs and Excise.
65. Limbu s/o Kiloshimba v. R., Crim
App. 7-D-67; 3/3/67; Otto, J.
Accused was arrested for theft, but
escaped from custody. He was captured and charged with both theft and escape
from lawful custody (P. C. s. 116). Before trial, the theft charges were
dropped, but there was no indication that original arrest or the subsequent
custody had been unlawful.
Held:
Where an arrest and custody are lawful, an accused may be punished for escaping
from custody, notwithstanding the fact that the charge on which the initial
arrest was made is later found to groundless.
66. Lugenya s/o Nila v. R., Crim.
App. 5-M-67; 10/3/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of shop breaking.
One Magonda was caught leaving the shop but his accomplices escaped. After his
arrest, Magonda led a constable to the accused ’s house and purportedly stated
that he was an accomplice. This statement was introduced into evidence as
against accused, but at the trial Magonda denied having made the statement.
Held:
(1) If a statement of a co-accused forms part of a confession, it may be
introduced as against the accused. See Indian Evidence Act, section 30. (2)
However, Magonda’s denial at the trial that he made the statement vitiates the
constable’s testimony that he identified the accused. (3) The court stated, obiter;
Even if there had been a confession, it would not alone support the conviction
of accused. Corroborative testimony would be required.
67. Augustine s/o Machau v. R.,
Crim. App. 874,875, 876-M-66; 19/1/67; Duff, J.
(1967) H.C.D.
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16 –
Accused were convicted of robbery and
possession of the shotgun.
Held:
(1) Possession by one person of a stolen item, in the presence of two other persons,
cannot support the inference that the two participated in the robbery in which
the items was taken. (2) Similarly, “it cannot be said that there was a
conscious possession of a firearm without a licence on the part of all the
three accused”.
68. Bugi s/o Rioba v. R. Mtatiro
Waiyaga v. R., Crim. App. 456, 457-M-66; 16/1/67; Platt, J.
Accused Bugi was convicted of burglary
and theft and accused Mtatiro of receiving stolen property. The testimony of an
accomplice was admitted as against both of the accused. Also admitted into
evidence was testimony of a policeman that Bugi’s wife had told him that part
of the stolen property had been brought to the house by her husband. The
magistrate also considered as against Bugi the plea of guilty of a co-accused in
which he admitted committing the crime together with Bugi. The accused Mtatiro
testified that the stolen property found at his home had been brought to him by
friends for safe-keeping; he denied knowing that it was stolen property.
Held:
(1) The testimony of the accomplice was uncorroborated and her veracity was
doubtful. Therefore, her testimony could not support a conviction. (2) The
statements of Bugi’ wife were hearsay and were inadmissible. (3) The statements
of a co-accused in his plea of guilty should not have been admitted as against
the accused Bugi. If the prosecution desired to introduce his testimony he
should have been called as a witness. (4) The presumption arising from the
possession of recently stolen property is rebutted by exculpatory testimony of
the accused which could reasonably be true.
69. R. v. Chamba Magina, Crim.
Rev. 112-M-66; 1/3/67; Platt, J
Accused were convicted of unlawful
possession of a government trophy (Fauna Conservation Ordinance, Cap. 302, ss.
49 (1), 53) after pleading to being in possession of giraffe meat without
permission.
Held:
(1) The definition of the term “trophy” in section 2 of the ordinance does not
include animal meat because meat is not durable portion of the animal. Citing
Yahya Saidi v. Reg., Crim. App. 666 of 1961; Abdulla Libengyile v. R., Crim.
Rev. 3 of 1963. (2) Similarly, the definition of Government tropics in section
47(1) ,with the exception of part (b) thereof, excludes animal meat. Parts (a)
and (c) or section 47(1), which deal with game animals which have been killed
or capture, do to denominate meat as a Government trophy. (3) However, part (b)
of section 47(1), which deals with animals which have been found dead, provides
that a government trophy includes the animal and the trophy of any such animal
“or any part of any game animal which is found. “Thus, if part (b) is
applicable, the meat of a game animal is a government trophy. Citing R. v.
Mohamedi Musa, Crim. Rev. 79 of the accused came within part (b) of section 47
(1), the convictions were quashed.
70. R. v. Maulddi s/o Yusufu,
Crim. Rev. 22-D-67; 26/6/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted, inter alia, of
doing grievous harm (P.C. s. 225). Accused was showing a firearm to a friend
when the
(1967) H.C.D.
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17 –
Weapon discharged, wounding the friend. Accused stated, “I had no intention
whatsoever to wound my friend,” but the magistrate entered a plea of guilty to
the charge.
Held:
No amount of mere negligence or lack of care will suffice for a conviction of
grievous harm. Intent to perpetrate such harm is an essential element of the
offence. Accused acquitted.
71. R. v. Danson s/o Simbacungile,
Crim. Sass. 167-Mbeya-66; 3/2/67; Otto, J.
Accused killed his mother-in-law during
an argument, after spending some time drinking in a pombe shop.
Held:
(1) The evidence showed sufficient provocation to vitiate the malice
aforethought required for a conviction of murder, in view of the accused ’s evident
intoxication:’….. one must consider that because of the liquor that he had
consumed he was more easily provoked, and under these circumstances one must
not apply the test of the ordinary man.” (2) “One must consider the effect of
liquor in coming to a conclusion as to whether or not the accused person was
able to form the necessary intent.” Accused was convicted of manslaughter.
72. R.v. Mariam. d/o Mihambo,
Crim. Sass. 133-M-66; 1/3/67; Platt, J.
Accused was acquitted on a charge of
murder.
The
Court stated, Obiter: Consideration has been given to whether the accused
can be said to be guilty of being an accessory after the fact. It has been held
that an accused person acquitted of murder cannot be convicted of being an
accessory after the fact to such murder, when he has not been charged with that
offence. He cannot be convicted because the offence is not minor and cognate to
the offence of murder. Citing Mutiu s/o Wamai v. R., c (1955) 22 E.A.C.A. 417.
The accused was ordered set free unless held for some other lawful cause.
73. Saidi Mohamed Geshi v. Hamadi
Rashid, (PC) Crim. App. 117-D-66; 27/2/67; Saidi, J.
Respondents destroyed a house built on
their land by appellant. Their conviction of malicious property damage was
quashed by the District Court, and the compensation order was set aside.
Held:
“…….The respondents were at law entitled to eject Saidi who was trespassing on
their own land in their presence, and ….. they were further entitled to remove
any object Saidi had brought thereon during the trespass.” The complainant’s
appeal was summarily rejected.
74. R.v. Nanju Kara, Crim. App.
26-D-67; -/3/67; Hamlyn, J.
This is an appeal by way of case stated.
Accused was charged with failure to pay an employee the statutory minimum wage,
but no plea was taken from the accused.
Held:
(1) Where no plea is taken from an accused, everything that follows in the
proceedings is a nullity. (2) Therefore, there has been to “hearing and determination”
(Crim. Proc. Code s. 333) by the court, and consequently no “case” which can be
stated on appeal. (3) The omission of the trial court here was not proceedings
were a nullity, accused was never tried, and the Republic can proceed de
novo against him.
75. Remenisele s/o Elisawo v. R.,
Crim. App. 19-A-67; 10/3/67; Bannerman,
J.
(1967) H.C.D.
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18 –
Accused was convicted of forgery and
theft. The magistrate who commenced the case heard the evidence of the
prosecution and, after a recess of three months, heard some of the defence witnesses.
After another recess a second magistrate replaced the first who had been
transferred to another district. Exercising his discretion under Criminal
Procedure Code Section 196, the second magistrate elected not to re-commence
the trial but to hear only the remaining portion of the defence.
Held:
(1) The discretion given to a magistrate by Criminal Procedure Code section 196
should be exercised with great care, for a primary purpose of the hearing is to
permit the court to observe the demeanor and evaluate the creditability of all
the witnesses. In the present case the charges were grave and the accused
vigorously contested the allegations of the prosecution’s witnesses. (2)
Criminal Procedure Code section 196(a) permits the accused to demand that
witnesses heard by the first magistrate be resummoned and reheard and provides
that the accused “shall be informed of such right by the second magistrate …..”
there is no record that the accused was so informed. A new trial was ordered.
76. R.v.Haruna Ibrahim, Crim.
Rev. 115-M-66; 7/3/67;
Accused was convicted of attempted rape
(P.C. s. 132). The evidence was that he had dragged the complainant to a ditch,
placed his hand over her mouth and pulled down her underclothes while lying on
to of her, when he was observed by a passerby and fled. There was no evidence
that at the time he fled. Undressed.
Held:
(1) The acts of the accused did not constitute attempted rape, since he had not
yet undressed. Rather the acts constituted mere preparation for that crime.
Citing Adamu Mulira v. Reg. (1953) XX E.A.C.A. 223. (2) The acts did, however,
constitute the crime of indecent assault (P.C. s. 135(1) ). A conviction for indecent
assault was substituted. Crim. Proc. Code, s. 185).
77. R.v.Masumbuko Lengisia, Crim.
Rev. 10-A-67; 27/2/67; Bannerman, J.
The accused, convicted of carrying
passengers for hire without a valid Public Service Vehile
Licence (Cap. 168, s. 27A), were described as
the “driver” and the “turnboy.” The convictions of both were based on
observation by the police of the rurnboy in the act of taking money from
passengers. Cap. 168, s. 27A (1) provides punishment only for a “driver, owner
or person in charge of a motor vehicle” used in violation of the licensing
requirements.
Held:
Conviction of the driver was proper. However, since the rurnboy was not charged
as “driver, owner, or person in charge” of the vehicle, and since the evidence
did not suggest that such a charge would have been supportable, his conviction
was improper. Conviction quashed.
78. Sultani s/o Sefu v. R., Juma s/o
Saidi v. R. Crim. App. 165 and 166-D-67; 30/3/67; Saidi, J.
The two accused were convicted of stealing
a motor vehicle (P.C. s. 265) and shop breaking and stealing (P.C. s. 296(1) ).
Compensation was awarded.
Held:
A compensation award must properly value the property not recovered and order
that the complainant be compensated by both of the accused in equal
proportions. The district court was directed to make such a valuation and
order.
(1967) H.C.D
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19 –
79. R. v. Maandazi s/o Maandayi,
Crim. Case 6-D-67; 20/3/67; Otto, J.
Accused was convicted of attempted
suicide (P.C. s. 217) and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
Held:
A sentence of imprisonment is seldom if ever warranted for an offence of this nature.
Citing items 25 and 160 of the Bulletins of the High Court of Tanganyika.
80. Martin Senzota v. R. Crim.
App. 4-A-67; 24/2/67; Bannerman, J.
Appellant was convicted of school
breaking and stealing (P.C. s. 296 (1)). He was a teacher in charge of a
primary school. When the school was closed and he was transferred elsewhere, he
entered a classroom with his own key and removed property belonging to him and
some items belonging to the school. The magistrate found that he had no
intention of stealing at the time he entered the room.
Held:
(1) A “breaking” must be “unlawful and without a legal right to do the act
which constitutes the breaking.” (2) The intention to commit a felony must be
present at the time of the entry. Convictions quashed, and a conviction for
stealing substituted.
81. Masenu s/o Butili v. R.,
Crim. App. 379-M-66; 7/3/67; Platt, J.
Accused broke a garage door, but before
he could enter the building he was frightened away. He was convicted under
Penal Code, section 296(1).
Held:
(1) To establish the offence under this section the prosecution must prove: (a)
a breaking and entering (b) into one of the buildings specified in the statute
and (c) the commission of a felony therein. Accused did not dispute that a
garage was within the specified types of building nor a commission of a felony
therein. (2) A conviction of causing malicious property damage was substituted.
82. R. v. William s/o Gabagumbi,
Crim. Rev. 111-M-66; 21/1/67; Platt, J.
The accused was convicted of uttering
forged notes (Currency Notes Ordinance, Cap. 175, s. 6(1) ). The charge alleged
that he uttered the notes knowing them to be forged, but it did not allege that
he did so with intent to defraud. In his plea defendant stated, “I agree the
notes were not genuine.” This statement was accepted as a plea of guilty.
Held:
(1) The charge was defective in that it did not allege that he uttered the
forged notes with intent to defraud. (2) The plea did not state in terms that
he admitted uttering the notes and, therefore, should not have been accepted as
a plea of guilty. (3) After quashing the conviction and ordering a retrial the
judge stated that if the accused is convicted on retrial, “the learned
magistrate will not doubt take into account the time which will have elapsed
from the date into account the time which will have elapsed from the date on
which the accused was first brought to court to the date on which he is finally
convicted, when imposing a further sentence”.
83. Magabe Kisand v. R. Crim. App.
835-M-66; 24/1/67; Platt. J.
The accused was convicted of receiving
stolen cattle upon
(1967) H.C.D
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That the cattle were found in a boma
which he shared with his son three days after they were stolen. His defence was
that the cattle had been brought to the boma by his son, that he had not been
present when they were brought, and that he did not know they were stolen. The
magistrate stated that the accused had the burden “to bring at least some
evidence which may bring a balance of probability” and that his unsubstantiated
testimony was insufficient to do so.
Held;
A presumption that the accused was either a thief or receiver arose from the
prosecution evidence of recent possession. However, the testimony of the
accused, if reliable, was sufficient to rebut this presumption. The standard of
reliability to be applied is not whether the magistrate believes the defence to
be true; rather, the test is whether the defence could reasonably be true based
upon the evidence in the record.
84. Daniel s/o Iganana v. R.,
Crim. App. 847-M-66; 7/3/67; Platt, J.
Accused appeals his conviction of
unlawful wounding on the ground that the wounding was accidental. The trial
court stated that even if the wounding was accidental accused was guilty since
“…. Accused is the one to blame. He was the source of the trouble.”
Held:
If the complainant was wounded accidentally, regardless of who was at fault
initially or morally, the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond a
reasonable doubt. The appeal was allowed.
85. Nathanael Ijukaine v. Martin
Kalokola, (PC) Civ. App. 36-M-66; 3/4/67; Mustafa, J.
Plaintiff sued for the unpaid amount of
a loan. The original amount of the loan was Shs. 300/- plus “interest” or “a
profit” or Shs. 175/-. The contract also provided that if the loan were not
paid on the date due, additional interest of Shs. 10/- per month would be
charged.
Held:
(1) The rate of interest is exorbitant and is not recoverable. The court
allowed recovery of Shs. 300/-, the amount of the loan, and interest of ten percent
per annum on that amount for the period between the date the loan was due and
the day judgment was entered.
86. Manyoni Witare v. Palapala Kakoro,
(LC) Civ. App. 80-D-65; 18/4/67; Saidi, J.
Plaintiff ’s uncle married defendant’s
sister, paying seven cattle and ten goats in bride price. Plaintiff inherited
the wife after his uncle died, and they lived together for some years, until
she deserted him. She was at the time of plaintiff’s action to recover the
bride price, “old” and with-out “good prospects of getting married to another
man who would pay bride price to (the defendant)”.
Held:
(1) Plaintiff may bring the claim for bride price for desertion, just as his
uncle could have, had he lived and been deserted. (2) Because the wife’s
prospects of marriage are poor, and the bride price claimed by plaintiff not
likely to recouped by defendant by her subsequent marriage the bride price refundable
to plaintiff is properly reduced by half, under clause 52A of the Local
Customary Laws (Declaration) Order 1963, Cap. 333.
(1967) H.C.D.
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21 –
87. Sambwe Mwakilaba v. Andrew
Mwakamsale, (LC) Civ. App. 75-D-65; 7/4/67; Saidi, J
In 1939, appellant married a woman who
was six months pregnant by another man. He brought up the child, a girl, as his
own daughter. When she was married, he received the bride price paid by her
husband. In 1964, after she had born three children, her maternal uncle brought
an action in Rugwe District for custody of her under the Local Customary Law
(Declaration ) Order in 1963 (Government Notice No. 279 of 1963, extended to
Rungwe District by Government Notice No. 250 of 1964). Section 178-180 of that
Order provide that children not born in wedlock “belong to their maternal
family” and that “if the child is a girl her bride wealth is received by her
mother’s father or his heir.”
Held:
(1) “(1) Illegitimate children of unknown fathers belong to the maternal family
under customary law, “ and an illegitimate daughter’s bride price. “is taken by
the mother’s father or his heirs.” (2) However, since this claim was made after
the child was fully grown, married and with three children, and since the uncle
had contributed nothing to her upbringing,
“it was too late (for him) to lodge his claim over this woman…” He
should have claimed for custody “when she was five years old.” (3) Similarly,
“the appellant who brought her up as his own daughter and arranged for the
marriage should take the bride price to the exclusion of any other person who
did not contribute anything …..” Appeal allowed.
88. Abedi Shekulwavu v. Salimu Juma,
(LC) Civ. App. 26-D-66; 24/467; Saidi J.
Under the customary practice of “gunda” in
Lushoto, a piece of land was given to the local ruler. Defendant, a traditional
chieftain, accordingly had lived on a shamba for fifty years; his family had
farmed the same shamba for twenty-five years before that. With the abolition of
traditional Chieftainship in 1962, plaintiff brought proceedings on behalf of
his clan to recover the shamba from defendant.
Held:
The clan gave up the land permanently. It would be “utterly unfair and
unreasonable to disturb (defendant’s) long occupation of the shamba.” Plaintiff’
’s claim dismissed.
89. Ndayanyi Lukas v. R. Crim.
App. 53-M-67, 23/3/67, Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of arson but the
case against him was circumstantial, and weak.
Held:
“….. it seems to me that, serious though the charge against the appellant was,
there were aspects of the prosecution case which rendered it doubtful, and that
the defence might well have raised doubt in the mind of a reasonable court if
the doubtful aspects of the prosecution case had been fully considered. It
follows therefore that it would be unsafe to uphold this conviction.”
90. Mapera s/o Sendegyu v. R.,
Crim. App. 113-D-67; -/4/67; Saidi J
Accused was convicted of possession of a
muzzle – loading gun without a licence under section 13(1) of the Arms and
Ammunition Ordinance, Cap. 223. He was holding the gun for a third party, who
had pledged it to him as security for a loan.
Held:
(1) Accused, although not the owner of the gun pledged to him, was not entitled
to have it in his possession without.
(1967) H.C.D.
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22 –
A
firearms licence. Even if the owner had a licence, he “could not have handed
over his gun….without a temporary permit from the licensing authority.” (2) A
sentence of 6 months, under the circumstances, was to severe; sentence was
reduced to two months. (3) The true owner must be given opportunity of showing
cause why an order of forfeiture should not be made.
91 Volter Hopp v. R., Crim. App.
58-M-67; 31/3/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused said to one Paskali in the
presence of one Kassese, “Why have you not finished your work? What is wrong with
the African brain? African brain is the same as my anus.” Paskale was not
called as a witness at the trial of accused for using abusive or obscene
language in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace. Kassese, however,
testified that upon hearing accused ’s statements, he was “angry and annoyed.”
(Quote is from the High Court’s opinion, not the witness’ testimony.)
Held:
(1) Since the purpose of the statute is to prevent public disturbances as a
result of hearing offensive language, it is immaterial that the person to whom
the remarks are directed does not testify, or is himself not incited. (2)
Accepting Kassese’s evidence, as the trial court did, the conviction was
“perfectly justified.”
92. Korba s/o Farah v. R., Crim.
App. 590-D-66; 18/2/67; -------------, J
Accused was convicted of violating
section 3(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Ordinance, Chapter 400. The
evidence was that he had paid Shs. 300/- to an Area Commissioner in an attempt
to obtain a permit to transport maize. He was immediately arrested by two
constables who were in the vicinity by arrangement. Accused ’s defence was that
the Area Commissioner had no power to issue the permit. In addition to the
sentence prescribed by the Minimum Sentences Act, the trial court ordered that the
money handed to the Area Commissioner be forfeited by the accused.
Held:
(1) It is no defence that the Area Commissioner had no authority to issue the
desired permit since the accused intended that he act as an intermediary and
influence the members of the board empowered to issue such permits. Citing R.
v. Smith, 44 Crim. App. Rep. 55. Thus the action of the accused was “putrid,
vitiated and tainted.” Citing Emperor v. Rams Nana Hagvane, I L..R. Vol XLV1 (
93. Halidi s/o Athumani v. R., Crim.
App. 106-D-67; 12/4/67; Biron, J.
Accused was convicted, along with
another, of stealing. Complainant allegedly saw the co-accused standing outside
her hut with a bundle of her clothing, and saw the accused inside the hut. Both
men ran off, but the co-accused was caught. Accused passed by shortly
afterward, and complainant identified him as the second thief. The co-accused,
who did not appeal his conviction, stated that the accused had told him that
the hut belonged to his brother-in law, and that it would be proper to take the
clothing.
(1967) H.C.D.
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23 –
Held: (1) The statement of one accused which implicates another
is admissible only if it incriminates the speaker as well. Where, as here, the
statement is self-exculpatory, it cannot be admitted. (2) The conviction,
resting otherwise on complainant unreliable identification of accused, was
quashed.
94. Saidi Ali v. R., Crim. App.
849-M-66; 10/3/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of unlawful
possession of diamonds Diamond Industry Protection Ordinance, Cap. 129, s.
3(1). His alleged accomplice, in the presence of accused, attempted to sell
some diamonds to a third party, who was a police informed. The three were
together on two occasions on which the sale was negotiated, the accomplice
being in possession of the diamonds. The accused was not present for the
exchange of diamonds for money, at which time the accomplice was arrested. The accomplice
testified that he had told the informer, in the presence of the accused, that
the accused was the owner of the diamonds. The accused denied this, as did the
informer. The testimony of the accomplice differed in other respects with that
of the informer and with an unsworn statement by the accused.
Held(1)”(1)
t would not be safe” to accept the accomplice’s testimony, without “material
corroboration,” solely because of his impressive demeanor. “The first test was
to see whether (his story) was corroborated by other independent an material
evidence.” (2) To convict the accused, it would be necessary participated in
the negotiations in such a way that it could be said that he was in joint
possession of the diamonds ….” Appeal allowed, conviction and sentence set
aside.
95. R.v. Semberit Magnus Kassembere,
Crim. Rev. 44-D-67; 14/4/67; Biron, J.
Accused was convicted of assaulting a
police officer. He was intoxicated at the time of arrest. His conviction was
upheld, but sentence was reduced from eighteen months to nine months.
The
Court stated, obiter: (1)”I think it is open to argument as to whether
intoxication is or is not a mitigating factor in such an offence….. (1) t can
even constitute a defence where intent is a necessary ingredient of an
offence.” (2) “….. (A) s the accused ’s father is a lunatic, there may well be
some hereditary taint which would further affect the accused ’s judgment and
sense of responsibility.”
96. R.v. Milango s/o Misoji,
Crim. Rev. 95-M-66; 3/1/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted on his own plea of
defilement of a girl under the age of twelve years. (P. C. s.136(1).) His pleas
was as follows: “I did have sexual relations with this girl who is twelve years
of age.”
Held:
(1) Accused ’s statement could have meant either that the girl was twelve at
the time of the offence, or that she was twelve at time of his trial. The
former meaning would raise a defence under sub-section 2 of section 136 of the
Penal Code: his reasonable belief that the girl was not under twelve. The plea
of guilty was not, therefore, unequivocal. (2) As accused was properly
convicted of abduction (P. C. s. 134), and given a concurrent sentence on that
charge, no re-trial, was ordered. Conviction of defilement quashed.
(1967) H.C.D
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24 –
97. Shabani s/o Mvutakamba v. R.
Crim. App. 57-M-67; 16/3/67; Platt, J.
Complainant alleged that accused had
attacked and beaten him. Accused categorically denied this. There was not
independent corroborative evidence for either side. Because the evidence was
unclear the trial court conviction was quashed.
The
High Court stated, obiter: “The evidence of a single witness for the
prosecution can be relied upon to base a conviction, but of course the evidence
of single witness can only be accepted with care.”
98. Matonya Chima v.R. Crim. App.
89,90,91-D-67; Duff, J
Accused, aged fourteen sixteen and
seventeen years respectively, were convicted of rape. (P.C., ss. 13,130.) All three were sentenced to twelve months’
imprisonment, the magistrate stating that two were adults while the third was a
young person.
Held:
(1) Section 22 of the Children an Young Persons Ordinance, Cap. 13, prescribes
that no young person shall be imprisoned unless the court considers that “none
of the other methods of punishment are suitable.” The Court stated, “A more appropriate punishment
would have been corporal punishment.” (2) The sentences of all three were set
aside, and sentences substituted so as to result in their immediate release.
99. Damiel s/o Mugema v. R.,
Crim. App. 956-M-66; 23/3/67; Platt, J.
Accused were convicted of assaulting a police
officer. At the close of the prosecution case, accused Daniel Mugema informed
the court that he had expected to be represented by an advocate and requested
that the court adjourn the trial to permit him to obtain counsel. Prior to the
trial a letter had been written to the court stating that counsel had been
briefed, but this letter had been lost. The request for adjournment was denied.
The only indications in the record that the accused had been sentenced were
unsigned and undated judgments and unsigned warrants of commitment; there was
no record of any proceedings of any kind after the close of the defence case.
Held:
(1) If the accused delayed unreasonably, circumstances might warrant a refusal
to grant an adjournment at the trial so that he could obtain counsel. However,
in the present case the accused attempted prior to the trial to inform the
court by letter that he would be represented. His failure to request counsel at
the commencement of the trial is excusable because of his lack of knowledge of
the procedure to be followed. Citing Jaffrali Abdulla Haji v. R., I.T.L.R. 299.
(2) The failure of the record to disclose any sentencing proceedings and the
fact that the judgments were undated and unsigned and the orders of commitment
were unsigned constitute gross irregularity which should not be cured under
section 346 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The convictions were quashed.
100. Kahumbila Mgalula v. R., Crim.
App. 16-M-67; 23/3/67; Platt, J
Accused was convicted of cattle theft
under the general theft provision of the Penal Code (P.C. s. 265), and the
provision dealing specifically with cattle theft (P.C. s. 268). The latter
section provides for an enhanced sentence. Accused was sentenced to three years
imprisonment and twenty-four strokes.
(1967) H.C.D
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25 –
Under section 265, and to a concurrent
sentence of twelve months under section 268.
Held:
“Cattle theft is ….. charged under section 265 and 268 of the Penal Code and
requires only one sentence to be passed, “since cattle theft is an “ aggravated
form” of the “substantive offence” of theft. The concurrent sentence was set
aside as “superfluence”.
The
Court stated, obiter: (1) “(1) t would be better in future cases to
record the exact value based on such evidence as that of …… the owner” of
property stolen. (2) “(T) he learned magistrate should always record the age of
the accused.” Here, the authorities concerned had certified that the accused
was 40 years of age, and the sentence under the Minimum Sentences Act was
upheld.
101. Kareo Kisabasu Tills v. R.
Crim. App. 104-D-67; 14/4/67; Duff, J.
Accused, a chief clerk assigned to
courts in Panyoni, received a cheque, the proceeds of which were to be paid to
widow of a court messenger as payment from the National Provident Fund. He
cashed the cheque and misappropriated the money, for which he was convicted of
theft by public servant. (P.C. ss. 265, 270.) His appeal was held to be
groundless, but counsel for the Republic argued that the compensation order
should have directed payment to the Government and not to the widow.
Held:
Because the money belonged to the Government until handed over to the widow,
and because the Government would still be bound to pay the amount due from the
Provident Fund to her, the order should have directed payment to the
Government. The Court noted, “It is clear that the widow will receive payment
from the Government and it is doubtful that she would recover it from the
accused.”
102. John s/o Kiwanuka v. R. (PC)
Crim. App. 391-M-66; 23/3/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted in three separate
cases of housebreaking and stealing, and in a fourth case of school breaking
and stealing, in Primary Court. Sentences of two years and twenty-four strokes
were imposed for housebreaking, with one-year sentences for the thefts in those
cases ordered to run concurrently with the housebreaking sentences- and a
similar sentence was imposed in the school breaking –theft case; to run
concurrently with one of the housebreaking sentences – by the magistrate who
had tried all four cases. This magistrate ordered that the housebreaking
sentences should run consecutively, resulting in an effective order for six
years’ imprisonment and seventy-two strokes. On Appeal to the District Court,
the District magistrate confirmed each sentence but ordered that all four
should concurrently.
Held:
(1) Had the housebreaking charges been tried in a single case, concurrent
sentences could have been imposed, under Primary Courts Criminal Procedure,
paragraph 6. Moreover, only one sentence of corporal punishment could have been
imposed according to Corporal Punishment Ordinance, Cap. 17, s. 10. (2)
However, there is no provision in the Primary Courts Criminal Procedure Code
defining the magistrates’ power as to sentence imposed in two or more separate
cases. Section 36 of the Penal Code is “wide enough” to cover such a situation,
but it has not been re-enacted as Primary Court legislation—apparently only
because of legislative “oversight.’
(1967) H.C.D
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26 –
(3) Thus, in dealing with the charges in
separate trials, the magistrate “excluded,” and the sentences “must be
understood to be consecutive.” (4) The evidence does not support the school
breaking conviction: a conviction of receiving stolen goods and a sentence of
nine months is imposed thereon. (5)The “alarming result” is that the accused is
sentenced to six years and nine months’ imprisonment and seventy-two strokes.
(6) While the High Court has “no power to mitigate the severity of this
sentence,” the matter would be placed before the Attorney General for
consideration.
103. Celestin Alei Mzigo v. R.
Crim. App. 101-D-67; 13/4/67; Biron, J.
Accused was convicted of corruption,
having promised a bribe of Shs. 100/- and having offered a bribe of Shs. 40/-
to a police officer as inducements to
drop charges that accused was facing. Section 5(2) of the Minimum Sentences Act
allows the imposition of a sentence less than the prescribed minimum, where (a)
the accused is a first offender, (b) the sum involved is not more than Shs.
100/- and (c) there are “special circumstances” justifying such action. The
magistrate found no such “special circumstances”, and imposed a sentence of two
years’ imprisonment and twenty – four strokes.
Held:
The sentence was affirmed. The Court stated, “The learned magistrate had an
unfettered. Discretion in the matter and no objection can be taken to the exercise
of his discretion, nor can it be criticized.”
104. Ngoliba s/o Soli v. R.,
Crim. App. 111-D-67; 14/4/67; Duff, J.
Accused was convicted of attempting to
bribe a magistrate who was trying him on a charge of theft of meat. The sum
involved was Shs. 20/-. (Prevention of Corruption Ordinance, Cap. 400,s. 3(1).)
Accused was sentenced under the Minimum Sentences Act to two years’
imprisonment and twenty-four strokes.
Held:
Because the accused, a first offender, had done nothing “very sinister which
would justify a court in not invoking the provisions of section 5(2)” of the
Minimum Sentences Act –the provision for leniency in “special circumstances”
--- the Court set aside the magistrate’s sentence and substituted a sentence of
six months. The Court stated, and
substituted a sentence of six months. The Court stated, “…….I cannot think that
the rig ours of Cap. 526 were intended to a person such as the accused whose
crime was silly in the extreme.”
105. R. v. Mathew Andrew, Crim.
Rev. 11-D-67; -/-/67; Biron, J.
Accused was convicted of carrying
passengers for hire without a valid public service vehicle’s licence, and
sentenced to pay a fine of Shs. 35/- or serve one month’s imprisonment in
default. The conviction was quashed because it was based on hearsay evidence.
The
Court stated, obiter “……..(T) he sentence was manifestly inadequate, not
reflecting the seriousness with which the Legislature views such offence, as on
a first conviction the court may order the cancellation of the registration and
licence of the vehicle and on a second or subsequent conviction such cancellation
is mandatory.”
(1967)
H.C.D
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27 –
106. R. v. Mgomba s/o Makunya,(PC)
Crim. Rev. 2-D-67, 11/4/67; Saidi, J
Accused killed a goat but fled without
moving the care as when an alarm was raised. On these facts he was convicted of
cattle theft, and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment plus twenty four
strokes.
Held:
(1) Since there was no asportation proved (or alleged), the conviction was
improper, (2) A conviction of willfully and unlawfully killing an animal
contrary to section 325 of the Penal Code was substituted, and sentence was lowered
to three months imprisonment.
107. Abdul s/o Salumu v. R. (PC)
Crim. App. 746-M-66; 14/4/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
stealing before a primary court. The evidence established his possession of
stolen goods some twenty days after they had been taken, but failed to connect
him with the original taking. The District Court held that while a conviction
of burglary and theft was improper, accused could be convicted of receiving
stolen goods under section 311(1) of the Penal Code.
Held:
An accused ’s explanation of his possession of stolen goods need not be “reasonably
be true ……”
108. Mtematuku s/o Mlima v. R.,
Crim. App. 882-D-66; 4/3/67; Duff, J.
Accused was convicted of stealing a
watch, after having been charged with receiving the watch knowing or having
reason to believe the same to have been feloniously obtained.
Held:
“Nowhere is there a provision where by a court may convict an accused person of
stealing an article in respect of which he had been charged with receiving the
same article.” Section 181(2) of the Crim. Proc. Code permits a court to
convict an accused of a crime different than that with which he was charged
only when (a) the circumstances embodied
in the major charge necessarily and according to the definition imputed by that
charge constitute the minor offence also, and (b) the major charge as
formulated given the accused notice of all the circumstances going to constitute
the minor offence of which it is proposed that he no be convicted. (2) While
the theft conviction could not be upheld, there was ample evidence to support a
conviction of receiving stolen property knowing it to be stolen, and a
conviction for this offence was substituted by the High Court.
109.R. v. Ali s/o Nassoro, Crim.
Rev. 2-D-67; 28/4/67; Georges, C.J
The four accused were attending a
circumcision ceremony for males only. They discovered a female there, and forcibly
circumcised her. From their convictions of unlawful wounding and indecent
assault, they petitioned the High Court for clemency, alleging that they
sincerely feared that “dire consequences” would befall them and the boys being
circumcised unless the lady were punished in this particular manner. Accused
also requested bail pending investigation of their petition.
Held:
(1) If the accused ’s belief were genuine, it would properly be considered as
mitigating factor, even if it were
(1967) H.C.D.
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28 –
Not a “general held” tribal belief; in
the latter event how ever, their claim would be weakened. (20 Under section 321
of the Criminal Procedure Code, the High Court may grant bail to a convicted
person only when the person is entitled to appeal and enters an appeal. A
petition for clemency is not an appeal; the application for bail must be
dismissed.
110. R.v. Andrea s/o Katwera,
Crim. Rev. 23-D-67, Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of employing
another for the use of witchcraft, and ordered to pay a fine (Witchcraft
Ordinance, Cap. 18, ss. 5, 7) The Court’s judgment is reproduced below in its
entirety.
Held:
“Witchcraft practices must be discouraged. They
have always caused so much trouble. In many instances they are the cause
of murders. I agree that fines are not deterrent. Accordingly. The fine, which
has been paid, is to be refunded to the accused.
111. Kotak Limited v. Vallabhdas
Kooverji, Civ. App. 4-D-67; -/5/67; Hamlyn J.
Appellant filed a memorandum of appeal
and a copy of the ruling of the District Court, but failed to file a certified
copy of the District Court’s order.
Held:
(1) Rule 1 (1) of Civil Procedure Code, Order 39, provides in part, “The memorandum
… shall be accompanied by a copy of the decree appealed from and (unless the
Court dispenses therewith of the judgment on which it is founded.” This
requirement is extended to orders and rulings, respectively by rule 2 of Civil
Procedure Code, Order 40. Citing Munshiram & Co. v. Star Soda Water
Factory, 16 K.L.R. 50 (2) Orders are to be distinguished from rulings or judgments,
and the presentation of the ruling of the District Court did not obviate the
necessity of presenting the order as well. Citing Qasim Ali Khan v. Bhagwanta
Kunwar, 40 I. L. R. All 12; Bashiri Ram and others. V. The Municipal Committee
Chinior, 1922 Lahore A.I.R. 191. (3) The fact that appellant had applied to the
District Court for the proper documents does not excuse his failure to present
the order on appeal. The Appeal was dismissed.
112. Mohan’s v. A. G. Virjee,
Civ. App. 12-D-66; 17/5/67; Georges, C. J.
Plaintiff sued defendant for goods sold
and delivered. In finding for defendant , the magistrate considered at least
three matters which, for various reasons, should not have been considered. On
appeal, defendant’s counsel argued that the magistrate had held to that
defendant was not indebted, either because he did not order the goods or, if he
did order them, because he appeared to have paid for them --- and that
the evidence supported either view. The High Court seemed to agree that the
evidence would support such a view, “There is much merit in this approach.”
Held:
(T) he learned magistrate has imported into the case so many irrelevant
consideration that, in the absence of clear findings on the pertinent issues, it would not be wise to
conclude that he would made the findings which it is being inferred he had made
had he considered the matter properly.” Appeal allowed; new trial ordered.
113. Abdallah Tamim v. Saidi Ally,
(PC) Civ. App. 56-D-67; 23/5/67; Saidi J.
In June 1963, defendant agreed to sell a
boat to plaintiff for Shs. 1,500/- Plaintiff paid Shs. 500/- in advance and
took
114. Mohamedi Ngonyani v. Mtumwa Dodo,
(PC) Civ. App. 34-D-67; 6/5/67; Duff, J.
Defendant appeal an ejectment order
issued by a primary court with respect to premises which he occupied.
Held:
The case involved no matter of customary law (see Magistrates’ Courts Act, Cap.
537,s. 14) and the action is not one which the court is empowered to hear
pursuant to Part 11 of the First Schedule to Cap. 537. Therefore, the Primary
Court lacked jurisdiction. The case should have been instituted before the Rent
Restriction Board, and the court to which the matter should have been referred
is the Resident Magistrate’s (Rent Restriction (Amendment )(No. 2.) Act 1966,
s. 11A).
115. Range Chacha v. Elias Nyirabu,
(PC) Civil Application 24-M-66; 24/4/67; Platt, J
Plaintiff was divorced by his wife, and
there was evidence that she had deserted him for another man whom she later
married. Plaintiff sued her father for the return of cattle given as bride
wealth, in the Nyamwanga Primary Court. The Primary and District Courts came to
differing conclusions as to the number of cattle originally given, and as to
the number which had been repaid by the defendant. The Primary Court, finding
that six of thirty – eight cattle were as yet unreturned, ordered the return of
only two, on the grounds that the marriage had lasted four years and a child
had been born. The District Court ordered full repayment of the bride wealth, because
the divorce had been “due to the fault of the wife”.
Held:
(1) Under Paragraph 58 of the Local Customary Law (Declaration) Order of 1963,
“where a divorce was due entirely to the fault of the wife, no divorce can be
granted unless the full bride price is repaid.” (2) Although the defendant
might have been as much as “a month out of time in lodging his appeal” to the
High Court, he had produced evidence that he was sick during that time, and the
application would therefore be allowed. (3) The record was remitted to the
District Court for further evidence on the issue of the number of cattle originally
given.
The
court stated, Obiter; “(A) s the appellant has already been paid bride price a
second time on the second marriage of daughter, it would only be fair that he
should make full restitution of the bride price paid on the occasion of the
first marriage.”
Held:
As was found by the assessors in both courts below, “inheritance in this tribe
is traced through maternal uncles and this is exactly what had taken place in
this case.” Citing Vol 11, Kilosa District Rules 71 and page 6 of File No.
1/3/C/1 Provincial Office,
(1967) H.C.D.
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30 –
116. Naisikie s/o Lolemore v. Mbaya
s/o Ikayo, (PC) Civ. App. 166-D-65; 23/5/57; Saidi, J.
Mbarukuyu, the widow was originally
married to defendant’s brother to whom she bore three children. She left her
husband who thereafter died. After his death, she married plaintiff, who paid
the normal bride price to her father, but she soon left him. She had two more
children, the paternity of whom is uncertain. Plaintiff sued for the custody of
Mbarakuyu and the five children.
Held:
(1) The marriage to defendant’s brother was still in still existence at the
time Mbarakuyu married plaintiff; the bride price to her first husband had not
yet been repaid. (2)Under Masai custom, children born of a married woman in
such circumstances belong to the husband whose marriage has not been children,
who together with their mother were living with defendant, plaintiff’s appeal
was dismissed.
117. Paskazia d/o Bwahama v. Aloys
Cyrilo, (Pc) Civ. App. 182-D-65; 19/5/67; Saidi, J.
Plaintiff sued for the redemption of a
clan shamba under the Buhara customary law. The land allegedly was sold by
plaintiff’s brother, acting as administrator of plaintiff’s father’s estate, in
1937 to defendant’s father, from whom he
inherited it in 1953. The sale price was Shs. 3000/-. The signatures on the
documents of sale appeared to have been forged.
Held:
(1) According to the customary law of the Haya tribe, land is considered to be
the joint property of a clan and may be redeemed by a member of the clan if it
is sold to a stranger by an individual member. However, suits for redemption
should be brought within three months of the date of sale or of the date the
interested clan member first hears of the sale. Citing Hans Cory and Hartnoll,
Customary Law of the Haya Tribe. (2) Since the signatures on the sale documents
were forgeries, and since the sale price appears to have been below the value
of the land, the evidence supports a finding that no sale took place. Thus the
question of redemption of the shamba would not arise. (3) In order to support a
claim to the property based upon adverse possession, defendant must show that
he has been in continuous and uninterrupted possession of the shamba for twelve
years or more. (4) If he has not obtained title to the property by adverse
possession, defendant would nevertheless be entitled to fair compensation for
any improvements he may have made. The appeal was allowed and the case remitted
to the District Court the court which had heard the first appeal of the case)
for the trial of the issue of adverse possession.
118. Donald s/o Musa v. Tutilo s/o
Yonathan, (PC) Civ. App. 100-D-66; -/5/67; Saidi, J. A member of the Wakuguru
tribe of Kilosa didd: he was survived by four wives and twenty children. Plaintiff,
one of his sons, brought an action to recover possession of several cattle
which had been taken by the nephew of the deceased . The nephew the son of the
deceased’s sister, had acted as administrator of the estate and guardian of the
widows and children, according to an established custom of the Wakuguru, a
matrilineal tribe. He had claimed the cattle as “family property” i.e., inherited by deceased from the family, not acquired by
his own efforts – after dividing the other cattle among the other heirs.
(1967) H.C.D.
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29 –
Possession of the boat. The remainder of
the purchase price was to be paid within one month. Plaintiff paid Shs. 700/-
over the next several months but left his home in
Held:
(1) In these circumstances defendant was justified in seizing the boat, for
plaintiff had not honored the agreement (2) If defendant is to surrender
possession of the boat to plaintiff, as he is willing to do, he should be paid
the remainder of the purchase price and compensated for the necessary repairs.
(3) The trial court erred in awarding plaintiff damages for the profits
defendant earned while in possession of the boat.
(1967) H.C.D.
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31 –
119.
In an earlier judgment Warioba, the
brother of the present appellant, was ordered to pay compensation to the
present respondent for having committed adultery with his wife Because Warioba
had no property, several head of cattle belonging to appellant were seized by
respondent in satisfaction of the earlier judgment. Appellant brought this
action to recover the cattle.
Held:
Under customary law the respondent had a bon fide claim to the cattle and they
could be seized in satisfaction of the judgment. However, the High Court was
“satisfied that this law, if applied, would be repugnant to justice and
morality…..” The Court ordered that the cattle be returned to appellant.
120. Cosmas s/o Athuman v. R.,
Crim. App. 517-D-66; 19/5/66; 19/5/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
stealing. He appealed and filed a copy of the judgment of the trial court but
the record of the trial court had been lost.
Held;
The judgment of the trial court was not sufficiently elaborate to form the
basis for the consideration of the appeal. Although noting that it would “inevitably
cause inconvenience to the appellant, who has already been in jail since 5th
July 1966,” the court quashed the conviction and ordered that he be re-tried on
the same charges.
121. R. v. Ernest Telenga, Crim.
Rev. 20-M-67; 5/5/67; Platt, J.
Accused was charged under section 6 of
the Prevention of Corruption Ordinance, Cap. 400. The prosecution and defence
both presented their cases at the trial but before judgment was entered the
trial court found that it had no jurisdiction under section 14 of the
Ordinance. That section provides that if a person is charged under section 6,
there shall be no further proceedings without the written permission of the
Attorney General except by way of remand. The court thereafter allowed the
prosecutor’s request to withdraw the charge, under section 86(b) of the
Criminal Procedure Code. That section provides that if the withdrawal is made
after the defence has been given, the accused shall be acquitted. In an attempt
to avoid a bar to further proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions
moved in the present action to have all proceedings after arraignment be set
aside by way of revisional order.
Held:
(1) Section 329(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code provides that the court
shall have the power to alter or reverse findings in the case of any order
“other” than an order of acquittal.” Subsection (4) of that section provides,
“Nothing in this section shall be deemed to authorise the High Court to convert
a finding of acquittal into one of conviction.” Therefore, the court has no
jurisdiction. (2) The Court stated, Obiter, that the Director might be
able to state a case on the ground that he order of acquittal was without jurisdiction.
(1967) H. C. D
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32 –
122. Saidi Mtondo v. R. (PC)
Crim. App. 41-D-67; 24/5/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
stealing upon evidence that he was seen wearing a pair of trousers about five
days after they had been stolen from complainant’s house, which had been broken
into at night. Accused, from the time of his arrest, asserted that the trousers
had been left at his house by a friend whom he named. No attempt was made to
investigate this allegation or to trace the friend.
Held:
The onus is always on the prosecution to prove the charge beyond a reasonable
doubt; the accused need not prove the innocence nor the defence he puts forward
to the same extent the prosecution must establish its case. The accused having
from the start named his friend as the source of stolen trousers, it was the
duty of the prosecution to look for evidence to disprove this allegation. The
conviction was quashed.
123. Masalu Mpima v. R., Crim.
App. 88-M-67; 3/5/67; Platt, J.
Accused were convicted of burglary and
theft. At the time for the presentation of the defence case, accused requested
that certain witnesses, who were incarcerated in Malya Prison, be called to
testify. The trial court refused on the grounds that the witnesses would be unreliable
and that accused had not given sufficient advance notice of his request.
Held:
(1) Defence witnesses, if called for, should be allowed to appear in court and
give their evidence. The evidence can then be tested as to its reliability. (2)
The accused were not represented and may not have known of their power to have
witnesses called in advance. Moreover under section 206 of the Criminal
Procedure Code, they could elect to call the witness at the time for presentation
of the defence case even though and adjournment would have been required.
124. Idefence Mpendakazi v. R.,
Crim. App. 202-D-67; 12/5/67; Saidi, J.
The accused was convicted of cattle
theft. A confession which accused made before an Assistant Village Executive
Officer was admitted into evidence. The only other prosecution evidence was the
testimony of a twelve-year-old boy.
Held:
(1) A confession to the Assistant Village Executive Officer, who had the power
to arrest and detain persons suspected of having committed offences amounted to
a confession to a police officer and was inadmissible under section 25 of to a
police officer and was inadmissible under section 25 of the Indian Evidence
Act. (2) The testimony of the boy required corroboration and would not support
a conviction. The conviction was quashed.
125. Warioba s/o Kandose v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 216-M-66; 21/1/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft
(P.C. ss. 265,268) solely upon the testimony of the complaining witness. The
evidence presented was circumstantial. Other witnesses were mentioned in the
testimony but were not called at the trial.
Held:
Where the prosecution case is based upon the testimony of single witness, the
court must find that the testimony is absolutely reliable in order to convict. Careful
scrutiny of the testimony is especially important if the evidence is
circumstantial . Where available evidence has not been called, there is some
suspicion that the evidence would not support the allegation concerning it. The
conviction was quashed for insufficient evidence.
(1967) H.C.D.
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33 –
126. Paulo Tamvule v. R. Crim.
App. 85-M-67; 28/4/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of two counts of
office breaking. (P.C. s. 296(1).) With regard to each of the counts, there
were introduced into evidence pieces of glass on which accused ’s fingerprints
were allegedly found. All of this glass was at some time in the possession of
police officers who did not testify at the trial and the evidence did not
reveal the identity of all of the officers who had had possession of the glass.
The prosecution also introduced a fingerprint form, but the officer who had
taken the fingerprints did not testify nor did any other person who witnessed
the taking of the fingerprints and might have identified the forms.
Held:
(1) A clear chain of evidence was not established showing that the glass
examined by the expert was the same glass as was found at the scene of the
offences. It is not satisfactory for one police officer to say he took the
glass and the expert to say that another police officer gave him the glass
unless some explanation is given. In such circumstances there is not certainty
that the exhibits have not been tampered with. (2)Since the fingerprints form
introduced into evidence was not identified by the officer who prepared the
form or by any witness to its preparation, there is not evidence that the form
examined by the expert was that taken from the accused. The convictions were
quashed.
127. R. v. Petrol s/o Kakimala,
(PC) Crim. App. 590-M-66; 14/4/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of theft. After
the close of the evidence, but before judgment was entered, the court
investigated accused ’s character. The magistrate called accused ’s father, who
said accused stole from time to time, and had been in prison eight times.
Accused denied this, but was not given a further opportunity for rebuttal or
cross examination. The father had sent his son away from home more than thirty
years ago.
Held:
(1) An accused ’s character must not be put into evidence until after a
judgment of conviction has been entered. Such evidence is highly prejudicial
and proves nothing as to the offence charged. (2) This was not so clear a case
that the magistrate could not have been influenced by the character evidence.
Conviction quashed.
128. R. v. Christopher Makunja,
Crim. App. 225-M-67; 24/5/67; Platt, J
Accused was convicted of stealing by a
public servant (P.C. ss. 265, 270) and with failing to issue a ticket or
receipt within half an hour (East African Railways and Harbours Act, 1950, as
amended in 1953, s. 70(Q)). After the accused had given evidence he requested
that his only witness be called. The witness had been sitting in the courtroom
but had heard the testimony of the last
precut ion witness and of the accused.
For that reason the trial court refused to permit him to testify.
Held:
The witness should have been called and the court could then consider the
weight of his testimony. Since he was not called there is no way to determine
whether his testimony would have been affected by hearing the two prior
witnesses.
(1967) H.C.D.
-34
–
129. Henery Gervase v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 68-D-67; 10/5/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of stealing a
sheet and blanket. The evidence against him was that he was found in possession
of the sheet and blanket, which the complainant identified merely by stating.
“They are my property.”
Held:
“The acceptance of these bland assurances by the court lays the way open for
many dangers and such identification would not be in any way acceptable even in
a civil court…….” In a criminal case, claimant should be asked for “marks on
the property” before it is shown to him, “from which the ownership can be
established to the court beyond reasonable doubt.
130. R. v. Evadi s/o Sylivester,
Crim. Sass. 91-M-66; -/-67; ----------------, J.
Accused was convicted of murder (P. C. s.
196). There was evidence that accused and the deceased had quarreled in a pombe
shop and accused had threatened to set fire to the deceased’s house. Later that
night the deceased’s house burned. A body was found inside but was burned
beyond recognition. At the close of the prosecution case, the accused moved
that no case had been made out for him to answer.
Held:
(1) Death is provable by circumstantial evidence notwithstanding that neither
the body nor any trace of a body is found. Citing Regina v. Onufrejezyk, 1965
1, QB 388. Although the body could not be identified, there was sufficient
circumstantial evidence that deceased died in the fire. (2) The only evidence
connecting accused with the death was the threat he made the evening before the
fire. This evidence was insufficient to require accused to present his defence
case. Citing R. v. Sipirian (1947) 14 E.A.C.A. 72, The accused was found not
guilty.
131. Leo s/o Pigangoma v. R.,
Crim. App. 671-M-66; 17/4/67; Platt J.
Accused was convicted of assault causing
actual bodily harm (P.C. s. 241), common assault (P.C. s. 240) and malicious
damage to property (P.C. s. 326(1)). In the course of the assault, accused tore
complainant’s shirt and vest and broke his spectacles.
Held:
Where an assault takes place which causes damage to property worn by or in the
possession of the complainant, such damage is to be considered merely
incidental to the assault, rather than a separate offence, unless there is
evidence of willful damage to property as such. There was no such evidence in
this case. The conviction for malicious property damage was quashed.
132. R.v. Ally Kage, Crim. Rev.
14-A-66; 16/4/67; Bannernan, J.
Accused were convicted of prospecting
without authority (Cap. 123, s. 6). There was evidence that they had, without a
permit, mined stones and sold them for Shs. 65/-.
Held:
It was mandatory that the court order the forfeiture of the minerals in
addition to the fine imposed (Cap. 123, s. 5). Since the minerals had been
sold, the sale price should have been adjudged their fair value and that amount
should have been forfeited in addition to the fine.
(1967)H.C.D.
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35 –
133. Misago s/o Semumba v. R.
Crim. App. 97-D-67; 12/5/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
stealing. The trial commenced in November 1966 but was immediately adjourned.
When it was resumed in December 1966, accused was not properly charged nor was
he required to plead to any charges.
Held:
Where no pleading is taken the trial is a nullity. There has therefore been no
trial in these proceedings. The court made no specific order for re-trial,
which it considered a matter to be decided by the prosecutor.
134. David Mwita s/o Paulo v. R.
Crim. App. 560, 561-M-66; 18/4/67; Platt, J.
Accused were convicted of cattle theft.
The trial was heard by two magistrates, the first having heard the witnesses
for the prosecution, and the second the witnesses for the defence. Testimony of
the witnesses was in direct conflict as to material matters.
Held:
The outcome of the case depended entirely upon an evaluation of the credibility
of the witnesses. In these circumstances, the magistrate erred in accepting the
testimony of the prosecution witnesses whom he had never seen. The trial should
have been started de novo.
135. R. v. Shabani Hamisi, Crim.
Rev. 113-M-66; 21/4/66; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted on his own plea of
two traffic offences, including allowing his tractor to be driven on the road
without there being an insurance policy in force. (Cap. 169, s. 4(1).) For this
offence, he was fined Shs. 100/- or three weeks’ imprisonment.
Held:
That the accused was not himself driving the tractor when it was stopped does
not affect his responsibility for the failure to have it insured, since he had
given permission for the driver to take it on the road. Therefore, there was no
reason “special to the offence” for the
magistrate’s failure to disqualify the accused
from holding or obtaining a driving licence. Order of disqualification for
twelve months from the time of the offence was entered.
136. R. v. Caphas s/o Simon, Crim.
Sass. 150-M-66; 2/3/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of manslaughter.
The death arose out of a minor quarrel in a bar. The accused merely hit
deceased once with his hand, but deceased suffered from a very much enlarged
spleen which raptures and caused his death. The blow was not one which would be
expected to have been lethal.
Held:
In these circumstances imprisonment would not be proper. The court found it
advisable “to introduce an element of customary law by way of reducing
compensation to the widow of the deceased person.” It was ordered that accused
pay a fine of Shs. 75/- of which Shs. 500/- was to be paid to the widow under
section 178 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
137. Martin s/o Mwiyula v. R.
Crim App. 286-D-67; 22/5/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
attempted defilement of a girl under twelve years of age (P.C .ss. 294(1), 136
(2)), upon evidence that he had broken into a house and attempted the defilement.
(1967) H.C.D.
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36 –
Held:
As the attempted defilement was the outcome of the breaking and entering, the
sentences on the two violations should run concurrently and not consecutively
as the trial court ordered.
138. K. K. Namani v. R., Crim.
App. 115-D-67; 12/5/67; Duff, J.
Accused firm was convicted of failing to
keep records of oral contracts (Employment Ordinance, s. 35 (1),) 35(4) and
fined Shs. 400/- and Shs. 450/- respectively on the two counts.
Held:
The failure was caused by the fact that the firm had incomplete records; there
was nothing sinister in the commissions, and this was the firm’s first offence
against this section. In these circumstances the fines were excessive. A fine
of Shs. 100/- on both counts was substituted.
139. R. v. Hassani Omari Hassani,
Crim. Rev. 53-D-67; 8/5/67; Duff, J.
Accused was convicted inter alia, of
causing death by reckless or dangerous driving. He was fined Shs. 500/- or two
years’ in prisonment in default.
Held:
(1) The maximum term of imprisonment that could have been imposed in default of
such payment was a period of six months. (2) There is nothing in the record to
indicate what salary the accused was receiving. It is desirable to make an inquiry
into the financial means of the accused before determining the amount of a
fine. “(T) o impose a substantial fine on people of little or no means does not
indicate a proper judicial approach to the question of penalty.” A term of six
months’ imprisonment in default was substituted for the original two year term.
140. R.v. Finho s/o Lowio, Crim.
Cas. 78-D-67; 25/4/67; Duff, J.
Accused was fined Shs. 20/- or one
week’s imprisonment in default on each of three traffic offences, the fines to
cumulative but the terms of imprisonment in default to be concurrent.
Held:
Fines, by their very nature, cannot be concurrent; therefore, terms of
imprisonment in default of payment of separate fines also may not be concurrent.
141. R. v. James s/o Sulu, Crim.
Rev. 21-M-67; 13/5/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused was convicted of two counts, one
of forgery and one of uttering a false document. He was sentenced on each of
the two counts to a fine of Shs. 30/- or one month’s imprisonment in default on
each count, the terms to run concurrently.
Held:
The two terms of imprisonment on the two fines cannot be ordered to run concurrently,
but must be consecutive. (See. P.C. s. 29 (iii) (a).)
142. Omar Saidi v. R. Crim. App.
205-D-67; 12/5/67; Duff, J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
servant (P. C. s. 271) upon evidence that he had taken Shs. 120/- belonging to
Umoja wa Wanawake. The trial court found that the Minimum Sentences Act applied
to the offence.
Held:
(1) The Minimum Sentences Act was applicable only if the U.W.T is a
society, body, party or charity included in these mentioned in items 2 or 3 of
Part 1 of the Schedule to that Act. (2) Although U.W.T. is affiliated with
T.A.N.U.
(19670 H.C.D.
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37 -
It is not a political party within the
meaning of that term in items 2 or 3 of Part 1 of the Schedule. (3) It is
possible that the money stolen was from funds used for charitable purposes such
as those described in Part 1 of the Schedule to the Act, but no such evidence
was introduced. There for, the Minimum Sentences Act was inapplicable to this
case.
143. R. v. Calboake Camarasingha,
Crim, Rev. 46-D-67; 19/5/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by a
person employed in the public service. (P. C. ss. 270,265). The amount stolen
was Shs. 2000/- The trial court placed him on probation for two years upon the
condition that he repay the money and surrender his passport.
Held:
The minimum sentence of two years imprisonment was mandatory. Since the amount
involved exceeded Shs. 100/- special circumstances could not be entertained.
144. Makunya s/o Mjarangi v.R. Crim.
App/ 480-M-66; 8/3/67; Platt, J.
Accused pleaded guilty to possession of
bhang. In mitigation, he stated that he had formed the habit of smoking bhang
when he was a child, and was unable to stop. The magistrate sentenced him to
twelve months’ imprisonment, feeling that accused needed a sufficiently long
period away from the drug to enable him to break his habit. When the appeal was
heard, accused had completed his sentence, and no action could be taken.
The
Court stated, obiter; The trial court’s hope was perhaps “too pious,” a shorter
sentence should be imposed in such circumstances in the future.
145. R. v. John Muselema, Crim.
Rev. 49-D-67; 5/5/67; Duff, J.
Accused was convicted of being in
possession of property suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.
(P. C. s. 312). He received a sentence of two years. Accused was said to have
six previous convictions. He denied them, and the magistrate proceeded,
“without further ado, to take them into consideration in assessing the
punishment.”
Held:
(1) “It appears that only two (of the convictions were relevant.” (2) “(T) he
magistrate should have adverted to the provisions of section 143 of the
Criminal Procedure Code before holding that the convictions were relevant (3)
“In these circumstances I must hold that the previous convictions were not
proved, and the accused must be treated convictions were not proved, and the
accused must be treated as a first offender,” Sentence reduced to six months.
146. Kamili Sambulu v. R. Crim.
App. 39-D-67; 17/5/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of wrongful confinement
and sentenced to imprisonment for one year. He had a dispute with another, the
result of which was that accused locked the other man in a storage room for
twenty four hours without food or water. The only issue of substance on appeal
was the length of sentence. Accused had no prior convictions of any sort.
Held: (1) The offence here involved is a misdemeanor, Accused ’s
behavior does not merit the severe punishment meted our to him. Sentence was reduced to three months. (2) The person
damaged by accused ’s wrongful behavior has it open to him to bring a civil
action for false imprisonment, there by
punishing accused according to amount of harm inflicted by his actions.
(1967) H.C.D.
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38 –
This paragraph is to supplement the
digest of case number 81 (Masenu s/o Butili v. R., Crim. App. 379-M-66; 7/3/67;
Platt, J.) digested in Volume 1, Number 2. The digest of that case stated,
“Accused did not dispute that a garage was within the specified types of
buildings. “(See P. C. s. 296 (1). ) The digest should have read as follows;
The
court stated, obiter; Although accused did not raise the issue, it would
seem that a garage is not within the building specified in Penal Code Section
296 (1) This case affords another example of the necessity for amending that
section.
147. Laurian Kabobwe v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 147-D-67; 12/5/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of stealing
bananas under section 265 of the Penal Code. The sole dispute was whether the
accused or the complainant was the owner of the shamba from which the bananas
were taken. Section 258 of the Penal Code states: “A person who fraudulently
and without claim of right takes anything capable of being stolen… is said to
steal that thing.”
Held:
It is not theft to take goods under a genuine claim of right: “It is immaterial
whether such claim is properly based in law, as long as (the accused) believes
it to be good.” Conviction set aside.
148. Adam s/o Athumani v. R.,
Crim. App. 802-D-66; 5/4/67; Biron, J.
Accused was convicted of housebreaking,
stealing, and forgery upon evidence that on 17 July 1966 he was found in
possession of an obviously altered rate receipt stolen from the complainant’s
house on 1 May 1966. Eighteen shillings had also been stolen. On the day of the
instant conviction, accused was also convicted on an unrelated charge of
housebreaking. Because of the latter conviction, he was not treated as a first
offender with regard to the Minimum Sentences Act, 1963.
Held:
(1) The evidence of the possession of the stolen rate receipt, in the absence
of any explanation at all, fully supports the conviction under the doctrine of
recent possession. (2) The unrelated conviction occurred after the commission
of the instant offense and does not constitute a previous conviction so as to
disentitle accused from treatment as first offender under the Minimum Sentence
Act, 1963. Therefore, the court was empowered to consider whether special
circumstances justified imposition of a sentence less than the prescribed
minimum (Minimum Sentence Act, 1963,s. 5(2). The proceedings were remitted for
such consideration.
149. Kamando Mahinyira v. R. (PC)
Crim. App. 31-D-67; 16/5/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft
upon evidence that he was found in possession of a stolen bull four years after
the theft had taken place. From the outset, accused claimed that he had
received the bull from a third person in exchange for five goats. This third person
was jointly charged with accused but was acquitted after telling the court that
it was another bull which he had exchanged with accused.
Held; (1) It is doubtful whether the doctrine of recent
possession could be invoked after a period of four years. (2) The explanation
of possession by accused was not unreasonable; it would not be expected that
the co-accused would admit giving him
the stolen bull. Accused need not prove his explanation to
(1967) H.C.D.
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39 –
The entire satisfaction of the court. It
was the duty of the prosecution to prove the explanation false. The appeal was
allowed and the conviction quashed.
150. Saidi s/o Kasongo v. R.
Crim. App. 1-M-67; 24/4/67; Platt, J.
The accused were convicted of burglary
(P. C. s. 294(1)) and robbery (P. C. ss. 285, 286.) The facts stated by the
prosecution, which the accused accepted, were that the accused had broken into
the complainant’s house armed with weapons and forced him to give them Shs.
3025/-. In their pleas, two of the accused stated that they “robbed” complainant
of his money, and the third accused stated that they “forced” complainant to
give them money These were recorded as pleas of guilty.
Held:
Penal Code section 285 provides that the threat or actual use of violence is an
element in the crime of robbery. The words “robbed” and “forced” in the pleas
were used colloquially and do not in themselves show the threat or use of
actual violence. The facts presented by the prosecution –that the three armed
men told the complainant to give them fear in doing so was because they had
actually threatened or used violence against him. “ The convictions of robbery
were set aside and convictions of theft substituted.
151. Moses s/o Kalamu v. R.,
Crim. App. 678-M-66; 28/4/67;---------,J.
Accused was convicted of stealing as the
servant of the Tanganyika African Parents Association. (P.C. ss. 271, 265.)
There was evidence that he had received the money but had not recorded the
receipt in his accounts. However, there was no evidence that T.A.P.A. did not
receive the money at some subsequent time.
Held;
“(1) t must be shown that an accused has not only failed to account as a matter
of book entries but that he has failed to account at a time when he should have
accounted, there being evidence to show that the money was not to hand. The
prosecution must always show that an accused is not merely at fault through
negligence but guilty of theft.”
152. Jackson s/o Sumuni v. R.,
Crim. App. 89-M-67; 24/4/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of theft by public
servant and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and twenty-four strokes. He
pleaded guilty with the words, “It is true.” The statement to which he assented
averred that he was “personally responsible” for the loss of money.
Held:
(1) “It is true” is not an adequate plea of guilty. (2) The offence of theft by
public servant must include an actual theft; that the accused was “personally
responsible” for the loss may establish mere negligence. (3) Although a
conviction would necessitate a minimum sentence, the accused “would not really
be prejudiced” by a re-trial, since he “has not been long in prison.” Re-trial
ordered.
153. Tajdin P. Mamdani v. The New
Great Insurance Company of India, Ltd., Civ. App. 18-D-66; 15/6/67; Duff,
J.
This action involved claims under a
marine insurance policy . The appeal was properly filed together with a copy of
the decree of the court of first instance, against which this appeal was
brought. Respondent cross-appealed but did not file a copy of the decree.
(1967) H.C.D.
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40 –
Held: Order 39, rule 1, of the Civil Procedure Code, 1966,
provides that a memorandum of appeal “shall be accompanied by a copy of the
decree appealed from ….” The rule is imperative, and the cross-appeal must be
dismissed, even though the Court had before it the copy of the decree filed
with the appeal.
154. Salum s/o Rashidi v. Hadija d/o
Abdallah, (P.C) Civ. App. 61-D-66; 2/5/67; Saidi, J.
Plaintiff’s wife died shortly after the
birth of their son. The child remained with the wife’s sister until the age of
five years, when plaintiff brought this action for his custody. The Primary
Court ruled that plaintiff could have the child when he had reached the age of
seven years. Plaintiff applied for a copy of the judgment and the proceedings,
but did not receive them, and for this reason was unable to file his appeal
until the time (30 days) had expired.
Held:
(1) “Until (plaintiff) had received such a copy the period of thirty days’
limitation could not be said to have started to run against him. Normally the
time requisite for obtaining a copy of a judgment or an order appealed against
should be excluded in computing the period of thirty days …”
The
Court stated, obiter: “It would also appear that it is unfair for a court to
grant custody of a child to any person other than a parent who is keen and able
to maintain such child unless such parent is disqualified by unsuitable
character, such as loose morals or chronic drunkenness.
155. In re Shariff Jamal & Sons
Limited, Misc. Civ. Cause 23-D-67; 15/6/67; Duff, J.
The applicant company, which was
actively doing business, was struck from the rolls for failure to make the
necessary returns. The applicant moved, by means of a chamber summons, for
restoration to the Register of Companies. The only issue before the High Court
was whether the form of proceeding had been proper.
Held:
Such an application should be made by way of petition Citing In re National
Agricultural Credit Agency, Misc. Civ. Cause of 1967. However, in the absence
of any prejudice, the chamber summons was treated as a petition and restoration
was ordered.
156 Burns & Blane Limited v.
United Construction Company Limited, Civ. Case 4-D-66; 6/5/67; Duff, J.
Plaintiff sued for goods sold and
delivered and services rendered. Plaintiff had acted as a subcontractor to
defendant, the main contractor, on a construction project. Defendant did not
deny that it was liable under the contract. However, defendant alleged that plaintiff’s
recovery should be reduced by the amount of expenses which defendant had
incurred in correcting certain defects and also by the amount of a settlement
which defendant had made with a third party, the company for which the building
was being constructed, because of other defects in materials which plaintiff
had supplied.
Held:
(1) There was no privity of contract between plaintiff and the third party with
which defendant made the settlement, nor did defendant expend funds to correct
those defects in respect of which the settlement was made. Therefore, the
amount of the settlement should not be deducted from plaintiff’s
(1967) H.C.D
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41 –
Claim. (2) With respect to those
expenses incurred by defendant in correcting certain of plaintiff’s defects,
the damages sought by defendant were by way of set-off and should not be
treated as special damages which should have to be specially pleaded. These
damages should not, in equity, be rejected. Citing Habib Javer Nanji et. Al. v.
Vir Singh, (1962) E.A. 557. If plaintiff required further particulars as to
such damages, it was required to seek them, and it cannot now raise the matter
on appeal.
157. Manji Gangji Alidin v. Globe
Mercantile Corporation Ltd.,
Civ. Case 18-D-65; 15/6/67; Duff, J.
In March 1964 plaintiff contracted to
supply defendant with 70/80 tons of sisal before December 1964. By September
1964, 25 tons had been delivered. Defendant failed to pay for the last two
deliveries, claiming that it had the right to remove them to another place
after delivery and to reject them after an inspection there. Plaintiff had four
more tons of sisal prepared, but sold them to a third party at a loss after
defendant had stated its intention to reject them by disputing their quality.
The court found this sisal to have been of the required quality. Plaintiff also
claimed damages for 21 tons of sisal which were due under the contract but
which he had not produced at the time of defendant’s refusal of deliveries.
Held:
(1) With regard to the sisal which plaintiff had delivered, ownership passed at
the time they were delivered to the first warehouse. Thereafter, defendant could
not repudiate delivery, and its only remedy if the sisal was defective was to
sell at the best possible price and sue for the loss suffered. (2) With regard
to the sisal which was ready to be delivered, defendant in effect rejected delivery,
and plaintiff is entitled to the difference between the contract price and the
cost of production. (3) Plaintiff had the burden of proving that he would have
been able to complete the contract had it not been broken by defendant. He
failed to do so and cannot recover for any losses with respect to the sisal
which had not been produced at the time of the breach.
158. Bundile d/o Waziri v. Tekla d/o
Paul, (PC) Civ. App. 31-D-67; 6/6/67: Daff, J.
Plaintiff brought an action in Primary
Court seeking, inter alia, to have the register of business names amended.
Held:
Under section 7 of the Business Names (Registration) Ordinance, Cap. 213, the
amendment of the register of business names is a matter “purely within the
province of the High Court.” The Primary Court had no jurisdiction to deal with
this cause, and its order was properly quashed by the District Court.
159. Musa s/o Makono v. Rehema d/o
Hassani, (PC) Civ. App. 106-D-66, 31/5/67, Georges, C.J
Appellant was the uncle of respondent,
and executor of her father’s estate. The parties are Wagoni by tribe and Muslim
by religion. Appellant’s defence to respondent’s action for her share of the
estate was that the respondent had not treated him as an uncle, as she should
have done, and therefore she had forfeited her right to a share of her father
estate. Appellant conceded that he had no cause of action If Ngoni law was applicable.
(1967) H.C.D.
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42 –
Held: Ngoni law should be applied here. “There is nothing in
the circumstances of this case to show that the parties intended their
religious law to apply as their personal law rather than their tribal law.” The
trial court’s award of damages to respondent (with a minor adjustment was affirmed.
160. Salim Ramadhani v. Mariam Ikunga,
(PC) Civ. App. 23-D-67; 24/6/67; Georges, C.J.
This was a suit by a wife for part of
the produce of a field of rice which she helped her husband to cultivate to
before they were divorced. It was agreed that the field produced 10 bags of
rice.
Held:
Rule 71 of the Local Customary Law Declaration Order (1962) provides, “ A
farmer’s wife shall get 1/4 of the crops non-perennial or perennial, stored or
standing in the field, for the year during which divorce was granted.”
Accordingly, the wife was awarded 2.5 bags of rice.
161. Luth d/o Nkotwa v. Neva s/o
Mwandumbya, (PC) Civ. App. 60-D-66; 7/6/67; Duff, J
Plaintiff’s husband died in 1955, and
she was inherited by the defendant in the same year, consenting to be his wife.
They were divorced in 1966, at the instance of the defendant. Plaintiff brought
an action to recover property which she claimed constituted her late husband’s
estate.
Held:
The District Magistrate, having considered the Local Customary Law
(Declaration) Orders 1963, Government Notices 279 and 436 of 1963, and acting
on the recommendation of two assessors, correctly held that the defendant was
the late husband’s lawful heir, and that the wife was entitled only to
maintenance and to retain possession of her private property. The customary law
involved was not specified by the High Court.
162. Hemedi Shemmela v. Amiri
Shemmela, (PC) Civ. App. 7-D-67; 14/6/67 Hamlyn, J.
Appellant and respondent are each sons
of the deceased and claim a share in his estate. Appellant is the natural child
of deceased, but his mother was inherited by deceased when her first husband
died. Respondent claimed that because appellant is the son of an inherited
wife, he should not share in the estate.
Held:
Samba law is unclear on this issue, but the Court, upholding the court below,
held that even if appellant’s mother were an inherited wife, that did not
affect his right to a share in the estate. (Local Customary Law (Declaration)
Order, 1963, Rule 64.) Therefore, he should share in the estate on the same basis
as the other claimants.
163. Robert F. Lugakingira v. Leonard
F. Lugakingira, (LC) Civ. App. 13-D-63; -/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
This action concerned the division of a
house and plot among the heirs of deceased. The appellate court which first
heard the case conceded that according to Haya customary law, the house and
property were to be physically divided among the heirs. However, the court
noted that the dispute had led to much animosity among the claimants and that
criminal proceedings had arisen from the quarrels. Therefore,
(1967) H.C.D.
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43 –
The court decided that a “new remedy”
was required and ordered that the property be sold and the proceeds distributed
to the claimants.
Held:
Customary law originates from the repetitive decisions of persons who, by
general consent, act as arbiters. As conditions change, new concepts may
replace the old in such decisions. Citing Cory and Hartnoll, Customary Law of
the Haya Tribe, introduction; Kabaka v. Kitonto, (1965) E.A. 278. However a
custom derives its validity from the assent of the vative community, and changes
may not be imposed by a court of law. Citing Eskugbayo Eleko v. Nigeria Government,
(1931) A.C. 662, 673; Marko Kajubi v. Kulanima
Kabali, 11 E.A.C.A. 34. Therefore, the order of sale was incorrect and the
property itself must be distributed.
164. Kidukila d/o Alli v. Rashidi s/o
Rashidi, (PC) Civ. App. 10-D-67; 2/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
The precise nature of the action brought
by plaintiff is not clear, but the issue whether he and defendant had been
married under Islamic and Zaramo law. Although defendant had lived with him for
a number of years, and plaintiff had made a payment of Shs. 100/- to her
father, she argued that the payment was only a customary “introduction-fee” and
that it did not effect a marriage. The Primary Court found for defendant, the assessors
agreeing that plaintiff had not paid the required dowry and that, in any event,
the Islamic form of marriage had been followed in the Zaramo area for some time.
The District Court of Ilala found that there was a marriage, despite the advice
of the assessors that “neither by local custom nor by Islamic law did a true
marriage exist between the parties.”
Held:
Because the assessors were unanimous in saying that no marriage existed, and
because “there was nothing else on the record” to show the contrary, the
arrangement between the parties must be held not to have been a marriage.
165. Asukile s/o Mwakyoma v. Manyase
s/o Mainge, Civ. App. 19-D-67; Duff, J.
Plaintiff’s seven-year old daughter was
killed in a motor accident. In this action he sough damages of Shs. 1000/- for
loss of society, and Shs. 2200/- to compensate for the value of cattle he would
have received when she married.
Held:
(1) The measure of damages under the Law Reform (Fatal Accidents and Miscellaneous
Provisions) Ordinance, Chapter 360, is the dependant’s net cumulative loss
resulting from the deceased’s death. It must be shown that the dependant had a
reasonable expectation of pecuniary benefit if the deceased had lived. (2)
There was no evidence that the child assisted in domestic service and no
suggestion that she would have assisted had she lived. Therefore, the general
damages of Shs. 1000/- were not proven. (3) Damages with respect to the child’s
marriage were equally conjectural and must be rejected.
166. In re Petition by Habel Kasenha,
Misc. Civ. Cause 9-D-67; -/6/67; Saidi, J.
Petitioner received more than half the
votes cast at the preliminary nominations by the Branch Annual Conference.
Before the election for the seat in Ward 29 of the Mpwapwa District
(1967)
H.C.D.
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44 –
Council. The District Returning Officer
forwarded his name, with four others, to the District Executive Committee. He
testified, however, that for reasons contained in a “confidential letter” in
his possession, which letter “he did not wish to be read in Court,
“petitioner’s name was not recommended by the District Executive Committee.
Thus, two other candidates were nominated and the election was held.
Held:
(1) The proceeding of a meeting of a Branch Annual Conference “or any other
organ of the party” which is held under the Local Government (Elections ) Act
1966 are not subject to court review, by way of election petition or otherwise.
Citing section 78(2) of that Act. (2) The conference proceedings could not be
treated as tantamount to a by-election. “By-election have the same results as
elections – the designation of persons to fill given positions –when a vacancy
occurs other than at the usual time for elections. The proceedings here were
clearly preliminary to an election. Citing Local Government (Elections) Act
1966, s. 2(1); Local Government (Elections ) (Amendment) Act 1966, s. 7F
Petition dismissed.
167. In ro Petition by K. A. Thabit,
Misc. Civ. 5-D-67; -/6/67; Saidi J.
Petitioner, the unsuccessful candidate
in the election to the seat in Ward 10 of the Rufiji District Council, prays
that the election be declared void, because the election symbols given to him
and his rival were reversed on the ballot papers. Petitioner had been given the
symbol “House”, his opponent was given the symbol “Hoe”. The Returning Officer
testified that 75 per cent of the voters in the Rufiji District were illiterate
and were guided by the symbols rather than the names of the candidates.
Petitioner received 31 votes to 267 for his opponent.
Held:
It cannot be surely said that the results would be reversed had the symbols
been aligned with the proper names, so the petitioner cannot be declared
elected. The fairest solution would be to hold the election afresh, and the
High Court so ordered.
168. South India Corporation
(Travencore) Private Ltd. v. H. J. Stanley & Sons Ltd., Civ. Case
37-D-60, 14/6/67; Georges, C. J.
Defendant contracted to sell cashew nuts
to plaintiff, and this suit arose out of a dispute as to their quality. Two
samples of the nuts were taken and were sent for inspection to a company
(General Superintendents) nominated by plaintiff. With respect to one of these
samples defendant offered into evidence the original certificates of General
Superintendents stating the results of the inspection. With respect to the
other sample, the original certificate was not introduced, but defendant
offered a letter purporting to state the results of the test.
Ruled:
(1) Neither the certificate nor the letter were admissible as a business entry
under section 32 (2) of the Indian Evidence Act. To come within that section,
the business entry must deal with matters of fact rather than of expert opinion
as did this evidence. (2) The opinion of the expert must be given orally, and a
mere certificate by him is not evidence. Citing commentary of Indian Evidence
Act, section 45; Ratantal and Dhirajlal Thakore, The Law of Evidence, 14th
Ed., p. 133. (3) The original certificate was, however admissible as an
admission by plaintiff. Section 20 of the Indian Evidence Act, which applies to
both oral and written statements, provides, “Statement made by persons to whom
a party to the suit has
(1967) H.C.D.
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45 –
Expressly referred for information in
reference to a matter in dispute are admissions. “ (4) The letter constituted secondary
evidence of the original certificate and cannot be admitted until a proper
foundation has been laid.
169. Mohamed Hamisi v. Salum Alli,
(PC) Civ. App. 17-D-67; -/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
A woman deserted her husband, after
conceiving a child by him, and went to live with another man. The child was
born while she was living with this man. The issue was whether this man or the
husband was entitled to custody of the child.
Held;
The fact that the woman left her husband does not entitle her to a divorce. This
being so, her living with another man does not confer upon him the status of
husband. He has no claim to the custody of the child as it was conceived while
a valid marriage was in force.
170. Shomari Kitimu v. Kambi Selemani,
(PC) Civ. App. 1-D-66; 23/5/67; Saidi J.
Plaintiff brought this action against
his father –in-law in connection with his marriage to defendant’s daughter.
Plaintiff had obtained a divorce in 1964
but sometime later recalled his wife. She refused to return. The trial court
ordered defendant to order his daughter to return to plaintiff. Plaintiff had
previously brought three other actions in connection with these same matters.
Held
(1) Under Islamic Law, the recall had to be made within three months. (2) The
evidence presented at this trial and three previous trials fails to support
plaintiff’s claim that he recalled his former wife within three months of the
divorce. Defendant’s appeal was allowed.
The
Court stated, obiter: “I do not think that it is a good policy for a court of
law to order either spouse to return to the other against his or her will.”
171. Jayant D. Desai v. Hashi Warsama,
(PV) Civ. App. 51-D-66; -/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
An Asian doctor sued defendant, a
Somali, for house rent and medical fees. The Primary Court entered an ex parte
judgment in his favour. The District Court ruled that the Primary Court proceedings
were a nullity, since that court had no jurisdiction, recovery of rent being a
matter for the Rent Restriction Board. Plaintiff argued that the Primary Court did
have jurisdiction to hear the case as one involving “Customary law” since it is
“a custom of people to lease houses and pay rent therefore.”
Held:
“Customary Law” cannot be the basis of any proceedings between parties “who
meet on no common ground of legal procedure and jurisprudence.” Appeal
dismissed.
172. Cecilia Fernandes v. Noordin Ali
Vali Issa, Misc. Civ. App. 2-D-67; 29/A/67; Duff, J.
Appellent applied to the Rent
Restriction Board for a declaration that the room she occupied was in
residential premises, and for other relief against the respondents. At the time
of the application, the premises had been licensed as a “common lodging house”
by the City Council of Dar es Salaam, but it was not clear whether the licence
had been issued before or after the letting of the premises to appellant.
Because the licence had been issued, however, the Board dismissed the
application for want of jurisdiction.
(1967) H.C.D.
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46 –
Held: “It is obvious that a landlord cannot deprive a tenant of
the protection afforded by the Rent Restriction Act by an unilateral action on
his part, viz. the obtaining of a licence for a common lodging house in respect
of ….. premises which had previously been let …” The matter was referred to the
Resident Magistrate’s Court for a hearing de novo.
173. Fatuma d/o Amani v. Rashidi s/o
Athumani, (PC) Civ. App. 105-D-66; 25/5/67; Hamlyn, J
Defendant claimed to be the true wife of
the deceased. There was evidence that she had co-habited with him for a long
period, and two witnesses testified that deceased had told them that defendant
was his wife. The district court on appeal reversed a judgment for defendant.
Held:
(1) The common law principle that prolonged co-habitation raises a presumption
of marriage, where circumstances to the contrary do not arise should be
applied. There was no evidence to the contrary in the present case.(2) The
district court (the first appellate court) erred in giving no weight to the
testimony concerning the statement of deceased that defendant was his wife.
174. In re Abdallah Salim Ali
Ab-Salaam, Misc. Civ. 19-D-67; 15/6/67; Georges, C.J.
Applicant sought a court order prohibiting
enforcement of a notice which stated that he was a prohibited immigrant and
ordered him to leave Tanganyika within 24 hours. (Immigration Regulations 1964,
Regulation 13.) He contended that he was both a citizen and an African and,
therefore, was exempted from the Immigration Act by section 2(1) (a) and 2(1)
(b) thereof, Several witnesses, including several respected and well-informed
wazee, testified that they had known both the applicant and his mother for many
years and that both had been born in Tanganyika. There was also similar
evidence that his father was an Arab and his mother half-Arab and
half-Mnyamwezi. However at various times in the past, the applicant had claimed
in passport, visa and other official applications to have been born in Muscat
and to be a Muscat citizen.
Held:
Section 1(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1961 designates persons born in Tanganyika
as citizens, “(p)rovided that a person shall not be a citizen if neither of his
parents that a person shall not be a citizen if neither of his parents was born
in Tanganyika,” This section clearly requires only that one parent have been
born in Tanganyika. (2) Section 2(4) of the Immigration Act defines “African”
as including Swahilis. ”Swahili” is the name given to an ethnic group of the
coastal regions consisting of persons descended from the union of African and
certain non-African stocks, such as Arab or Somali. It is irrelevant whether
the union occurred one or many generations ago. Citing Purshottan Narandes
Kotak v. A. Ali Abdullah (1957) E.A. 321. Therefore, applicant’s evidence, if
believed, would prove he is on the applicant. (Immigration Act, ss. 22(a),
22(b).) However, his evidence here was sufficient to overcome the force of the
prior inconsistent statement he had made. Therefore, he cannot be deported.
175. Akber Morali Alibhai v. Total
Jamhuri Service Station. Civ. Case 43-D-65; 15/6/67; Duff, J.
(1967) H.C.D.
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47 –
Plaintiff and defendants were all
partners in an oil business, the profits of which were to be shared. Plaintiff
was appointed manager of the business and sued for unpaid salary of Shs.
34500/-
Held;
Plaintiff cannot sue his co-partners. To do so would establish a relationship
of creditor and debtor, and such a relationship cannot arise until after a
partnership has been dissolved and accounts have been taken. “The present
suit…. Involves a claim for salary by an employee against employers, a relationship
that does not exist.” The proper remedy was an action for a general or a limited
accounting. The suit was dismissed.
176. Attilia Mosca v. Hassanali
Kassam Damji, Civ, App. 2-D-67; 15/6/67; Duff, J.
Plaintiff obtained an ex parte decree
against defendant in an action on debt. Defendant applied to have the decree
set aside after the thirty-day period for so doing had expired. A summons had
been issued, but it was not clear whether it had been served.
Held:
(1) Article 164 of the Limitation Act requires the application to be filed
within thirty days of the date of the decree or, where the summons is not
served, the date when the applicant has “knowledge of the decree.” The Magistrate
must therefore determine whether the summons has been served (2) “Knowledge of
the decree” means knowledge “not merely that a decree has been passed by some
Court ….. but that a particular decree has been passed …. In a particular Court
in favour of a particular person for a particular sum. A.L.R. (1923) Bombay
193. Case remitted to the lower court for further directions.
177. Ali Nyamgunda v. Emilian Kihwili,
(PC) Civ. App. 68-D-66; 13/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
Plaintiff alleged that defendant had
made her pregnant. Plaintiff was successful, and submitted a Bill of Costs
including an Instructions Fee of Shs. 1500/- This amount was reduced by the
Taxing Master to Shs. 200/- The case was brought before the High Court on an
Application for Reference.
Held:
“(A)n order will be made on an Application for Reference upon Taxation only if
the officer dealing with the Bill has proceeded upon some wrong principle. The
certificate of the taxing officer will not be reviewed on a mere question of
quantum save in exceptional circumstances.” Citing In the Estate of Ogilvie;
Ogilvie v. Massey (1910) p. 243.
178. Esther David Mmari v. Emmanuel
Makaidi, Misc. Civ. Cause 8-D-67; 26/5/67; Georges, C.J.
Applicant, the father, sued respondent,
the mother, for custody of a child. The service of summons was defective in
that it failed to state affirmatively that respondent should appear and did not
specify the date, time or place for appearance. Service was rejected by
respondent. Later, the magistrate sent a letter to respondent advising her of
the hearing. However, there was no indication in the record that the letter was
posted, correctly addressed or received. Applicant was awarded custody of the
child. Respondent the filed this appeal within the required time, but the
notice of intention to file the appeal was filed out of time.
Held:
(1) This case justifies extension of the time for filing notice of intention to
appeal. (2) A court can proceed
(1967) H.C.D.
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48 –
To deal with a matter ex parte only
where there is proof that there was service of a proper summons on the absent
party. (3) The magistrate’s letter did not cure the defect in the service of
summons because there was not indication that it was received. The Court
stated, obiter, that it was in any event quite undesirable that a party should
be summoned to appear in court by a
letter signed by the magistrate.
The
Court also stated, obiter; Although there were allegations that respondent
could not take proper care of the child, there was not allegation and no
evidence that the father was in a better position to do so. Thus, the evidence would
in any event have been insufficient to support the award.
179. Ebrahim Abdulla Bahurmuz v. The
City Council of Dar es Salaam Civ. Case 73-D-66; 27/5/66; -----------, J.
Plaintiff brought this action against
the city Council of Dar es Salaam, and alleged erroneous
valuation of their property, which
defendant had acquired under the Town and Country Planning Ordinance. During
the taking of evidence concerning an unrelated preliminary point, testimony was
introduced suggesting that a mistake had been made, and that defendant’s
valuation had in fact referred to a neighboring house. Defendant then applied
for leave to present a third party notice against the owner or the neighboring
house, but did not specify what claim might be made against the third party. At
the time of the application the pleading were closed.
Held:
The court has a general discretion in all cases to allow or not to allow the
notice to be served, but it should not allow this procedure if the result will
be to embrass or delay a plaintiff. Such applications as a general rule will be
refused if not made until after the close of the pleadings. Citing Birmingham
and District Land Co. Ltd. V. London and North Western Railway Company 56 L. T.
702. The application was dismissed.
180. Saidi Sefu v. Aidan A. Mwambeta,
(PC) Civ. App. 37-D-67; -/5/67, Saidi, J.
Plaintiff’s daughter was seduced by
defendant; she did not become pregnant.
Held:
(1) Because no pregnancy resulted there can be no cause of action for loss of
services. (2) Damages can be claimed by the parents for injured feelings and
for the dishonors to the daughter and the family caused by the act of the
seducer. However, because no pregnancy
occurred the damages allowed are not
substantial. The High Court affirmed an award of Shs. 150/- damages to
plaintiff.
181. Halfani Salumu v. Hasifa Kondo,
(PC) Civ. App. 52-D-67; -/5/67, Saidi, J.
Respondent claimed damages for “the
expenses incurred by her in educating her daughter for six years on the ground
that the daughter was expelled from school because she was made pregnant by the
defendant.”
Held:
(1) The claim does not disclose a cause of action as presented because it is
the duty of a cause of action child. Expenses incurred for that purpose cannot
be claimed for the child’s education being cut short by intervening circumstances,
such as the ones in the instant case. (2) However, respondent was entitled to
damages for seduction of his daughter on the ground of loss of services, to the
extent of Shs. 600/-
(1967) H.C.D.
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49 –
The Court stated, obiter: “There is a
good case for a claim for the maintenance of the child who has been born as a
result of the pregnancy …… under the Affiliation Ordinance, Cap. 278,
182. Nasoro Asumani v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 77-D-67; 22/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused pleaded guilty to the charge of
failing to cultivate the minimum area prescribed and to plant it with cotton.
The appeal was dismissed as incompetent, but it raised the issue that his plot
had not been measured by the authority prior to being cultivated and that this
procedure was unjust.
The
Court stated, obiter: It is the duty of the accused to ensure that the area is
not less than that prescribed. However, many small – holders may be in doubt as
to what area does in fact constitute the minimum area and it is suggested that
the District Council or some other authority assist them by providing some
person to aid them in this matter.
183. Peter John v. R., Crim. App.
595-M-66; 17/5/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of receiving
stolen property and escape from lawful custody. In addition to a sentence of
imprisonment and corporal punishment, the trial court recommended his expulsion
as an undesirable person. (Expulsion of Undesirables Ordinance, Cap. 39,s.13.)
Accused was from Rwanda, had a long record of previous convictions, and had no
settled place of residence in Tanzania.
Held:
(1) Before making a recommendation for expulsion, a magistrate must consider
first, whether he has the power to make recommendation, secondly, whether the
public good appears to require it and thirdly, whether the public good appears
to require it and thirdly, whether disproportionate hardship would be caused to
the accused or his dependents. (2) Having convicted the accused of a felony,
the magistrate was empowered to make the recommendation in addition to the
sentence imposed. (3) Accused ’s previous convictions and bad character support
the conclusion that his expulsion would be in the public interest. (4) No undue
hardship would be caused accused. The Court noted that it was for the
authorities to decide whether it would be convenient for the Government to
arrange the expulsion.
184. Saidi Rajabu v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 40-D-67; 25/5/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted in a Primary Court
of stealing and housebreaking. The District Magistrate upheld the conviction,
one of his reasons being that the accused “was once convicted with similar
offence in October, 1966.”
Held:
This remark was “most improper”. The fact of such a conviction should carry no
eight in deciding a case on appeal. Conviction set aside.
185. R. v. Amosi s/o Mwakisitu,
Crim. Rev. 59-D-67; Duff, J.
Accused set fire to his house, to end
his relationship with his wife, whom he believed to have been unfaithful. He
was convicted of arson, under section 319(a) of the Penal Code.
Held;
This “It would be unlawful for him to set fire to his own property if a person
is in the premises or other building were endangered and were accidentally set
on fire …… In this case it appears that only the home of the accused was.
(1967) H.C.D.
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50 –
Damages and this cannot constitute arson
within the meaning of section 319 of the Penal Code.” Conviction quashed.
186. Bosco @ Lucas s/o Sungura v. R.,
Crim. App. 341-M-67, 2/6/67, Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of arson. The
evidence for the prosecution was that the appellant was heard by two witnesses
to utter threats to burn the complainant’s house almost immediately after the
house was seen to be on fire and the appellant was observed walking away from
it.
Held:
This was sufficient to support the appellant’s conviction if the magistrate
believed the testimony of the witnesses. Conviction was affirmed.
187. Paulo s/o Mwanjiti v. R.,
Crim. App. 316-D-66, 20/7/66, Otto, J.
Accused was convicted on two counts of
robbery. Posing as a police officer, he relieved two persons of Shs. 304/10
after “arresting” them. He took the money as “bail” and told the victims to
appear at the local police station the next day.
Held:
(1) Robbery, as defined in P. C. s. 285, involves stealing plus the use or
threat of violence by the accused. The evidence disclosed not use or threat of
violence, so the conviction of robbery could not be maintained. (2) The
evidence was, however, sufficient to support a charge of cheating contrary to
P.C. s. 304, conviction being substituted for the robbery conviction under
Crim. Proc. Code section 181 and 187. A sentence of 12 months imprisonment was
imposed on each count, sentence to run concurrently.
188. John Makindi v. R. (PC)
Crim. App. 679-M-66; 2/6/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused was convicted under Penal Code,
section 114 (a), with obstructing a court messenger in the execution of a
search warrant.
Held:
This section is in respect of contempt of court within the premises in which
any judicial proceeding is being had or taken. It does not apply to obstructing
the execution of a search warrant. The
conviction was quashed.
189. Rashidi s/o Hamisi v. R.,
District Court Criminal Appeal 39-Kondoa-67; 7/6/67; Inspection Note by Hamlyn,
J.
Accused was convicted in Primary Court
of unlawful wounding, and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. The
District Court enhanced the sentence to
eighteen months. Under the Third Schedule to the Magistrates’ Courts Act, 1963,
the “ordinary powers of the primary court do not exceed a twelve month’s term
of imprisonment.”
Noted:
Under section 17(b) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act, 1963, the decision of a
Primary Court may not be altered by a District Court so as to be in excess of
the jurisdiction of the Primary Court. Sentence set aside “in the reversionary
capacity of this Court;” twelve months’ imprisonment substituted.
190. Marcus Liopold Lupembe v. R.
Crim. App. 145-M-67; 7/6/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of theft by Public
servant. (P.C. ss. 265, 270.) He was in charge of paying compensation claims
and there was evidence that he failed to give the money to the rightful
claimants. His defence was the money had been paid to other persons by mistake
and there had been no theft. However, there was evidence that when an
accountant had notified him.
(1967) H.C.D.
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51 –
of the missing funds, he had stated that
he had lost them and made partial restitution.
Held:
(1) Both the admission that accused had lost the money and the evidence that he
had made partial restitution were admissible into evidence because these events
took place before the police had been called in to investigate the case. (2)
However, the admission might have referred to the fact that the money had been
paid by mistake to the wrong persons. Therefore, it was ambiguous. The
conviction was quashed for insufficient evidence.
191 Jeremius s/o Boramwendo v. R.,
Crim. App. 260-D-67; 9/6/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of housebreaking
and stealing solely on the basis of the testimony of an eight-year-old child
who saw the theft. The trial magistrate was satisfied that the child understood
the nature of an oath and was sufficiently intelligent to distinguish the truth
a lie. Therefore, the child was sworn.
Held:
A conviction cannot be based on the uncorroborated testimony of a child of
tender years. In the absence of any special circumstances, this proscription
applies to any child who is less than fourteen years old. Citing Kibageny Arap
Kolil v. R., (1959) E.A. 92. The conviction was quashed.
192. John Sheta v. R. Crim. App.
27-M-67; 31/5/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of forgery and
theft. During the trial he attempted to call a witness, but the magistrate
refused because that witness had been in court during part of the proceedings.
Held:
“It must always be remembered that though a witness has been in court, his evidence
is not therefore inadmissible, though it may well be that the weight of his
evidence is affected. But this is a matter which can only be tested after the
witness has given evidence.” Convictions quashed.
193. Adam Shabani v. R., Crim.
App. 149,150,151,152-M-67; 3/6/67; Platt, J.
Accused was one of four persons
convicted of robbery with violence (P.C. s. 286). He said that at the relevant
time he had been at home with his mother, and that he had sold some bananas to
a customer, while he was there. He did not call the customer as a witness. He
tried to call his mother, but the prosecutor objected, stating that she had
been present in the courtroom though out the trial. The magistrate sustained
the objection. He later stated that he was not “entirely” satisfied with the
defence.
Held:
(1) The fact that a witness for the defence may have been present during the
testimony of other witnesses “does not make his or her evidence inadmissible.
It is a matter of ascertaining the materiality of the evidence and the weight
to be attached to it.” (2) The refusal of this evidence, coupled with the
magistrate’s implied suggestion that accused ’s defence had had some force,
meant that the trial “was not carried out with fairness to the appellant, with
the result that it must be held a nullity.” Conviction quashed.
194. Ludovico s/o Kashaku v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 600, 601-M-66; 31/5/57; Platt, J.
(1967) H.C.D.
-52
–
Accused were convicted of burglary and
stealing, and were sentenced under the Minimum Sentences Act. They were
allegedly caught in the home of complainant after having broken in at night,
and complainant stated that Shs.100/- were taken. One of the accused was apprehended
on the spot, and the other was found later elsewhere; the second accused was identified
by the two men who had rescued the complainant. It was also alleged that the
first accused had been convicted of an offence previously, but this was not
proved. No finding was made as to the age of the first accused. The convictions
for stealing were set aside for lack of sufficient evidence.
Held:
(1) It is unsafe to support the conviction of the second accused, who was not
brought directly from the scene of the offence to the custody of the police, on
“the bare assertions of the witnesses that they had recognized him.” In the
circumstances, especially because it was dark when the offenders were found by
the witnesses, “there ought to be evidence showing clearly in what way they
were identified,” e.g., by the sound of their voices, their distinctive clothing,
etc. (2) Prior convictions cannot be considered in sentencing unless they are
admitted by the accused, or proved. (3) Where corporal punishment is involved a
specific finding as to the age of the accused must be made. (4) “As the charge
of theft had not been sustained and as the appellant had no proven previous convictions
it seems to me that this is a case where discretion should be exercised under
section 5(2) of the Minimum Sentences Act, “which allows leniency in appropriate
cases Conviction and sentence of second accused set aside; convictions of first
accused upheld, but sentence reduced to result in immediate release.
195. R. v. Iddi Noel, Crim. Rev.
65-D-67; 14/6/67; Georges, C.J.
Accused was convicted of entering a
dwelling house with intent to steal. The only evidence connecting accused with
the crime was the testimony of two children, neither of whom testified under
oath.
Held:
Criminal Procedure Code, section 152, requires that where evidence is given not
on oath or affirmation by a child, “the accused shall not be convicted unless
such evidence is corroborated by some other material evidence in support
thereof.” Unsworn testimony, which itself needs corroboration, cannot be used
as corroboration for other unsworn testimony.
196.
--------------------v.-----------------, Cim. App. 217-M-67; 10/6/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of theft by public
servant. (P.C. ss. 265, 270.) The trial magistrate was apparently not satisfied
with the prosecution evidence, and called a court witness to testify at the
close of the prosecution case.
The
Court stated, obiter; “Having in mind the recent decision of the Court
of Appeal in Criminal Appeal No. 50 of 1967 Charles s/o Murimi v. Republic
which unfortunately cut down the scope of a trial Court’s power in calling witnesses
under section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code where the prosecution had not
proved its case, the procedure adopted by the learned magistrate is doubtful.”
The conviction was quashed on other grounds.
(1967) H.C.D.
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53 –
197. R. v. Raphael Alphonse,
Crim. App. 213-M-67; 19/5/67; Platt J.
Accused was convicted of theft by public
servant. (Penal Code, ss. 265,270). The evidence showed that a cheque had been
forged and that accused, a clerk in the Public Works Department, had had ample
opportunity to commit the offence. A handwriting expert and accused ’s superior
both testified that the writing on the cheque was that of the accused; the
latter witness, however subsequently admitted that he was not certain.
Held:
(1) There must be some evidence connecting an accused with a forgery other than
the testimony of a handwriting analyst. (2) “ (O)pportunity alone does not
amount to corroboration unless the circumstances and locality of the
opportunity are such as in themselves amount to corroboration.” Citing Omari
s/o Hassan v. R., (1956) 23 E.A.C.A. 580. (3) As the evidence showed that
others also had had an opportunity to commit the offence, and did not with
certainty place the accused at the locality of the offence, at the time of the
offence, the result could be no more than a “grave suspicion” that the accused
was guilty. Conviction quashed.
198. R. v. Athumani s/o Mlia,
Crim. Sass. 83-D-67; 26/5/67; Georges, C. J.
Accused was charged with murder. The
policeman who arrested him testified that the victim had stated, in the
presence of the accused, that the accused had approached him in the victim’s
tea-shop to ask him for food, and that when he refused the accused had beaten
him. The victim’s son, apparently an infant also testified that the he saw the
accused strike his father with an iron bar. The assessors requested that a
medical investigation be conducted to determine whether the accused was legally
sane, but the request was denied.
Held:
(1) The policeman’s account of the victim’s statement was admissible under
section 32(1) of the Indian Evidence Act, as a statement “made by a person as
to the cause of his death, or as to any circumstances of the transaction which
resulted in his death” in a case in which “the cause of that person’s death”
came into question (2) While the child’s testimony was admitted, the court
should not rely heavily on his evidence. It was not given on oath, as he could
not understand the nature of an oath. (3) The refusal of food could not amount
to provocation. It would not be a wrongful act or insult. (4) The facts that
the accused had no apparent motive for the attack, that he was walking about
carrying a heavy burden (a gearbox and a gear shaft ), and that he did not run
away after the deed, did not raise a question as to the capacity of the accused
to understand the nature and quality of his act, so as to warrant a medical
investigation. The Accused was found guilty of murder as charged.
199. R. v. John s/o Mshindo,
Crim. Sass. 57-Iringa-67; 28/4/67; Hamlyn J.
Accused had pleaded guilty to
manslaughter, saying, “I killed as charged and admit that I killed unlawfully
but I did not intend to kill.” He had been set upon by a gang during a
beer-drinking quarrel and, apparently without trying to escape, killed one of
the gang with a pen knife. Act the time of the High Court judgment, the had
been in custody for six months.
(1967) H.C.D.
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54 –
Held: “I am aware that, in the difficulties in which (accused)
was placed, it is hard to consider what action he should take which complies
with the law, and that the struck without any intention of killing. He has however
pleaded that the blow was struck unlawfully. “ “
(T)he accused, having been in custody for the past six months, has been
punished, though it must be impressed upon him and the public that these beer
drinking quarrels must cease.” Sentence of one week’s imprisonment imposed.
200. R. v. Omari s/o Hassani,
Crim. Rev. 63-D-67; 12/6/67; Duff, J.
Accused was convicted of practicing
medicine without a licence. (Cap. 407, s. 36(1) (b).) There was not evidence
that he acquired or received anything of value.
Held:
An element of the offence is the receipt of something (monetary or otherwise)
for the medical service rendered. In the absence of such evidence, the
conviction was quashed.
201. Msine Ludivico s/o Niganya v.
R., Crim. App. 199-M-67; 7/6/67;
Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of practicing
medicine without being registered and without a licence (Medical Practitioners
and Dentists Ordinance, Cap. 409, s. 36(1)(b) and with doing grievous harm
(P.C. s.225). He was sentenced to concurrent sentences of twelve months on the
first charge and eighteen months on the second charge. The first charge alleged
that accused “did practice medicine for gain by injecting five persons. ……”
After all but two of the prosecution witnesses had testified, the second charge
of doing grievous harm during the injections to two named persons was added.
The magistrate did not advice accused of his right to recall the witnesses who
had testified before this charge was introduced.
Held:
(1) The first charge was not invalid because of duplicity. The offence is
of practicing medicine and section 2 of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists
Ordinance defines the term “practice medicine” as giving treatment or advice
“on one or more occasions for gain.” Therefore the several injections
constituted one offence. Citing Apothecaries Company v. Jones (1893) 1.Q.B.
889; Attorney General v. Ayre (1951) K.L.R. vol. XX1V, Part 11, p. 126. (2) The
second charge, which alleged grievous harm to two people was invalid for
duplicity. (3) The second charge was completely different from the first with
respect to the evidence required. Therefore, the failure of the magistrate to
advise accused of the right to recall witnesses who had testified before the
charge was introduced or to call such witnesses himself was prejudicial. (4)
Although the sentence was lenient, the trial court determined the sentence by
proper methods and it should not be disturbed merely because the appellate
court might itself have imposed a more severe sentence.
202. Musa s/o Kiumbe v. R., Crim.
App. 813, 817, 856-M-66; 31/5/67; Platt, J.
The three accused were convicted of robbery.
On appeal they urged, inter alia, that they had been debarred from calling
defence witnesses. The trial record was unclear and incomplete as to what, if
any, requests for witnesses had been made.
(1967) H.C.D.
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55 –
Held: Normally the record would be returned to the trial
magistrate for certificate stating what had occurred. But here the appellants
have been in custody for some time and to delay the appeal further would cause
injustice. “As the record is incomplete the appellants must be given the benefit
of doubt that the trial may not have been conducted with complete fairness. I
have no doubt that the learned trial magistrate will in future record whether
or not an accused person wishes to call defence witnesses, and in the event of
witnesses for the defence being applied for, he will no doubt call such
witnesses or record his reasons for refusing the application. If this procedure
is followed accused persons will not then be able to challenge the fairness of
the trial.” The convictions were quashed.
203. R. v. Remiguis Bakari,
District Court Crim. Case 43-Mbinga-67; Inspection Note by Saidi, J
The Court noted. “(I)n scheduled
offences, such as (cattle theft), the return must show that an order for
compensation has been made in respect of stolen goods that have not been
recovered and where all goods stolen have been recovered and restored to the
owner this fact must be shown in column 11 of the return.”
204. R. v. Charles Kisengedo,
Crim. Rev. 62-D-67; 29/5/67; Duff, J.
Accused was convicted of rape under
section 131 of the Penal Code. The complainant, a school girl aged 15, gave the
only evidence implicating the accused
Held:
“(I)n sexual cases independent corroboration of the complainant’s story,
implicating the accused, will be required notwithstanding the trial court’s
warning itself of the danger of convicting without it……” Conviction quashed.
205. Henry Kitelaeya v. R., Crim.
App. 200-M-67, 4/6/67, Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of rape, on the
testimony of the woman who was raped, and of two people who saw the victim
shortly after she was raped, but who never saw accused.
Held:
The mere allegation of a rape victim is insufficient to sustain a conviction of
rape. The testimony of the two witnesses who saw the victim after she was raped
supplied no corroboration because their only basis for believing that accused
committed the rape was the word of the victim. Conviction and sentence were
quashed.
206. N. J. M. Mendoza v. R.,
Crim. App. 284-D-67; 9/6/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of using a motor
vehicle without an appropriate licence (Traffic Ordinance, s. 6), and using a
motor vehicle without third party insurance (Motor Vehicle Insurance Ordinance,
ss. 491), 4(2). In addition to the fines imposed, he was disqualified from
holding or obtaining a driving licence for twelve months in respect of the
latter offence.
Held:
Under the Ordinance, disqualification from obtaining or holding a licence is
automatic in the absence of “special reasons” for allowing an accused to retain
his licence. These “special reasons” must relate to the commission of the
offence rather than to personal circumstances. Citing R. v. Ali s/o Hamisi,
High Court Bulleting No. 78 of 1963.
(1967) H.C.D.
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56 –
Accused must be so informed and given an
opportunity to suggest such special reasons. Citing R.v.John Gedeon and Simon
Jeremiag, (1957) E.A.664; R. v. Azizi Mrimbe, High Court Bulletin No. 204 of
1964.
207. R. v. Pauni Nasinda,
Resident Magistrates’ Court Crim. Case 2850-Moshi-66; 14/6/67; Inspection Note
by Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of attempted rape.
He was sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment, of which 6 months were suspended.
The
court noted: after suggesting that the sentence was perhaps too lenient, that
the magistrate “might consider compensation in cases where the complainant has
been injured.”
208. R. v. Morris Kyamanywa,
Crim. Rev. 25-M-67; 6/6/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of unlawful
wounding (P.C. s. 228(1) for severely cutting his wife with a panga. Accused
was ordered, inter alia, to pay Shs. 500/- compensation to his wife.
Held:
In principle, compensation between spouses ought to be limited. If the marriage
is still subsisting ordering a large payment from one spouse to the other can
only result in difficulty and aggravate the differences between the spouses.
Compensation was reduced to Shs. 200/-
209. R. v. Saidi s/o Abdallah,
Crim. Rev. 56-D-67; 6/6/67, Saidi, J.
The only issue considered by the High
Court was that of the sentence imposed. The district magistrate sentenced
accused “to go to prison for 2 years and 24 strokes if he is below 45 year
subject to medical examination as to his age.” In mitigation the accused had
stated, inter alia, that he was about 4 8 year old.
Held:
The trial court should have heard medical evidence as to the age of accused,
made a finding of fact on that issue, and then passed sentence accordingly. The
case was remanded to Theo trial court for the hearing of medical evidence and
proper sentencing.
210. R.v. Athumani s/o Selemani,
Crim. Rev. 64-D-67; -/-/67; Saidi, J.
Accused were convicted of assaulting a
police officer, resisting lawful arrest and obstructing a police officer. The
first accused was fined Shs. 800/- or 12 months imprisonment in default on one
count, and Shs. 100/- or 3 months on the second and third counts. The second
and third accused were each sentenced to 2 months’ imprisonment on counts 1 and
2, the sentences to run concurrently. At the time of the High Court judgment,
the latter accused had served their sentences. Nothing on the record indicated
that the first accused was able to pay the fine imposed.
Held;
(1) The fines imposed on the first accused were set aside as excessive, there
being “nothing on the record indicating that the accused was able to pay so
large a fine.” Fines “should bear reasonable relation to the accused ’s power to pay…..” Citing Mohamed Juma v. Rex,
1T.L.R.257; Nyakulina d/o Chacha v. Rex, 1 T.L.R. 341. (2) Under section 29 of
the Penal Code, the maximum term of imprisonment in default of payment of any
fine is six months. (3) As the accused were all first offenders, the magistrate
“should have imposed exactly the same sentence on all of them.’
(1967) H.C.D.
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57 –
The sentence of the first accused was
reduced to result in immediate release.
211. R. v. Doti Bakari, Crim.
Rev. 58-D-67, 25/5/67, Duff, J.
Accused was convicted of recklessly and
negligently setting fire to complainant’s crops, for which a three month
sentence was imposed. In addition, accused was ordered to pay Shs. 3200/- to
complainant by way of compensation for the damage he had caused.
Held
(1) Section 176 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code limits the amount of compensation
that may be awarded in cases not arising under the Minimum Sentences Act to
Shs. 2000/- (2) It is open to complainant to institute civil proceedings if he
deems Shs. 2,000/- to be insufficient to cover his losses.
212. Mbaruku Ndima v. R., Crim.
App. 78-D-67; 24/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused were convicted of assault
occasioning actual bodily harm. (P.C. s. 241) Each was sentenced to a fine of
Shs. 500/-, or six months’ imprisonment in liou thereof, and to pay
compensation of Shs. 40/- to each injured person. In imposing this heavy
sentence, the magistrate stated that crimes of this nature were very common in
the area.
Held:
This was a proper factor to consider in assessing sentence. The Court stated,
obiter; “(N)ormally if the prosecutor alleges
such a state of affairs it is as well that he makes the allegation in court
before the accused and the letter be given an opportunity to contradict or
comment upon it.” The appeals were dismissed.
213. Allen s/o Nyelo v. R., Crim.
App. 311-D-67; 14/6/67; Geoges, C. J.
Accused was convicted of theft and
sentenced 2.5 years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes under the Minimum Sentence Act. The sum involved was
Shs. 440/- In passing sentence, the magistrate observed, “It is agonizing to
note that thievish mentality is spreading like barn fire or contagious disease
and the public funds are at great stake. My hatred for thieves knows no bounds and
I consider a tougher punishment should be imposed.”
Held:
“(T)he minimum sentence fixed by law takes into account the public abhorrence
for the offence …. And the need for deterrent punishment. Though it is a
minimum sentence and not a maximum, it should be increased only where there are
circumstances of aggravation – where a large sum was stolen or where there are
previous convictions or a grave abuse of position of trust.” As there were to
such circumstances here, the term of imprisonment was reduced to the statutory
minimum of 2 years.
214. R. v. Masanja Zengo, Crim
Rev. 24-M-67, 22/5/67, Mustafa, J.
Accused was convicted of breaking into a
school building with intent to steal, contrary to section 297 of the Penal
Code. The trial magistrate found that breaking into a school was a scheduled
offence under the Minimum Sentences Act, whereupon he sentenced accused to two
years and twenty-four strokes.
Held:
“(A)n offence contrary to section 297 of
the Penal Code is not within the mischief of the Minimum Sentence.
(1967) H.C.D.
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58 –
Act. In the circumstances, I set aside
the sentence of corporal punishment. In the result, the accused will serve only
two years imprisonment.”
215. Rashidi s/o Ally v. R. Crim.
App. 241-D-67, 9/6/67, Georges, C. J.
Accused was convicted of burglary. The
only question on appeal involved consideration of
Accused ’s alleged criminal record for
purposes of sentencing. Of four alleged convictions, accused denied three and,
while admitting one, said it was for assault and not a theft offence. No corroborative
proof of the convictions was put forth by the prosecution.
Held:
“When an accused person denies a conviction appearing on his record, it is necessary
to call someone who was present at the conviction –preferably the police
complainant ---- to prove the conviction. Entries may be made in files in
error, and since previous conviction affect the severity of sentence …… they
must be strictly proved. Where they are not strictly proved, they cannot be
taken into account in sentencing.” Sentence was reduced from 3 years and 30
strokes to 2 years and 24 strokes.
216. R. v. Teodosia s/o Alifa,
District Court Crim. Case 252 Mbeya 67; -/-/67; Inspection Note by Saidi, J.
The accused, young men of 18 and 19
years of age, one of whom was a student,
were convicted on their own pleas of stealing certain properties of Frelimo, a
political party. Neither had been convicted previously. Both were sentenced to
one month’s imprisonment, and had already served their sentence at the time of
the High Court judgment.
The
Court noted, “This Court has repeatedly raised objection to short prison
sentences such as the one imposed in the present case, for the reason that they
hardly serve any good purpose and apart from this they tend to bring the
convicts in contact with experienced criminals and make it difficult for them
to reform.” The case was thought suitable for a conditional discharge order, a
binding over order, or a probation order,
217. R. Nsee s/o Loti, District
Court Crim. Case 1574-Moshi-66; 16/6/67; Inspection Note by Platt, J.
Accused pleaded guilty to three charges
of violating sections 49(1) and 53 of the Fauna Conservation Ordinance, Chapter
302. He was sentenced to a fine of Shs. 50/- or two week’s imprisonment in
default of each count, the sentences of imprisonment to run consecutively.
However, the magistrate suspended both the fines and terms of imprisonment for
one year provided the accused was of good behavior and did not commit a similar
offence.
The
Court noted: (1) The result of the order was that the accused received
no punishment at all. Such an order does nothing to aid enforcement of the ordinance
and it was not a responsible sentence to impose (2) Section 294 (A)(1) of the
Criminal Procedure Code provides that “the court may pass a sentence of imprisonment
but order the operation of the whole or any part of the sentence to be
suspended ……”. The section does not apply to sentences by way of fine, and the
order was therefore improper.
(1967) H.C.D.
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59 –
218. Michael Zephania v. R.,
Crim. App. 169-M-67; 17/5/67; Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft (P.C.
ss. 268, 265 ) upon evidence that he stole a goat carcass which his dogs had
previously killed.
Held:
(1) Marginal notes to a statute cannot control the content of the sections to
which they refer. However, they may be borne in mind in construing the
sections. (Citing Mohamed
Murtadha v. Reg. (1954) 21 E.A.C.A. 90;
Stephens v. Cuckfield Rural District Council (1960) 2 A.E.R. 716.) (2) The
marginal note to Penal Code section 257 refers to “things capable of being
stolen.” The substance of this section refers to animate as well as inanimate classifications.
Because the words of the marginal note to section 257 were reproduced almost
verbatim in the substantive portion of section 265, they may be taken as part
of the Penal Code. (Citing Halsbury’s Laws of England, 3rd Edn.,
Vol. 36, pp. 373, 374.) Therefore, the word “thing” in other sections of the
Code may be taken to refer to either animals or inanimate objects according to
the sense of the particular section. Thus the word “thing” in section 268 does
not demonstrate that that section refers to carcasses of animals (3) Penal
Code, section 268 leaves ambiguous whether that section applies to animal
carcasses, and the marginal not – “cattle theft” – should be borne in mind. Interpreting the section in light of the marginal note,
the ambiguity should be resolved by limiting the application of the section to
live animals. A conviction of simple theft was substituted.
219. Ale s/o Iddi v. R. Crim.
App. 64-A-67; 22/6/67, Geoges, C.J.
Accused was convicted of theft on the
following facts. Complainant gave him shs. 580/- of old Tanzanian notes to be
exchanged for new notes. Although complainant wanted all the money back,
accused returned only Shs. 400/- in new notes giving complainant a written
acknowledgement of Shs. 180/- not paid. Accused kept avoiding complainant, who
finally brought the matter to the attention of the police. Accused ’s defence
was that the Shs. 180/- constituted a loan.
Held:
A person who uses money entrusted to him voluntarily by another may be guilty
of larceny even if he intends to repay it. Accused may have intended to repay,
but the evidence established that he used complainant’s money for his own
purposes without permission to do so. The conviction for theft was upheld.
220. Bandama Johnson Mahindi v. R.,
Crim. App. 229-M-67; 8/6/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused was convicted on five counts of
obtaining money by false pretences. None of the counts set out the nature of
the false pretences.
Held:
The charge was clearly defective because of the omission. The conviction and sentence
were quashed.
221. Charles s/o Mumba v. R.,
Crim. App. 176-D-67; -/6/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of possessing
property suspected to have been stolen (P.C. s. 312). The goods were found in
an unfinished building, but it was not known how the had come to that place.
The circumstances of accused ’s arrest were not detailed by the High Court, but
“he was not detained at first by a police officer.”
(1967) H.C.D.
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60 –
Held: Under the “very technical” section 312, “the accused must
first be detained by a police officer exercising his powers under section 24 of
the Criminal Procedure Code and …… at the time of such detention the accused
person must be conveying the thing or things suspected of having been stolen
…..” Possession of such goods in a building would be punishable under this
section only if it occurred during “the course of a journey.” Citing
The
Court stated, obiter: (I)t is now high time to review the provisions of section
312 ……. And remove some of its strict technicalities. Its application if too
limited to be of such use and its strict technicalities provide ample room for
ostensible offenders to escape from the arms of the law, making the law
entirely unintelligible to the unsophisticated public.
222. Daniel s/o Stephen v. R.,
Crim. App. 567-M-66; 15/5/67; Platt, J.
Accused were convicted of shop-breaking
and stealing. (P.C. s. 296(1), 265.) The theft took place in a bar. The primary
evidence against accused was the confession of a third accused which implicated
them. There was also evidence that the goods were found buried on premises
which accused shared with three others.
Held:
(1) The confession of the accomplice ought to have been corroborated before it
was accepted; this was not a case where the accomplice evidence was such that
it could be relied on alone. Section 30 of the Indian Evidence Act provides
that a confession of one accused “may be taken into account against a
co-accused, but there is settled authority that there must be other evidence as
well. (2) Because accused shared the premises with other, It could not be said
that finding the goods on the premises proved their possession of the goods.
Since there was no significant evidence corroborating the confession, the convictions
were quashed.
223. Alfred Christopher Carere v. R.,
Crim. App. 229-D-67; 31/5/67; Georges, C. J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
persons in the public service. (P.C. ss. 265, 270.) In his capacity as
commercial manager for Radio Tanzania, accused arranged with third persons for
the production of a radio programme. The programme was to be sponsored, and was
not to be produced by Radio Tanzania. However, circulars sent to advertisers
suggested that the programme was a Radio Tanzania production and that fees
which they paid would be paid to Radio Tanzania. After confused negotiations,
accused himself formed a firm which sponsored the programme and the fees were
retained by this firm.
Held:
Accused was under no obligation to pay the funds to Radio
224. Francis s/o Kitana v. R., Crim.
App. 918-M-66, 31/3/67, Platt, J.
(1967) H.C.D.
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61 –
Accused, a teacher in a secondary
school, was convicted of stealing and theft by public servant. (P.C. ss. 265,
270.) Under the authorized procedure for paying school fees, the students were
to pay the fees directly to the appropriate government officials, and accused
was merely to record their receipt in the school register. However there was
evidence that, contrary to this procedure, accused himself had received fees
from the students and had failed to account for them.
Held:
(1) Accused was acting as the agent of the students in receiving the fees and
not as the agent of the government officials. He had not duty or authority to
collect the fees and, therefore, did not receive the money by virtue of his
employment. The conviction of theft by public servant was quashed. (2) Accused
could have been charged with theft by agent contrary to section 273 (b) of the
Penal Code. However, a conviction under this section cannot be substituted on appeal
because it is not a lesser offence included within the offence of theft by
public servant.
225. Kombo s/o Haji Ngenge v. R.,
Crim. App. 337-D-67; 22/6/67; Georges, C.J.
Thirteen members of the Dar es Salaam
Charcoal Union marched to the Forestry Office with the intention, as they later
put it, to commandeer it in the name of “Commercial Revolution.” Entering the
premises over the clerk’s objections, they placed a board outside the office
and hoisted a flag in the window, engaging the while in “a loud conversation in
an unintelligible tongue.” Apparently, no one asked them to leave. They insulted
no one, and made no threats. “They were, in affect, demonstrating” There were
subsequently convicted of unlawful assembly and criminal trespass. (P.C. ss.
74, 299(b). ) On the convictions for unlawful assembly, those with previous
convictions (whose character was not specified by the High Court) were
sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment, while the first offenders received
sentences of 6 months.
Held:
(1) The criminal trespass convictions cannot stand, since the statute clearly
applies to private property and not to public offence. (2) The convictions for
unlawful assembly were sound. Accused s’ conduct was not “likely to provoke a
breach of the peace by others,” but it was “such that a person in the
neighbor-hood could reasonably fear that they would commit a breach of the
peace.”(3) This was not “the sort of case where any distinction in punishment
should have been made between one accused and another on the basis of previous
convictions. There would have been justification for imposing a more severe sentence on the ringleader if
his role could be established,” but there was no specific evidence on that
point.
226. Automobile Stores Ltd. v. L. K.
Msosa, Civ. App. 3-D-66; 6/7/67; Saidi, J.
This case arose out of a motor accident.
The judgment of the District Court was delivered on 8th February,
1966, and a decree was issued on 13th March 1966. Appellant applied
for certified copies of the judgment and the decree on 27th May,
1966. Respondent claimed that the time for filing an appeal had expired on 9th
May, 1966, ninety days after the judgment was delivered.
Held
(1) The appeal is lodged against the decision of the trial court, and that
decision is contained in the judgment rather than in the decree. The decree is
merely a brief declaration of the decision; it is required to agree with the
(1967) H.C.D.
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62 –
Judgment an to bear the date on which
the judgment was pronounced. (0.20 rules 6 and 7, C.P.C0 Therefore, the time
for filing an appeal should be measured from the date judgment was pronounced.
(2) Although, contrary to the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code, the
decree in this case bore a date later than the judgment, this error did not
extend the time for filing an appeal. The appeal was rejected.
227. Abbas G. Essaji et al. v.
Gordhan D. Solanki t/a Tailors, Misc. Civ. App. 12-D-67; Hamlyn, J.
Appellant applied to the district court
for a copy of that court’s order and received a document headed “Ruling”. At
the end of the document, after the magistrate’s signature, there was a sentence,
“Order; The date of vacant possession to (sic) 30/11/1967. Cost of 100/- to the
Respondent.” There followed a second signature. The preliminary issue on appeal
was whether the filing of this document satisfied the provisions of Order 39
rule 1 and Order 40 rule, 2, which require that an appellant file a copy of the
order appealed from.
Held:
(1) Section 3 of the Civil Procedure Code defines an order as “the formal
expression of a decision of a civil court which is not a decree.” Although the
code contains no provision prescribing the form in which orders should be
drafted, they should be in a form similar to the form of decree set out in
Appendix D to the Indian Civil Procedure Code. (2) The purported order in the
present case virtually forms a part of the ruling and cannot be described as a
“formal expression of a decision.” It does not satisfy the requirement that
appellant file a copy of the order appealed from. (3) It would be improper to
adjourn the appeal in order to give appellant the opportunity to file the
proper papers. Citing Harnam Singh Bhogal, t/a Harnam Singh v. Hirda Ram (1919)
A.I.R. (Lahore) 125. The appeal was dismissed.
228. Abdallah Salum v. Twentsche
Overseas Trading Co. Ltd., Civ. App. 16-D-66; 10/7/67; Georges, C.J.
Appellant obtained a lorry from
respondent on hire purchase. Appellant did not keep up the required payments,
whereupon respondent repossessed the vehicle. The contract between the parties
provided, inter alia, that appellant was liable for the cost of all repairs and
replacement necessary to put the vehicle in good working order. Item 9 of the
plaint sought damages because” …. The hirer failed to maintain the said chattel
in good repair and to return the same in good order and condition.” The lorry
had been in an accident, for which respondent obtained Shs. 4,281/- in
insurance proceeds. Estimated damage to the vehicle was Shs. 6,281/- (The
policy contained a 100 pound deductible
clause.) The only real issue on appeal was how much, if anything, respondent
could recover for the damage to the lorry. The trial court awarded Shs. 6,281/-
to respondent.
Held:
(1) Even though item 9 of the plaint does not specify in what way the lorry was
in bad repair, it clearly put appellant on notice as to the nature of respondent’s
claim. (2) In computing the amount owed, appellant should have been credited
for the Shs. 4,281/- paid by the insurance company to respondent. The damages
awarded in the court below were reduced accordingly.
(1967) H.C.D.
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63 –
229. Bakari Hoya v. Gabriel Mdoe,
(PC) Civ. App. 6-D-67; 26/7/67; Hamlyn, J.
Plaintiff was a grandson, and defendants
were the son and daughter, of deceased. Plaintiff claimed that he had inherited
the property, and defendants answered that it had passed to the defendant
daughter who had then transferred it to the defendant son. The primary court,
relying on the opinion of the assessors, ruled in favour of plaintiff. On
appeal, the district court reversed, but made no reference to the customary law
or to the opinions of the assessors who had heard the appeal.
Held:
(1) The matter is governed by customary law “and this of course depends upon
the view taken by the assessors of the matter,” The district court should have
referred in its judgment to the opinions of the assessors and to the customary
law. (2) In the absence of other authority as to the Sambaa law, the court must
accept the opinion of the assessors at the primary court that female may not
inherit real estate but has a right to monetary value only. The judgment of the
primary court for plaintiff was restored.
230. Ibrahim Lihoha v. Saidi Meda,
(PC) Civ. App. 101-D-66; -/-/67; Hamlyn, J.
Plaintiff and defendant are owners of
adjacent land holdings which are separated by a stream. For no apparent cause,
the stream began to crode defendant’s land and to deposit soil on plaintiff’s
side of the stream. Over a period of several years about one-half acre was
eroded and deposited in this manner. Defendant claimed the right to follow the
soil and began to farm the land which had been deposited. Plaintiff filed this
action claiming the land.
Held:
Under Hehe customary law, if the eroded area is considerable and is gradually deposited
as an addition to another’s property, the original holder of the eroded land can
“follow” it and he retains ownership. The court distinguished this result from
that reached under Roman Law where gradual deposits normally ensure to the
benefit of the owner of land contiguous to the deposit. It compared the result
to the Roman Law concept of ager limitatus.
231. Boniface Muhigi v. Philemon
Muhigi (PC) Civ. App. 38-M-66; 18/7/67; Cross, J.
In 1946, plaintiff sold a clan shamba
without the permission of his paternal relatives. Defendant then brought an
action in the Court of the Kanyigo Chiefdom. The judgment provided that
defendant should pay Shs. 300/- to plaintiff who should use it to refund the
purchase price and reclaim the land. The defendant, and he in fact entered into
possession of the land. In the present action, plaintiff claimed the right to
redeem the shamba for himself by reimbursing defendant for the money which he
had paid as a result of the earlier judgment.
Held:
(1) The Customary Law (Limitation or Proceedings Rules, 1963, provide that the
period of limitation is deemed to have commenced on the day when the right of
action arose or on the day when the Rules came into operation, which ever is
later. The rules came into operation on 29th May, 1964, and this
suit was filed only nine months thereafter. Therefore, the suit is not barred.
(2) If a person sells his land to someone other than a member of the clan
without informing his
(1967) H.C.D.
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64 –
Paternal relatives of the transaction,
these relatives may invalidate the sale by bringing an action against the
vendor, who must then return the purchase price or allow the relatives to do
so. The land then returns to the family and becomes the property of the man who
repays the purchase price. Citing Corr and Hartnoll, Customary Law of the Haya
Tribe, section 560, 561,562; distinguishing section 567, which is said to refer
to sales of which the relatives have been informed. Therefore, the shamba is
the property of defendant.
232. Nikuro binti Mbwana v. Iddi s/o
Ruwa, (PC) Civ. App. 18-D-67; 1/7/67; Hamlyn, J
Respondent divorced appellant at a time
when he suspected that she was pregnant. She denied this and, when a child was
later born, said that another man was the father. Respondent was eventually
awarded custody of the child.
Held:
The Islamic law governing cases such as this, involving “eda,” supports the
view that the husband is entitled to custody of the child. Citing Sheikh Ali
Hemedi el Buhriy, Kitabu cha Nahik, 118.
233. Shabani Nasoro v. Rajabu Simba,
(PC) Civ. App. 6-D-66; 26/7/67; Saidi, J.
Plaintiff claimed land which defendant
occupied. It was conceded that plaintiff’s father originally owned the land but
gave possession to defendant’s father. Plaintiff, however, claimed that the
possession had been wrongful since the death of plaintiff’s father sometime “in
the middle of the Second World War.” He also claimed a right to the crop from
trees which his father had allegedly planted on the land. Plaintiff argued that
the limitation period of 20 years was not a bar since there was not sufficient
evidence to show that defendant had been in physical occupation without interruption
for twenty years.
Held;
(1) The court has been reluctant to disturb persons who have occupied land and
developed it over a long period. “(T)he respondent and his father have been in
occupation of the land for a minimum of 18 years, which is quite a long time.
It would be unfair to disturb their occupation ……” (2) For similar reasons, it
would be unfair to give plaintiff a right to the crops even if his father
planted the treas.
234. Jamal Hirji v. Hassanali Kassam
Harji, Misc. Civ. App. 8-D-67; 4/8/67; Saidi, J.
Appellant by verbal contract let a ground
floor shop to respondent. After about a year, respondent received notice to
vacate the premises. Respondent contended that the shop was let to him as mixed
premises ((that is, for use both as a shop and as a dwelling house), and
therefore he was protected from eviction by the Rent Restriction Act. The back
of the shop contained a bedroom, kitchen, and toilet, partitioned off from the
store. However, the building plan made no provision for such partition, and it
was done without the approval of the City council, in violation of rule 46 of
the Township. Building Rules. The Rent Restriction Board held that these were
mixed premises and consequently respondent could not be evicted.
(1967) H.C.D.
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Appellant argued that if respondent
prevailed, this would amount to sanctioning a breach of the Township Rules, in
contravention of public policy. Respondent argued that appellant was the only
wrongdoer here, that he should not be made to suffer because of the wrong of
another, and that he was using the premises according to the tenor of his
contract with appellant.
Held:
(1) The premises were not mixed premises in the eyes of the law. “The Township
Ordinance Cap. 101 and Rules made there under are part and parcel of the laws
of the country which no court of law in the country can overload. It would
therefore be wrong to approve the violation of any of the country’s laws or
by-laws.” (2) As the appellant himself was responsible for the unauthorized
alterations and he misled the respondent by letting to him a shop purporting to
be mixed premises which he was not authorized to do, appellant was ordered to
pay the costs of this appeal and of the proceedings before the Rent Restriction
Board.
235. Abdul Javer Heghji v. Alibhai
Mitha, Civ. Case 22-D-66; 14/7/67; Georges, C. J.
Defendant had obtained a judgment
against plaintiffs. Subsequently, defendant filed in the High Court a Chamber
Summons applying for the arrest of plaintiffs, alleging that he had cause to suspect
that the plaintiffs, were in default and that they were about to leave the
country. On the bases of his affidavit, the Court issued an order for the
issuance of a warrant of arrest. Plaintiffs were arrested and released on an
undertaking to appear before the Court; they did appear, and were conditionally
released on surrendering their passports and on an undertaking to appear for
further hearings. The defendant then applied for execution of the decree in the
original action by arrest and detention of the plaintiffs in civil jail, on the
ground that they had defaulted in their payments. This application was heard
and dismissed, the Court holding that no default had occurred.
Plaintiff
then brought an action alleging “malicious abuse of the process of law or alternatively
…… a breach by the defendant of his duty of care …… to avoid careless
allegations which would cause them, the plaintiffs, damage ……” They did not specifically
plead that the order for issuance of the arrest warrant had been vacated by the
High Court.
Defendant
contended that their failure to plead vacation of the order was fatal to the
cause of action. Plaintiffs replied that it was not, and further argued that
even if it were fatal to the action for malicious prosecution, it would not
affect the alternative theory of liability (defendant’s breach of a duty to
avoid careless allegations.).
Defendant
also urged that, through tout the proceedings in question, he had resorted to
legal counsel. His advocate was not called, however, to testify as to the
advice he had given defendant.
Held:
(1) The plaint stated only one cause of action, that for malicious
prosecution. The element of malice is essential: there is no action for breach
of an alleged duty not to made careless allegations which could lead to another
persons’ arrest. (2) In an action for malicious prosecution, it must be averred
that “in as far as the proceedings on which (plaintiff) sues could have terminated
in his favor ……. They have in fact done so.” Here, although the order for
issuance of the warrant may not have been vacated, the
(1967) H.C.D.
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Application for execution of the decree
was dismissed, and this was sufficient to satisfy the requirement. (Citing
numerous authorities, with an exhaustive discussion.) (3) A showing that the
defendant sought legal advice in proceeding against the plaintiffs weights in
his favour; but it is not, in itself, sufficient to show that he had reasonable
and probable cause to act as he did. (4) The evidence showed reasonable cause
to suspect the plaintiffs of default, but not of an intention to leave the
country. Judgment for plaintiffs.
236. Mzee Hamisi v. Shabani Senge,
(PC) Civ. App. 109-D-67; 17/7/67; Saidi, J
Plaintiff and defendant started a small
flour mill in partner-ship in 1962. A dispute soon developed, and plaintiff
refunded a portion of defendant’s contribution to the capital. Son thereafter,
plaintiff took the mill to another place and treated it as his own property: at
the same time, he handed over his house and shamba and 25 goats to defendant.
Plaintiff later brought an action, alleging that this property had been left in
defendant’s care, and had not been given to him to pay off his outstanding
share capital or partnership profits. The District Court having ruled in his
favor, plaintiff appealed claiming that the profits from the house, goats and
shamba had been underestimated. The High Court noted that the defendant “appeared
to be a simple minded village man and he seemed to have been fooled by
(plaintiff).”
Held:
“ The only way of doing justice ……is to restore the parties to the position
they were in 1962 before they entered into the partnership.” The accounts were
too confused for an accurate determination of the proper figures. Therefore,
the plaintiff would retain all partnership profits, the defendant would retain
all profits from the property left in his care, and the plaintiff would refund
the remainder of defendant’s share capital.
237. Lonrho Ltd. v. Alexandre Tryphon
Dembeniotis, Civ. Case 73-D—65; 28-D-66; 13/7/67, Saidi, J.
Applicant applied for the adjournment of
two consolidated cases in order to obtain senior counsel. Applicant’s advocate
stated that two senior counsel. Applicant’s advocated stated that two senior
counsel had been briefed, but through no fault of applicant, had had to
withdraw. Further attempts to find new senior counsel had been interrupted by
settlement negotiations and had failed. The advocate for the opposing party
stated that this clients, who were high officials in a large London firm, had
made special arrangements to fly to Dar es Salaam at the specified time and
would have great difficulty making other arrangements.
Ruled:
The cases are complicated and the sums claimed are very large. Applicant would
not be fairly represented without senior counsel. The inconvenience to the
opposing party is mitigated by applicant’s offer to pay costs arising from the
delay. The application for adjournment was allowed.
238. In re Mohamed husein Sharif Jiwa,
Misc. Civ. Cause 3-A-67; 17/7/67; Platt, J.
Settlor established a trust for the
benefit of his wife and children. The income was to be used for their
maintenance education and advancement until all of the children attained
(1967) H.C.D.
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Their majority. At that time, the
property was to be sold and the proceeds distributed to the beneficiaries. In
this application the trustees requested authorization to depart from the terms
of the trust and distribute the trust property itself rather than selling the
property and distributing the proceeds. There was evidence that all of the
beneficiaries preferred such a disposition and that it was in their best
interests.
Held:
(1) The law relating to trust and trustees in force in England on 1st
January 1922 applies in Tanganyika. [Land (Law of Property and Conveyancing)
Ordinance, Cap. 114, s. 2.] A declaration was made under section 10 of the Act
stating that the Trustee Act 1893 (England) is still applicable. Citing Elfie
Heinrichsdorff-Gies & Another v. Henry George Dodd & Another (1960)
E.A.327; Parry v. Carson (1963) E.A. 91. (2) The general rule in England in 1922
was that trustees were required to carry out the exact terms of the trust,
However, if all the beneficiaries were sui juris, and acting under no
incapacity or undue influence, consented or concurred in a breach of trust
after being fully informed of the circumstances, the court could relieve the
trustees from liability. Citing Chapman v. Chapman (1954) A.C. 429. (3) In the
present case these conditions were met and the beneficiaries all consented to
the breach. The distribution of the trust property was ordered.
239. Issa s/o Kibwana v. R.,
Crim. App. 81-D-67; 27/7/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of robbery after
entering an unequivocal plea of guilty to the charge.
Held:
Section 313 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code provides that no appeal is permissible
in so far as conviction is concerned, upon a plea of guilty being recorded. The
appeal against conviction was rejected as inadmissible, and the appeal against
sentence was summarily rejected because accused had received the minimum
sentence prescribed.
240. Leo Albera v. R., Crim. App.
477-M-67; 25/7/67; Cross, J.
Set out below is the complete judgment
in this case. “Under the provisions of section 313(2) of the Crim Proc. Code
this judgment is not appeal able since the fine imposed on each count is less
than Shs. 100/- except with the leave of the High Court.
“The accused has not applied for such
leave and in any case I see no good reason why leave should be granted and the
appeal, which I shall treat as an application for leave to appeal, is therefore
refused.”
241. Ali s/o Mohamed v. R., Crim.
App. 561-D-67; 24/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of stealing, on
evidence the High Court found wholly sufficient. The magistrate stated,
however, that accused had “failed to prove the clothes in question were his,”
this being his main defence.
Held:
Since an accused ’s burden, in a criminal case is merely to cast doubt upon the
prosecution’s version of the matter, magistrates should avoid expression such
as this one. However, because “there was plenty of evidence on which to base a
conviction,” the conviction was sustained despite this misdirection.
(1967) H.C.D.
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68 –
242. Mathias s/o Kajara v. R.,
Crim. App. 112-M-67; 28/6/67; Cross, J.
Appellant was convicted of stealing, but
“(i)t seems obvious to this court that the learned magistrate ….. found himself
utterly at sea and not only did he not address his mind to the issues in the
case but he appeared unable to determine what they were.” Conviction was
quashed, leaving only the question of whether there should be a re-trial.
Accused argued that Slim Muksin v. Salim bin Mohamed, (1950) 7 B.A.C.A. 128
precluded a re-trial. In that case there was misdirection by the magistrate,
without fault on the part of either party. Because the accused was not at fault
the Court of Appeal refused to permit a re-trial, notwithstanding the fact that
the prosecution was equally blameless.
Held:
In the instant case the ends of justice would best be served by re-trial, not
because the magistrate had misdirected himself but because the magistrate had
neither considered nor determined any of the issues in this case. Citing Kagoyi
s/o Bundala v. R. (1959) E.A. 900. There was not sufficient material to enable
the High Court to decide the appeal on the merits of the case. Re-trial ordered,
before a different magistrate.
243. In re R. v. Sakerbai M. A.
Gangji, Misc. Crim. Cause 12-D-67; 4/5/67; Saidi, J.
Applicants were convicted of assault
occasioning actual bodily harm and applied for bail pending the hearing of
their appeal. They argued that the granting of bail would make it easier for
their advocate to prepare the appeal, that they would otherwise be imprisoned
for an extended period, that they would otherwise be imprisoned for an extended
period, that they were in poor health, that they were of good character, and that
there was an overwhelming probability that the appeal would succeed. The court
found serious conflicts in the evidence of the prosecution.
Ruled:
(1) Bail pending appeal should only be granted for exceptional and unusual reasons.
Neither the complexity of the case nor the good character of the applicant, nor
alleged hardship to his dependents is sufficient in itself. The court must be
satisfied that there is an overwhelming probability that the appeal will
succeed. (2) On the facts of the present case, the weakness of the prosecution
evidence justifies the granting of bail.
244. R. v. Abdallahamid s/o
Daleyusufu, Crim. Rev. 74-D-67; 23/6/67; Georges, C.J.
The surety signed a bond to produce the
accused. Accused did not appear on the specified day and, after further
proceedings, the amount of the bond was forfeited. Subsequently, the surety
succeeded after extensive efforts in producing the accused. Accused was
re-arrested but later escaped.
Held:
(1) Section 132 of the Criminal Procedure Code grants the power to review the
forfeiture either by way of revision or appeal. (2) Although the surety was
remiss in failing to produce the accused at the specified time, the whole sum
due would not have been forfeited if the facts now before the Court had been
known. The Court stated, obiter: It is preferable that bonds should not be
forfeited too quickly if the accused fails to appear. It is usually best to
adjourn the proceedings to allow the surety some time to find the accused if he
thinks he can succeed, and the fact that
(1967) H.C.D.
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The accused is later produced can be
taken into account in deciding whether there should be forfeiture. The
forfeiture was reduced to Shs. 1,000/- of the Shs. 4,000/- due on the bond.
245. I. A. Fergusson v. R., Misc.
Crim. Cause 19-D-67; Georges, C. J.
This was an application requiring
sureties to show cause why their recognizance’s should not be forfeited. Bail
was granted on 27th May 1967; on condition that accused appear daily
at the police station; this condition did not appear the forms signed by the
sureties. Each surety posted a bond of Shs. 40,000/- Accused appeared in court
on 29th and 30th May as required, and on each
occasions the case was adjourned until
the following day and the bail specifically extended. On 31 May it was again
adjourned; no date was set for its resumption, and bail was not specifically
extended. On 3rd June, accused escaped by taking off from
Held:
(1) (a) Criminal Procedure Code section 124 provides that bail shall be granted
upon the condition that the accused “shall attend at the time and place
mentioned in the bond and shall continue to attend until otherwise directed by
the Court or police officer, as the case may be.” While a court may refuse to
grant bail unless the accused agrees, for example, to report daily to the police, there is no statutory
authorization of such a condition and no penalty can be imposed on sureties for
its breach. (b) That condition did not, and could not, appear on the forms
executed by the sureties and was not binding upon them.
(c) The High Court, as well as
subordinate courts, is bound by the terms of section 124. (2) Although on 31st
May no further date for hearing was set, the bail agreement stated that accused
should “continue to attend until other-wise directed.” Sureties may be
discharged only if they apply to be discharged, and they made no such
application. Therefore, accused and the sureties should have attended court
daily until directed to do otherwise even though no hearing date had been set.
They failed to do so and are in breach of the bail agreement. (3) Accused
escaped in a daring and unexpected way. There is no evidence that the sureties
connived at his escape, and almost no degree of care would have prevented it.
However, the sureties have taken no steps since the escape to locate accused.
In these circumstances, partial payment on the bond is justified. The Court
ordered that Shs. 20,000/- be forfeited by each surety.
246. Hamidu s/o Udu v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 66-D-67; 26/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted, inter alia, of
“Brawling contrary to section 89 (1) (b) of the Penal Code, Cap. 16.” He was
the sole person involved in the disturbance.
Held:
In English law, the term “brawling” is apparently confined to “improper behaviors
in religious building.” The Oxford dictionary, however, defines the verb as “to
wrangle or “to squabble “, and the noun as “a noisy turbulent quarrel, a row.”
This indicates that two or more persons must be involved, and the conviction,
therefore, must be set aside.
(1967) H.C.D.
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70 –
247.R. v. Macdonal Lenge, Crim. Rev. 14-A-67; 30/6/67; Platt, J.
In a prior action, accused were charged
with assault causing actual bodily harm. Prior to trial, the complainant
requested permission to withdraw his case and they were discharged under the
provisions of paragraph 22(1) of the Primary Court Criminal Procedure Code.
About one year later they were charged in the present action with robbery with
violence. (P.C. ss. 285, 286.) Accused were acquitted upon the ground that they
could not be tried again for a crime arising out of the same facts as those
involved in the Primary Court action. The Republic requested the High Court to
exercise its revisional jurisdiction.
Held:
(1) The District Court Magistrate erred in finding that the dismissal of the
charge under paragraph 22 (1) of the Primary Court Criminal Procedure Code was
a bar to the present action.(2) Although the acquittal was erroneous, the High
Court has no jurisdiction to alter, or reverse an order of acquittal by way of
revision. The Republic’s application for revision was incompetent. The court
stated, obiter; The result is unfortunate and the Republic should advise the complainant
of some other way by which he might obtain redress .
248. Yustace Mhina Mahita v. R.
Crim. App. 380-D-67; 20/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of publishing
defamatory matter, contrary to P.C. s. 187. The defamatory matter was contained
in a letter to Mr.Mkusa, and concerned that gentleman’s competence as a
District Executive Officer.
Held:
One element of the offence of defamation is that the defamatory material be
communicated to someone other than the person about whom the statements are
made. Since the requisite publication was absent here, the conviction and fine
of Shs. 200/- were set aside.
249. R.v.Alex Goswino Liengela,
(PC) Crim. Rev. 4-D-67; 15/7/67; Hamlyn J.
Accused was suspected of having broken
into the home of the complainant to steal money. He had apparently come to the
complainant’s house and been seen by a child four years of age. Complainant
agreed that no charges would be brought if the money were returned. Accused
gave the money to the Divisional Executive Officer to be returned, and admitted
that he had stolen it. The police later received an anonymous letter which gave
the details of this transaction, and prosecution of accused followed. During
the trial, both the admission to the Divisional Executive Officer, and
testimony by another witness as to statements allegedly made by the child, were
admitted in evidence.
Held:
(1) The admission was inadmissible on either of two grounds; first, it was made
to a person who “carried out executive duties similar to those of a police officer”;
second, “it was patently obtained by the promise that no criminal case would be
brought ….” (2) The child’s statement is inadmissible ad hearsay.
The
Court stated, obiter; If the child had been called and had been able to
give an unsworn statement, corroboration would have been required. Further, “it
would seem that a child of such tender years would scarcely be able to give a
credible story, such tender would scarcely be able to give a credible story,
albeit unsworn, apart from the matter of corroboration”.
(1967) H.C.D.
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71 –
250. Mwita s/o Marwa v. R., Crim.
App. 326-M-67; 12/7/67; Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of stealing a cow.
(P. C. s. 311(1). ) In his judgment, the trial magistrate said of the testimony
of two important prosecution witnesses, “It appears that what P.W.4 and P.W. 5
say could reasonably be true. “
Held;
The statement plainly suggests that the magistrate applied a lower standard of
proof to the prosecution evidence than the criminal law requires. The conviction
was quashed.
251. Tyamosi Asao v. R., Crim.
App. 191, 249, 224, 180, 187-M-67; 30/6/67; Cross, J.
The five accused were convicted of
burglary, stealing and assault. The evidence against three of the accused was overwhelming.
However a fourth accused denied his guilt under oath and pointed out that the
police did not arrest him for several days although they questioned him earlier.
A fifth accused gave the alibi that he had been sleeping at home and his witness
supported this defence. The trial magistrate dealt with all of the defence
together and stated that the accused had not satisfied him that they were not
the people who had committed the crime.
Held:
(1) The defences of the various accused were different, and the trial
magistrate should not have considered all of them together. (2) The burden of
proof in a criminal case is on the prosecution, and the magistrate erred in
stating that they must satisfy him that they were not the guilty persons. (3)
The evidence against the first accused was so strong that it is clear they
would have been convicted had the magistrate properly directed himself. They
were not prejudiced by the misdirection and their convictions should be upheld.
Citing Shah v. Reg, (1956) 23 E.A.C.A. 401, 416. The convictions of the fourth
and fifth accused were quashed.
252. Patric s/o Taumbe v. R.,
Crim. App. 422-D-67; 19/7/67; Georges, C. J.
Accused was convicted of theft by public
servant. Convicting evidence for the prosecution, including accused ’s
including accused ’s was introduced. However, another confession before a
police officer and certain hearsay evidence was also introduced. The trial
magistrate called on witness on his own initiative.
Held:
(1) The confession to the police officer was inadmissible under section 23 of
the Indian Evidence Act. The Court stated, obiter: that the confession would
also be inadmissible under the new Evidence Act and that it is the duty of the
police as well as the magistrate to see that such confessions are not proffered.(2)
A magistrate normally should call a witness only if he has been refused. Only
if the testimony of the witness is vital to the case should the court exercise
its undoubted power to call him.(3) Although there were irregularities at the
trial a conviction would inevitably have followed on the basis of the
admissible evidence alone. For that reason, the conviction was upheld.
253. R. v. Joseph s/o Michael,
Crim. Rev. 23-M-67; 28/6/67; Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of assault causing
actual bodily harm. (P. C. s.241)
Under cross- examination. Accused mentioned that he had been charged with or
convicted of similar offences on two previous occasions. His apparent intention
was to discredit
(1967) H.C.D.
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72 –
One of the prosecution witnesses,
pointing out that the same person had testified against him on the two previous
occasions.
Held:
(1) As the statement was “gratuitous” introduction of the damaging evidence
by the accused himself, and as it impugned the character of the prosecution
witness, the magistrate “had a discretion as to whether he ought to permit
cross-examination as to the previous conviction …..” (2) However, he probably
did not exercise his discretion, since he apparently though that the
prosecution could put the question as a matter of right. “Moreover, no warning
had been given to the accused, who was unrepresented …..” (3) Although the
cross-examination was inadmissible, its admission occasioned no failure of
justice; the conviction and sentence were confirmed. (Crim. Proc. Code s. 346.)
Citing R. v. Rook (1959) 43 Cr. App. R. 138.
254. Uburiel Titila Msuya v. R.,
Crim. App. 75-A-67; 5/7/67; Georges, C. J.
One Husseing set fire to his shamba
without permission. The fire spread and caused damage to neighboring shambas.
Accused, a Field Assistant, Agriculture, later went to Hussein’s house and,
after some discussion, asked him whether he admitted the offence. Hussein did
so, and accused immediately imposed a fine of Shs. 45/-. On these facts he was
convicted of false assumption of judicial authority. (P.C. s. 99(1), as amended
by section 4 of Part 11 of the Sixth Schedule to the Magistrates’ Courts Act,
1963.) A sentence of twelve month’s imprisonment was imposed.
Held:
(1) There was, in effect, the taking of a plea and a fine was imposed. While
the dividing line between false assumption of judicial authority and corruptly
accepting money to stifle a prosecution is difficult to determine, the facts in
this case support the charge. (2) The sentence was unreasonably severe. A sentence
of six months’ imprisonment was substituted.
255. Hamisi s/o Shaha @ Hamisi s/o
Issa v. R., Crim. App. 487-D-67; 31/7/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted under section 310
of the Criminal Procedure Code of two counts of failing to comply with section
309, which prescribes certain requirements for those subject to a police
supervision order. Each count charged a separate violation of section 309.
Held:
It is a single offence under section 310 to refuse to comply with one or
several of the requirements of section 309. A conviction in separate counts of
violating separate requirements of section 309 is improper and may even contravene
section 21 of the Penal Code. The conviction on the second count was set aside.
256. Pius s/o Zacharia v. R.,
Crim. App. 212-M-67; 8/6/67; Mustafa, J.
Accused was originally charged with
theft. When the prosecution case was almost complete, a new charge of breaking
and stealing was added. Accused was given no opportunity to recall any of his
witnesses.
Held:
This procedure did not satisfy the requirements of section 209 of the Crim.
Proc. Code, and it cannot be said whether the non-compliance with that section
was prejudicial to accused. Conviction quashed.
(1967)H.
C. D.
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73 –
257. Machibya Magida v. R., Crim.
App. 447-M-67; 19/7/67: Cross J
Accused initially denied stealing
cattle. The record shows that he later changed his plea to one of guilty, his
admission being paraphrased in the words of the magistrate.
Held:
The admission of an accused must be recorded “as nearly as possible in the
words used by him.” Citing Crim. Proc. Code s. 203 (2); Chacha s/o Wambura 20
E.A.C.A. 339. Because the magistrate’s action “may will have resulted in a
failure of justice.” Conviction and sentence were set aside and re-trial by a
different magistrate ordered.
258. Ngongoseke s/o Mwangalazi v. R.
(PC) Crim. App. 166-M-67; 7/6/67; Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of obtaining money
by false pretences. He alleged that he and complainant had agreed that accused
would tender two bags of cassava flour, instead of the money that he had
obtained from complainant , and that the flour was in fact delivered to
complainant in the presence of two witnesses. Accused did not call these
witnesses, or request that the magistrate do so. The High Court noted “inconsistencies”
in accused ’s version of the matter.
Held:
(1) A magistrate had a clear duty to call defence witnesses only where he makes
a “finding that the evidence of the witness (is) essential to a just decision
of the case. “ Citing Crim. Proc. Code, s. 151; Kulukana Otim v. R., (1963)
E.A. 253. (2) Where no such finding is made, an appellate court should not
disturb his decision unless it is satisfied that he was “plainly wrong.” Citing
Langan v. Regina (1954) T.L.R. (R) 96.
Conviction upheld.
259. Olairivan s/o Mollel v. R.,
Crim. App. 412-D-67, 5/7/67, Saidi, J.
Appellant was disqualified from holding
or obtaining a driving licence following his conviction, inter alia, of driving
on a public road without having third party insurance, in violation of the
Motor Vehicles Insurance Ordinance, Cap. 169,s.4(1). Pursuant to section 4(2)
of the Ordinance, appellant would not have lost his licence had been able to
show “special reasons” for his illegal action. In his petition to the court,
appellant stated as reasons the fact that his job requires him to drive extensively
Held:
Special reasons must be reasons special to the circumstances of the case and
not to the accused himself. In the present case the appellant has no
explanation to offer showing the necessity for his driving the uninsured car at
the relevant time. The fact that his job requires him to drive a car is not a
“special reason” as it does not relate to the offence but to himself.
260. R.v. Saidi Husseni, Crim.
Rev. 75-D-67, 26/6/67, Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of driving a motor
vehicle with assorted defects. Among these was one count for having a defective
hand-brake, and another count for having a defective footbrake.
Held:
The Traffic Ordinance, Cap. 168, provides only for the offence of using a motor
vehicle on the road with a defective brake. Since there is no provision for
further punishment when both handbrake and footbrake are defective, the
conviction on both counts stand, the latter one being quashed.
261. R.v. Magagania s/o Tunda,
Crim. Rev. 17-A-67; 15/6/67; Platt, J.
(1967) H.C.D.
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74 –
Accused was convicted of arson, for
which he was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment. In addition, he was ordered
“…..to pay compensation of Shs. 356/- to (complainant) or 4 months imprisonment
in default of sufficient distress.”
Held:
The order for 4 months imprisonment in default of sufficient distress was
quashed. If an attempt at distress is made (see Crim. Proc. Code ss. 176, 177,
296, 299, 300) and it fails, a person may be committed to prison in lieu of
distress In the procedure adopted here by the trial court, however, there is always
a danger that if such them of imprisonment in default of distress is entered on
the original commitment warrant, it may result in an additional term of imprisonment
being automatically carried on to the accused ’s sentence without any attempt
at distress being made. Citing Crim. Rev. 26-D-63, per Biron, J.
262. Mussa s/o Hassan v. R.,
Crim. App. 402-M-67; 19/7/67; Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of indecent
assault and burglary, both offences being part of one transaction. The trial
magistrate gave consecutive sentence, citing R. v. Kasongo s/o Luhogwa T.L.R.
47, which judgment contained the following statement: “Offences committed in
the same transaction should carry concurrent sentences and before any departure
is made from this principle the trial magistrate must be satisfied that there
are very exceptional circumstances.” The court then posited, as an example of
exceptional circumstances, a situation where a person breaks and enters into a
house and commits the felony of rape therein.
Held:
There were no exceptional circumstances here to justify consecutive
sentences here. Accused was convicted of indecent assault, a far lesser crime
than that of rape. Also, he was a first offender.
263. R. v. Lucas Katingisha,
Crim. Rev. 77-D-67; 29/6/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was charged in two separate
counts of using a bicycle without a licence and of using a bicycle without
affective brakes. He pleaded guilty and was fined Shs. 10/-
Held:
When there is more than one count, each must be dealt with separately by the
court, rather than passing one omnibus sentence. Sentence was altered to a fine
of Shs. 5/- on each of the two counts.
264. John Ngarama v. R., Crim.
App. 215-M-67, -/7/67, Cross, J.
Accused was convicted on two counts of
stealing, both arising out of the same transaction (taking money belonging to
two people from a single purse.) The Magistrate’s judgment stated that he was
convicted “as charged” and sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment.
Held:
Where an accused is convicted on two or more counts, the sentence given must be
allocated among the various counts, or to a particular count, sentence of 9
months on each count imposed to run concurrently.
265. R. v. Green Mwanangwa, Crim,
Rev. 25-A-67; 11/7/67; Platt, J.
Accused convicted on two counts of
robbery with violence, and sentenced to 2 years and 24 strokes and 2 years and
12 strokes, respectively.
(1967) H.C.D.
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75 –
Held: Where an accused is convicted at one trial of two or more
distinct offences, any two of which are punishable by corporal punishment, only
one sentence of corporal punishment may be passed in respect of all the
offences (Corporal Punishment Ordinance, Cap. 17 s. 10). Order for 12 strokes
set aside.
266. Saidi s/o Abdallah v. R., Crim.
App. 399, 400-D-67; 19/7/67; Georges, C. J.
Complainant slapped the second accused,
who is his niece and an adult, hard enough that she fell down. Thereupon the
niece picked up al large pestle(apparently the nearest thing at hand which
might serve as a weapon) and started hitting the complainant with site. The
first accused immediately joined the fray on the side of the niece. The damage
to complainant was superficial, mainly a few lacerations and abrasions. Accused
were convicted of assault and sentenced to eight months each.
Held:
(1) Even though this quarrel was initiated by the complainant, accused were not
justified in retaliating as they did. The convictions were upheld. (2) However,
the sentences were patently too severe. A fine and compensation would have met
the justice of the case, and probably fostered reconciliation. As both accused
had already spent two months in jail, sentence was reduced so as to result in
their immediate release.
267. R. v. Chrisant Kalo, (PC)
Crim. Rev. 3-D-67; 3/7/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of criminal
trespass and stealing, for which he received concurrent sentences of 18 months
and 12 months respectively. The value of the articles stolen was Shs. 13/50.
Held:
(1) The sentence for criminal trespass is illegal because the maximum period of
imprisonment allowed by law for this offence is 12 months. In view of the small
amount involved, sentence was reduced from 18 months to 6 months on this count.
A sentence must bear proper relation to the intrinsic gravity of the offence
committed. Citing Hamisi bin Bakari, I.T.L. 200. (2) For the same reasons, the
sentence for stealing was reduced to 3 months, sentences to run concurrently.
268 Daniford Shangai v. R., Crim.
App. 401-D-67; 22/6/67; Hamlyn, J,; 12/7/67, Georges, C.J.
Accused was convicted of stealing from
the person of another, contrary to P.C. ss. 265, 269 (a). Accused has three
previous convictions for similar offences. The two notebooks stolen, which
contained no money were valued at Shs. 1/-. A sentence of imprisonment for one
year was imposed.
Held:
Hamlyn, J. found the sentence imposed to be patently inadequate. Accused was
given notice to show cause why sentence should not be enhanced. (2) On hearing
to show cause, before Georges, C.J., the Court quashed the original sentences
and substituted a sentence of two years imprisonment. Although the value of the
property stolen was trivial, it was merely accused ’s bad luck that the not books
contained no money.
(1967)H.C.D
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76 -
269. R. v. Justin Ngwaulanga,
District Court Crim. Case 51-Iringa-67; 4/7/67; Inspection Note by Saidi, J.”
Accused, shown to be aged 16 years on
the charge sheet, was convicted of malicious damage to property. His sentence
included corporal punishment; it had been executed when the case came before
the High Court. Accused was an adult, “outside the ambit of the Children and
Young Persons Ordinance, Cap. 13” and therefore the sentence of corporal
punishment was improper.
The
Court noted: Where a person is alleged to be 16 years old, “i.e., a person just
on the borderline between a young person and an adult,” medical evidence should
be called for to determine the precise age of the accused, to assure proper
trial procedure and proper sentencing.
270.R. v. Marko Matota, Crim.
Rev. 79-D-67; 8/7/67; Hamlyn, J.
Accused pleaded guilty to attempted
suicide (P.C. s. 217), and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.
Held:
While the Penal Code permits the imposing of imprisonment for such an act, it
would be a very rare case which would call for imprisonment. The cause of the
offence can be regarded as a mental aberration rather than a moral lapse, and
psychiatric treatment, if available, or an interview with the local probation
officer is of far greater value than imprisonment. The sentence of imprisonment
was set aside.
271. Charles @ Makanyaga s/o Makobe
v. R. Crim. App. 351-M-67; 15/7/67; Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of stealing cattle
and sheep from his uncle. On a prior occasion accused had openly claimed a
right to the cattle and sheep, and the openly took them in the middle of the
afternoon in the presence the complainant’s wife and another person.
Held:
Even if accused had no right to the animals, it would be defence that he had an
honest belief based upon reasonable grounds that he had such a right. The trial
magistrate erred in failing to consider this issue. The conviction was quashed.
272. Aniset Bonaventura v. R.
Crim. App. 281-M-67; 23/6/67; Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of theft by public
servant (P.C. ss. 265, 270). The magistrate found as a fact that he had formed
animus furandi on the date he deposited a certain sum in his bank account, and
also on the date his bank account was credited with another sum.
Held:
The English Larceny Act emphasizes animus furandi at the time of the taking and
carrying away of the goods concerned. The Tanzania Penal Code, s. 258, however,
like the Uganda Penal Code, is so worded that “the offence can be committed not
necessarily at the time of taking and carrying away but even at any time subsequently thereafter depending …… on
the circumstances.” Citing Bwire v. Uganda (1965) E.A. 606, 610. Conviction
upheld.
273. Jackson James v. R., Crim.
App. 310-D-67; 22/6/67; Georges, C.J.
Accused was convicted of possession of
property suspected to have
(1967) H.C.D.
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77 –
Been stolen. (P.C. s.312). The facts
stated were that when apprehended by the police he was in possession of a watch
in suspicious circumstances. He was taken to the market place where he said he
had picked up the watch, and a watch repairer produced a receipt identifying
the owner of the watch. The owner was never traced. When at trial the charge
was read to accused, he replied, “I picked it up in the market square.” This
was recorded as a plea of guilty.
Held:
(1) (1) Section 312 of the Penal Code provides that any person who is charged
in court with being in possession of property suspected to have been stolen
“who shall not give an account to the satisfaction of such court of how he came
by the same, is guilty of a misdemeanor.” A person is guilty of the offence
only if he fails to give a satisfactory account to the court. Therefore, it
would seem that he cannot plead guilty at the time the plea is taken because he
has not at that time been given the opportunity to give such an account. In any
event, on the facts of this case, it is
clear that accused ’s reply could not be held to be a plea of guilty. (2) A
conviction cannot be maintained under section 312 if the articles in question
can be identified as the property of any known person. If the owner is
identified, it is no longer a question can be identified as the property of any
known person. If the owner is identified, it is no longer a question of suspicion,
and the charge should be laid under a section of the Penal Code dealing with
stealing or possession or receiving stolen property. Citing R. v. Msengi s/o
Abdallah (1952) 1T.L. R. (R) 107; R. v. Shabani Saidi, 1.T.L.R. (R) 77. (3) The
Criminal Procedure Code does not permit a conviction for stealing when a charge
is laid under section 312, although the reverse can be done.
274. Joseph Lawrence Mchaa v. R.,
Crim. App. 384-D-67; 12/7/67; Georges, C. J.
Accused, the manager of a community
center, was convicted of stealing by servant. (P. C. ss. 271, 265). In the
course of his employment accused regularly conducted dances, the proceeds of
which went to the City Council. On the night in question, accused conducted a
dance but failed to remit the proceeds. He claimed that the dance was for the
benefit of Boy Scouts Troop, and the tickets for the dance contained the words
“Boy Scouts and Girl Guides…..” However, the court found that this claim was
ruse and that the Boy Scouts were in no way involved in the dance.
Held:
A person cannot claim that he did not receive on behalf of his principal monies
it was his duty to receive in that behalf. It is irrelevant that at all times
he intended to convert them to his own use. Citing Burton Bwaka- pesele v. R.
(1965) E.A. 407. Conviction upheld.
275. Ambokile Mwamalongo v. R.,
Crim. App. 371-D-67; 12/7/67; Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of stealing from
the person of another in the following circumstances. He was pulling a purse
out of the pocket of another person when a sudden movement by the intended
victim’ prevented accused from obtaining the purse. However, the purse was far
enough out of the intended victim’s pocket so that when he sat down immediately
thereafter, his purse fell to the floor.
Held:
Accused was guilty only of the lesser offence of the attempted pick pocketing.
(P.C. ss. 269 (a),381.) Conviction was substituted accordingly.
(1967) H.C.D.
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78 –
276. Augaburg Pennyll Lekajo v. R.,
Crim, App. 353-M-67; 14/7/67; Cross, J.
Accused, a clerk employed in the Posts
& Telecommunication Administration of the East African Common Services
Organisation, was convicted of theft by servant under section 271 and 265 of
the Penal Code. However, he was sentenced to the term prescribed by section 270
of the Penal Code, which deals with theft by public servant.
Held:
(1) Accused was a person in the public service as defined by section 5 of the
Penal Code. He is, therefore, liable to the sentences provided by Minimum
Sentences Act, 1963. Citing R. v. Sefu Salim @ Ngomba, Crim. Rev. 72 of 1965;
Crim. App. 331 of 1962. (2) The substantive offence of stealing is created by
section 265 of the Penal Code. Sections 270 and 271 merely indicate circumstances
of aggravation for which special penalties are provided. Therefore, the
irregularity in sentencing is curable on appeal. A conviction under section 270
and 265 was substituted for the conviction under section 271 and 265, and the
sentence was confirmed.
277. R. v. Saidi s/o Tatoo, Crim.
Rev. 18-A-67; 15/6/67; Platt, J
Accused was apprehended driving a motor
vehicle without a licence, and while intoxicated. Sentence consisted, inter
alia, of disqualification from holding or obtaining a licence to drive for two
years.
Held:
While the Traffic Ordinance, s. 49 (2), permits periods of disqualification of
more than one year, such a sentence is not justified here. The period of
disqualification was reduced to 12 months.
278. Jumanne @ Alli s/o Hamisi v. R.,
Crim. App. 239-M-67; -/7/67; Cross, j.
Accused were convicted of theft.
Indispensable to the prosecution case was the testimony of the Prosecuting
Officer, who also did much of the investigation before the case came to trial.
Held:
The High Court cited Gamalieri Mubito v. R. (1961) E.A.C.A. 244, where it was
stated that, “…….. in a case where an investigating officer conducted the
prosecution himself or was present while the prosecution witnesses gave their
evidence and then entered the witness box and supplemented their testimony,” a
failure of justice may well have been occasioned. In the present case the
convictions were quashed because there was lacking that appearance of fairness
and impartiality which should characterize the administration of the criminal
law. In view of the importance of the evidence or prosecuting Officer, the
Court could not be sure that there was no failure of justice.
279. Abbas G. Essaji v. Gordhan Dewji
Solanki, Misc. Civ. Case 40-D-67, 10/8/67, Georges C. J.
Every memorandum of appeal must have
attached a formal order of the lower court’s ruling. Earlier, appellant had
sought to appeal a lower court decision. He had submitted a document purporting
to be a formal order of the lower court, issued by that court, but not in fact
the require document. After respondent’s timely objection, appellant had sought
an adjournment to put the papers in order. Hamlyn, J., had held that
(1967) H.C.D.
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79 –
Because the papers were not in order,
there was nothing before him and consequently nothing to adjourn. In the
present application, appellant sought an extension of time for filing his
appeal.
Held:
(1) The earlier ruling is not res judicata so as to prevent appellant from
filing his appeal again, this time in proper order. Since the earlier appeal
was incompetent, there was no “res” before the Court capable of becoming “judicata.”
Citing Ngoni-Matengo v. Alimohamed Osman (1959) E.A. 577. (2) Counsel’s failure
here was in not realizing that the order he obtained from the trial court was
not in proper form. Not with standing the inconvenience to respondent, justice
will be best served by not barring appellant’s application for an extension of
time because of counsel ’s error. Order that appellant be given 5 days to file
an Appeal in proper form.
280. Shabani Furia v. Lokila Maura,
(L.C.) Civ. App. 12-D-65; 9/8/67, Hamlyn J.
Plaintiff ‘ s wife left him some 17
years ago, with their baby daughter. Defendant took them in, and the girl lived
with defendant thereafter until the present. The mother died recently, and plaintiff,
the girl’s father, brought this action to obtain custody of the girl.
Held
(1) Plaintiff had the right to custody of the girl, not with standing the
fact that he had made no effort in the last 17 years to ascertain the
whereabouts of the daughter, let alone provide for her in any way. (2)
Plaintiff was ordered to pay Shs. 500/- to defendant as compensation for the
expenses incurred in caring for the girl.
281. Kilale s/o Mwakajinga v. Enos
s/o Mwaikambo, (Pc) Civ. App. 130-D-67; 18/8/67, Saidi J.
Plaintiff loaned defendant Shs. 210/- in
1958. Shortly thereafter, defendant’s house burned down through no fault of the
defendant; in the fire, the loaned money was destroyed, along with other
property of the defendant. In 1966, plaintiff sued in Primary Court to recover
the loan; no showing was made as to the reason for the delay in bringing the
action. The decision in District Court was for the plaintiff, the defendant
appealed out of time.
Held:
(1) The appeal, though out of time, was heard “in the interests of justice.”
(2) “(I)t would be inequitable to compel the (defendant) to refund the money to
the (plaintiff), because it was destroyed by an unfortunate event which was not
anticipated by either party and was outside the control of the (defendant).”
(3) “There is another point which stands in favor of the (defendant). It is
definitely clear that the claim was time-barred and that both courts below in advertently overlooked this fact.” (4)
Because neither party was responsible for the loss of money, it is “equitable
for each party to pay his own costs.”
The
Court did not specifically deal with the matter of whether the suit, which had
been brought initially in
(1967) H. C.D.
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80 –
282. Selemani s/o Hoti v. Iddi s/o
Omari, (PC) Civ. App. 73-D-67; 30/9/67, Saidi J.
Plaintiff left 58 cattle in the charge
of defendant, for herding. All the calves born were to be the property of
plaintiff; all milk was to be taken by the defendant. Only 52 cattle were
returned, the other 6 having been lost.
Plaintiff claims for the missing 6 head of cattle.
Held:
There was nothing in the record to show that defendant had fraudulently
disposed of the missing cattle; nor was he in any way responsible for their
loss. “In the absence of such evidence it would be inequitable to order (defendant)
to pay back these 6 cattle when they got lost in the bush without his fault.”
283. Omoro Nyangerere v. Matitiro
Machango, (LC) Civ. App. 13-M-65, 14/8/67, Cross J.
Defendant received twelve head of cattle
as dowry for his daughter, who married plaintiff. They remained married for
some time without having children, but in 1963 the wife left the matrimonial
home. Plaintiff then brought this action in Primary Court for return of the
cattle.
Held:
Since no children had been born of the marriage, it was proper to order, as the
District Court did on appeal, that only nine of the cattle be refunded. {Local
Customary Law (Declaration ) Order, 1963, Rule 52} Appeal dismissed.
284. Mkhandi Ghumpi v. Fatuma Salum,
(PC) Civ. App. 72-D-67, 28//8/67, Hamlyn, J
Plaintiff was assaulted and driven away
from her home by her husband four times during 1966. On three occasions she
went to the home of her parents and was ordered by her father to return to her
husband. On the fourth occasion, she sued for divorce in Primary Court. The divorce
was granted, the court ruling that plaintiff’s father was not obliged to return
the dowry.
Held:
Under Nyaturu law, under such circumstances, the wife is entitled to the
divorce. The husband has no right to a return of the dowry, since he has “clearly
demonstrated that the marriage, so far as he was concerned, was at an end.”
The
Court stated, further, that the Nyaturu law, as interpreted by the trial court
and its assessors, “accords with the basic principles of natural justice.
285. Peter Mwansula v. Amulike
Mwamasika, (PC) Civ. App. 93-D-67, 30/8/67, Saidi J.
Plaintiff’s mother, alleged to be a
practicing Christian, had died. Plaintiff sued the decedent’s brother, also
Christian, claiming one cow under the Wanyakyusa practice of “Ukumbamba” where
by the father or brother or brother of a deceased woman provides a “mourning
cow” to be slaughtered for the occasion of the mourning of her death. Defendant resisted on the
grounds that to do so would violate his Christian beliefs and result in his ostracism,
and that the practice would not comport with the fact that his sister had died
a Christian.
Held:
Under the statement of this practice in Rungwe District Council by-laws, Nos.
25/51 and 22/50, the gift of the mourning cow is voluntary. Plaintiff’s appeal
dismissed.
(1967) H.C.D.
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81 –
286. Birsingh v. Ramnik J. Khetia,
Civ. App. 6-A-66, 5/8/67, Platt J.
Applicants, who are brothers, purchased
a house from respondent and paid the purchase price in full. They agreed that
respondent could remain in possession of the house until it was needed, upon
payment of monthly rent of Shs. 650/- In January 1966 they allegedly served him
with a notice to quit the premises and brought this proceeding before the Rent
Restriction Board When he failed to do so. The application stated that the
house was required for the occupancy of applicants’ mother, who was ill and
needed a ground floor dwelling; it was unclear whether one or both applicants
would also live there. Respondent owned other houses which he had leased. He
had not taken reasonable steps to regain possession of these houses.
Held:
(1) When a vendor remains in possession of premises which he has sold, the
question of whether a tenancy is created is governed by the true intention of the
parties as shown by all of circumstances. {Citing Virani v. Singh, (1946) E. A.
C. A. 3; Francis Jacson Development Ltd. v. Semp. (1946) 2 A. E.R 601} In the
present case, the purchase price had been paid and a rent agreed upon, and a
tenancy was created. (2) The tenancy was a tenancy at will, not a tenancy from
month to month, and no notice to quit was required; a demand for possession was
sufficient. (3) The medical evidence of the mother’s condition was a sufficient
showing of need under section 19(1) (e) of the Rent Restriction Ordinance, 1962
(the case is governed by that ordinance as it read prior to the Amending Act,
No. 57 of 1966.) (4) The requirement of section 19(1)(e) that alternative
accommodation be available to the tenant is satisfied by the fact that respondent
owned other premises, even though those premises had been 1 cased to others.
(5) Section 19 (4) of the Rent Restriction Ordinance provides that nothing in
section 19 (1) (e) shall “permit the landlord to recover possession of a
dwelling house if by such recovery he ….would be in occupation of more than one
dwelling house at the same time.” This subsection has been interpreted by the
Court of Appeals for Eastern Africa as applying to join landlords, and as
requiring that none of them occupy another dwelling. [ Citing Manmohandas Daverchand
v. A. J. Kalyanji, (1950) 17 E.A.C.A. 63, and Shaer Shair Ahmed v. Sharifa
Tatoon A. Aziz, (1960) E.A. 17, both appeals from the Supreme Court of Aden,
and Mclntyre. V. Hardcastle, (1948) 2 K.B. 82] (6) The High Court is bound by
decisions of the Court of Appeals for Eastern Africa. The “very artificial
result” is that applicants can recover possession only if (a) both of them
occupy the premises, or (b) neither of them do so and the house is occupied
solely by their mother. Retrial ordered, because the record was unclear as to
who would occupy the house.
287. Mohamed s/o Ally v. Amina d/o
Saidi, (PC) Civ. App. 77-D-67, 30/8/67, Saidi, J.
Plaintiff assaulted his wife in 1965 and
she left him. In 1966 he brought this action for restitution of conjugal
rights. The wife did not challenge his claim, but she sought, and was awarded,
Shs. 34/- as compensation for money which she had spent out of her original family’s
funds for her support during the separation.
(1967) H.C.D.
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82 –
Held:
Plaintiff admitted he had assaulted defendant. So long as she is his legal
wife, he is responsible for maintaining her, “and it matters little whether she
is living separately.”
288 Tatu Seleman v. COSATA, Civ,
App. 10-M-66; 14/3/67; Platt, J.
Defendant succeeded in an action brought
against him for goods sold and delivered. Defendant’s preliminary motion, for a
ruling that no cause of action had been stated, had been rejected, but no costs
on the motion had been awarded. Upon final judgment, defendant was awarded
costs for Shs. 25/-, At no time did the trial court hear argument by either
party on the issue of costs, and the court did not specify its reasons for the
award that was made
Held:
(1) Scale 11 fees of Shs. 70/- should be awarded in defended cases, such as
this. [Advocates’ Remunerations Taxation of Costs (Amendment Rules, Rule 61
(1).] (2) The trial court has discretion in this matter under Rule 61, paragraphs
(2), (3) and (5). However, since no reasons were given, the court will not be
deemed to have exercised its discretion in a judicial manner. Its order, therefore,
is reviewable. (3) Under Rule 61, paragraph (5), the trial court could have
awarded costs at the time of the interlocutory ruling or deferred the matter
until final judgment. In either case, the parties should be allowed to address
the court as to costs at some stage. (4) This was not an appropriate case for
an award of costs to follow the event. However, the costs on the ruling would
be reasonable. Therefore, the resulting allocation of Shs. 25/- for costs to
defendant should not be disturbed.
289. Petro s/o Kihisi v. R.,
Crim. App. 498-M-67, 27/7/67, Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of housebreaking
and stealing. On appeal, he argued for the first time that an admission made in
the presence of the complainant and the Village Executive Officer had been
obtained by unlawful inducement.
Held:
The accused “did not suggest during his trial that the admission ….. was
obtained by any promise or threat although he now, as an after-thought, includes
that in his grounds of appeal.” Because the evidence justified the conviction,
and because there was no misdirection by the magistrate, the conviction was
upheld.
290. Donatus s/o Ishindike v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 115-M-67, 25/7/67, Cross, J.
In the District Court, accused sought
leave to appeal out of time his conviction in Primary Court. His claim, that he
did not know the appeal procedure was rejected, because the right of appeal was
explained to him in the primary court. The District Court’s second reason for
rejecting accused ’s application was that the appeal was unlikely to succeed.
Held:
Upon examining the trial court record, the High Court found that accused ’s
appeal would be likely to succeed, if heard. The District Court was ordered to
hear the appeal out of time.
(1967) H.C.D.
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83 –
291. Andrea Ndibalema v. R.,
Crim. App. 387-M-67, 27/7/67, Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
stealing, and appealed …. The Senior Resident Magistrate reported that no trace
could be found of the record of the trial and other proceedings below.
Held:
In these circumstances it is impossible to adjudicate this appeal. Conviction
set aside and appellant ordered to be re-tried by a different magistrate.
292. Onesmus M. Ngowi v. Modesta
Nhigula, Misc. Crim. App. 30-D-67, 18/8/67, Saidi, J.
Plaintiff claimed that defendant had
made her pregnant, and was successful in her Affiliation Cause in District
Court.
Held:
(1) The defendant’s responsibility for plaintiff’s pregnancy is established by
the plaintiff’s testimony, the love letters written to her by defendant under
the pretext that he was her brother, the medical evidence, and the “facial similarity
between the (defendant) and the child.” (2) Under clause 189 of the Local
Customary Law (Declaration) Order, 1963 [ Government Notice No. 279 of 1963],
the defendant is responsible for expenses of pregnancy and childbirth; defendant
was ordered to pay Shs. 800/- on this account. (3) Defendant was ordered to pay
Shs. 100/- per month for the maintenance of the child until the child reaches
the age of 21 years. The order was made retroactive to the month in which the
child was born.
293. Japhet s/o Mangwa v. R.,
Crim. App. 461-D-67; 18/8/67, Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of defamation {P.C.
ss. 187, 188} for having made false oral reports to the police about another
man.
Held:
Section 187 refers to publications of defamatory matter by “print, writing,
painting, effigy or by any means otherwise than solely by gestures, spoken
words or other sounds …” Slander, therefore, is not a criminal offence, and
complainant’s recourse is to bring a civil action. Conviction quashed.
294. Samwel s/o John v. R., Crim.
App. 512-D-67, 23/8/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused was charged with rescue of a
prisoner [P.C. s. 115 (c) ] and obstructing a police officer [P. C. s. 243 (b) ]. He was
convicted on the second count. However, he was acquitted on the first count on
the ground that the section applies only to the rescue of a prisoner who has
been tried and convicted of an offence.
Held:
(1) Penal Code section 115 applies to the rescue of any person in lawful
custody whether he has been tried and convicted or is merely in custody pending
trial. (2) Since the appeal as to the conviction on the second count has no
merit and a sentence relating to the first count would have run concurrently
with that on the second count, no change in the sentence is required. Appeal
dismissed.
295.Lawrence Kaguruku Mutungi v. R., Crim.
App. 401-M—67, 14/8/67, Mustafa, J.
Appellant and a co-accused were charged
with theft. The co-accused was acquitted,
but appellant was convicted on the bases of the co-accused ‘s testimony against
him. The High
(1967) H. C. D.
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Court found that the co-accused was
“without doubt an accomplice” of appellant.
Held:
(1) A conviction cannot be based solely on the testimony of a co-accused who is
an accomplice. Such evidence requires corroboration. (2) The fact that
appellant seemed an untruthful person in the witness box could not serve as
such corroboration. Conviction quashed.
296. Edward s/o Petro v. R. Crim.
App. 405-M-67, 18/8/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of stealing a bed.
The bed was produced in court and identified by the complainant, but it was not
tendered and admitted into evidence as an exhibit.
Held:
Section 61 of the Evidence Act, 1967, provides, “All facts except the contents
of documents may be proved by oral evidence.” Even if an article is not
produced in court, that factor affects only the weight – not the admissibility
– of oral evidence concerning the article. [Citing Woodroffe and Amar Ali, Law
of Evidence Applicable to British India (7th Ed.), comments to section
59 of the Indian Evidence Act (from which section 61 was derived).] Where, as
here, the article was produced in court, was identified, and there was ample
opportunity to examine it, the failure to admit if as an exhibit would not even
affect the weight of the evidence.
297. Sigismund s/o Heremenigridi v. R.,
Crim. App. 497-D-67, 18/8/67, Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of doing grievous
harm [ P.C. s. 225], on evidence clearly showing that it was he who had
assaulted the complainant. A medical report on the complainant’s injuries was apparently
received as evidence by the court, but not shown to accused. The doctor who had
prepared the report was not called as witness.
Held:
(1) Under the Criminal Procedure Code, section 213, the court must, upon
request by the accused, make available for examination the doctor who has
prepared a medical report received in evidence. Therefore, the court is obliged
to inform an accused of his right to cross-examine the doctor, and its failure
to so inform the accused here was error. (2) However, the error here was not “a
serious omission which would go to the root of the case,” as it was clear that
the accused had assaulted the complainant, and as the report itself seemed to
be in order.
298 Hatibu s/o Nyatika v. R.,
Crim. App. 498-D-67, 4/8/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of house breaking
and stealing. Act the trial, after the close of the defence case, the Court
called a witness and took his evidence.
Held:
(1) “Except in most unusual circumstances, prosecution evidence cannot be
called after the defence case has closed. …..” Even where such a procedure is
justified as, for example, in rebuttal of an alibi unexpectedly raised during
the defence ---the greatest care must be exercised by the Court. In the present
case, the procedure was wholly improper. (2) The testimony admitted was
unnecessary, ineffective and was not mentioned in the judgment, and its introduction
did not prejudice accused. Appeal dismissed.
(1967) H. C. D.
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85 –
299. R. v. Jafari s/o Musa, Crim.
Rev. 3-D-65, 14/8/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of hunting game
animals without a licence [Fauna Conservation Ordinance, Cap. 302, s. 12] and
unlawful possession of a firearm [Arms and Ammunition Ordinance, Cap. 223, s.
13 (1).] Sentence included forfeiture of the fire-arm unlawfully in accused ’s
possession. [Fauna Conservation Ordinance, s. 53 (2B).] Included in the record
of the case sent to the High Court was a sworn affidavit by the owner of the
gun stating that he was out of town when accused used the gun unlawfully and
knew nothing about the events constituting the offence.
Held:
It seems evident that the owner of the gun in no way connived in the commission
of the offence by accused, and it would be unjust to penalize the owner for an
offence committed by another without his knowledge. The Court ordered that the
firearm be returned to the owner.
300. R. v. Ngado d/o Mwakalinga,
(PC) Crim. Rev. 7-D-67, 17/8/67, Georges C. J.
Accused, a child of ten years of age,
was convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm [P.C. s. 241] upon the
bases of the testimony of the victim, a child of eleven years of age. A fine
and order of compensation were imposed, both of which were ordered to be paid
by the parent of accused under the provisions of section 21(1) of Cap. 13. However,
the parent was given no opportunity to be heard at the trial.
Held:
(1) Section 15 of the Penal Code provides, “A person under the age of twelve
years is not criminally responsible for an act … unless it is proved that at
the time of doing the act … he had the capacity to know that he ought not to do
the act ….” In such a simple charge as assault, proof may be inferred from the
surrounding circumstances. Most children of 10 know that they ought not to hit
other children with stones. However, it is desirable that the Magistrate
specifically consider and make a finding on this issue. (2) Section 15 (1) of
the Primary Courts (Evidence) Regulations, G. N. No. 22 of 1964, provides, “In
both criminal and civil cases, the evidence of young children must be supported
by other evidence.” There was no such corroboration and the evidence was thus
insufficient to support the conviction (3) Section 21(2) of Cap. 13 provides
that a court may not order a parent to pay a fine or compensation order without
giving the parent an opportunity to be heard. Therefore, the order was bad.
Conviction set aside and sentence quashed.
301. R. v. Mohamed (Werema) s/o Ntari,
Crim. Rev. 31-M-67, 8/867, Cross, J.
Accused was convicted of disobedience of
statutory duty. [P. C. s. 123.] He was charged with, and admitted to, willfully
disobeying a “statutory order. … not to build any building on Plot No. 7 in
Bunda township…..” Section 123 provides, in relevant part, “Everyone who
willfully disobeys any Statute or Ordinance by doing any act which it forbids
…… and which concerns the public or any part of the public, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Held;
(1)The words “Statute or Ordinance” include subsidiary legislation made or
passed under the authority of any statute
(1967) H. C.D.
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Or ordinance. However, it must be
alleged and proved that the act which was done has been forbidden either by a
statute or ordinance or by subsidiary legislation. The act charged was in violation
of an Order of an Area Secretary and was, therefore, not in violation of
section 123. The charge should have been made under section 124 of the Penal
Code. (3) In light of information not presented at the trial, that subsequent
to the date of the commission of the offence accused was give permission to
continue development of the plot, conviction was quashed.
302. Xaver Haule v. R., Crim.
App. 304-D-67, 4/8/67, Hamlyn, J
Accused was convicted of personating a
police officer. [P. C. s. 100 (2).] There was evidence that he informed the
keeper of a local beer house of his alleged status, ordered beer and failed to
pay for it.
Held:
One element of the offence is commission of some act by virtue of the alleged
status as a public official such as, for example, an arrest, In the present
case accused did no such act. Conviction quashed.
303. Kidevu Msese v. R., Crim.
App. 227-M-67, 26/7/67, Cross, J.
The accused were convicted of
office-breaking, on a charge that they had broken into a service station in
Kigoma on the night of 22/23rd October, 1966. At the same trial, two
other persons were convicted of breaking into the same service station on the
night of the 17/18th October 1966.
Held:
(1) Because the appellants were not concerned in the transaction which was the
subject of the charge against the other accused persons, the charge against
them should not have been joined in the same information, and the trials should
not have proceeded together. (Crim. Proc. Code, s. 137). (2) This defect is not
curable under Criminal Procedure Code section 346, “since it is difficult to
avoid the conclusion that the appellants were prejudiced by their joint trial.”
The trial was therefore a nullity. (3) As there was “sufficient indication”
that one appellant was in fact guilty as charged, re-trial was ordered for that
appellant only.
304. Omari s/o Mwendifwa v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 106-D-67, 7/8/67, Georges C.J
Accused was convicted of cattle theft.
The record did not show that he was told of his right to cross-examine the
prosecution witnesses, nor that he asked any question, nor that he stated
specifically that he had no questions to ask.
Held:
Where the record does not show that the accused was allowed to question those
testifying against him, the trial is a nullity. Conviction quashed; re-trial
ordered.
305. Amiral Rashidi Rajwani v. R.,
Crim. App. 460-D-67, 9/8/67, Hamlyn C.J
Accused pleaded guilty to charges of
stealing by servant, forgery, and uttering a false document, “without any
mis-apprehension as to (the) purport” of the charges. On appeal, he argued that
the police had told him he would receive a lesser sentence upon a plea of
guilty than otherwise.
(1967) H. C. D.
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He did not deny committing the offence.
He also argued that the sentence, one of imprisonment, should be reduced
because he was a first offender, and because he had not been heard in
mitigation by the magistrate.
Held:
(1) Because the accused did not argue that he was in fact not guilty, and
because the plea had been “clear,” the claim of inducement was rejected. (2)
The sentence was altered to on of 18 months’ probation on the accused ’s own
bond, without surety, for Shs. 1000/- The Court noted that it is “always
desirable” to hear an accused in mitigation. The Court also noted that
“particularly short terms of imprisonment” for first offenders are
“undesirable.”
306. R. v. Jama Mohamed, Crim.
Rev. 20-A-67, 21/7/67, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of carrying
passengers for hire or reward without a public service vehicle licence.
[Traffic Ordinance, s. 27A (1) – (3), amendment Act No. 31 of 1961.] He had
been previously convicted of this offence but in relation to another vehicle.
Held:
Section 27A(2) provides that where the conviction is for a second or subsequent
offence the court shall, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order the
cancellation of the registration of the motor vehicle and of the public service
vehicle licence, for a period not less than six months nor exceeding two years.
This provision is applicable even though the previous conviction was in respect
of a different vehicle. Licence and Registration cancelled for six months.
307. Jumanne s/o Masudi v. R.,
Crim App. 283-M-67, 2/8/67, Cross J.
Accused was driving his motor vehicle at
a very high rate of speed when there were a number of persons on the road. A
policeman signaled him to stop, but accused ignored this signal. He was
convicted, inter alia, of failure to obey a policeman in uniform, under
Traffic Ordinance, ss 58(a), 70.
Held:
Section 58 (a) provides that, “Where a police officer is … engaged in the
regulation of traffic… any person driving …. Who neglects or refuses to stop
the vehicle …. When directed to do so by a police officer ….. shall be guilty
of an offence.” There is a requirement that the police officer be “engaged in
the regulation of traffic” as one part of the offence. Since the constable here
was not so engaged when he signaled accused to halt, the conviction was
quashed.
308. R. v. Yahaya Mohamedi, Crim.
Rev. 78-D-67, 4/8/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused was a motor vehicle mechanic.
After repairing a truck, he drove it to a petrol station so that its driver
could take delivery. While at the station he was cited for driving a vehicle
which had no licence and for which there was no insurance. Accused was unaware
of these facts. He was convicted, inter alia, of driving an uninsured vehicle.
Held:
In addition to other penalties, such a conviction results in disqualification
from holding driving licence for at least one year unless some “special circumstances”
exist . [Motor Vehicle Insurance Ordinance, s. 4.] However, the facts of this
case “suffice for not imposing this additional penalty.”
(1967) H.C.D
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88 –
309.Francis (Aoko) s/o Oyengo v. R.
Crim. App. 348-M-67, -/8/67, Cross J..
Accused was convicted of cattle theft
and was ordered to pay one cow to complainant as compensation.
Held:
Section 6(1) of the Minimum Sentence Act provides that he court shall, upon convicting
a person of a scheduled offence, order the convicted person to pay the owner of
the property compensation equal to the value of the property lost. Section 6(2)
provides that compensation ordered under subsection (1) shall be recoverable as
if it were a civil debt. This provision restricts recovery to a sum of money
and does not allow payment in kind. Sentence was substituted ordering accused
to pay Shs. 100/- to complainant for the loss of the cow.
310. Rashidi s/o Hamisi v. R.,
District Court Crim. App. 39-Kondoa-67, 7/6/67, Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted in Primary Court
of unlawful wounding and sentenced to six months imprisonment. The District
Court purported to enhance the sentence to eighteen months imprisonment.
Held:
Section 17 (b) of the Magistrates’ Court Act, 1963. Provides that the decision
of a Primary Court shall not be altered by a District Court so as to be in
excess of the jurisdiction of the Primary Court. Under the Third Schedule of
the Act, the ordinary powers of the Primary Court do not exceed a twelve month
term of imprisonment. The term of imprisonment was reduced to twelve months.
311. R. v. Kinumen s/o Memuri,
(PC) Crim. Rev. 1-A-67, 24/6/67. Platt J.
Accused was convicted in Primary Court
of stealing one sheep and sentenced to a fine of Shs. 250/- or two months’
imprisonment in default. On revision before the District Court, it was correctly
determined that the offence was of cattle theft, which carries a minimum
sentence of three years. [Part 11 of Schedule, Minimum Sentence Act.] However,
before the prison authorities were notified of the new sentence, accused had
completed his two month sentence and had been released.
Held:
Accused, If apprehended, must serve the balance of the enhanced sentence,
“unless other authorities concerned wish to take a special course.”
312. Yakobo s/o Mulaki v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 297-M-67, 11/8/67 Cross J.
Accused was convicted of stealing a goat
value at Shs. 50/- months’ imprisonment and 12 strokes. On revision, The
District Court increased the sentence to 3 years and 24 strokes, pursuant to
the provisions of the Minimum Sentences Act.
Held:
Section 5 (2) of the Minimum Sentences Act, setting out the conditions upon
which a sentence less than the minimum may be imposed (including inter alia,
that the property stolen be of less than Shs. 100/- in value), does not apply
to cattle theft. Sentence upheld.
313. William s/o Nyanda v. R. Crim.
App. 346-M-67, 18/8/67, Cross J.
(1968)H.C.D
-89
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Accused pleaded guilty to a charge of
stealing from T.A.P.A., be whom he was employed as a teacher for Shs. 85/- per
month. He had received school fees, from which he had retained Shs. 390/-
against his unpaid salary. He had not been paid his salary for 7 months. The
stolen money was subsequently repaid.
Held:
(1) T.A.P.A. is a charity, as a number of judicial decisions have held;
therefore, the sentence of 2 years and 24 strokes was obligatory, under the Minimum
Sentence Act. (2) A certified copy of the proceedings was ordered to be
forwarded to the attorney General “with a view to a recommendation to …… the
President that earnest consideration be given at least to a reduction of the sentence
…. The Court felt that the accused could “hardly be blamed” for his conduct,
and that, but for the operation of the Minimum Sentences Act, “Only nominal
punishment would have been imposed.”
314. Alli s/o Nassoro v. R.,
Crim. App. 488-D-67, 8/8/67, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
stealing. On the burglary conviction, the minimum sentence was imposed. Accused
had been on remand for 7 months, a delay “accused entirely by the prosecution
who time after time sought adjournments for one reason after another.”
Held:
“Unfortunately, the court cannot take into account period spent in custody where a minimum
sentence is imposed.” Sentence confirmed.
315. R. v. Revocultus s/o Nsolo,
Crim. Rev. 35-M-67, 12/8/67, Mustafa J.
Accused, an 18 year old first offender,
pleaded guilty to an unnatural offence [P.C. s. 154] He had been sleeping in
the same bed with complainant, and had committed buggery upon him while the
latter was asleep. He was sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment.
Held:
Although “the accused is indeed morally debased,” the sentence was excessive in
view of the facts that he was a first offender and that he pleaded guilty.
Sentence reduced to 18 months.
The
Court stated, obiter: “Committing this young person to a prison for three years
could possibly encourage him to commit such unnatural offences in prison. I
would have liked to impose a sentence of corporal punishment on him but I find this
offence does not attract corporal punishment.”
316. Mathew Merere v. R. Crim.
App. 456-D-67, 11/8/67, Hamlyn, J
Accused opened a school, promising that
a normal and adequate course of instruction would be provided. He collected
fees for his services. Because of his lack of knowledge and inefficiency, he
was utterly in capable of fulfilling the promises which he had made. He was
convicted of obtaining money by false pretences.
Held:
(1) Section 301 of the Penal Code provides that the representation must concern
a matter of fact either past or present. In the present case, the representation
concerned services which were to be performed in the future, and such evidence
did not support the conviction. (2) In addition, it is doubtful that the
evidence showed any real intent to defraud. Conviction quashed.
(1967) H.C.D.
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317. Samson s/o Karuwana v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 514-M-67, 7/8/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of stealing iron
sheets which were the property of the South Mara District Council, He was
sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes under the Minimum Sentences
Act.
Held:
(1) The Minimum Sentences Act applies to convictions of theft under section 265
of the Penal Code if the offender knew or ought to have known that the thing
stolen was government property. However, there was no evidence that accused
knew or ought to have known that the iron sheets belonged to the District
Council and the Minimum Sentences Act was, therefore, inapplicable. (2) As
accused had already served his term of imprisonment, no order varying sentence
was made.
318. Paulo Kajuna v. R., Crim.
App. 314-M-67, 28/7/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of criminal
trespass, despite the defence that he thought the land belonged to him. The
land upon which accused trespassed had been the subject of previous litigation,
in which accused had claimed ownership of the land, and lost.
Held:
In view of the earlier adjudication of ownership, if cannot be argued by
accused that he in good faith believed the land to be his. Conviction affirmed.
319. Wambura s/o Chacha v. R.,
Crim. App. 424-M-67; 9/8/67, Cross J.
In the course of a trial for cattle
theft, one of the witnesses was committed to prison for not answering a
question “properly” or “directly”. The trial court purported to act under
section 153 of the Criminal Procedure Code which, inter alia, empowers a
magistrate to commit a witness to prison if he refuses to answer any question;
rather, the magistrate found the answer unsatisfactory. Moreover, the
magistrate apparently did not give the witness an opportunity to explain why he
answered as he did. “The magistrate should be very careful when invoking the
provisions of section 153….. that the procedure therein outlined is strictly followed’.
Section 153 was deemed inapplicable.
320. In re Dara F. Keeka and
Mohamedali Nasser Damji, Misc. Civ. Case 12-D-67, -/8/67, Hamlyn, J.
The executrix of the deceased advocate
brought this application for a Bill of Costs for services rendered in a
criminal case.
Held:
The Bill of Costs was filed under section 62 of the Advocates Ordinance, Cap.
341, for “contentions proceedings.” Although that term is not defined, it is
clear that it relates only to civil actions, and does not apply to remuneration
in respect of services in criminal proceedings. [Distinguishing In re Jackson,
(1915) I.K.B.371.] The Court stated, obiter, that in the absence of any written
agreement as to remuneration, the matter “perhaps could be regarded as one of
reasonable remuneration on an implied promise – Sib Kishore Ghose v. Manik
Chandra Nath (1916) A.I.R. Calcutta 669.” Application dismissed.
(1967) H.C.D.
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91 –
321. Amradha Construction Co. v.
Sultani Street Agip Service Station, Civ. App. 14-D-67, 29/9/67, Saidi J.
Defendant owed plaintiff Shs. 5,652/85.
Defendant was closing down his business; plaintiff, out of fear that defendant
would leave for India without paying his debt, petitioned to attach certain of
defendant’s assets without first making formal request for payment coupled with
notice of his intention to file suit. A conditional order of attachment was
granted, but the full amount of the debt was deposited in court before the
scheduled hearing on the attachment. The only issue involved here was who
should bear the burden of advocates’ fees.
Held:
(1) Rule 61 of the Rules of Court (Advocates’ Remuneration and Taxation of Cost
Rules) Vol. v, page 194 reads, “61. If the plaintiff in any action has not
given the defendant notice of his intention to sue, and the defendant pays the
amount claimed or found due at or before the first hearing no advocates costs
will be allowed except on a special order of the judge.” That rule precisely
covers this situation. (2) Since upon consideration of all the facts the
situation was not as urgent as plaintiff though, there was no basis for a
special order here. Consequently plaintiff must bear all costs.
322. Juma s/o Kisunda v. Hema s/o
Mjie, (PC) Civ. App. 85-D-67, 14/9/67, Saidi J.
The mother of the five children in
question was originally married to a member of respondent’s clan. Her husband
died, as did his brother who inherited her after the death. The mother then
left the clan and later allegedly married appellant. Appellant is the father of
the five children. Custody of the children was awarded to respondent, for the
bride price paid by the first husband was not returned. Under Nyaturu customary
law, the mother, as his widow, was still in his clan. Appellant did not
challenge this on appeal, but he did claim expenses incurred in caring for the
children. Two of the daughters are now married and the bride price was taken by
respondent.
Ordered:
The claim for reimbursement for the maintenance of the five children is
meritorious. Evidence should be taken as to the amount maintenance of a child
in that locality. Case remanded to the District Magistrate for the taking of
such evidence.
323. Nyandito d/o Makori v. Wichoka
Masanja, (PC) Civ. App. 95-M-66, 30/8/67, Mustafa, J.
Plaintiff divorced her husband, and 21
head of cattle paid as bride wealth were returned to him She then sued for the
return of 15 cattle on the grounds that she had lived with him for 14 years and
had borne him 7 children, 4 of whom were still alive. These children were
living with the husband . In the
(1967) H. C. D.
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Held: Although the wife initiated the divorce proceedings, she
was not clearly at fault. In view of the length of time she spent with her
husband, and of the fact that she had given birth to children during the
marriage, “the court has a discretion in this case to award some cattle ….”
[Citing Local Customary Law (Declaration) Order, G. N. 279 of 1963, ss. 52-55;
no mention was made of the specific customary law involved.] Plaintiff awarded
7 cattle.
324. Bansongile s/o Mwalugaja v.
Sifumwike s/o Mwandinde, (LC) Civ. App. 78-D-65, 11/9/67, Hamlyn J.
Plaintiff sue for possession of a plot
of land allegedly allotted to him by a local headman. Defendant alleged that
the land had been allotted by the local authority to defendant’s church, which
defendant purported to represent in the present action. Defendant appeared in
his own name, however. The customary law involved was not specified.
Held:
(1) The Primary Courts have a less precise mode of procedure than the courts
governed by the 1966 Civil Procedure Code. Order 1, rule 8 of that Code may be
loosely applied in the Primary Courts to permit the appearance of the defendant
here as a representative of his church, since the fact that he meant to so
appear was “clearly known to the [plaintiff] from the start of the litigation.”
(2) The Local authority does not lack power to allocate land for use for religious
purposes. [Citing Pamaluka Mahema v. Twipakisyege Mwakatobe (LC) Civ. App. 19
of 1966.] The evidence supports the finding that such was the disposition to
the defendant in this case. Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
325. Gabriel Kyamukubwa v. Sylvestor
Kente, (PC) Civ. App. 23-M-66, 30/8/67, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff sued defendant for occupying
land alleged to have been bequeathed to plaintiff by a deceased woman. Several
witnesses supported his claim that the woman had orally bequeathed him the land
some three hours before her death. The Kishanje Primary Court found for
plaintiff, the assessors concurring. The District Court found for defendant, on
the grounds that he decedent had probably not been in full possession of her
faculties at the time of the bequest, again with the assessors’ concurrence.
Held:
Section 7 of Schedule 111 to the Laws of Inheritance, Local Customary Law
(Declaration) Order, G.N. 436 of 1963, lists a testator’s “insanity, disease,
drunkenness or sudden anger” as factors invalidating a will. Except that the
bequest was made near the time of her death, no evidence indicates that the testator’s
mind was impaired in this case. Judgment for plaintiff.
326. Agnes Asser Mguya v. Bakisi E.
Mbaga, Misc. Crim. Cause 32-D-67, 6/9/67, Saidi, J.
Appellant, who is unmarried, sought
payment for expenses connected with her pregnancy, and child support payments,
from the man who sired her child.
Held:
(1) The Local Customary Law (Declaration) order 1963, Govt. Notice No. 279,
clause 189 specifically provides for recovery in a situation such as this
one, “….. for any expenses connected
with the pregnancy and child birth.” (2) Respondent’s salary was Shs. 630/- per
month. He was
(1967)
H.C.D.
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Ordered to pay appellant Shs. 100/- per
month until the child reaches the age of majority, this amount being subject to
review “……in the event circumstances change.”
327. Commissioner of Customs and
Excise v. Tarnal Industries Ltd., Civ. Case 32-D-67, 16/8/67, Georges C. J.
In April 1965 defendant wrote plaintiff
Commissioner requesting a ruling as to whether a certain product described as
“sodium salt of the fatty acids” was subject to import duty; a sample of the
product was enclosed in the letter. Thereafter, plaintiff informed defendant by
letter that the product was free of duty under tariff item 108 (k) of the First
Schedule to the Customs Tariff Ordinance, and in July 1965, it was so listed in
the Gazette. In November 1966, plaintiff notified defendant that the product
should have been classified as soap under item 105 of the First Schedule and
demanded payment of the duty on all shipments which had been made during the
previous year. In December 1966 another notice was sent demanding an additional
payment with respect to one of the shipments, more that one was evidence that ,
although the product contained impurities and would be processed further at
defendant’s plant, 80 percent of it was chemically classifiable as soap, and
that the product me the specifications of the Central Tenders Board governing
the purchase of soap by the government.
Held:
(1) The word “soap” should be interpreted in the sense that businessmen dealing
with the Customs and Excise Department would understand it. It should not be
given a purely chemical definition. (2) Still, the word should not be defined
as that which is bought and sold on the commercial marked as “soap” this definition
is also inadequate. (3) As used in the Schedule , “soap” means “a cleansing
agent ….. consisting essentially of sodium salt of fatty acids” (Referring to
Webster’s Dictionary.) (4) The product in question can reasonably be defined as
soap or as “sodium salt of fatty acids.” (5)If a product can reasonably be classified
under two or more items of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Ordinance,
the Commissioner must classify it so as to made it subject to the highest rate
of duty. [East African Customs Management Act, 1952, s. 105]. (6) An official
cannot be estopped from performing a statutory duty. [ Citing Maritime Electric
Co. Ltd. v. General Diries Ltd., (1937)
1 All E. R. 748; South end-on-Sea Corporation v. Hodgson (Wickford) Ltd.,
(1961) 2 All E.R. 46.] Therefore , plaintiff is estopped neither by his letter
nor by the statement in the Gazette from classifying the product as soap. (7)
Section 118 of the East African Customs Management Act, 1952, requires that a
demand for additional duty be made within twelve months of the date on which
payment was due. Therefore, the Commissioner could not in December 1966 demand
an additional payment with respect to the shipment in question.
328. Mkonongo Moto v. Monjelwa
Sangasi, (PC) Civ. App. 61-D-67, 4/9/67, Georges C. J
In execution of a judgment in a prior
case against a third person, appellant levied upon cows and goats in
respondent’s possession. In deciding whether a balance was due on the prior
judgment, the magistrate consulted out of court, the magistrate who had dealt
with the prior case.
Held:
(1) The magistrate in the prior case did not testify in this case, and the
present decision should not be based upon evidence not given at the trial. (2)
The cattle and goats were seized in the respondent’s possession and prima facie
were
(1967) H.C.D.
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His. The burden was upon the appellant
to show that they in fact belonged to the judgment debtor in the prior case.
329. Shababi Mmasai v. Hassani
Mcharo, (PC) Civ. App. 79-D-67, 30/8/67, Saidi J.
Plaintiff allowed defendant to occupy
and cultivate a small piece of land, which was at the time all bush. Over a
period of eleven years, defendant planted bananas and other permanent crops,
developing the land to a value of about Shs. 255/- Plaintiff then claimed
possession back from defendant.
Held:
Plaintiff is entitled to Shs. 272/- as reasonable compensation for the
development of the land, a sum which includes the costs of his suit. (The customary
law involved was not specified by the Court.)
The
Court noted, Obiter: Had plaintiff’s action been delayed one more year it would
have been time-barred under the Customary Law (Limitation of Proceedings) Rules
1963.
330 Satima Chimbe v. Luhi Murasei, (PC)
Civ. App. 67-D-67, 31/8/67, Saidi J.
Plaintiff claimed cattle and goats which
he allegedly handed over to defendant in 1948 for safekeeping. He was awarded
six cattle and appealed, contending that the judgment was insufficient. The
action was filed on 5th December 1966.
Held:
The claim was time barred and should have been rejected outright by the trial
court. The limitation period was three years under the Customary Law
(Limitation of Proceedings) Rules 1963. Appeal dismissed with costs.
331. Eliyaforo Hosea v. Fraeli
Kimaryo, Civ. App. 2-A-67, 15/9/67, Platt J.
Plaintiff was driving from Moshi to
Arusha, at night. He was passed by two other vehicles going in the opposite
direction; the second vehicle’s lights were not dipped. Plaintiff had dipped
his own lights and having done so, was traveling at a speed too great to enable
him to stop his vehicle within his reduced field of vision. Before the second
vehicle passed him, he saw the defendant’s unlighted Land Rover standing
stationary ahead of him. He was unable to avoid it, and struck it. With the
result that his own vehicle was irreparably damaged.
Held:
(1)That plaintiff may have had the “last opportunity” to avoid the accident
does not bar his action. Although the English rule was formerly to the contrary,
the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945 has resulted in the treatment
of such cases as matters for apportionment of blame. To the same effect is the
controlling statute in Tanzania, the Law Reform (Fatal Accidents and
Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, Cap. 360. [Also citing Thyssen v. Wakisu
Estate Ltd. (1960) E.A. 288; Panesar v. Lochab (1966) E.A. 401.] (2) Leaving an
unlighted, stationary vehicle in a road at night is prima facie evidence of
negligence. [Citing Hill-Venning v. Beszant (1950) 2 All E.L.R. 115; Harvey v.
Road Haulage Executive (1952) 1 K.B. 120; Parish v. Judge (1960) 3 All E.R.
33.] (3) There is no rule of law that a driver must be able to stop within the
limits of his lights. [Citing Tidy v. Batham (1934) 1. K.B. 319.] In this case,
plaintiff’s action was in fact negligent, under all the circumstances;
(1967) H.C.D.
-95
–
This view is supported by the provision
of the Traffic Ordinance, s. 44(d), which require him to drive only when he has
“a full view of the read and the traffic ahead of him.” (4) Although there are
English authorities supporting the allotment of a specific proportion of the
damages to be paid to the party creating the obstruction in the road, this case
will be decided on its own particular facts. Judgment for plaintiff; damages
apportioned evenly between the two parties, so that plaintiff is entitled to
one half of his proved damages.
332. Standard Bank Ltd. v. John
Bibiano Fernandes, Civ. Case 51-D-65, 9/9/67, Hamlyn J
Plaintiff sued defendant on a secure
debt on account in the name of defendant’s wife, a bankrupt. The trial
apparently commenced before the Acting Chief Justice, who heard the plaintiff’s
case. For reasons not further specified in this judgment, he refused to continue
to hear the defendant’s case, his action being “due solely to certain acts of
the defendant himself.” He was replaced by Justice Hamlyn. Defendant moved for
a trial de novo, on the grounds that Justice Hamalyn had not observed the
demeanor of the plaintiff’s witness.
Held:
“If …….. any hardship fell upon the defendant by reason of my acting under the
provisions of Order 18 rule 10(10) of the 1966 Civil Procedure Code, the
defendant had himself to thank for this. The plaintiff’s witness’s where- about
are now unknown and it clearly would place the plaintiff in great difficulty
had I acceded to the defendant’s application.” Judgment for plaintiff.
333. Gaudensia Samwel v. Mechor
Marcel, (PC) Civ. App. 47-M-67, 31/8/67, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff sued defendant of an account
for goods sold to defendant’s father. Defendants last cash payments had been in
1960, at which time she had also signed a written acknowledgment of liability.
The present action was filed in Bukoba Primary Court in August 1965.
Held:
(1) Under section 14 of the Magistrate Courts Act, it is doubtful that the
Primary Court had jurisdiction to deal with this action. However, “since
neither party had raised this question …. I do not propose myself to raise it,
especially as the facts … are quite clear and in my view any court would have
perhaps dealt with the matter in the way it was dealt with by the primary
court.” (2) The period of limitation in cases like this is 3 years from the
date of the accrual of the cause of action. However, section 2 of the Primary
Courts Customary Law (Limitation of
Proceedings) Rules, G. N. 311 of 1964, provides for a period of 3 years from
the accrual of the cause of action or from the day the Rules came into
operation, “chic hover is later.” Since the plaint was filed in Primary Court,
these rules apply, and the claim is therefore not time-barred. Defendant’s
appeal dismissed.
334. Malolela s/o Ngwimbe v. Chisco
d/o Chimali, (LC) Civ. App. 18-D-66, 16/9/67, Saidi J.
Plaintiff’s father left him a number of
cattle in the custody of plaintiff’s aunt, the plaintiff being then too young
to care for them himself. Plaintiff alleged that fifty cattle were left that
these had since multiplied to seventy, and claimed.
(1967) H.C.D.
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96 –
Seventy cattle from his aunt. The woman
admitted receiving twenty cattle, but claimed that she had paid nineteen of
them as bride for plaintiff’s wife. She did not claim any compensation for her
services. The High Court accepted her defence.
Held:
“There is only one beast left in her hands, which I think should be given to
her as a reward for having looked after the animals for … many years and for
having administered the estate of the [plaintiff’s] father in a very
straightforward manner.” No specific reference was made to customary law provisions
or tribal practices involved.
335. Joas s/o Ernest v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 539-M-67, 7/9/67, Mustafa J.
The three accused went to the house of
complainant and demanded pombe, to which request complainant replied that he
had none. Accused threatened to use force if complainant did not let them into
his house, and began to pound on the door. At this point neighbors came, and
the accused departed. They were convicted of common assault, contrary to P.C.
240.
Held: The evidence does not disclose
any assault. Appellant might have been successfully charged with “… Intent to
intimidate or annoy or bread premises or some other offence of that nature.”
Convictions quashed.
336. R. v. Jama s/o Esmaeli,
Dist. Ct. Crim. Case 156-Arusha-67, 25/8/67, Inspection Note by Platt J.
Accused was found guilty of being in
possession of four leopard skins [Fauna Conservation Ordinance, Cap. 302, ss.
49 (1), 52], and fined Shs. 500/- or three months imprisonment in default.
There was no evidence as to the condition of the skins.
Noted:
If the skins were in good condition, the fine was quite inadequate, In cases
concerning valuable government trophies, it is proper to introduce evidence as
to their condition and their value, for this provides the magistrate with
essential information on which to base the sentence. In the absence of such information,
the sentence was not modified.
337. Samweli s/o Baruni v. R.
(PC) Crim. App. 22-A-67, 30/8/67, Platt J.
Accused was the defendant in a prior
case in which a judgment had been entered against him. The plaintiff in that
action brought an execution proceeding which resulted in the sale of accused ‘s
shamba, but accused was permitted to remain in possession for a period in order
to harvest his crops. Eventually the purchaser at the execution sale reported
to the court that he was unable to take possession of the shamba. As a result,
accused was convicted under section 114 (1) (h) of the Penal Code which
provides that any person who “wrong fully retakes possession of any land … from
any person who has recently obtained a judgment from a court for the recovery
of possession on such land … is guilty of a misdemeanor.”
Held:
Accused had not “retaken” possession but had merely remained in possession beyond
the permitted period. Moreover, the purchaser’s right to possess did not stem
from a judgment granting him recovery of possession. Therefore, the charge was
not proved. The Court stated, obiter, that if the purchaser had sued accused
for the recovery of the land,
(1967)H.C.D.
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97 -
Accused would then have been in contempt
of court if he had failed to vacate possession. The Court also stated that if
accused had disobeyed any lawful orders of the Court, he “could have been
charged perhaps under section 124 of the Penal Code …..”
338. Peter s/o Kasembe v. R.,
Crim. App. 454-D-67, 27/9/67, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of a corrupt
transaction contrary to section 3(1)(3) of the Corruption Ordinance, Cap. 400.
As a part of a police trap, a police officer sought work from accused, who was
the personnel manager of a textile factory. Accused demanded money for
performing this favour, and the money was allegedly given to accused by an
intermediary named Abdullah during a meeting at the accused ‘s house. Other
police officers then entered the house and the money was found under a table
cloth in the room in which the meeting took place.
Held:
(1) Abdullah was an accomplice, and the trial court erred in failing to
consider the danger of accepting such evidence unless it is corroborated. (2)
The police decoy who took part in the trap should not be treated as an
accomplice, and his testimony need not be corroborated as a matter of law.
However, he is not a disinterested witness, and his evidence must be examined
closely.” (T)hought corroboration would not be required as a matter of law, it
would hardly ever be safe in practice to convict unless there was
corroboration.” (3) The finding of the notes under the table cloth does not
provide corroboration since they were not found on the person of the accused
and could have been placed under the table cloth by one of those taking part in
the trap. Conviction set aside for insufficient evidence.
339. Alex s/o Andrea v. R., Crim.
App. 494, 495-D-67, -/8/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused were convicted of burglary and
stealing. The prosecution was unable to obtain transport for one of its
witnesses in time for him to appear during the prosecution case. As a result,
he was called as a court witness by the magistrate after the close of the
defence case. The appeals were dismissed because any errors committed were not prejudicial.
The
Court stated, obiter: (1) A court witness should be called only in the
most exceptional circumstances after the close of the defence case in rebuttal
of defence testimony. (2) An opportunity must be given to an accused to recall
witnesses for further cross-examination after any amendment of the charge. (3)
Where an accused who is unrepresented cross-examines a prosecution witness and
asks questions the answers to which would be prejudicial to him, the magistrate
should caution the accused. The question should be entered in the record only
if the accused persists in asking the question after such a caution.
340. Paulo s/o Joseph v. R.,
Crim. App. 108-A-67, 28/8/67,
Appellant and his co-accused were
charged with robbery with violence. There was evidence that the complainant had
picked out accused from an identification parade after he had been told to
“point out the person who attacked him if he was on the pared.” At a second
identification parade, in which the
(1967)H.C.D.
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–
The co-accused and several other
suspects were placed among nine persons, the complainant was in doubt as to the
identification of the second accused who was therefore acquitted.
Held:
The officer conducting a parade should not inform a witness that a suspect is
certainly on the parade. However, the statement by the officer at the first
parade did not violate this rule. The Court stated, obiter: The second parade
violated the requirement that an accused person ought to be placed among at
least eight other persons; it is not satisfactory that several suspects be
placed amongst nine persons. [Citing R. v. Mwango s/o Manaa, (1936) 3 E.A.C.A.
29] However, the error was harm-less because the co-accused was acquitted.
341. Mohamed Hemed Kakopa v. R.,
Crim. App. 567-D-67, 20/9/67, 20/9/67, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
finding. [P.C. ss. 248(4), 265.] There was evidence that one Ayubu had been
hunting and had shot an elephant several times in the leg but that the elephant
had escaped. Two days later accused and a guide came upon the dead body of the
elephant. The guide told accused the elephant belonged to Ayubu but accused
denied this and took the tusks. Prior to the trial the guide had given a
statement to the police which contradicted his testimony at the trial.
Held:
(1) If a witness has previously made a statement contradictory to his testimony
at the trial, his testimony at the trial, his testimony should be viewed with
great suspicion and should be acted upon only where the witness can offer
satisfactory explanation for the change in his story.(2) Section 257 of the
Penal Code states that “wild animals in the enjoyment of their natural liberty
are not capable of being stolen, but their dead bodies are capable of being
stolen, but their dead bodies are capable of being stolen.” To obtain
ownership, a hunter cannot merely injure an animal, he must reduce it to
possession. There fore, the elephant was not the property of Ayub. (3) Accused
should have been charged with taking a government trophy. [Citing section 471
(b) of the Fauna Conservation Ordinance, Cap. 302.]
342. R. v. Mley s/o Kinyamali,
Crim. Sass. 40-A-67, 26/7/67, Platt J.
Accused set fire to complainant’s house,
knowing that she was asleep inside. Accused was charged with attempted murder
[P.C. s. 211]. The evidence revealed a history of accused ’s frustrations in
his advances toward complainant, including a futile approach on the night of
the fire, the complainant’s belief that she had heard the accused ’s voice at
her house before the fire commenced, and witness’ statement that accused was running
away from the house shortly after the fire had begun.
Held:
It is not clear that accused intended to cause complainant’s death; he may have
intended “to cause grievous harm or wound the lady,” or to cause the loss of
her house while being “somewhat indifferent whether she was hurt.” Only a
specific intention to cause death will suffice to support a charge of attempted
murder [Citing R. v. Gwempasi s/o Mukonzho (1943) E.A.C.A. 101.] Accused
convicted of arson.
343. R. v. Alistaliki s/o Masumbuku,
Crim. Sass. 4-A-67, 31/7/67, Platt J
Accused was charged with murdering the
woman with whom he had lived for several months. There was evidence that
(1967) H.C.D.
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99 –
They had quarreled during the day, that
deceased had threatened to return to her mother and had refused to obey accused
’s demand that she wash his clothes. She also refused to give him Shs. 20/- which
he demanded, but finally relinquished it. Shortly thereafter, accused dragged
deceased from a house into a plantation a short distance away and fatally
wounded her with a panga. Deceases was 16 week’s pregnant at the time of her
death.
Held:
(1) An issue is “whether the situation which faced accused as a whole, could be
seen as provocation, which could cause a man of his [accused ’s] position in
life to lose control of himself and act in a heat of passion in this way.”
(2)The burden of proof is on the prosecution to disprove provocation. (3) The
acts of deceased during the quarrel would merely give rise to annoyance and did
not constitute provocation. Accused convicted of murder and sentenced to death,
344. Masaiti Magessa v. R. Crim.
App. 294. 463, 331-M-67, 6/9/67. Mustafa J.
The three accused were tried together at
one trial and were convicted of cattle theft. The first two accused were
charged on one charge sheet and the third accused was charged on a second and
separate charge sheet.
Held:
(1) Individuals who are separately charged cannot have their charges
consolidated or tried together. [Citing Uganda v. Raimondo Alindubo, (1966) E.
A. 301, 303.] (2) The defect is fundamental and cannot be cured by section 346
of the Criminal Procedure Code.
345. Nyabilimo Andrea v. R.,
Crim. App. 269-M-67, 6/9/67, Mustafa J.
Accused was charged and convicted of
“robbery with violence c/s 286 of the Penal Code.” The charge correctly quoted
the section of the Code appropriate to this offence, but gave wrong section
number.
Held:
“The number of the section was obviously quoted in error and I invoke the provisions
of Crim. Proc. Code s. 346 ….. as this error cannot occasion any miscarriage of
justice or prejudice to the appellant as the particulars of the offence are
quite clear. He knew what he pleaded to and with what offence he was charged.”
346. Fabian Maganga v. R. Crim.
App. 545-M-67, 8/9/67, Mustafa J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
public servant. The single count charged that he stole Shs. 100/- However, the
evidence showed that on three separate occasions he had stolen sums of Shs.
20/- Shs. 40/- and Shs. 40/- respectively. The trial magistrate had stated that
if accused had been charged in three separate counts, “probably the sentence
might have been different.”
Held:
(1) These were three separate and distinct thefts and should have been charged
in three separate counts. (2) Had he been charged in three counts, “it was
likely he would not have been deprived of the special circumstances provisions
of Section 5 (2) of the Minimum Sentences Act.” Therefore he was prejudiced by
being charged in one count with an amount which made him ineligible for such a
reduction in sentence. Conviction quashed.
(1967)H.C.D.
-
100 -
347. John Paul v. R., Crim. App.
54, 71, 71-A-67, 28/8/67, Platt J.
Accused were convicted of conspiracy
contrary to Penal Code, section 110 (a). The first magistrate commenced the
trial and heard the first two witnesses. He was then transferred and the trial
resumed before a second magistrate. The accused ‘s counsel were given the
opportunity to recall the first two witnesses but declined to do so . The
result turned primarily upon the testimony of one of the first two witnesses.
Held:
From the record it appears that the trial could have been started de novo, and
it cannot be said that accused were not prejudiced by the failure to do so.
Convictions quashed.
348. Edward s/o Hamisi & 25
Others v. R., Crim. App. 623-648-D-67, 27/9/67, Georges C. J.
The twenty-six accused were convicted of
riot [P.C. ss. 74, 76] and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. They were
members of the Wanyisanzu tribe, A large group of Wanyisanzu had been summoned
to go to Mataragwe to meet and fight a group of Wamang’ati tribesmen, who were
said to be coming to attack. It was evident that the Village Executive Officer
had led some of the accused to believe that their action would have official
sanction: there was testimony that he had stated that anyone who did not go to
meet the Wamang’ati would be subject to a fine of one head of cattle. On the
way to Mataragwe, the accused met a number of Wamang’ati; a small battle ensued,
in which 12 Wanyisanzu were killed.
Held:
(1) As there clearly had been time to contact the police and higher
administrative authorities, “who could then have organized appropriate forces
to restrain the Wamang’ati, the defence of self-defence cannot prevail. (2)
That certain Wanyisanzu were able to identify certain Wamang’ati as
participants in the riot does not establish the guilt of the Wanyisanzu, as it
proves only their presence on the scene. Mere presence is not enough. (3)
Persons whose presence at the meeting, where the decision to fight the
Wamang’ati was taken, was established, but who were not proven to have
participated in the subsequent fighting, cannot be convicted. (4) A person seen
at the meeting and later seen running from the scene of the fighting was
properly convicted. (5) It is proper to convict persons of riot on the bases of
uncorroborated eyewitness testimony by co-participants. In such cases,
corroboration would not be required. “Though the parties have committed an
offence against the Penal Code, it is clear that they all thought that in
obeying the summons to battle, they were merely conforming to custom. Later,
when the law intervened, the anxiety to dissociate began. An accomplice in
these circumstances, i.e., a participant in the riot, cannot be viewed in the
same light as an accomplice in the generally accepted sense.”
349. R. v. Hassanali H. Dewji,
Crim. Rev. -------- -D-67, 7/9/67, Saidi J.
Accused were both convicted of two
separate violations of section 43 (a) of the Traffic Ordinance, for having
driven motor vehicles with defective footbrakes and defective handbrakes.
(1967)
H.C.D.
101.
Held: This Court has “repeatedly held” that where both the
footbrakes and handbrakes of a vehicle are defective, the accused is to be
regarded as having committed only one offence under section 43 (a) of the
Traffic Ordinance.
350. Paulo s/o Kihani v. R.,
Crim. App. 657-D-67, 14/9/67, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted on his own plea to
a charge of driving a motor vehicle on a public road without a third party
insurance policy. [Motor Vehicle Insurance Ordinance, Cap. 169, ss. 4(1),
4(2).] He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for 12
months. He alleged that the magistrate had refused to consider the nature of
his job as a “special reason” justifying withholding the disqualification order
under section 4(2).
Held:
The circumstances constituting “special reasons” for leniency in sentencing
must be special to the offence and not the offender.” This would have been a
circumstance special to the offender. Appeal dismissed.
351. R. v. Donough J. Mahon,
Crim. Rev. 23-A-67, 29/8/67, Platt J.
Accused, a farm manager, ordered an
unlicensed employee to drive an unlicensed and uninsured tractor to a
neighboring farm for repairs. To do so, the driver had to cross a bridge on a
public road. As a result, accused was charged with permitting a tractor to be
used on a public road without a road licence [Traffic Ordinance, s. 6], by an
unlicenced driver [Traffic Ordinance, ss. 14(2), 70] and without an insurance
policy [Motor vehicle insurance Ordinance, s. 4(1)].
Held:
(1) A farm vehicle must be licensed and insured if it is to be driven on a
public road, especially while being taken for repairs. (2) The short time the vehicle
was upon the road is not a special reason which would justify the failure to
impose a disqualification from holding a driver’s licence, nor is the fact that
obtaining a licence and insurance would have caused a delay during the planting
season. (3) In the circumstances of this case, disqualification for a period of
six months is appropriate.
352. R. v. Abdallah Mohamed,
Crim. Rev. 99, 100, 101, 102-D-67, 4/9/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused were convicted of separate
counts of (a) failing to protect foodstuffs sold by a butcher, (b) failing
prevent contamination by failing to clean utensils and (c) allowing waste
matter to remain in the open; contrary to section 5(a) 5(c) and 5(e),
respectively, of the Dar es Salaam Municipality (Food Handling) By-laws. It was
argued that these acts all constituted a single offence.
Held:
Each distinct contravention of the statutory requirements furnishes a separate
ground of complaint. Where a law requires members of the public to do so, or
refrain from doing, a series of acts and more than one requirement is contravened,
it cannot be argued that a single offence was committed.
353. R. v. Alfronce Paul, Crim.
Rev. --------D-67, 12/9/67, Georges C. J.
The accused were convicted of being
rogues and vagabonds
(1967)
H.C.D.
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102 –
[P.C. s. 177(4)]. Maximum penalties of 3
months’ imprisonment were imposed. Both were first offenders.
Held:
Only in the most unusual circumstances should the maximum penalty be imposed on
a first offender. Sentences reduced to result in immediate release.
354. R. v. Abdallah Selemani @
Mswahile Selemani, Crim. Sess. 108-Dodoma-67, 18/9/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted on his own plea
apparently (the judgment does not specify ) to charge of manslaughter. He had
been involved in a pombe party.
Held:
“This is another death arising from excessive drinking at pombe parties
and, while the accused has a claim to leniency, yet these acts must be discouraged
by the court.” Accused, who had been in custody for 9 months, was sentenced to
20 months’ imprisonment.
355. R. v. Joha Mdachi, Crim.
Sass. 120-Dodoma-67, 21/9/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
She had goneto the house where her husband was staying with another woman, and
killed the woman with a knife she had carried with her.
Held:
Although the penalty for such an offence would usually be severe, the accused
was three months pregnant and “this may well have unbalanced her mind. She has
been in custody over a year and gave birth to her child in prison. Moreover,
her husband has now run away her.” Sentence of 1 day’s imprisonment imposed.
356. Nyamato d/o Mkama v. R.,
Crim. Sass. 134-M-67, 28/8/67, Cross J.
The husband of the accused, an old man,
was involved in a fight provoked by a much younger man. The accused, a woman of
between 55 and 60 years of age, approached the struggling men, and struck the
younger man with an axe, causing his eventual death. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Held:
In view of the accused ’s age, and the fact that she had spent some 8 month in
custody awaiting trial, sentences of 1 day’s imprisonment was imposed,
resulting in release upon the rising of the Court.
357. Amosi s/o Marwa v. R., Crim.
App. 549-M-67, 15/9/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of stealing Shs.
2,386/- from the Tarime Wakulama Co-operative Union, and sentenced to 2 years
imprisonment and 24 strokes. There was no evidence proffered as to whether this
organization was a registered co-operative society.
Held:
(1) The Minimum Sentences Act does not apply to unregistered co-operative
societies. (2) “The penal provisions of the Minimum Sentences Act must be strictly construed and in the absence of
evidence that the theft was from a registered co- operation society, the
provisions of the Act cannot be held to apply. Sentence reduced to 18 months,
no strokes, (3) Since the offence does not come within the terms of the Act,
the magistrate could not make a compensation order in excess of Shs. 2, 000/-.
Order that accused should pay Shs. 2,368/- reduced to Shs.
(1967)
H.C.D.
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103 –
358. Marwa Nyiriga v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 71-D-67, 5/7/67, Georges C.J.
Accused was sentenced to 2 years and 24
strokes for stealing from the A.L.C., on the theory that the property stolen
belonged to the Tanzania Government, and therefore this theft was covered by
the Minimum Sentences Act.
Held:
(1) A.L.C. is a registered body whose affairs are conducted by African
Governments, including Tanzania. It does not follow, however, that A. L. C.
property is that of the Tanzania Government, within the meaning of Part 1 sec.
3 of the Minimum Sentences Act. (2) The A. L.C. aids political refugees. Consequently
it falls within the ambit on the word “charity” as defined in Sec. 8 of the
Minimum Sentences Act, and therefore this offence is covered by the Act Sentence
confirmed.
359. Juma s/o Saidi v. R., Crim.
App. 873-D-66, -/-/67, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted of attempted
burglary, a scheduled offence under the Minimum Sentences Act. As he took
nothing, and was a first offender, the question remained whether there were
“special circumstances” so as to justify a sentence of less than two years
imprisonment. At the time of sentencing the accused said, “I am a first
(offender and I stole nothing. My aged parents are under me (dependent on me),
and they will suffer a lot for my prolonged absence from home.”
Held:
“Although this not a very satisfactory statement of special circumstance, it
would appear to me that what the appellant has stated…. Is sufficient ground to
bring the case within the ambit of section 5(2) of the Minimum Sentences Act.”
Sentence reduced to 12 months.
360. Mohamed s/o Abdallah v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 124-D-67, 22/9/67, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted of housebreaking
and sentenced to 2 years and 24 strokes, pursuant to the provisions of the
Minimum Sentences Act. Accused was a first offender; the value of the property
taken was Shs. 10/-
Held:
The smallness of the value of the stolen property is in itself a special
circumstance so section 5 of the Act is applicable here. Sentence reduced to 6
months imprisonment, no strokes.
361. Mandawa Koshona v. R., Crim. App.
562-D-67, 20/9/67, Georges C. J.
Accused were convicted of cattle theft.
Because both accused were first offenders and the goat they stole was worth
only Shs. 60/-, the magistrate issued a sentence less that the 3 year and 24
strokes minimum required by the Act.
Held:
Section 5 of the Minimum Sentences Act allows for reductions in sentence if the
accused is a first offender, the value of the stolen property is Shs. 100/- or
less, and if there are “special circumstances.” However, this section is
inapplicable to the offence of cattle theft. Sentence increased to 3 years
imprison and 24 strokes.
362. Charles s/o Hizza v. R.,
Crim. App. 553-D-67, 30/8/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of stealing Shs.
7,000/- from the Workers’ Development Corporation, and sentenced to 2 years and
24 strokes under the Minimum Sentences Act.
(1967) H. C. D.
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Held:
“The Workers” Development Corporation … is not a Trades Union though the shares
are wholly held by NUTA----- a Trades Union. This being the case, the offence
appears not to fall within Part 1 of the Schedule to the Minimum Sentences Act.” In view of the large
amount stolen, the sentence of 2 years imprisonment was confirmed; sentence of
24 strokes was set aside.
363. R. v. Juma s/o Mfalasau,
Crim, Sass. 133-Dodoma -67, 18/9/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused killed his father, “probably a
cantankerous man,” in the course of a struggle.
Held:
The crime of patricide “is a most serious one and cannot be dealt with too leniently.”
Sentence of 3.5 years imposed.
364. R. v. Alli s/o Saidi, Dist.
Ct. Crim. Case 21-Kisarawe-67 5/9/67, Inspection Note by Saidi, J.
Accused was convicted of obtaining
credit bye false pretences. [P.C. s. 305(1)(a).] The incident was petty,
involving Shs. 1/15 in bus fare. He was therefore sentenced to one month’s
imprisonment, with a recommendation for extra-mural labor.
The
Court noted: Short-term imprisonment has little deterrent value. It introduces
the accused to an economically secure environment in which he may make the
acquaintance of more experienced criminals. The brief confinement does not
effectively chasten the offender, nor does it afford an unskilled person the
opportunity for training that may be useful in the future. In this case, then,
the recommendation for extra-mural labor was a good one; however, a fine or discharge
would have been most appropriate.
365. Braison s/o Sechayo v. R.
(PC) Crim. App. 18-A-67, 25/8/67, Platt J.
Accused broke into a goat house with
intent to steal there from. Hearing some noises, the owner of the goat house,
who lived adjacent to it, came out and locked accused inside the goat house.
Accused was convicted of theft, contrary to sections 294 and 296 of the Penal
Code.
Held:
(1) P.C. s. 296 covers any person who “breaks and enters …… a building
which is adjacent to a dwelling house and occupied with it ….. and (commits) a
felony therein ……” Such a building must be occupied as a human habitation. “It
is not sufficient that the building is merely used for some other purpose such
as keeping animals therein.” (2) As there was no evidence that accused had
moved any of the goats inside, the asportation requirement of the offence of
theft was not established. Conviction of attempted (cattle ) theft substituted.
366. Paschal s/o Nzalaniko v. R.,
Crim. App. 118-A-67, 4/9/67, Platt J.
Accused was convicted, inter alia,
of burglary {P.C. s. 294 (1) ]. The evidence established that he had broken
into complainant’s house, but the time of the offence was not clear. He had
been seen outside the house at 6:00 P.M., and the breaking and – entering was
discovered at 8:00 P.M.
Held:
Burglary involves a breaking and entering during the “night,” which is
statutorily defined as beginning at 7:00 P.M. [P. C. s. 5]. As this was not
clearly shown, the offence proved was not burglary but housebreaking.
(1967)H.C.D.
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105 -
367. Kataliche s/o John v. R.,
Crim. App. 519-D-67, 6/9/67, Saidi J.
Accused came across a cow with a broken
leg, which he killed, leaving only the head and skin. He was convicted of
cattle theft, and sentenced under the Minimum Sentences Act to three years
imprisonment. (No strokes were imposed because he was over 45 years of age.)
Held:
(1) Asportation is one element of the offence of theft. As there was no
evidence that the whole animal had been moved, there could be no conviction for
cattle theft. Conviction for killing a cow with intent to steal its carcass was
substituted. (2) Section 279 of the Penal Code provides, “Any person who kills
any animal capable of being stolen with intent to steal the skin or carcass, or
any part of the skin or carcass, is guilty of an offence, and is liable to the
same punishment as if he had stolen the animal.” The sentence of three years
imprisonment was upheld because “It appears that the offence falls within the
ambit of the Minimum Sentences Act.”
368. Andreas s/o Manabe v. R.,
Crim. App. 482-D-67, -/8/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused was charged with receiving
stolen property under section 311(1) of the Penal Code but was convicted of
retaining stolen property under that same section. He argued that the procedure
was improper, citing Harji Kuverji Patel v. R., 22 E. A. C. A. 336, a 1954
criminal appeal.
Held:
Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 1960, specifically empowers the
court to convict of an offence of “retaining” where “receiving” is charged and vice
versa.
369. Fanuel s/o Kiula v. R.,
Crim. App. 536-D-67, 20/9/67, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
servant. [P. C. ss. 271, 265.] His defence was that the money had been taken
from him. The trial magistrate stated in his judgment, “If the court is to
accept the evidence of the accused that he lost the money, and there was no negligence
on the part of the accused towards the loss of the money, accused may not be
held responsible for the loss.”
Held:
(1) It is not necessary to accept the evidence of the accused in order to find
him not guilty. All that an accused need do is raise a reasonable doubt as to
his guilt. (2) No matter how negligent accused may have been, if in fact he did
lose it or if it appeared very probable that he did, he could not be held criminally
responsible for the loss. Conviction quashed.
370. Jean s/o Kisila v. R., Crim.
App. 548-M-67, 13/9/67, Cross J.
Accused was arrested while offering motor
vehicle spare parts for sale at a railway station. He was convicted under P. C.
s. 312.
Held:
(1) Sec. 312 provides, inter alia, that a person who has been detained as a
result of the exercise of powers conferred by Crim. Proc. Code s. 24 (relating
to
(1967) H.C.D.
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106 –
Authorized searches), and who has in his
possession anything which might reasonably be suspected of having been
unlawfully obtained and who fails to satisfy the court as to how he came by the
articles is guilty of an offence. (2) There was no evidence that the accused
was detained as a result of the exercise of powers conferred by Crim. Proc.
Code. s. 24, which is one of the elements of the offence defined by P.C. s.
312. Conviction quashed.
371. R. v. Sesariu s/o Mwavela,
Crim. Rev. 109-D-67, Saidi J.
Accused was detained, under the terms of
Crim. Proc. Code s. 24, when he was found in possession of a bicycle which it
was reasonably suspected that he had obtained unlawfully. It was found in
accused ’s house during a proper search for certain stolen goods, unrelated to
this case, which it was suspected that accused had taken. He was convicted
under P.C. s. 312.
Held:
Section 312 cannot apply to a case where the property suspected of being stolen
or unlawfully obtained has not been conveyed by the accused, or where the
accused was not in the process of a journey at the time he was found in
possession of such property. In R. v. Msengi s/o Abdullah 1 T.L.R. (R) 107 (a
full Bench decision), the Court stated that this section “has no application in
the case of a person having in his possession in a building property suspected
of having in his possession in a building property suspected of having been
stolen or unlawfully obtained. I does so apply if the possession was in a
building in the course of a journey ………… It is clear, however, that the section
will not apply, for example, to property found in a building solely as the
result of the execution of a search warrant or other similar process.”
372. Mkwe s/o Lakimoja v. R. (PC)
Crim. App. 19-A-67, 29/8/67, Platt J.
Accused was originally convicted in
Primary Court of stealing and assault. There was evidence that he had stolen a
tin of millet from a pombe club. The owner returned and searched for the tin,
but could not find it. Shortly thereafter the club watchman found accused
carrying the tin, and a struggle ensued during which the watchman was
assaulted. It was unclear how long after the theft this incident took place.
There was evidence that the incident took place outside the pombe club. On
revision, the District Court substituted a conviction for robbery.
Held:
The use or threat of violence, which is an element in the crime of robbery, not
only must be for the purpose of obtaining or retaining the thing stolen, but
must occur at the time of the theft or immediately before or after it. In the
present case, the search intervened between the theft and the assault, and the
assault cannot be said to be connected with the theft. The High Court imposed
convictions for theft and assault.
373. Dahaye Masaw v. Darabe
Gwaidamuyi, (LC) Civ. App. 34-D-65, 19/10/67, Biron J
The appeal of this case was originally
heard and decided by the High Court on 30th December, 1966. Judgment
was given for defendant. Plaintiff now asserts that he did not appear at the
hearing of the appeal because notice of the hearing
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107 -
(1967)H.C.D.
did not reach him until after judgment
had been delivered. Plaintiff’s father originally brought this action in 1962
for the return of cattle which had been delivered to defendant’s grandfather in 1945.
Held:
(1) A judgment given in the unavoidable absence of one of the parties offends
against the elementary principle of natural justice of audi alteram partem. The
appeal must be re-opened. (2) Even exercising the extreme latitude allowed by
courts on the aspect of limitation in indigenous cases, the case was time
barred when filed below.
374. B. A. T. Kenya Limited v.
Express Transport Company Limited, Civ. Case 77-D-66; 30/9/67, Georges C.
J.
Plaintiff hired defendant trucker to
transship some goods from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi. The job consisted of
housing one large machine and several small ones. After having picked up the
goods, defendant decided to redistribute the load, so that the large machine
would be moved forward from behind the rear axle. In so doing, the machine,
which was not in a crate or other protective covering, was irreparably damaged
because of the faulty way in which it was moved.
Held:
(1) No particulars of negligence were alleged by the plaintiff. Rather, he
relied on the doctrine that under a bailment for hire contract it is incumbent
upon the bailee to show that he exercised due care and that any damage occurred
other than by his negligence. In this contention plaintiff was correct. [Citing
Joseph Travers & Sons Ltd. v. Cooper (1915) 1 K. B. 73, 90.] Here the defendants
were unable to put forth an explanation of how the accident could have occurred
that was reasonably consistent with the absence of negligence on their part.
(2) Both the defendant’s stationary and a form signed by the plaintiff’s agent
contained “small print” purporting to preclude any liability on the part of
defendant for any damages caused by its negligence. These clauses had no legal
effect because it was not shown that hey wee ever brought to the attention of
Mr. Shiel, plaintiff’s agent who dealt with defendant. [Citing Curtis v.
Chemical Cleaning and Drying Co. Ltd. (1951) 1 All E. R. 631.] (3) Defendant
had told plaintiff that it would not insure the shipment; plaintiff said it
would obtain insurance. This cannot be construed as an agreement between the
parties to limit in any way defendant’s common law liability. [Citing Hill v.
Scott (1895) 2 Q. B. 371]. (4) Finally, defendant argued that it should
plaintiff’s failure to properly pack the machine. The court found that since
the damage was caused both by defendant’s improper handling of the machinery
and plaintiff’s failure to package the machine, it had to apportion the blame
and assess damages accordingly. [Citing Stuart v. Crawley (1818) 2 Stark 322;
Higginbotham v. The Great Northern Railways (1861) 2 F. &F. 796; Barbour v.
South Eastern Railway (1876) 34 L.T.67; Gould v. South Eastern and Chatam
Railway (1920) 2 K.B. 186.] The damage here was caused 2/3 by the defendant’s mishandling of the
machinery and 1/3 by the plaintiff’s poor preparation of the machine for
shipment. (5) As to damages plaintiff argued that in order to put him in as
good a position as he would have been in had the contract been properly
performed, the bases for measuring the damages should be the cost of a new
machine. The court used as the bases of damages the value of the machine on
plaintiff’s books. That is original cost less
(1967) H.C.D.
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108 –
Depreciation. (Being a highly
specialized machine there was no market at all for such machines.) [Citing
Halsbury, 3rd edition, Volume 4, page 151, paragraph 399.] (6) Defendant
is not liable for plaintiff’s lost profits since he was not in any way made
aware that delay in delivery would cause any particular loss to plaintiff.
[Citing Halsbury, 3rd edition, Volume 4, page 152, paragraph 402;
British Colombia etc. Saw Mill Co. Ltd. v. Nettleship (1868) L.R.3 C.P. 499.] (7) Plaintiff claimed
interest of 9% on the money owed it. Interest was awarded at the rate of 7%.
(8) As the machine was rendered utterly useless and irreparable, the recovery
granted plaintiff was 2/3 of the depreciated value of the machine, less the
value of the machine as scrap metal.
375. Sarukele Kazobavako v. Ntakajela
Kazobavako, (PC) Civ. App. 129-M-66, 20/10/67, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff sued defendant in Primary
Court for possession of a shamba. Judgment was for plaintiff but defendant
succeeded on his appeal to District Court. In his appeal to the High Court,
plaintiff contended that the District Magistrate erred in hearing the appeal
without assessors.
Held:
A District Magistrate is not bound to sit with assessors until he is directed
to do so by a proper judicial authority. There was no such direction in this
case. Appeal dismissed.
376. Wambura Wantahe v. Karambo
Muhoro, (PC) Civ. App. 22-M-66, 18/10/67, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff sued the father of his dead
wife for the return of bride wealth. She had died while legally married to the
plaintiff. Having been unsuccessful, plaintiff sought leave to appeal out of
time.
Held:
“The law is clear. In such a case bride wealth cannot be returned. There is no
merit in any proposed appeal.” Leave to appeal out of time refused.
377. Leornard Makenya v. Nimwinda d/o
Pue, (PC) Civ. App. 46-A-66, 15/9/67, Platt J.
Defendant appealed from an award to
plaintiff of Shs. 55/- for loss of virginity, Shs. 40/- for maintenance during
pregnancy and Shs. 8/- the customary payment of Izoka. There was evidence that
plaintiff had begun to have sexual relations with defendant in May 1965 after
he had promises to marry her. A child was born the following December. The
court did not identify the customary law to be applied.
Held:
(1) The claim for maintenance during pregnancy was brought under paragraph 189
of the Declaration of Customary Law (G.N. 279 of 1963). (2) Therefore,
paragraph 183 of the Declaration which provides that a man whom a woman names
as the father of her child may not deny paternity unless he proves he had no
sexual intercourse with her, is applicable. (3) Paragraph 186 of the Declaration,
which requires the woman to prove that the intercourse took place, is inapplicable
because it only applies if the man insists he never had intercourse with the
woman and produces evidence to that effect. (4) The evidence of paternity
satisfied paragraph 185 of the Declaration, which states
(1967) H.C.D.
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109 –
That the period during which conception
could have taken place is considered to last two months, i.e. to seven months
before the birth. (5) The claims for loss of virginity and Izoka were properly
brought, as the case was in the nature of a suit for breach of promise of
marriage.
378. Nhombe s/o Mbulangwa v. Chibaya
s/o Mbuyape, (PC) Civ. App, 87-D-67, 10/10/67, Biron J.
In 1960 plaintiff transferred one cow to
defendant in exchange for which defendant agreed to give plaintiff 46 tins of
millet the following year. Only nine tins of millet were over delivered, and in
this action, the Primary Court of Makang’wa ordered defendant to deliver the
balance of 37 tins. On appeal, the District Court found that at the time of the
transaction the price of millet was Shs. 5/- per tin, and that the correct
value of the cow was Shs. 100/- The court therefore ordered defendant to pay
Shs. 55/-, the balance due after subtracting the value of the tins which had been
delivered.
Held
(1) Court do not make agreements for parties but enforce agreements which
they have made. (2) Defendant is liable to give plaintiff 37 tins of millet or
the current value of 37 tins, irrespective of what the price of millet was at
the time the transaction occurred.
379. M. S. Mnonya v. Ali Abdallah,
Civ. App. 11-D-67, 29/9/67, Saidi, J.
Plaintiff sued defendant for failure to
pay a Shs. 100/- debt. Plaintiff introduced an I.O.U. signed by defendant
promising to repay the debit in April 1966. Plaintiff also introduced an
undated chit in which he (plaintiff) stated that defendant had failed to repay
the money and as a result plaintiff seized defendant’s radio as security. The
chit also stated, “I give him his radio when he repays back Shs. 100/-.”
Plaintiff testified that he in fact returned the radio to defendant in June
1966, although the money had not been repaid. Defendant argued that the return
of the radio proved the repayment of the debt.
Held:
The trial magistrate correctly relied on the chit and the evidence of the
return of the radio in finding that the debt had been repaid.
380. Habib Punja and Sons v. Madam
Margot Agas, Misc. Civ. App. 15-D-67, 5/10/67, Biron J.
In March 1963, plaintiff let commercial
premises to defendant at a monthly rental of Shs. 2,400/- for a period of three
years. The agreement provided, “If the lessee be desirous of taking a new lease
…. After the expiration of the term hereby granted … and …. Shall deliver …..
notice in writing not less than three (3) months before the expiration of the
said term then the lessors will … grant to the lessee a new lease …..” at a
monthly rental of Shs. 3,000/-. Defendant exercised this option, but contends
that the standard rent under section 4(1) of the Rent Restriction Act is Shs.
2.400/- rather than Shs. 3,000/-. That Act defines “standard rent” as the rent
at which the premises were let on a prescribed date which, for commercial
premises were let on a prescribed date which, for commercial premises, is let
January 1965. [Rent Restriction Act, ss. 2, 4(1).] However, section 4(1) also
provides that if a lease entered into before the prescribed date provides for
an increase in rent during the
(1967) H. C. D.
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Term, or if it provides for a
progressive rent, then the rent as so increased shall be the standard rent.
Plaintiff argued that the letting of the premises with an option to renew
constituted on letting for a period of six years and that the rent of Shs.
3,000/- was a progressive rent.
Held:
(1) There is no authority determining whether an increased rent upon an option
to renew is a progressive rent during a single tenancy. [Distinguishing
Bryanston Properties Co. Ltd. v. Edwards (1943) 2 All E. R. 646; Tedman. V.
Whicker (1944) 1 All E. R. 26; Wheeler v. Wirral Estates Ltd (1935) 1 K.B.
294.] (2) The intention of the parties, as shown by the ordinary meaning of the
words of the agreement, governs whether a new and separate tenancy was created.
(3) The words of the tenancy, which vary materially from those of the
Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents, 3rd Edn. Vol. 8, p. 231, show
an intent to create a new and separate tenancy if the option to renew is
exercised. Therefore, the rent of Shs. 3,000/- is not progressive rent under
the original tenancy; the standard rent is Shs. 2,400/- the rent on the
prescribed date.
381. Abdi Salim v. Kheri Salim. (PC)
Civ. App. 94-D-67, 6/10/67 Biron J.
The father of the parties, upon his
death in 1947, left 40 children and a large estate. His property was left in a
trust for all the children, and administered by the eldest son. Appellant
brought this suit on behalf of himself and some of his co-heirs, claiming for
the estate two housed which respondent claims he purchased from the estate.
After hearing a large amount of evidence, much of which was confusing and
conflicting, the primary court found that there had been a sale by the estate
to the respondent but that he had not paid all of the agreed upon price.
Respondent was given the option of completing payment and keeping the houses,
or of returning them to the estate and reclaiming the money he had already
paid.
Held:
(1) The district court upheld the decision of the primary court, on the
theory that the appellant (plaintiff below) had failed to establish his claim
that respondent had not purchased the house. “This is a very serious
misdirection in that the burden of proof was on the respondent, who set up the
sale of the two houses to him. It was therefore on him to establish such sale
and not on the appellant to disprove it.” This misdirection on the part of the
district court was fatal. (2) Neither of the courts below took into
consideration the fact that not all the heirs were present or represented at
the meeting when the alleged sale was purported to have taken place. In the abidance
of all the heirs being present or represented there could not have been any
firm sale. (3) Respondent was ordered to return the two houses to the estate,
and to account for rents received by him from the houses.
382. R. v. Salimu Hassani, (PC) Crim.
Case 154-Manyamba-67, 16/10/67 Inspection Note by Hamlyn J.
Accused was fined a total of Shs. 140/-
upon conviction of three counts of failure to pay his local rates. Without any
further order appearing on the record, a bicycle owned by accused was seized
and sold; the money obtained was applied to the back rates and the fines, and
the remainder was remitted to accused.
(1967) H.C.D.
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Held: (1) The procedure adopted by the court was quite improper.
There should have been a formal attachment of the bicycle, for which an order
should appear in the record of the case. Had this been done, the owner would
have had the opportunity of paying what was due, thereby saving his bicycle
from sale. (20 As the High Court was satisfied that all monies received had
been properly accounted for, and accused did not lodge an appeal, the
disposition of the case by the lower court was not disturbed
383. Juma Alibax Said v. R.,
Crim. App. 132-A-67, 9/10/67, Platt J.
Accused was charged and convicted of one
count of unlawful importation of Government trophies contrary to section 40(5),
(6), (7) and (8) of the Fauna Conservation Ordinance and a second count of
unlawful possession of Government trophies contrary to section 49 and 53 of the
Ordinance. There was evidence that accused took delivery in Arusha of 15 boxes
of what appeared to be personal effects which had been shipped from Uganda. He
consigned them to an exporter for shipment to Dar es Salaam and transshipment
to Aden, describing the contents as wood carvings, However, before they were
shipped, they were opened by the police in the presence of accused. At the
trial accused stated that when the box was opened, “I was surprised to see
rhino horns.” The boxes were not produced as an exhibit, but were inspected by
the magistrate. At the trial, a police inspector testified that the value of
the horns was Shs. 150,000/- Photographs of the contents of the boxes were
introduced into evidence, but he photographer was not identified or called as a witness.
Held:
(1) Subsections (5) and (6) of section 40 deal respectively with importation
from countries which are and are not parties to the 1933 convention, and the subsections
should not have both been specified in the charge. (2) Subsection (7)
constitutes a separate offence and should not have been joined with subsections
(5) or (6) in a single count. There is “some doubt” whether the defect is
curable on appeal. (3) “Import” as used in the Fauna Conservation Ordinance
means to bring goods or cause goods to be brought into Tanganyika by sea air or
land.[Citing Imports Control Ordinance, Cap 292; distinguishing Sheikh Abdulla
Ali Hakimi v. R., (1953) 20 E. A. C. A. 329] (4) An element in the offence of unlawful
importation and unlawful possession is the knowledge of the nature of the goods
in question. (5)An insufficient chain of evidence was presented to show that
the goods which the magistrate inspected were the same as those seized from
accused. (6) An officer of the Game Department should have testified that the
goods were in fact rhinocerous horns.(7) However, the admission by accused at
the trial that the boxes contained rhinocerous
horns cured the defects in the evidence as to the identity of the boxes
and nature of their contents. (8) The testimony by the inspector as to the
value of the horns was inadmissible; an expert should have testified as to this
matter. (9) A proper foundation was not laid for the admission of the
photographs and they were inadmissible. As a general rule the person taking the
photographs should produce them after having explained the process by which
they were manufactured. (10) If accused had known that the boxes contained the
horns, the onus would then have been of him to prove that the possession was
lawful. (11) An appellate court is in as good a position as the trial court to
draw inferences from circumstantial evidence. Convictions quashed for
insufficient evidence.
(1967)H.C.D.
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384. Moshi d/o Rajabu v. R.,
Crim. App. 688-M-67, 13/10/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of causing grievous
harm [P. C. s. 225]. The magistrate’s judgment contained “no reference whatever
to the evidence given by the prosecution witnesses,” but did state the
magistrate’s belief “beyond all doubt’ that the defence was “a pack of lies.”
The State Attorney urged the High Court to weigh the evidence on record for
itself.
Held:
(1) The magistrate ‘s refusal to accept a defence as truthful is not a proper
basis for conviction; here, the magistrate’s judgment did not give any indication
the he was aware that the onus of proving the guilt of the accused is on the
prosecution, or that he gave any consideration to the prosecution evidence. (2)
To review the record independently in such a case “Would be a complete
usurpation of the function of the magistrate.” Conviction quashed; immediate release
of accused ordered.
385. Mohamed s/o Saidi v. R.,
Crim. Apps. 535, 505,562-M-67, 22/9/67, Cross J.
The four accused were convicted of store
breaking and stealing. [P.C. s. 296 (1).]There was admitted as against the firs
accused his statement to a police officer that he had received flour from the
thieves. As against the second accused evidence was admitted that tyres stolen
from the store were found under his bed; these tyres were not among the stolen
articles specified in the charge.
Held:
(1) The introduction of the first accused ’s statement to the police officer
was contrary to section 27 of the Evidence Act, 1967. (2) The accused were
charged with the composite crime of store breaking and stealing. Evidence,
therefore, of the finding of any article in the second accused ’s possession
which had been in the store before it was broken into, and was missing
subsequent to the theft, is relevant to the charge and consequent to the theft,
is relevant to the charge and consequently admissible whether the article was
specifically mentioned in the charge or not.
386. Mwidin s/o Mohamed v. R.,
Crim. App. 671-D-67, 18/10/67, Biron J.
Complainant believed his nephew and
perhaps others had robbed him. The nephew confessed to the crime after the
uncle had threatened to bring a witchdoctor to bewitch the culprits. In this
confession the nephew said second accused was his confederate, and gave the
uncle a letter addressed to second accused asking him to disclose the where
about of the stolen property. Before the uncle could do anything with this
letter the stolen property was found in the bush by a villager. At trial both
accused denied participation in the theft, and first accused (the nephew)
denied making the confession. There was no evidence other than the confession
to implicate the two accused.
Held:
(1) The magistrate believed the complainant rather than the accused, as he was
entitled to do. (2) The conviction of the first accused solely on the basis of
the confession was perfectly proper. (30 “Although the confession may be said
to have been induced by fear, that of witchcraft,
(1967) H.C.D.
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It is properly valid confession and the
explanation for its having been made is eminently reasonable….” (4) As against
the second accused the statement by the first accused to the uncle was hearsay.
However, since that statement constituted a full confession, implicating second
accused to the hilt, it is admissible against him. (5) In the absence of any
corroboration, the confession standing alone was insufficient to support a
conviction of theft. Conviction of second accused quashed.
387. R. v. Rafael Mbaga, Crim.
App. 513-D-67, 27/10/67, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted of forgery and
stealing by clerk. Eight allegedly forged vouchers were produced in court at
the trial but were misplaced or lost before the judgment was written. Although
there was ample evidence to support the conviction, the trial court refused to
consider the case on the merits and acquitted accused because the documents had
been lost.
Held:
Once the forged documents had been produced in court, examined by the court,
admitted by the accused person and properly noted on the record, the fact that
they were later lost would not justify an acquittal. Record remitted to the
trial court for a determination on the merits.
388. R. v. Christopher s/o Ngambilo,
Crim. Sass. 150-Iringa-67, 7/10/67, Georges C. J.
Accused was charged with attempted
murder of one William Mhuma. There was evidence that accused came to William’s
house and while aiming a gun in the general direction of William’s knee, he
said, “Today you will die.” He then shot William in the knee.
Held:
Where the charge is murder, the intention to kill or to do grievous bodily harm
will suffice to establish malice aforethought, but where the charge is
attempted murder, the actual intention to kill must be proved. Accused could
easily have aimed at a vulnerable part of William’s body, and his action in
aiming at the knee did not confirm his threat to kill. Accused convicted of
unlawful wounding.
389. R. v. Atupelye d/o Lwidiko,
Crim. Sass. 24-D-67, 17/10/67, Georges C. J.
Accused was charged with murder. She
claimed the death was accidental, but her story was contradicted by a nine-year
old child, the only witness to the events in question. After the victim was
stabbed she was taken to a hospital where she died later. No medical evidence
was presented at the trial.
Held:
(1) The court believed the nine – year-old child and disbelieved the accused as
to what happened, and rejected accused ‘s claim that the wound was inflicted
accidentally. (2) In view of the absence of medical evidence as to the treatment
received at the hospital, the cause of death cannot be attributed to the stab
wound beyond a reasonable doubt be attributed to the stab wound beyond a
reasonable doubt. The court refused to presume in the absence of contrary evidence
“…… that the treatment must have been what it ought to have been, that is,
treatment in good faith and according to the common knowledge current at the
time. Accused was convicted of unlawfully doing grievous harm contrary to Penal
Code, sec. 225
(1967) H.C.D.
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114 –
390. R. v. Usumau s/o Mpangani, Crim.
Sass. 124-M-67, 18/10/67, Cross J.
Accused was charged with murder. There
was evidence that accused and many others responded to an alarm and found that
deceased had assaulted a woman and possibly also harmed her child. The crowd
followed deceased to another house where accused and others beat him. Accused
was armed with a large stick. It was not clear who had inflicted the fatal
injury.
Held:
(1) Since death or grievous bodily harm was a probable consequence of the
attack upon deceased and the attackers acted with a common purpose, accused is
liable for the death even though he may not himself have struck the fatal blow.
(2) Although the defence of provocation was not raised by accused, the burden
was on the prosecution to prove malice aforethought and negative a defence of
provocation. (3) It is reasonable to assume that the crowd included relatives
of the woman assaulted. If so, not only is accused liable for the probable
consequences of the common intention which he shared but he would also be
entitled to the benefit of any diminution of responsibility of the others provided
by law. Thus, accused has sustained his onus of raising a reasonable doubt as
to the existence of provocation. Accused convicted of manslaughter.
391. R. v. Mulengela s/o Bahombe,
Crim. Sass. 95-Bukoba-67, Mustafa J.
Complainant was abducted in Tanzania and
taken to Burundi, where he alleges that accused tried to murder him. Accused
argued that since the purported attempted murder took place in Burundi, a
Tanzanian court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.
Ruled:
The case is cognizable under Tanzanian law because the alleged attempted murder
was part of a transaction which began in Tanzania. [P.C. s. 7.]
392. Pius M. Mkonya v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 747-M-67, 4/10/67 Cross J.
Accused was convicted on a charge which
in a single count stated that he had made and sold native liquor without a
licence. Liquor was found on the premises of the accused and in a nearby
open-air bar. There was evidence that servants of the accused had carried
liquor from his premises to the bar and had sold it there.
Held:
(1) Section 49(2) of the Native Liquor Ordinance, which deals with the
vicarious liability of licence for acts of his servant or agent relates only to
offences committed on licensed premises. (2) The evidence was sufficient to convict
accused of selling native liquor without a licence.[Native Liquor Ordinance, s.
50.] (3) The making and selling of native liquor without a
licence are separate offences and should
not have both been charged in a single count. However, the irregularity did not
occasion a failure of justice. Conviction upheld
393. R. v. Belan s/o Samson,
Crim. Rev. 42-M-67, 21/9/67, Mustafa J.
Accused was acquitted of housebreaking.
The court, noting that accused owed money in connexion with an earlier court
(1967) H.C.D.
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115 –
Order in another case, ordered that
several exhibits belonging to accused be sold and the proceeds be paid to a
former employee, in whose favor the earlier compensation order ran.
Held
: “…….(T)he order of compensation …. In respect of another case is a
nullity.” Order quashed.
394. Kipung’etich Arap Korir v. R.,
Crim. App. 646-M-67, 27/9/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft
after proceedings which had been adjourned 16 times for lack of an interpreter.
Finally although the accused ‘s language was recorded as Kipsigis, an Mnandi
interpreter was chosen to translate the testimony, which was evidently given in
Kiswahili. The record further indicates that some, if not all of the
translation, was from Kiswahili to Kinandi, and not to Kipsigis.
Held:
The accused ‘s claim that the trial was conducted in a language he could not
understand has merit, since the record does not show that he understood
Kinandi, or that Kinandi and Kipsigis are similar languages. The requirement of
section 193(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which calls for the use of interpreters
in such cases, was not satisfied.
395. Manager, Tank Building
Contractors v. R., Crim. App. 544-D-67, 4/1/67. Saidi J.
Accused ‘s advocate pleaded guilty for
his client to several violations of the Factory Ordinance, Cap. 297.
Held;
(1) Crim. Proc. Code s. 99 provides that an advocate can plead on behalf of an
accused person only when permission has been given to dispense with the
personal appearance of Accused, and appearance is by an advocate. [Citing D.
P. P. v. Vincent Mtefu, Crim. App. 210 of 1965, reported in Gazette
Supplement No. 1 of 1967.] Conviction quashed. (2) The court stated, obiter: “It
may be argued that a plea of guilty could still be recorded against an accused
whose attendance is not dispensed with under section 99 of the Criminal Procedure
Code but who pleads and appears by advocate who submits the plead of the
accused in writing to the court and confirms that the accused is pleading
guilty. Personally I can see nothing wrong with this course being accepted by
the court in the majority of cases which are not grave offences and are punishable
mostly by fines. This course would not be open to grave offences which are normally
punishable with prison sentences.”
396. Juma s/o Abdallah v. R.,
Crim. App. 662-M-67, 4/10/67 Cross J.
Accused
were each convicted on one count of being found armed with housebreaking
implements [P.C. s. 298(d)] and on a second count, which was expressly stated
to be an alternative count, of being rogues and vagabonds[P.C. s. 177(4)]. In
reply to the first count the first accused stated, “Yes, I was found in
possession of these housebreaking instruments by day.” The second accused ‘s
reply was almost identical. In reply to the second count, each said that he had
no job in town but intended to return to the country to word. The were treated
as pleas of guilty.
(1967) H.C.D.
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116 –
Held: (1) An element of the offence of possession of
housebreaking implements by day is the intent to commit a felony. The
particulars of the charge do not allege, nor did the replies admit, such an
intent. Therefore, the replies were not guilty pleas. (2) The gravamen of a
charge of being a rogue and vagahond is the presence of the accused for an
illegal or disorderly purpose. Nothing in the replies of the accused or in the
circumstances suggests such a purpose. (3) When an accused person is charged on
alternative counts, any conviction recorded should be on one count only and no
verdict should be recorded on the other count.
397. Lekole s/o Mengwa v. R., Crim. App.
677, 678-D-67, 25/10/67, Biron J.
The two accused, a Wakwavi/Masai father
and son, were convicted with three others, all on their own pleas of guilty, of
cattle theft. The charge read to them simply stated that all five had stolen 39
head of cattle from a certain ranch; the charge was in Kiswahili, which the
father and son do not understand well, and no interpreter was used. Their
replies to the charge were: “I took 13 heads of all we stole”; and, “I divided
with them ----- I got 9 heads only.” On appeal, the two accused asserted that
the others had appeared at their place one night with the cattle, that the
father at their place one night with the cattle, that the father had welcomed
them as headman of that area, that the others claimed to the traveling to
market with their cattle, and that the father and son agreed out of courtesy to
fence the cattle temporarily. They said further that they had not understood
the charge read to them, and had not known how to present their version of the
facts.
Held:
It would be “most unsafe” to uphold these convictions. “(B)efore a plea is
accepted as one of guilty, it should express and contain a full and explicit
admission of all the facts and ingredients which constitute the offence
charged. ……. (T)he facts presented to the court, should comprehend a full
account of the commission of the offence and where there are more than one
accused the part played by each.” They should not, as in this case, be a mere
repetition f the particulars in the charge sheet. Convictions quashed; re-trial
ordered, “preferably by a different magistrate.”
398. Joseph Arab Teso v. R., Crim. App.
139-A-67, 12/9/67, Platt J.
Accused was charged with driving an
unlicensed and uninsured vehicle with various mechanical defeats. [Traffic
Ordinance, ss. 6, 14(1), 30(k), 43(d), 69, 70; Moror Vehicle Insurance
Ordinance, s. 4(1) (2).] There was
evidence that accused was the owner of the vehicle and had been in charge of
the vehicle at the time of the offences. However, the evidence was insufficient
to prove that he had driven the vehicle as charged.
Held:
The sentences for these offences may vary depending upon whether the
offender was driving or was in charge of the vehicle or permitted it to be
driven. The facts proven should correspond to those charged, and the accused
should not be required to defend himself against allegations other than the contained
in the charge.[Citing Uganda v. Hadi Jamal (1964) E.A 294; Uganda v.
Eremenjinto (1964) E.A.] Conviction quashed.
(1967) H.C.D.
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117 –
399. Daniel s/o Stephen v. R., Crim.
App. 583-M-67, 27/9/67, Cross J.
On 8th February, 1966,
accused were convicted of house breaking and stealing. That conviction was
quashed on appeal, but upon retrial appellants were again convicted. They were
sentenced to two years and 24 strokes, to commence on the date of the second
conviction, 30th May 1967.
Held:
(1) Crim. Proc. Code. s. 295 provides, inter alia “Every sentence shall be
deemed to commence from and to include the whole of the day of the date on
which it was pronounced.” This section precludes commencement of the sentence
before 30th May 1967, even though this will result in the appellants
serving nearly 3.5 years in prison. (2) Since the offence involved comes under
the Minimum Sentences Act, and the sentence imposed was the minimum permitted
by that Act, the High Court could not give credit for the time already served
by reducing the sentence proper.
400. Upendra Manibhai Patel v. R.,
Crim. App. 667-D-67, 27/9/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of being unlawful
in Tanzania without a permit. [Immigration Act, s. 23(1) (i).] The record,
although unclear, showed that the magistrate originally wrote out a sentence of
a fine of Shs. 100/-or two months imprisonment in default. Thereafter, either
during or shortly after the oral pronouncement of sentence, the magistrate was
informed that a charge of stealing from a motor vehicle was pending against
accused. Because of this information, the magistrate modified the sentence to
one of imprisonment for three months.
Held:
A man is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, a pending charge may
not be taken into consideration in imposing a sentence,
The
Court stated, obiter; Section 312 of the Criminal Procedure Code requires
that a magistrate inform an accused of his right to appeal and the proceedings
are not completed until this is done. Accused had not been so informed at the
time the sentence was varied, and the magistrate retained the power to alter
the sentence even if sentence had orally been pronounced.
[ Distinguishing H. W. Lovesay v. R.,
V111 (1917) E.A.P.L.R. 33.] Original sentence restored.
401. Pangrss Kamandu Mbunda v. R.,
Crim. App. 690-D-67, 11/10/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of doing grievous
harm contrary to section 225 of the Penal Code. He was sentenced to
imprisonment for eighteen months, and twelve strokes corporal punishment.
Held:
The Schedule to the Corporal Punishment Ordinance, Cap. 17, permits corporal
punishment for aggravated cases of assault contrary to Chapter XX1V of the Penal
Code, but does not permit such punishment for those convicted under section
225, which is in Chapter XX11 of the Penal Code. Corporal punishment set aside;
Sentence of imprisonment confirmed
402. R. v. Musa Issa Mkoko, Dist.
Ct Crim. Case 91-Newala-67, 24/10/67, Inspection Note by Saidi J.
The three accused were convicted of
assault causing actual bodily harm [P.C. s. 241] upon evidence that they
unlawfully.
(1967) H.C.D.
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118 –
Assaulted two men, one after the other,
with fists at a pombe party. A sentence of 10 strokes corporal punishment was
imposed on each. The accused were adults.
Held:
(10 A person convicted under section 241 can be awarded corporal punishment
in lieu of, or in addition to, any other punishment only if the assault is of
an aggravated nature. [Corporal Punishment Ordinance, Cap. 17, clause 2 of Part
1 of the Schedule.] (2) The assault was not of an aggravated nature.
403. Chilondamu Ching’ng’a v. R.,
Crim. App. 692-D-67, 18/10/67, Biron J.
The accused, a postmaster, was convicted
of theft by public servant [P.C. ss. 265,270] and fraudulent false accounting
[P.C. s. 317(b)], because of transactions involving an amount not specified by
the Court, but described as “small.” The sentences on the three false
accounting charges were ordered to run concurrently, but consecutively with the
sentence on the theft conviction, making an aggregate of imprisonment to be
served of three years. Corporal punishment was also ordered under the Minimum
Sentence Act. Accused was a first offender.
Held:
“In view of the fact that the appellant was a first offender, and the amounts
involved were relatively small, …….. there was no justification for ordering
the sentences to run consecutively.” All sentences ordered to run concurrently,
making an aggregate of two years imprisonment.
404. Anage s/o Temu v. R., Crim.
App. 560-D-67, 29/9/67, Saidi J.
It is an offence under the Act to steal
from a co-operative registered under the Co-operative Societies Ordinance, Cap.
211. Accused was convicted of such an offence, but no evidence was submitted as
to the registration of the co-operative. The only issue was the propriety of
the sentence of 2 years and 24 strokes imposed here.
Held:
(1) The Republic argued that under the Evidence Act (1967) s. 59 (1)(b), the Court
should take judicial notice of the registration of the co-operative here
involved. The section provides, inter alia, “59. The Court shall take judicial
notice of the following facts; ---- (b) the existence and title of societies or
other bodies the registration of which has been notified in the Gazette.” This
section does not require judicial notice to be taken in this case, and the
Court declined to do so. (2) Alternatively, the Republic requested the Court to
remand the case to the trial court for the taking of evidence as to the
registration of this co-operative. This request was rejected because “……. It
would be unfair to the appellant to allow additional evidence to be adduced at
this stage of the case.” [Citing Salum s/o Alli v. R., Crim. App. No. 108 of
1964 (unreported), law J.] Sentence reduced to 12 months imprisonment.
405. Yuda Yacobo v. R., Crim.
App. 589-M-67, 11/10/ 67, Mustafa J.
In separate trials held on the same day,
accused was convicted of stealing Shs. 2062/- from the Shinyanga District
Council and with stealing Shs. 585/- from the Tanzania Government. In each case
he was sentenced to two years imprisonment and the statutory 24 strokes for a
total of four years and 48 strokes.
(1967) H.C.D.
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119 –
Held: The two offences could have been charged together on the
same charge in different counts. It would also appear that the offences could
be said to have been committed in the course of the same transaction. The
sentences of imprisonment in the two cases were ordered to run concurrently,
and it was ordered that one sentence of corporal punishment of 24 strokes be
imposed.
406. Benedict s/o Beatus v. R.,
Crim. App. 532-D-67, 27/10/67, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted on two counts of
cattle theft [P.C. ss. 265,268] in one case, and on another of house breaking
and stealing in another case, both on the same day in the same court. Sentence
under the Minimum Sentences Act was imposed in each case. The latter conviction
was appealed, and the appeal rejected. Upon this, the appeal in the cattle
theft matter, accused ’s contention on the merits of the conviction was also
rejected.
The
Court noted, obiter: “It now appears that …..the appellant will serve a
total of five years’ imprisonment and undergo forty eight strokes of corporal punishment.
I feel that the sentence of corporal punishment is too severe, but as this
court has no power to mitigate its severity, I recommend that the records in
both cases be dispatched to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
so that he may forward them to the President with a view to the reduction of
the strokes ….. to twenty four in the exercise of the President’s prerogative
of mercy.”
407. Eliakimu s/o Zakaria v. R.,
Crim. App. 161-A-67, 28/9/67, Platt J.
Accused, an 18 year old first offender,
was convicted of robbery and sentenced to 2 years and 24 strokes under the Act,
The amount stolen was Shs. 45/70.
Held:
“Although the amount stolen did not exceed Shs. 100/- and the appellant was
a first offender, never the less there were no special reasons.” The sentence
imposed by the trial court was correct.
408. Joseph s/o Mbura v. R.,
Crim. Rev. 30-A-67, 7/9/67, Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of bribing a
Government employee. He was a first offender; the amount of the bribe was Shs.
50/- The trial court found the small amount involved to be a special circumstance
and therefore imposed a sentence of 9 months imprisonment.
Held:
There is authority for the view that if the amount of bribe is minute and the
character of the offence can only be said to be trivial, this can constitute a
special circumstance. “……. Shs 50/- cannot be considered a trivial amount.”
Sentence enhanced to 2 years imprisonment and 24 strokes.
409. Hamisi s/o Mtanga v. R., Crim.
App. 598-D-67, 4/10/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of three counts of
corruption for soliciting and obtaining bribes of Shs. 20/- Shs. 15 and Shs. 5/-.
Since accused was first offender, he was eligible for a sentence of less than 2
years and 24 strokes if there were special circumstances. The trial court said,
“taking all this into
(1967) H.C.D.
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Consideration, that is the trifling
amount of bribe coupled with accused person’s good character and having regard
to the circumstances of this case and the nature of the offence, I find that
there are special circumstances ……”
Held:
(1) “It is not …… clear what were the special circumstances found by the
learned magistrate …[Never the less] I do not propose to interfere with the
learned magistrate’s discretion …..” (2) The court did, however, find that the
sentence of 6 months imprisonment imposed by the court below was insufficient,
and it was enhanced to 12 months.
410. Yusufu Mauruti v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 742-M-67, Cross J.
Accused were convicted of house
breaking, and sentenced under the Minimum Sentences Act. Their appeal is
against sentence only. Both accused, aged 17, were first offenders; they were
apprehended before they could actually steal anything. The trial court could
not find any special circumstances, so a sentence of 2 years and 24 strokes was
imposed.
Held:
The fact that appellants were only 17 years of age is by itself a special circumstance.
Sentence reduced to 10 strokes, no imprisonment.
411. R. v. Ugweisa Mwasokwa,
Crim. Rev. 8-D-67, 10/9/67, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted of contempt of
court. In addition to a jail sentence, he was ordered to pay Shs. 200/- as his
maintenance allowance while in prison.
Held:
The order to pay Shs. 200/- was illegal. A person convicted of a criminal
offence is not required to pay for his maintenance in jail.
412. Mussa s/o Saidi v. R., Crim.
App. 672-D-67, 4/10/67, Biron J
Accused was convicted of six counts of
housebreaking and stealing, for which he
received a sentence of 2 years and 24 strokes on each count, sentence to run
concurrently, under the Minimum Sentences Act. Accused had 10 previous convictions
of a similar nature, the most recent of which was in 1960.
Held:
Although accused had “gone straight” for several years, it is clear that he has
now reverted to his previous criminal mode of life. Sentence enhanced to 3.5
years on each count, sentence to be served concurrently.
413. R. v. Patrice Matata, Crim.
Rev. 42-A-67; 16/9/67, Platt J.
In a previous action accused was
sentence to five strokes of corporal punishment and placed on probation for 12
months. In the present action he was charged with failing to comply with the probation
order.
Held:
The purpose of probation is to release the prisoner without punishment where
the court regards it expedient to do so taking into account the circumstances
of the case and character of the accused. It is improper to impose a sentence
in addition to an order of probation. The corporal punishment having been
executed, the probation order was set aside, the present proceedings quashed
and accused ordered to be set at liberty.
(1967) H.C.D.
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121 –
414. Issa s/o Mwandachi v. R.,
Crim. App. 670-D-67, 27/10/67, Saidi J
Accused was convicted of one count of
burglary and one of stealing. There was evidence that he was seen inside a
house and apprehended as he tried to flee. Shs. 10/- worth of groundnuts were
found wrapped in some clothes somewhere in the house and it was found that he
had stolen them. He was sentenced to the prescribed term under the Minimum
Sentences Act.
Held:
(1) There was no evidence that the bundles of groundnuts had been moved from
one place to another by accused, and the charge of stealing was thus
unsupported by the evidence. (2) Accused is a first offender and the trial
court erred in failing to permit him to show special circumstances which would
entitle him to a reduction in sentence under section 5(2) of the Minimum Sentences
Act. Case remanded and direction given that accused be recalled to state such
special circumstances.
415. Musa s/o Salum v. R., Crim.
App. 689-M-67, 4/10/67, Cross J. Accused was convicted of cattle theft. There
was evidence that unknown persons found the cow and gave it to one Haruna to
find the owner. Haruna took it to accused, a village headman, so that he could
trace the owner. Accused had the cow slaughtered and kept the proceeds from the
sale of the meat. The particulars of the offence alleged that the cow was the
property of Haruna or of an unknown person or persons.
Held:
(1) The allegations as to ownership rendered the charge duplex. (2) the magistrate
could have found on the evidence that the persons who found the cow were
“special owners” as defined in Penal Code, section 258(2)(e), and he should
have amended the charge accordingly. (3) The defect cannot be remedied on
appeal. Conviction quashed.
416. Rajabu Abdallah v. R., Crim
App. 607-D-67, 25/10/67, Biron J.
Accused was charged with housebreaking
and was convicted of attempted housebreaking. The charge stated that he broke
and entered a specified dwelling house “with intent to commit a felony therein,”
but it did not specify the felony which had been intended.
Held:
(1) The accused was not informed as to what he was charged with, for the
intent, which is an indispensable ingredient of the offence, was never specified.
(2) The defect is not curable on appeal.
417. Simon Robert v. R. Crim.
App. 675-D-67, 18/10/67, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
stealing. There was evidence that on the night of 14th/15th
June 1966, a thief entered complainant’s house at about 4;30 a. m when complainant
outside the house to relieve himself and stole a radio, a shirt, a pair of
trousers, and a driving licence. On 28th February, 1967, the driving
licence was found in the possession of the accused.
Held:
(1) There was no evidence of a breaking into the house. (2) More than six
months had passed before the licence was recovered, and accused was found in
possession of only a small portion of the stolen goods. In these circumstances.
(1967) H.C. D.
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122 –
The docrrine of recent possession was
inapplicable Conviction for burglary and stealing quashed and conviction
substituted for receiving stolen goods knowing them to have been stolen.
418. Kondo s/o Omari v. R., Crim. App.
703-D-67, 18/10/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted on two pairs of
related counts of burglary and stealing relating to theft which took place in
March an April respectively. He was convicted upon evidence that certain of the
stolen goods were found in his house during a search on 15th June.
Accused stated under oath that he had purchased the clothing which was found
and that the hoe head had seen given to him by one Hamisi. The magistrate
directed himself that he was not satisfied with these explanations.
Held:
Where the only evidence against an accused the finding of recently stolen property
in his possession, an accused is entitled to acquittal if he gives an
explanation which may reasonably be true. He need not satisfy the court of its
truth.
419. Christian Simon Briyo v. R.,
Crim. App. 693,694,695-D-67, 27/10/67, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted on three separate
charges of theft by public servant [P.C. ss. 265,270]. As an employee of the
Masasi District Council, attached to the Masasi Primary Court, he had
misappropriated part of a fine paid by an accused, and some money being kept at
the court for prisoners who were detained on charges. The District Magistrate
substituted convictions under section 271 of the Penal Code; his grounds were
that the accused had not been acting as a public servant, since he had received
the money for the Judiciary and not for his employer, the District Council.
Although two of the transactions involved sums of more than Shs. 100/-, the
District Magistrate imposed a Minimum Sentence on only one of the three
charges.
Held:
(1) Accused was a person employed in the public service, and received all three
sums by virtue of that fact. Whether he was working in the District Council or
“In any other Government Department, …. he was being paid from public funds as
a local government servant,” and the proper charge is therefore theft by public
servant,” and the proper charge is therefore theft by public servant [P.C. s.
265, 270]. (2) “It is very clear that all of these three cases could have been
tried together in one charge of three counts.” This procedure should be followed
where possible. (3) The minimum sentence of two years and 24 strokes was
imposed on the two charges involving more than Shs. 100/-, as required by the
statute; all terms of imprisonment were ordered to run concurrently. (4) Because
the sentence were imposed on convictions under separate charges, the High Court
could not avoid ordering two sentences of 24 strokes of corporal punishment.
However, as the sentence was severe, “and the facts clearly show that the appellant
would have been awarded twenty-four strokes only had these three cases been
brought in one charge of three counts,” the Court directed the dispatch of the
records to the Director of Public Prosecutions for forwarding to the President,
for the exercise of his prerogative of merely.
(1967)
H.C.D.
-123
–
420. Ismail s/o Bakari v. R.,
Crim. App. 604-D-67, 4/10/67 Biron J.
Accused was convicted of stealing
vegetable owned by the Government (part of a prison farm crop) and of criminal
trespass[P.C. s. 299(1)]. He had been apprehended on the night of the theft,
with the vegetables in his possession, by two people who had found him hiding
in the ceiling of their house. Accused ’s story was that he had been drinking
and believed that he had seen a lion, from which he had been trying to escape.
Held:
Although the accused ’s story was properly rejected, his conduct disclosed no
offence of trespass. Criminal trespass includes an entry upon property in
possession of another “with intent to commit an offence or to intimidate,
insult or annoy any person in possession of such property …..” No such
intention was proved here.
421. Huseni Kijuu v. Bura Lesso,
(PC) Civ. App. 113-D-67, -/11/67, Hamlyn J.
Plaintiff sued defendant for the loss of
his bull as a result of a fight with a bull owned by defendant.
Held:
There was no evidence that the bull was one known to be savage or to have a propensity
for attacking other animals of its own species. As the animal was of a
domesticated breed, no onus lay upon defendant to guard against unforeseen
attack by it. Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
422. Mulewa s/o Chilongani v. Ngalya
s/o Mulewa, Civ. App. 1-D-67,4/11/67,--------- J.
Plaintiff sued defendant in Primary
Court for the return of certain cattle. On appeal to the High Court judgment
was for plaintiff. Defendant then applied for leave to appeal out of time to
the east African Court of Appeal. The questions raised primarily concerned the
sufficiency of the evidence.
Held:
The normal practice is that no appeal lies to the Court of Appeal against any
decision or order of the High Court in any case originating from a Primary
Court unless the High Court certifies that a point of law of general public
importance is involved. [Citing section 7(2)(c) of the appellate Jurisdiction
Ordinance. Cap. 451, as amended by the Magistrates’ Courts Act, Sixth Schedule,
Part 1V.] Not such point is involved here.
423. Dar es Salaam Motor Transport
Company Limited v. Mehta, Civ. App. 16-D-67, 15/11/67, Saudi J.
Plaintiff sued defendant, the Dar es
Salaam Motor Transport Company, for the price of goods delivered to defendant
for transport from Dar es Salaam to mbeya. The primary legal question was
whether defendant was a common carrier. Defendant called as a witness an
employee of accompany which was defendant’s agent in Mbeya and conducted all of
defendant’s affairs there. This witness testified as to the conditions of
carriage and the manner of their display. The only other evidence on the issue
was the conditions of carriage themselves. These stated that defendant might,
in its unfettered discretion, refuse to carry any consignment of goods, and
disclaimed liability for loss or damage to goods, whether or not caused by
defendant’s negligence.
(1967) H.C.D.
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124 –
Held:
(1) The employee of the agent company was competent to testify as to
defendant’s affairs, but he could not testify as to defendant’s affairs, but he
could not testify as to transactions taking place in Dar es Salaam which were
not within his personal knowledge. (2) A company had been held to be a common
carrier, even though on occasion it has refused to accept goods offered by the
public for transport.[Citing B.A.T. (Kenya) Ltd. et al v. Express Transport
Company (Kenya) Ltd. et al., Civ. Case 77 of 1966 (Tanzania High Court Digest,
case No. 374.] (3) The evidence is insufficient to show whether or not
defendant is a common carrier. (4) The defendant is one of the largest
transport companies in Tanzania and the issue is one of great public interest.
The case should be remanded so that substantial evidence on this issue may be
introduced. It was so ordered.
424. Arusha Tailoring v. Mrs. T.
Pucci, Civ. App. 6-A-67, 28/10/67, Platt J.
Plaintiff sued defendant on a contract
made by defendant for the making of cushions and curtains for the Kifaru Lodge.
Defendant was an employee of the lodge. Plaintiff’s pleading stated that the
money had been first demanded from the lodge; plaintiff’s evidence, however,
was to the contrary. The invoice made out at the time of the contract was made
in the name of the lodge. There was some indication that the contract might
have been partly induced by the fact that the defendant was personally known to
the plaintiff. There was also evidence that, at the time of the suit, the
Kifaru Lodge had ceased to exist as a business entity.
Held:
(1) Generally, an agent is not
personally bound by a contract made by him on behalf of a disclosed
principal.[ Citing Law of Contract Ordinance, Cap. 433, ss. 182, 178.] Here,
the “balance of probabilities” did not suggest that the agent was to be deemed
a party to the contract. (2) Under Cap. 433, s. 182 (2)(c), an agent may be
sued in a case where the principal, although disclosed, cannot be sued.
According to the commentary of pollock and Mulla, 8th Edition, on
the corresponding section 230 of the Indian Contract Act, this provision is intended
to avoid “a total failure of remedy in cases where contracts had been made with
promoters of companies not yet incorporated or where principals were uncertain
bodies of persons or otherwise incapable (of) being sued by the description
given in the contract.” If Kifaru Lodge came within any of these situations,
this should have been pleaded an evidence adduced. Otherwise, “the plaintiffs
merely became creditors of a defunct organization and could claim like any
other creditors for their share of the assets,” (3) Here, the applicable rule
is that the parties are bound by their pleadings. Nothing on the record
suggests that any useful purpose could be served by remitting the case to the
District Court for further trial on the issue whether the plaintiffs had been
entitled to sue the defendant because the principal, though disclosed, could
not be sued.
425. The Director, Jinnah’s Company,
Ltd. V. Francis Owino,
Civ. App. 22-D-67, 22/11/67, Hamlyn J.
Respondent brought this action against
appellant company for certain claims allegedly due him. Appellant, in his pled
dings relied on an agreement between the parties for the payment of Shs.
2,500/- in full settlement of the claim. Respondent
(1967) H.C.D.
-
125 –
Does not deny his signature on the
agreement, but he raised the defence of non est factum in that he could not
read English, in which language the contract was written, and that he would not
have signed it had he known its contents. The trial court did not say anything
about the burden of proof in a situation such as this one.
Held:
(1) Once respondent has admitted his signing of the agreement, it is incumbent
on him “to show that executed the deed under a substantial mistake as to its
contents and that such mistake was induced by the machinations of some other
person. If he can show this, then he can effectively plead that the deed is not
his deed, but the onus is on him” (2) Reviewing the evidence in this light, the
High Court allowed the appeal.
426. Peter S. Shirima v. Lalaito
Kirikengori, Civ., App. 3-A-67, 28/10/67, Platt J.
Plaintiff orally agreed to purchase from
defendant an automobile. The defendant delivered possession of the automobile
against an initial payment; a receipt acknowledged the payment understanding
between the parties being that the title would not pass until the price was
completely paid. Some time thereafter, the car was detained by the police, and
plaintiff was obliged to make certain repairs. A dispute soon developed as to
the payment of the remainder of the purchase price, and the defendant
repossessed the car. Plaintiff complained of this to the police, who advised
that parties to settle the matter among themselves. Defendant then wrote “ a humble
letter” to plaintiff promising to refund the part of the purchase price which
had been paid. Shortly thereafter, defendant paid back a portion of the amount
promised; plaintiff gave him a receipt recording that defendant had promised
the remainder by 15 October 1966 Plaintiff, on 21 September 1966, sent a letter
demanding both the remainder of the refund and the cost of the repairs.
Receiving no answer, he instituted this suit on 30 September.
Held:
(1) Although the defendant’s specific promise was for payment by 15 October,
the suit was not premature. The cause of action had arisen, and indeed the
defendant had admitted his indebtedness, before 30 September. The plaintiff’s
right to sue on that date was not affected by his agreement to give the defendant
until 15 October to pay his debt. (2) The contract for purchase here was void
able at the option of the defendant. Under the Law of Contract Ordinance, Cap.
433. s. 64, the party rescinding such a contract shall restore any benefits
received there under from the other party. [Also citing Pollock and Mulla, Commentary
on the Indian Contract Act, 8th edition, and cases cited therein at
pages 383, 386 and 387; Clough v. L. & N.W.R. (1871) L.R. Ex 26; and Dies
v. British and International Mining and Finance Corp. Ltd. (1939) 1 K.B. 724.]
(3) While defendant might, on his part, have claimed damages occasioned by the
plaintiff’s non-fulfillment of the original sale contract, he has not done so.
He is therefore liable to refund the full amount paid by plaintiff toward the
purchase price, and the total cost of repairs by the plaintiff.
(1967) H.C.D
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126 –
427. Nanji Trading Co. Ltd. v.
Survakant & Bros., Civ. App. 13-D-67, 15/11/67, Saudi J.
Appellant required large amounts of
petrol every month. Respondent agreed that appellant should have a discount of
20% on every gallon he purchased from plaintiff, provided each month’s account
was settled by the 10th of the succeeding month. After slightly less
than a year, respondent ended the agreement and sought to recover the discount
for each month in which the defendant had failed to pay by the 10th
of the next month.
Held:
(1) Respondent, by accepting payment as made (i.e. with 20% subtracted from the
usual retail price of petrol) after the 10th of several months, had
thereby waived the original terms of payment. (2) Appellant is entitled to his
discount despite the late payment n earlier months.
428. Kagabo s/o Mikaliha v. Dandila
d/o Biguna, (PC) Civ. App. 57-M-66, 1/11/67, Mustara J.
Plaintiff and defendant were descended
from the same great-grandfather. Plaintiff, a widow of the Waha community, claimed that she had
succeeded to certain land originally owned by their common ancestor when her
father died; it was not clear whether she had married, defendant inherited land
from his own fore bearers, and at that time took over the land in question. The
429. Dausen F. Sawe v. Oforo Semu
Swai, (PC) Civ. App. 4-A-67, 28/10/67, Platt J.
Plaintiff and defendant were dessended from
the same grandfather, who had had 2 wives. One of these wives had borne him
sons, and defendant was the son of one of these sons. The other wife had born
daughters. Plaintiff claimed certain land under a will made by his grandmother.
The Primary Court of Machame found for plaintiff, but the District Court,
partly on the strength of new evidence that the clan had met and had rejected
plaintiff’s argument some time after the
Held:
(1) Under paragraph 20 of the Laws of Inheritance, Government Notice 436 of
1963, a woman may inherit clan land in usufruct only. [Also citing the Laws of
Wills, Rules 40 et seq.] Thus, “It seems doubtful whether (plaintiff’s
grandmother) was entitled to pass to her illegitimate grandson any right to
clan land.” (2) The Court expressed doubt as to whether the receiving of
additional evidence by the District Court was “merited.” However, the clan’s
decision seemed to have been correct, and the Court was of the opinion that
“the District Court was entitled to accept the evidence in the Circumstances.”
Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
(1967) H.C.D.
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127 –
430. Magobe Mkale v. Gembe Kanoni,
(LC) Civ. App. 34-D-64 20/9/67, Saidi J.
Defendant agreed to haul some oranges by
dhow for plaintiff. Plaintiff brought the oranges to the agreed dock, but the
dhow had gone elsewhere, and the oranges spoiled before plaintiff could find
another shipper. Defendant was an employee of the owner of the dhow.
Held:
The owner of the dhow is the party who should have been sued; the action
against defendant was dismissed. The Court stated, “…..(Defendant) signed the
agreement on behalf of the owner of the boat, and if anything went wrong as far
as the agreement was concerned it was the owner of the boat who was responsible
under vicarious liability.”
431. Abdallah Salimu V. Ramadhani
Shemdoe, (PC) Civ. App. 55-D-67 -/9/67, Saudi J.
This dispute concerns the custody of a
female child as between two men, both of whom claim to be the father. The child
is now seventeen years of age and has lived all her life with the respondent.
Appellant divorced the child’s mother eight months before the child was born;
respondent married the mother some thirteen months before the birth.
Held:
(1) The child looks exactly like appellant, and her blood is of the same group
as his, whereas it is of a different group from that of respondent. This
sustains his claim to be her father. (2) Since respondent has always maintained
the girl, appellant must pay him for the costs he has incurred in raising the
child. The award of the Primary Court of Shs. 300/- was manifestly inadequate,
and the case was remitted to that court for it to “take evidence of the average
cost of maintaining a child for a year at the village where respondent lives.
If there is a dispute over the amount of such maintenance costs between the parties
evidence may be taken from independent and reliable village elders. Such
evidence should be certified and sent to this Court to enable it to assess the
proper sum to be refunded by the appellant as maintenance ….. before he can be
allowed to take her.’ Custody awarded to appellant.
432. Mwita Macha v. Mary Wangoi d/o
Werura, (PC) Civ. App. 9-M-66, 30/10/67, Mustafa J.
Mary had been living with Mwita for
several years during which time she bore two children by him. She also had two
children previously, also born out of wedlock. Mary and Mwita are no longer living
together. This action was brought to decide custody of the children, all girls.
Held:
(1) Children born out of wedlock belong to the father of the woman. [Citing Government
Notice No. 279 of 1963, Law of Persons, section 178.] (2) The eldest daughter,
who is already married, could choose with whom she wants to live. Any bride
wealth she was to receive goes to Mary’s father, who has legal custody over her. (3) The second
oldest daughter, about seven years of age and born out of wedlock but not sired
by Mwita, was awarded to him, “…. On the condition that she is to be sent to
school and not to be overworked in household chores.” Mwita is to receive 0.25
of the bride price when the girl marries. This disposition was made because the
court’s primary concern was with the welfare of the child. (4) The two youngest
daughters were awarded to Mary.
(1967) H.C.D.
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128 –
433. Amani Chogo Chacha v. Rioa
Nyamtara, (PC) Civ. App. 115-M-66, 24/10/67, Mustafa J.
Chogo and his wife were divorced in 1947.
Chogo was awarded the return of the ten cattle he had paid as bride wealth,
even thought two children had been born during the marriage. The basis for the
divorce was adultery and excessive drinking on the part of the wife. Riobo, the
brother of the former wife of Chogo brought this action for the return of the
ten cattle claiming that because children were born, Chogo should not have had
the bride wealth returned to him. The primary court held that his action was
time-barred, being filed in 1965, eighteen years after the divorce. The
district court, noting that Chogo, who was a local chief, had presided over the
court that had granted the divorce, declared the divorce to be illegally
obtained and void, because Chogo had been an interested party and should not
have presided over the court. This meant that Chogo and his wife were still
legally married, so Chogo never had a claim for the return of the cattle, so
Chogo never had a claim for the return of the cattle, and they should be returned
to Riobo.
Held:
(1) The district court erred in ignoring the judgment of divorce obtained by
Chogo, notwithstanding the method by which it was obtained. A judgment remains
in force until upset by a superior court, and the earlier judgment had never
been appealed. (2) The principle that a husband cannot recover bride wealth if
there have been children born during the marriage applies only when there are
no grounds for the divorce offered by either party. If the divorce is based on
the wife’s wrongdoing the court may, in its discretion, order return of some or
all of the bride wealth to the husband despite the fact that there were
children born during the marriage. (3) This action was time-barred. It is
against public policy to allow matters which have been decided to be re-opened
many years later, Chogo need not return the ten cattle.
434. Chibaya s/o Mbuyape v. James s/o
Mlewa, (PC) Civ. App. 104-D-67, 20/11/67, Hamlyn J.
Plaintiff sued defendant in
Held:
“Customary law ……. Is the law originating in the customs of a particular
locality or tribe and (unless of course such law is contrary to the general law
of the country or is immoral or otherwise objectionable) remains the law of
that locality until it becomes changed by general usage of the applied law. It
is not for the courts to reasons.” As the judgment of the primary court was
based on the opinion of persons well versed in Gogo customary law, it was
reinstated.
435. Benbros Motors Tanganyika Ltd.,
v. Ramanlal Haribhai Patel, Civ. App. 19-D-67, -/11/67, Hamlyn J
In July, 1964, a transaction occurred
between the plaintiff and his employer, the defendant, which is the subject of
this action. In his action, filed in District Court on 11 February, 1965,
plaintiff claimed Shs. 1500/- “severance allowed.”
(1967) H.C.D.
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129 –
On appeal, however, in resisting the defendant-appellant’s
allegation that the District Court lacked jurisdiction, he argued that his
action was based upon a “suspension from labour,” and not upon a “dismissal.”
The Security of Employment Act, which had come into operation on 5 January,
1965, provided (with exceptions not material here) that no suit or other civil
proceeding could be maintained in an civil court “with regard to the summary
dismissal or proposed summary dismissal” of an employee, such cases being
within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Conciliation Board.
Prior
to the passage of the Act, it would have been clear that the plaintiff had a
period of 3 years to bring his claim. [Indian Limitation Act of 1908, Art. 7.]
Cases to which the Act applies, however, must be brought within 7 days of the
dismissal or proposed dismissal. Plaintiff argues that to apply the Act to his
claim is to extinguish his cause of action, because of this provision. He
contends that the Act is “substantive,” and that it cannot be so applied
because the Act contains no express indication that it should be applied to
caused of action accruing before its effective date.
Held:
(1) The action here must be taken to be one based upon a “dismissal,” within
the meaning of the Act. The claim is for “severance” allowance, which term
implies “ a complete and permanent cessation from employment.” A suspension”
would be temporary, “pending some other event usually an investigation into
some act on the part of the employee ---“ after which reinstatement might be
had; The complaint here contains “no hint of such claim …… either for investigation
or for reinstatement.” (2) When a new enactment deals with rights of action,
unless it is so expressed in the Act, an existing right of action is not taken
away; but when it deals with procedure only, unless the contrary is expressed,
the enactment applies to all actions, “whether commenced before or after the
passing of the Act.” [Citing Wright v. Hale (1860) 6 H. & N. 227; and the
Ydun (1898) P.D. 236.] (3) The Security of Employment Act is, in this
connection, “a matter of procedure and not one of substance, in that it merely
substitutes one tribunal for another in a particular class of cases. It does
not affect an alteration in the law governing the relation of master and
servant, but merely provides an alternative venue for the settlement of
disputes.” Thus, where the plaintiff’s claim accrued before the effective date
of the Act, and his action was instituted after that date, the Act must apply
to the case. (4) The District Court, therefore, lacked jurisdiction to
entertain the plaintiff’s action.
436. Masubo Karera v. Marwa Nyanokwa,
(LC) Civ. App. 10-M-65, -/-/67, Erokwu J.
Appellant had been in uninterrupted
possession of a piece of land for over 16 years, and had developed that land.
The Village Development Committee allocated the plot to respondent who lived
closer to it than appellant.
Held:
“……(I)n allocating the piece of land to the respondent the V.D.C. acted on
wrong and irregular principle. The piece of land was not lying just vacant. The
appellant was in effective possession and had been developing the land for
several years. There must be a very strong reason to justify his being disposed
of the land by the V. D. C.” He such
strong reason exists here. Judgement for appellant.
(1967) H.C.D.
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130 –
437. Meso s/o Mwakakobe v. Lijumbete
s/o Kasyama, (PC) Civ. App. 127-D-67, 4/11/67, Saudi J.
The brother of plaintiff, suffering from
an incurable disease, obtained a licence from defendant to build and live in a
hut on defendant’s land so that he could be near the hospital where he received
his treatment. This occupancy lasted for 14 years, until the licensee died
there. After he had been buried in his original village, the plaintiff tried to
enter on the land; defendant resisted, and these proceedings were instituted.
Held:
There was no evidence showing that the licensee “had cultivated any part of the
….land or that such land had been separated by boundaries or other marks from
the remaining land held by [the defendant].” It rather appeared that he had
merely been given a right of occupancy to facilitate the treatment of his
illness. “This style of occupation [cannot be held] to have established a permanent
right to the ….. land” to which the plaintiff could succeed.
438. Lalji Makanji Karanja v. The
Commissioner of Income Tax Misc. Civ. App. 13-D-66, 11/11/67, Georges C. J.
Appellant had purchased various parcels
of land in
Held:
(1) This appeal was in the nature of a rehearing of a decision by the Commissioner
of Income Tax, adverse to the appellant. By virtue of the East African Income
Tax Amendment Act, 1958, sec. 113(c), the onus of proving that the assessment
objected to was excessive rested on appellant. (2) Appellant argued that this
was an isolated transaction, and that he bought the land initially to build
warehouses thereon. Had this been so, the gain would not have been others, of
acquiring and selling land so it was in effect stock in trade, and subject to
tax if sold at a profit. He had bought and sold some 15 other parcels in the
last two decades. (3) There also was evidence that appellant had attempted on
several occasions to obtain building permits to develop the land for housing.
Accordingly his again on the sale of the land was taxable.
439. R. v. Nicholuis David Makota,
Crim. Rev. 146-D-67, 15/11/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of transferring a
firearm to another person without a
permit signed by an authorized officer contrary to sections 15 and 31(1) and
(2) of the Arms and Ammunition Ordinance. There was evidence that he had loaned
his shotgun to a friend who was going hunting and who accidentally killed a man
while attempting to shoot a pig.
Held:
A transfer contemplated by the cited section must be ejusdem generic with a
sale or purchase as set out in the section, and a temporary loan does not
constitute such a transfer. [Citing R. v. Mwalimu s/o Saudi, (1959) E.A. 415.]
Conviction quashed.
(1967) H.C.D.
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131-
440. Guli Tsauna v. R., Crim.
App. 150-A-67, 7/10/67, Platt J
Accused was convicted of one count of
assaulting a police officer [P.C. s. 243(b)], a second count of resisting
lawful arrest {P. C. s. 243(a)], and a third count of using abusive language [P.C.
s. 89(1)(a)]. The prosecution put forward facts showing that when a police
officer attempted to arrest accused in connexion with a previous offence,
accused attacked him with sticks, addressed abusive language to him and ran
away. The particulars of the second count alleged that accused “did resist
lawful arrest ….. by running away.” The particular of the third count merely
alleged that he had used abusive language. At the trial accused pleaded guilty
to the charge, but he attempted on appeal to dispute the facts charged.
Held:
(1) The convictions were based on accused ’s admission in his plea, and he
cannot now challenge the facts admitted. (2) An element of the offence created
by Penal Code section 243 (a) is an assault with intent to commit a felony or
to resist or prevent one’s lawful apprehension. The charge was defective in
that it failed to allege such an assault with such intent. (3) The third count
was defective in that it failed to allege that the abusive language was used
“in such a manner as is likely to cause a breach of the peace ….. “- an
essential element in the crime.
441. Oscar Mwambola v. R., Misc.
Crim. Cause 3-M-67, 1/11/67, Mustafa J.
Accused was arrested on a charge of
violating section 5(1)(a) of Cap. 45, the Official and other Secrets Act. He
sough bail, which was denied by the District Court. Section 13 of the Act provides,
inter alia, “ ……. (E)very offence under this ordinance shall be …..
non-bailable.” Sec. 17 provides that a prosecution under the Act may be
instituted only with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, a person may be arrested without such consent and remanded “in custody
or on bail”, but no further proceedings may be taken until the consent of the
Director has been obtained.
Held(1)
If an accused has been arrested pursuant to Cap. 45, but the Director of Public
Prosecutions has not yet consented to prosecute the case, accused may be
released on bail. [Sec. 17.] Once such consent has been obtained, however, the
District Court no longer has authority to grant bail. [Sec. 13.] Here consent
had not yet been granted, so the trial court could have granted bail, and the
High Court proceeded to do so. (2) The Court noted that Crim. Proc. Code s. 123
(3) gave to it, but not to any lower court, the power to grant bail for any offence,
notwithstanding the provisions of other statutes such as Cap. 45. Thus, had the
Director of Public Prosecutions consented to proceedings being instituted, Cap.
45, s. 13 would have precluded the District Court from granting bail, but the
High Court would not be so precluded.
442. Patrick s/o Isango v. R.,
Crim. App. 754-D-67, 8/11/67, Georges C. J.
Accused, a T. A. N. U. ten house cell
leader, was convicted of corrupt transaction [Prevention of Corruption
Ordinance. Cap. 400, s. 3(1).] The principal evidence against him was that of
the complainant who testified that he paid
(1967) H.C.D.
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Accused Shs. 100/- as a reward for
forbearing to arrest complainant for cattle theft. In his judgment, the trial
magistrate referred to “ a Presidential Order that cattle thieves be detained,
even those who committed offences long ago.”
Held:
(1) Section 3(1) deals with a corrupt transaction by an agent “in relation to
his principal’s affairs or business ….” A ten house leader is a party rather
than a governmental official. [Citing Article 14 A of the constitution of T. A.
N. U. as set out as a schedule to the Intern Constitution of Tanzania, Act No.
43 of 1965]. At law he has no powers or duties in relation to arrests other
than those possessed by all citizens. Therefore, this transaction was not in
relation to his principle’s affairs and did not come within the terms of
section 3(1). (2) With regard to the reference to the Presidential Order, a
judge must base his findings on evidence led in Court, not on what may be known
as common knowledge, unless they are facts of which judicial notice may be
taken. (3) Had the charge been proper, the complainant would be an accomplice
in the offence and the trial magistrate would have had to deal with the
question of corroboration of his testimony.
443. Saudi Bakari Kionywakin V. R.,
Crim. App. 714-D-67, 6/11/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of wrongful
confinement. [P.C. s. 253]. He was a divisional executive officer in charge of
self help scheme. In his capacity as a justice of the peace, he issued a
warrant for the arrest of complainant on a charge of obstructing the project
contrary to Penal Code section 89C (1) after the complainant had refused to
participate in the project. Accused accompanied a special constable who
arrested and handcuffed the complainant. He and the constable fled when the
complainant’s uncle threatened them with a spear, but the handcuffs were not
removed for some twenty hours.
Held:
(1) The substantive element of an offence under Penal Code section 89C(1) is
dissuading others from participating in a self-help scheme, and the mere
refusal to take part does not constitute an offence under that section.
Therefore the arrest of complainant was unlawful. (2) Section 60(1) of the Magistrates’
Courts Act provides that “No….. justice shall be liable to be sued in any court
for any act done or ordered to be done by him in the exercise of his functions
….. as a justice, whether or not such act is within the limits of his or the
court’s jurisdiction, if ….. he believed in good faith that he had jurisdiction
to do such act or make such order.” Although this section applies specifically
to immunity from civil process or liability, a fortiori such a person is immune
from criminal liability for such an act. (3) ‘Judicial functions’ (functions of
a justice) are defined as all acts emanating from, and appropriate to, the
duties of the office of a judge, and includes the issuing of a warrant of
arrest. [Citing Calder v. Halket, 18 Eng. Rep. 293; Ratanlal and Thakore, The
Law of Crimes, 14th Edn., p. 148] (4) The trial court erred in
failing to consider whether accused believed in good faith that he was acting
within his jurisdiction.
The
Court stated, obiter: (1) Section 16 of the Penal Code, which provides
that “(A) Judicial officer is not criminally responsible for anything done ….by
him in the exercise of his judicial functions, although the act done is in
exercise of his judicial functions, although the act done is in excess of his judicial
authority, ……” applies not only to persons
(1967) H.C.D.
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133 –
Exercising a regular judicial office,
but extends to any person whose duty it is to adjudicate upon the rights, or
punish the misconduct, of any given person, whatever form the proceedings may
take and however informal they may be . The criterion is the nature of the act
rather than the status of the actor. [Citing Tozer v. Child, 119 Engl. Rep.
1286, KBD, and Ashby v. White, cited therein; Ratanlal and Thakore, op. cit.,
at p. 147.] (2) This section apparently is much broader than section 77 of the
Indian Penal Code, in that it extends not just to judges but of all judicial
officers and does not require that they act in good faith. The court stated
that the generality of the immunity was “a matter for the legislature to
concern itself with”, and declined to rest its decision on this section.
444. Athumani Alli v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 158-D-67, 6/11/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused were convicted of shop breaking.
At the trial neither of the accused was given the opportunity to cross-examine
his co-accused, and the prosecution did not choose to cross-examine this
testimony.
Held:
(1) An accused must be given the opportunity to cross examine any of his
co-accused who testify. (2) The lack of such opportunity constitutes a miscarriage
of Justice and the conviction must be quashed on appeal. [Citing Edward s/o Masenga
v. Reg. 23 E.A.C.A 553; Archibald’s Criminal Pleading and Practice (35th
Edition) paragraph 1388.] (3) In considering whether a retrial should be
ordered, it is relevant that “(t)he magistrate’s error may not have been the
fault of the prosecution but surely it is a more important consideration that
it was not the fault of the accused.” [Salim Muhsin v. Salim bin Mohamed and others
(1950) 17 E.A.C.A 128; cited in Ahmedi Ali Bharamsi Sumar v. R. (1964)
E.A.481.] In the present case the error in no way can be attributed to the accused.
The
Court stated, obiter, that if a prosecutor chooses not to cross-examine
an accused who testifies, “this can raise a presumption in the mind of the
court that the version of the affair given by the accused is not raised as a
matter in issue with the Republic.”
445. R. v. Rutema Nzungu, Crim. Sass. 87-M-67, 1/11/67, Mustafa J
Accused was charged with murder. The
deceased was stabbed about midnight in an unlit room. Another person who was
sleeping in the room and deceased’s mother, who lived nearby, both testified
that they were awakened by the cry of the deceased that “It is Rutema Nzungu
who has killed me.” Both witnesses also testified that they recognized accused
as he was running away. Accused presented witnesses who supported his alibi,
that he was in a drunken sleep in his own house on the night of the killing.
Held:
(1) It is a rule of practice that there must be corroboration of a dying
declaration. [Citing Okethi Okale & others v. R., (1965) E.A. 555, 558.] In
the present case it seems unlikely that either the deceased or the other
witnesses had adequate opportunity to recognize accused and there is no
adequate corroboration. (3) There is no onus on the accused to prove an alibi.
All he need do is raise a reasonable doubt. [Citing Leonard Aniseth v. R.,
(1963) E.A. 206]. Here accused has raised more than a reasonable doubt. Accused
acquitted.
1967) H.C.D.
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134 –
446. Nassoro s/o Mohamedi v. R.,
Crim. App. 745-D-67, 8/11/67, Georges C. J.
Accused were convicted of burglary and
stealing upon evidence that four days after the offence was committed a Kitenge
shirt was found in the possession of one accused and a coat, pair of trousers
and other articles were found in the possession of the other accused. These
articles were identified in the charge only as “different clothes.”
Held:
(1) In such cases as this the charge should itemize in some detail the property
alleged to have been stolen, particularly where the accused raise the defence
that it is their own property. (2) The proper procedure for identification of
property in court is that the claimant should describe the item before it is
shown to him, so that it can be clear to the court when the item is eventually
tendered whether or not he was able to identify it. Convictions set aside.
447. R. v. Esta d/o Ikumboka,
Crim. Sass. 170-D-67, 25/10/67, Georges C. J.
Accused was charged with infanticide [P.C.
s. 199] The child’s body had been buried for 10 days when first examined by a
doctor, and decomposition had begun. A green cloth was tightly tied about its
neck, and its lung were expanded; the doctor’s initial opinion was that it had
been strangled. However, analysis of specimens of both lungs by a pathologist
in Dar es Salaam found that the gas-spaces in the lungs were due to purification;
the doctor then revised his opinion. Since it could not be determined whether
the child had been born alive or not .The accused had told the doctor, during
an examination of her in which he found that she was lactating and bore other
signs of having recently delivered a child, that she had delivered a live child
and had strangled it. Her husband was away, she said, and she was afraid of the
consequences of having produced a child in his absence. However, when first
questioned by the Village Executive Officer as to what had happened to her
pregnancy, before the body was discovered, she had stated that it had been born
dead. At her trial, she stated that she had at first thought that the child was
alive, and that she had buried it only when she discovered it was dead; she
dismissed the doctor’s account of his interview with her as a lie.
Held:
(1) Accepting that accused ’s statement t the doctor was as the doctor stated,
she had a short time before given a conflicting account of the incident.
Considering that she may well have been in a general state of confusion, and in
the absence of direct medical evidence supporting either account, it would not
be safe to convict her of infanticide. (2) However, she lived in a populated
area, and could have gone to several people for help; she was, therefore guilty
of concealing the birth of a child [P.C. s. 218]. Conviction accordingly;
suspended sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment imposed.
448. Chimanlal Chunilal v. R.,
Crim. App. 218-A-67, 13/10/67, Platt J.
Accused were convicted on their own
pleas of carrying goods for hire without a public carrier’s licence [Transport
Licensing Ordinance, Cap. 373 ss. 9(1)(2)(3), 26]. They were sentenced
(1967) H.C.D
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135 –
To Shs. 60/- or 3 weeks’ imprisonment;
also, the magistrate ordered the cancellation of their road licences and
registrations under section 27A (2) of the Traffic Ordinance, Cap. 16
Held:
(1) No power to order cancellation of licences and registrations is provided
for by the Traffic Licensing Ordinance, under which the offences were
committed. [Citing Cap. 373, s. 9(7).] (2)Section 27A of the Traffic Ordinance
refers only to the unlicensed carriage for hire of persons, not goods.
Cancellation ordered set aside.
449. Rajabu s/o Athumani v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 176-D-67, 13/11/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
stealing. The main matter raised on appeal was his contention that the
conviction should be quashed because it was based upon the finding of the
stolen property in his house when he was not present. It was not contended that
the search was invalid in any other way.
Held:
It is desirable but not necessary that a search by police to private premises
be conducted in the presence of the owner or inhabitant. “But ….. the fact that
the owner was not present at the time does not invalidate the search. It is of
course a simple safeguard for the searching officer to be accompanied by
independent persons of the locality, who can be called to give evidence that
the search was properly and fairly conducted and that no question of ‘planting’
any property on the premises can be raised.”
450. R. v. Andreas Msafiri, Crim.
Rev. 142-D-67, 14/11/67, Saudi J.
The Minimum Sentences Act and the
Corporal Punishment Ordinance, cap. 17, both provide that no corporal
punishment shall be imposed on a person over the age of 45 years. In this case,
which involved a Minimum Sentences Act offence, accused was awarded strokes
upon finding by the trial court that he was “about 45 years of age.”
Held:
Be caused it is impossible to say whether the accused is over 45 years of age,
in which case he is not subject to corporal punishment, “….. the court should
give the accused the benefit of the difficulty of assessing his exact age and
hold that he is over 45 years of ago …” Order of corporal punishment quashed.
451. Samwel Mwendawano v. R.,
Crim. App. 658-D-67, 3/11/67, Saudi J.
Two accused were fined Shs. 300/- each
for affray, contrary to P.C. s. 87. They were unable to pay the fines and were
imprisoned in default.
The
Court noted; “This Court has repeatedly expressed strong views on the point
that the fine a court should impose on any person convicted of an offence
should be one that such person would be able to pay. The idea of imposing a
fine is to keep the accused person out of prison, where he might worsen his
character by making contacts with hardened criminals who are always found in
the jail. With hardened criminals who are always found in jail. There is
therefore no good ground for a court to impose a fine which an accused person
cannot pay and in consequence has to go to jail in default of payment. It is
imperative that inquiries as to the accused person’s ability to pay a certain
amount of fine should be made before any fine is imposed.” [Citing R. v. Bison
s/o Mwanga, 2 T.L.R.(R)
(1967) H. C. D.
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136 –
31; Mohamed Juma v. R., 1T.L.R. (R)
257.] “Without fixing any particular figures to be followed, it does not appear
to me to be reasonable to impose a fine which exceeds one-third of the monthly
income of an accused person.”
452. Athumani s/o Matat v. R.,
Crim. App. 697-D-67, Saidi J.
Accused were charged with attempting to
obtain money by false pretences [P.C. ss. 302, 381] but were convicted of
attempting to steal [P.C. ss. 265, 381]. The evidence was that the two accused,
who were employees of a co-operative society, prepared false produce receipts
and gave them to their relatives to collect the money on behalf of the accused.
When the receipts were presented, they were found to be false, and no money was
ever paid.
Held:
(1) What had been done by accused amounted merely to preparations to obtain the
money; no steps had been instituted for taking that is asportation of, the
money. Therefore, they were not guilty of attempted stealing but only of the
original charge of attempting to obtain by false pretences. (2)Were the
conviction to be upheld, a charge of a simple offence would be converted into a
scheduled offence carrying a minimum sentence. This could only have been done
in the manner prescribed in the section 189 of the Criminal Procedure code.
453. Abu A. Mwenge v. R., Crim.
App. 592-D-67, 8/11/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted on nine counts of
obtaining money by false pretences [P.C.
s. 302]. He had obtained money and goods in exchange for cheques which were
returned unpaid; in most if not all cases, he was later found to have stopped
payment. The evidence that there had been no money in his account when the
cheques reached the bank was contained in a bank statement, which was produced
in court by a police witness who was also the prosecutor, and who had investigated
the case. After an adjournment to call witnesses, the accused had stated that
he had no further witnesses, but wished to add to his statement; the magistrate
refused permission to do so, although he had earlier granted a similar request
by the prosecutor, who had testified first after the testimony of 8 other
witnesses, Rejecting a prosecution request to alter the charge, the magistrate
stated: “…..the charge needs to be altered to suit the particulars. But I am convinced
that an offence would have been committed if the charge was properly framed and
evidence called to support it.” It also appeared, finally, that the magistrate
had assisted in transporting prosecution witnesses to the court; this prompted
the accused to request trial by another magistrate and another prosecutor,
which request was denied.
Held:
(1) The charge here would require a showing that the accused knew that he did not have money
in his account sufficient to cover his cheques at the time he wrote them, or
that he had stopped payment on them before writing them. The bank statement,
offered by a police witness who was also acting as prosecutor, was inadmissible;
thus, the conviction fails for lack of sufficient evidence. (3) The magistrate,
in several respects, gave “the impression, not only to the appellant, but to
the public at large, that justice was not seen to be done.” One instance was
his refusal to allow additional evidence by the accused;
(1967) H.C.D.
137.
Another was his comment in rejecting an
admittedly needed alteration of the charge; a third was his alleged conduct in
transporting prosecution on witnesses to the court.
454. Dengwa s/o Masiku v. R.,
Crim. App. 58?-D-67, 8/11/67, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of stealing
certain property which was found in a house owned by on Ali Saudi. Accused ’s
defence was that he did not live in the house and knew nothing about the stolen
property.
Held:
(1) The trial court accepted Saudi’s testimony that accused had lived in his
house for the last year. The court had failed to appreciate that since Saudi
had an interest of his own to serve, in that if accused was innocent he was the
most likely suspect, his testimony required corroboration. On examining the
record the High Court found such corroboration. (2) The doctrine of recent possession
was relied on to require the accused to explain how the stolen property came
into his possession, which he refused to do. While 5 months had elapsed between
the theft and finding of the goods in accused ’s possession, the goods involved
were not common articles and were specifically identified by their owner. “In
the circumstances ……. Te period of five months, though long, is within the
period which would be considered recent enough to justify the (accused) being
called upon to explain.[Citing Shabani Juma v. R. (1953) 20 E.A.C.A. 199] Conviction
upheld.
1968
(1968) H.C.D.
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1-
Pascal Joseph Mlay v. Anthony Phoneas, Civ. Case 16-A-66, 28/10/67, Platt J
Plaintiff and defendant agreed that
plaintiff would purchase two farms held by defendant under a Government lease
pursuant to the Freehold Titles (Conversion) and Government Leases Act, Cap.
523. Plaintiff agreed to deposit Shs. 10,000/- upon the signing of the
agreement, (and did so in October, 1964), and to attempt to obtain credit for
the remaining shs. 490000/- by January, 1965. A certain period of grace was
provided for, whereupon the defendant would have the right to sell the land to
another buyer; in the event of such sale, defendant would repay the deposit
together with a sum to be agreed upon for the running expenses of the farm
incurred by plaintiff in the interim. At the expiration of his time to obtain
credit, and the period of grace, plaintiff was unable to pay, and defendant reclaimed
the land. He did not resell it, however. Plaintiff entered a claim for the deposit
and expenses in running the estate; on the latter claim, he alleged an understanding
between the parties that such expenses would be refunded if the sale did not go
through for any reason. In the alternative, he alleged that the entire
agreement had been void for failure to obtain the consent to the disposition of
the Commissioner, as required by section 19 of the Act; he argued that he was
entitled to the deposit and expenses under section 65 of the Law of Contract Ordinance,
Cap. 433, as “advantages” obtained under an agreement “discovered to be void.”
The case originated in the High Court, and the defendant raised the preliminary
objection that the plaint stated no cause of action.
Held:
(1)”Understandings” between the parties must be included within the written
contract, where an agreement is reduced to writing and executed by them.
Plaintiff’s claim cannot here be based upon the alleged “understanding”, which
was not so included. (2) Under the Act, “disposition” includes “assignment,
sub-lease, mortgage or settlement of the term whether in the whole leased land
or a part thereof …….” A disposition “shall not be operative without the consent
of the Commissioner.” [Citing Cap. 523, s. 19.] Section 20 of the Act provides
that a disposition “shall become void” where the Commissioner refuses his consent,
or merely does not give it within six months of the application. (3) Although
the agreement here was called a “sale” by the parties, it was a transaction to
dispose of the vendor’s whole interest in land held on a term of years; it was
thus an “assignment” within the meaning of the Act, and therefore required the
consent of the Commissioner to become operative. [Citing Williams and Eastwood
on Real Property, 24th ed., …. P. 112.] (4) Although the agreement
here was not operative as a “disposition” --- i.e., could not operate to
dispose of defendant’s interest in the land --- “the contract may well exist
….. with regard to collateral matters.” [Citing Patterson and others v. Kanji
(1956) 23. E.A.C.A. 106; Patel v. Lawrenson (1957) E.A. 249; and Fazal Kassam
v. Abdul Nagji Kassam (citation omitted), with extensive discussion.] Here,
where the disposition is clearly inoperative, or “void”, the issue is whether
plaintiff can claim for “advantages” –the deposit and the running expenses,
matters covered in a separate provision of the instrument of disposition ---
under section 65 of the Contract Ordinance, dealing with an “agreement….discovered
to be void …..” (5) Section 65 of the Ordinance should be read to allow
recovery of the deposit in cases such as this one, albeit the collateral
provision covering plaintiff’s claim might in some circumstances not be “void”.
Pollock and Mulla’s Commentary on the identical provision of the Indian
Contract Act, 8th edition, states;
(1968) H.C.D.
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2 -
“A transferee of property which from its
very nature is inalienable is entitled to recover back his purchase money from
the transferor, if the transfer is declared illegal and void.” In the Court’s
opinion, it is Manifestly just” that there should be redress where the parties
have altered their position with the understanding that the disposition may be
held void or become inoperative. (6) If, upon the evidence, the running
expenses amounted to an “advantage”, there is no reason in principle why they
should not be recoverable “for the same reasons as a deposit is recovered.” Decision
for plaintiff, to proceed to trial.
The
Court stated, obiter: “(B)y making a collateral agreement, the parties
may very well preserve a greater degree of reimbursement than if they merely
rely on section 65.” This does not affect the holding that plaintiff, in this
case, also has a good cause of action based on section 65 of the Contract
Ordinance.
2. Omolo s/o Omolo v. Okengo s/o Obuto,
(PC) Civ. App. 106-M-66, 20/11/67, Cross J.
Some time before 1959 plaintiff
entrusted defendant with a cow which was subsequently stolen together with
other cattle belonging to defendant. Some, but not all, of the cattle stolen
were recovered, and defendant had received some compensation for others. This
action was brought in 1965, for return of the cow.
Held:
(1) The assessors advise that under Luo customary law “If only par of the
beasts are recovered the person in whose custody the beasts are stolen will
keep some beasts for himself but give the rest to the person who entrusted the
beasts to him.” (2) Rule 2 of the Customary Law (Limitation of Proceedings)
Rules, 1963, provides that the period of limitation commences on the day when
the right to bring the proceedings accrued or “on the day when these Rules come
into operation which ever is later.” The rules came into operation on 29th
May, 1964, and the period of limitation is three years. Thus, the suit is not time
barred. Plaintiff’s appeal allowed and defendant ordered to return one cow to
plaintiff.
3. Chach Gikaro v. Marwa Maroro,
(PC), Civ. App. 117-M-66, 6/12/67, Seaton J.
Plaintiff, Kenyan, sued in Primary Court
in North Mara for custody of a boy born in 1957, during his wedlock with the
boy’s mother. After their divorce, the mother married defendant, a Tanzania,
and she and the boy have resided with him in the North Mara community for six
years; during this time the defendant cared for the boy as his own son. During
the three years between the divorce and the mother’s remarriage, the plaintiff
had paid Shs. 5/- monthly for the boy’s support to his father-in-law; he had
also left three head of cattle with his father-in –law for the same purpose,
the cattle being part of the bride wealth plaintiff had originally paid.
Held:
(1968) H.C.D
–
3 –
Under the Judicature and Application of
Laws Ordinance, 1961, s. 9(1), customary law governs civil matters “relating to
any matter of status of ……a person who is or was a member of a community in
which rules of customary law relevant to the matter are established and
accepted ……” The boy, whose status is in issue, is a member of the North Mara
community; the Local Customary Law (Declaration ) Order, Government Notice No.
279 of 1963, was specifically made binding to this area by Government Notice
No. 604 of 1963. (3) According to Rule 175 of the law of persons as declared in
Government Notice No. 604 of 1963, children born in wedlock belong to the
father. Thus, plaintiff is entitled to custody of the boy. (4) The boy’s mother
must be given “reasonable access” to her son, and the defendant must be
compensated by plaintiff for any loss he may have sustained in providing for
the boy’s welfare. [Citing Government Notice No. 604 of 1963, Rules 104, 105.]
Case remitted to Primary Court for further hearings as will able that court to
make an order consistent with the judgment of the High Court.
4. Matinde d/o Rukonge v. Mwit
Nyantumutwa, (PC) Civ. App 169-D-66, 7/2/67, Seaton J.
Plaintiff was the former wife of
defendant under a customary law marriage. Four children were born while they
were married. At the time of divorce custody of all four children was given to
defendant. Plaintiff now seeks to recover custody over two of the children.
Held:
Rule 175 of the Law of Persons, which is the law applicable by virtue of Government
Notice No. 604 of 1963, clearly provides that all children born in wedlock
during a customary marriage belong to the father.
5.Paulo John Iddy v. Mashauri
Milanga, (PC) Civ. App. 117-D-67, 4/12/67, Biron J
Plaintiff had an affair with defendant’s
daughter during which three children were fathered by him. They eventually
quarreled and the daughter returned to defendant’s house. Plaintiff sued for custody
of the children. On appeal to the District Court, the magistrate described the
local customary rule that children born in any manner are the property of the
woman as outdated. He also ruled that custody of the father was in the interest
of the children. The local law was that of the Makonde tribe and was apparently
applied although plaintiff was an Msukuma.
Held:
(1) The rule that the mother should be awarded custody of illegitimate children
is not outdated and, indeed, is found in “more modern sophisticated societies.”
(2) There was no evidentiary support for the finding that it was in the
interests of the children to award custody to the unmarried father when the
mother had returned to her father’s house. The order of the primary court in favour
of defendant was restored.
6. Nyakasara Kilimo v. Marwa Mwita,
(PC) Civ. App. 171-M-66, 11/12/67, Seaton J.
Plaintiff and his wife were divorced
after 14 years of childless marriage, the marriage admittedly failing due to
the fault of the wife. Plaintiff sued for the return of the bride-wealth, but
the North Mara District Court awarded only 7 of 22 cattle claimed and 5 of 14
goats, on the grounds that the long duration of the marriage reduced the
portion of bride-wealth which could be recovered.
(1968)H.C.D.
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4 -
Held:
Where the wife is the guilty party in a divorce, the husband is entitled to a
return of the bride wealth given in full. [Citing Rule 58 of the Law of Persons
7. Munyaga Wagobyo v. Muling Katama,
(PC) Civ. App. 177-M-66, 11/12/67, Cross J.
Plaintiff sued defendant for possession
of a plot of land, which plaintiff alleged had been given to defendant “to
cultivate” By plaintiff’s grandfather. Defendant alleged that the inherited the
land through his own father and grandfather. One of plaintiff’s witnesses
admitted that defendant had been cultivating the land “continuously since the
time of the Germans.”
Held:
Whatever the circumstances of defendant’s original occupation, it would be
“completely contrary to the principles of equity to deprive him of the rights
which he has acquired to the (plaintiff’s) knowledge over his long period” of
occupation. Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
8. Kisema Ndutu v. Masholo Mishiga, (PC)
Civ. App. 41-M-67, 12/12/67, Cross J.
Plaintiff
had been given a plot of land to cultivate by defendant’s father. He worked the
land for approximately 3 years, his total period of occupation being about 5
years. The defendant expelled plaintiff from the land on the grounds that
plaintiff had improperly planted certain crops and had cultivated in an area
not given to him. For at least the next 8 years --- the witnesses ’accounts
differ--- plaintiff filed no claim for possession of the shamba. Defendant now
argues that plaintiff thereby a condoned the land, barring his present action.
Held:
There is no evidence that Sukuma law would regard adverse possession for a period
of 8 years as invalidating a person’s claim to
possession or establishing that person’s intention to abandon the land.
Judgment for plaintiff confirmed.
9. Kawagere s/o Mulinda v. Josephina
s/o (Sic) Buhirane, (PC) Civ. App. 4-M-67, 18/10/67, Platt J.
Plaintiff and her brother inherited the
property in question from their father. In 1952 the brother sold all of the
property while he was a minor. However, it was redeemed by Lwamushuga, a clan
elder, and in prior. However, it was redeemed by Lwamushuga, a clan elder, and
in a prior case he was vested with the land as guardian for plaintiff and her
brother. In 1952 he sold the land to defendant while plaintiff and her brother
were still minors. Plaintiff filed this action in 1965 for possession of the
property. The parties are Haya.
Held:
(1) The guardian had no right to sell the property of the minors. [Laws of
Guardianship, First Schedule to Local Customary Law (Declaration) Order No. 4,
paragraph 9 (G.N. 436 of 1963); applied to Huhaya in G.N. 605 of 1963.] (2)
Plaintiff had 12 years from the date the Customary Law (Limitation of
Proceedings) Rules, 1963 (G.N. 311 of
1964) came into operation to bring her claim. [See s.2.] As the boundaries
between the plaintiff’s portion of the land and that inherited by her brother
had never been demarcated, the case was remanded to primary court so that the
Banyaruganda decide the proper portion of the land to be given [could to a
female heir and so that the land could be properly divided.
(1968) H.C.D.
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10. Jafenia s/o Shimba v. Musuka s/o
Nyanda, (PC) Civ. App. 180-M-66, 22/11/67, Cross J
Plaintiff sued for possession of
property possessed by defendant. There was conflicting evidence as to whether
plaintiff had sold the land to defendant or had merely sold two houses on the
property and given him permission to cultivate the land, accused constructed a
house upon the land. The
Held:
(1) Under Sukuma Law, plaintiff could not sell his holding or enter into any
transaction in which the land was the subject, but could only lend the land.
[Citing Cory, Sukuma law and Custom, Rules 380, 414.] (2) Defendant knew he had
only a right to cultivate the land, and the construction of the house was
unjustified. Sanction should not be given to this illegal act by permitting defendant
to remain in possession for life as suggested by his counsel. Appeal dismissed.
11. Gervas Ngaiza Baitilwa v. Ngaiza
Baitilwa, (LC) Civ. App. 20-M-65 8/12/67, Cross J.
Plaintiff sued his father, and a man who
had purchased a certain shamba from his father, for return of the shamba.
Plaintiff alleged that he succeeded to the shamba under a will made by his
grandfather, who at the time had held the land under a “Nyarubanja” tenancy.
The former landlord, however, testified that plaintiff’s father had succeeded
to the tenancy upon the grandfather’s death, and had subsequently bought the
holding from the landlord for Shs. 100/- Plaintiff was unable to produce the
grandfather’s will.
Held:
Absent a will disinheriting his son as the primary heir, a tenant’s holding passes
to his son. [Citing Cory and Hartnoll, Customary Law of the Haya Tribe,
paragraph 554 (ix).] Having properly succeeded to his own father’s interest and
dispose of the land as he wished. Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
12. Felista Ishekanyoro v. Martin Banyuka,
(PC) Civ. App. 175-M-66, 11/12/67, Seaton J.
The issue in this case concerned the
distribution of the estate of deceased. Plaintiff, his widow, was childless.
There was evidence that defendant, Martin, was the son of a previous wife of
deceased, and that he had been born in deceased’s house, had lived with
deceased and been supported by him during his childhood and had been given
money by deceased with which to buy a shamba. In refutation, plaintiff
presented evidence that defendant, after his birth, had been taken to one Gido
to be shown, and that this custom showed that the child was born outside
deceased ‘s household. There was also evidence that defendant had later been
expelled from deceased’s household. In addition, there was evidence that deceased
had sired a son, Ngambeki, by Plaintiff’s younger sister. Buhaya customary law
was applicable.
Held:
(1) The burden was on plaintiff to prove that defendant was an illegitimate son
an not legally entitled to the property, and she has not fulfilled this burden.
(2) Under para. 77 of the Law of Persons as declared in the Local Customary Law
(Declaration ) (No. 4) Order, 1963 (G.N.436 of 1963) and under para. 27 of the
Second Schedule to that order, a widow has no share of the inheritance of her
deceased husband but does have a right to receive a stated percentage of his
movable property, and, until she remarries or dies, to use his house and
receive a stated
(1968)H.C.D.
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Share of perennial crops and use a
stated share of this land. Her share is to be cared for by her children. (3)
The District Court correctly ordered that the estate should be distributed
between defendant and Ngambeki and that plaintiff could remain in the care and
protection of either of them as she chose.
13. Bi. Amina Katume v. Eustace
Ndyakowa, (PC) Civ. App. 64-M-65, 16/11/67, Cross J.
Plaintiff purchased land from defendant,
and created a house thereon. The land had been sold by defendant to a third
party, with whom plaintiff become involved in ultimately unsuccessful litigation
over possession of the land. Plaintiff was awarded Shs. 1,438/- by the
Held: “The …. Litigation was due entirely to the dishonesty of
the (defendant) and I cannot see why the costs incurred by the (plaintiff) in
the course of that litigation should not be borne by the (defendant). Until a
judicial decision was handed down (plaintiff) was entitled to treat the land as
her own.” Judgment for plaintiff restored in full.
14. Jacob Tibifumula v. Ntange Bebwa,
(PC) Civ. App. 208-M-66, 4/12/67, Cross J.
Plaintiff had been convicted of
threatening to burn premises in a trial in which defendant had been among the
complainants. He served 80 days of a sentence of 4 months’ imprisonment before
his appeal was allowed and the conviction quashed. In the trial of the action
brought by the plaintiff, the magistrate found that the defendant’s action in
reporting the matter to the magistrate in the previous case had been reasonable
and not malicious.
Held:
“In any case the …. Imprisonment was not at the instance of the (defendant) but
by virtue of the judgment of the primary court …. In the circumstances the …..
civil action. … could not possibly succeed on a claim for false imprisonment.”
15. Benadus Okemba v. Okoko Aran, (PC)
Civ. App. 110-M-66, 16/11/67, Cross J.
Plaintiff claimed 11 cattle as part of bride
wealth due to be refunded to him. He and his bride had gone their separate
ways, she being “the guilty party.” He had given 14 cattle for her. These had
been returned, but their 11 offspring had been retained. He based his claim, at
least in part, on the argument that no valid marriage had occurred. There was,
however, “ample evidence that the marriage ….. in fact took place and was
consummated.”
Held:
The offspring of bride wealth animals are the property of the person lawfully
receiving the bride wealth. [Citing Government Notice 279 of 1963, paragraph
16.] Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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16. Ngaida Msasu v. Rajabu Hanai,
(PC) Civ. App. 83-D-67, -/10/67, Saidi J.
Plaintiff was married to a certain woman
under customary law. Because of a misunderstanding, she left him to live with
her parents for about six months; she then converted to Islam and married
defendant, a Moslem, according to Moslem rites. Plaintiff sued defendant,
claiming “ugoni,” or damages for adultery. He was awarded Shs. 50/-, and
defendant was ordered to leave the woman alone on the grounds that she was a
married woman, He did not do so. About four years later, plaintiff sued again,
obtaining shs. 100/- and a similar order. On appeal, the District Court
reversed, holding that the second marriage could not be annulled and that,
because the plaintiff was not a Moslen, the woman could not be directed to
return to him.
Held:
As the woman had been lawfully married to plaintiff under customary law, that
marriage could not be superseded by any other form of marriage until it was
first dissolved. [Citing Local Customary Law (Declaration ) Order 1963, Clause
101C.] Plaintiff’s appeal allowed.
17. Andrea Wisai v. Fransiska Opong,
(PC) Civ. App. 105-M-66, 15/11/67, Cross J.
Plaintiff sued for divorce in
Held:
“(A) customary marriage does not become
a Christian marriage by the subsequent baptism of the parties.” The
18. Ale Pazi v. Hamisi Mohamed,
(PC) Civ. App. 97-D-67, -/12/67, Hamlyn J.
In this action concerning the
inheritance of property, the principal issue was whether appellant and deceased
had been married. It was conceded that both were members of the Shafi sect of
Islam, and respondent argued that within this sect every minutia of Islamic Law
must be proved or the marriage was not shown to exist. There was evidence that
appellant and deceased had lived together as husband and wife for several
decades, but no marriage certificate was produced.
Held:
(1) It is the Law of the Shafi sect of Islam, as of many codes, that there is a
presumption of marriage where a man and woman have lived together as man and
wife for a considerable period of time. (2) The failure to produce a marriage
certificate is not of special significance in the facts of this case. (3) The
Statement of Islamic Law, G.N. No. 222 of 1967, has not yet been brought into
force, and the court cannot directly apply clause 41. However, the Statement
embodies the existing provisions of the law of Islam and may be referred to. Appeal
allowed.
(1968) H.C.D
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19. Laurent Ochola v. Tembo Odoyo,
(LC) Civ. App. 5-D-66, 20/11/67, Hamlyn J.
Appellant and respondent both claim a
certain plot of land, each alleging that it was allocated to him by the local
authority. Appellant’s claim goes back to 1957, respondent’s only to 1963. Respondent
erected a dwelling house and shop on the land. Appellant, who lives on the plot
next to the one in dispute, took no action in respect of his claim until after
respondent had completed the building.
Held:
“Whether or not the appellant was in fact granted the plot in 1957 as he
claims, he has made no effort to develop it and it was not until the respondent/completed
his building that he laid claim to it. The fact that he did nothing when
building that he laid claim to it. The fact that he did nothing when building
commenced would point to the fact that the claim is not a bona fide one but
merely made in order to reap the harvest of another man’s labour.” Appeal dismissed.
20. Balikulije Mpumagi v. Nzwili
Mashengu, (PC) Civ. App. 84-M-66, 20/11/67, Cross J.
Plaintiff, the rightful heir of a man
who originally owned a certain shamba, sued for possession of the land.
Defendant’s case was that he had occupied and cultivated the shamba for 23
years. The District Court assessors “advised that according to customary law
the length of time the (defendant) had occupied and cultivated the shamba
entitled him to possession of the shamba.” Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
21. Simeon Osita v. Adrianus Serere,
(PC) Civ. App. 114-D-66, 26/12/67, Biron J.
Plaintiff had been allocated a plot of
land some distance from his house by the chief of the district, and had occupied
it continuously from either 1946 or 1949. The village executive officers, however,
re-allocated the land, giving the plot in question to the defendant. The
District Court, on defendant’s appeal from a
Held:
In view pf plaintiff’s long-term, undisturbed possession of the land under a
clearly proven allocation by the former chief, “there was no justification in
law, and still less on ethical grounds, “ for the District Court’s judgment.
“Even if the land was subsequently granted to the defendant by the village
executive officers, this Court is far from persuaded that in the circumstances
of the case they had any right to do so.” Primary Court judgment restored.
(1968)H.C.D.
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22. Samuel Shandrack Machango v.
Tulsidas Narandas Morjaria, Misc. Civ. App. 9-D-67, 30/9/67, Georges C. J.
On July 1, 1959, the date on which
“standard rent” is determined under the Rent Restriction Act, the premises in
issue were being let at Shs. 1,250/- per month; one month later, the rent was
reduced to Shs. 700/- per month. In 1961, the respondent in this case became
the tenant, paying Shs. 600/- per month; in September of 1962, he sublet the
premises to the appellant here at Shs. 1,250/- per month, a sum which he now
justifies by citing improvements made during his occupancy. Although it was
clear that the improvements could not justify such a rent, the sub lessee was
content to pay it until September of 1964 when the tenant asked for Shs.
1,500/- The sub lessee paid this sum for four months, through December of 1964,
and then refused to continue. In March of 1965, the tenant filed suit in
District Court for the January and February rent; this suit was eventually
transferred to the Rent Restriction Board.
During the pendency of these
proceedings, in September of 1965, the sub lessee surrendered his sub tenancy
to the owner of the building, who then leased it to NUTA, the present occupant;
the tenant made no objection to these arrangements.
In July of 1966, the tenant made his
application to the Rent Restriction Board. He incorrectly stated that Shs.
700/- had been the rent charged on 1 July 1959, arguing that Shs. 1250/- should
be fixed as the “standard rent” on the grounds that this amount had been
charged immediately prior to the date prescribed in the Act. His application
claimed rent for January and February of 1965, and mesne profits from 1 February
1965 until the surrender of the sub lessee’s occupancy in September 1965. The
mesne profits claim was based upon the tenant’s supposition that the tenancy
had been terminated by a notice from him dated 31 January 1965.
The Board held that the standard rent
was Shs. 1250/-, since records produced during an adjournment of the
proceedings established that this was the amount charged on 1 July 1959. They
further held that the tenancy had not terminated in January of 1965, since
service of the notice of termination could not be proved. They awarded arrears
of rent from January to September of 1965, allowing Shs. 1000/- for rent overpaid
from October to December of 1964. From this judgment the sub lessee appealed.
Held:
(1) The fixing of the standard rent at Shs. 1250/- was proper, despite
tenant-applicant’s apparent concession, in his application, of a lower figure.
The parties to proceedings before the Board are not “ confined to their
pleadings;” the Board was intended to be “a body which, while judicial in its
approach, will not become tied down to procedural formalism.”[Citing Rex v.
Brighton &Area Rent Tribunal (1950) 2 K.B.410, 419.] (2) Nor may the lower
figure be accepted by operation of the doctrine of estoppel; even assuming that
the tenant’s statement in the application was a “representation” by him, the
sublessee “has not acted on this representation to his detriment.” Moreover,
“the standard rent once determined adheres to the property until changed in one
of the methods envisaged in the Ordinance. To fix a standard rent on the basis
of estoppel between two parties, neither of whom is the owner of the premises,
appears …. To raise insuperable difficulties.” (3) Although, as the sublessee
contends, it may have been “iniquitous” of the tenant to rent the premises for
Shs. 600/- and sublet at Shs. 1250/-, the tenant would not run afoul of the Act
unless he sublet at more than the standard rent or attempted to increase the
rent contracted for before the sub tenancy were
(1968)H.C.D,
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Lawfully terminated. [Citing Rent
Restriction Act, ss. 15,17,19(d).] Under section 4(2) (a) of the Act, the Board
might have fixed the standard rent at a lower figure than that charged on 1
July 1959, if such an alteration were deemed “fair and reasonably in “the special
circumstances of the case;” but it was not request to do so in this case. (4)
The award to the tenant of “rent” for the period for which “mesne profits” were
requested was proper. Although “rent” is a contractual matter, and “mesne
profits” one of damages, the distinction here is “technical” only. The figure
awarded was “one agreed by the (sublessee) and paid by him over a long period
without complaint.” It was therefore a fair sum to be awarded “for occupation”
for the period January September 1965.
23. Selemani s/o Dadi v. Lata d/o
Alli, (PC) Civ. App. 108-D-67, 10/10/67, Biron J.
Plaintiff claimed title to a shamba,
which he said had been sold to him by defendant’s father some thirty years
previously. He alleged that there had been three witnesses to the sale, two who
were dead and a third whose whereabouts were unknown. He testified that the
document recording the sale had burned with his house five years previous to
the suit. One of his witnesses, however, stated that plaintiff had been tapping
palm wine from the trees on the premises for the past three years, during the
lifetime of the defendant’s father, another stated that he had been picking coconuts
from these trees for the plaintiff for the past twelve years. Defendant,
claiming the shamba by inheritance, stated that she had never been informed of
the sale; her brother, who did not live in the vicinity, gave the same
testimony. The Primary and District Courts found for the defendant, apparently
on the ground that plaintiff had not produced documents or direct verbal
evidence of the sale itself.
Held:
The independent evidence was that plaintiff’s possession had continued for
twelve years, and his uncontroverted testimony was that it had continued for
thirty years. “In the circumstances the absence of documentary evidence --- and
the appellant’s explanation for such absence is perfectly reasonable and
plausible --- was by no means fatal.”
24. Mzee Walipesa v. Rajabu Mgeyo,
(PC) Civ. App. 128-M-66; 21/11/67, Cross J.
Defendant inherited the land in question
from his father in 1948. However, in his absence the land was taken from the
person caring for it and “given” by the District Council to one Kibenga.
Plaintiff in this suit is a successor in interest to whatever title Kibenga
had. In 1965 plaintiff discovered that defendant’s servant had taken possession
of the land and filed this action to recover it. On the first appeal, the
District Court held that defendant should look to the district Council for remedy
and also held that his claim to the land was time-barred.
Held:
(1) Defendant’s claim could not be time –barred, for this action was not
brought by him but was brought by plaintiff for repossession. (2) Moreover, the
period of limitation for any claim by plaintiff would be 12 years from 29th
May, 1964, the date the Customary Law (Limitation of Proceedings) Rules, 1963,
came into effect. (3) Defendant need no seek remedy in the District Council;
there is no reason for a court to perpetuate the error of the Council. Primary
Court judgment for defendant restored.
(1967)H.C.D.
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25. Official Receiver & Trustee in
Bankruptcy of the Property of Kishan Singh Sandu – The Bankrupt v. Mokund Ram
Aggarwal, Civ. Case 20-A-65, 28/10/67, Platt J.
There was provision in a partnership
agreement between plaintiff and defendant for its dissolution in the event of
an act of bankruptcy on the part of either party. By notice in July, 1965, the
Official Receiver and Trustee for the Bankrupt terminated the partnership. The
act of bankruptcy occurred in 1960 and Sandhu was adjudged a bankrupt in June,
1962. This action was filed in August, 1965. Article 106 of the Limitation Act
requires actions in respect of a partnership to be brought within three years
of its dissolution. The only point in question was whether the suit is
time-barred.
Held:
(1) Since the act of bankruptcy took place before the enactment of the Law of
Contract Ordinance, Cap. 423, the relevant statute is the Indian Contract Act
(1872). (2) Sec. 254 of the 1872 Act permits a suit by a partner to dissolve a
partnership after a bankruptcy. But, the bankruptcy does not automatically
dissolve the partnership. Consequently, the partnership came to an end when
notice was given in July, 1965, and the suit is not time-barred. (3) The Court
stated, obiter: under the Contract Ordinance now in force, the result in the
case would have been different because the adjudication of bankruptcy would in
and of itself dissolve the partnership; and an action such as this one would
have been time-barred, because over three years had elapsed between the adjudication
of bankruptcy in June, 1962, and the filing of this suit in August, 1965.
[Citing Cap. 423, sec. 213.]
26. Kabusu Mtongori v. Wambura
Nyamaisa, (PC) CIv. App. 149-D-66, 7/12/67, Seaton J.
Sometime between 1952 and 1954,
plaintiff transferred an ox to defendant in exchange for a cow which
subsequently gave birth to a heifer. The cow had been stolen in 1952, and in
1954 it was restored to its owner by court order in a criminal case in which
plaintiff and defendant were both acquitted of the theft. Plaintiff filed this
action in
Held:
(1) Section 14 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act grants jurisdiction to
Primary Courts to hear civil suits under customary or Islamic law as well as
under “any other law” by which jurisdiction is conferred. (2) If some law other
than customary law is applicable, the suit is barred by the Indian Limitation
Act, 1908. under either sections 48 and 49, which prescribe a three year period
of limitation for suits for specific movable property or for compensation for
the wrongful taking or detaining of such property, compensation for the
wrongful taking or detaining of such property, or under sections 113,114, and
115, which prescribe the same period of limitation for specific performance of
a contract, Rescissions of a contract or compensation for branch of an
unwritten contract. (3) If customary law is applicable, the suit is barred by
the Customary law (Limitation of Proceedings ) Rules, 1963 (G. N. No. 3111 of
1964) which prescribe a three year period of limitation for proceedings for
damages for civil wrong and for breach or enforcement of oral contracts. It is
thus unnecessary to decide whether customary or “any other law” is applicable.
(1968) H.C.D.
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27. Twentsche Overseas Trading Co.
(Tanzania) Ltd. v. East African Cycle Corp., Civ. Case 3-M-67, 14/12/67,
Mustafa J.
Plaintiff company obtained a civil
judgment against defendant company, and filed an application for attachment
under order 21 , rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code. The District Registrar
then purported to issue a warrant of attachment of movable property in terms of
Order 21, rule 30 of the Civil Procedure Code (which, at the time, corresponded
to the present rule 28). Possession was taken by the court-broker, and the
Registrar purported to issue a notice to settle terms of sale under Order 21,
rule 65. Subsequently the defendant filed a chamber application arguing that
the attachment be raised, and the execution of the decree be declared a nullity.
Defendant’s grounds were that the court did not decree the attachment or order
it s execution, and that the Registrar’s warrant of attachment was therefore of
no effect.
Ruled:
(1) Under Order 21, rule 15(4), when an application for attachment is submitted
the court “shall …. Order execution of the decree according to the nature of
the application …. “ These provisions are mandatory. (2) All proceedings after
the filing of the application are therefore null an void. Attachment of goods
levied raised, with costs of application charged to plaintiff
28. Madole Mbichi v. Makongoro
Nyamwaji, (PC) Civ. App. 82-D-67, 10/10/67, Saudi J.
Defendant had been awarded seven cattle
and three goats in a prior suit against a third party for the balance of a
bride price. Before payment, he was informed that the third party had hidden.
Some cattle and eight goats. Plaintiff sued him for taking the animals without
justification, and it was shown that in fact the third party had not hidden any
of his animals on the plaintiff’s land.
Held:
The defendant had “no power under the law to execute the decree by himself.
Even if the news he had received were correct, the only thing he could do was
to move the court for an order of attachment or injunction.”
29. Paulo Ferdinand v. Frugence
Bigutu, (PC) Civ. App. 25-M-67, 15/12/67, Cross J.
Deceased made a will three weeks before
his death which purported to revoke an earlier will. The parties contest the
validity of the second will. Paulo, the disinherited heir, clears the second
after testator’s death. He contended that whatever the reasons for his disinheritance
he should have been afforded an opportunity to rebut them, and because such
opportunity was not given to him the latter will is invalid.
Held:
(1) Government Notice No. 436/1963, clause 35 provides; “The disinherited
heir should be given an opportunity of clearing himself before the testator or
family council.” (2) The provisions of clause 35 are not mandatory, so Pulo
cannot, as a matter of right, have the will set aside. (3) A disinherited heir
can also, as Paulo has done here, apply to a court for a decision as to whether
the disinheritance was justified. On the basis of the evidence before the
court, the disinheritance was justified.
(1968) H.C.D.
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30. R. v. Atanasi s/o Kawuwu,
Crim. Rev. 161-D-67, 8/12/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused were convicted of buying
controlled agricultural produce contrary to sections 13(1) and (2) of the
Agricultural Products (Control and Marketing ) Act, Cap. 486, as amended by
section 10(b) (ii) of the National Agricultural Products Board Act, 1964 Act
No. 39. In addition to the imposition of fines, confiscation of the produce
which had been bought was ordered.
Held:
The Agricultural Products Board (Control and Marketing Act (sic) does not
provide for the forfeiture of the produce. Confiscation order set aside and
order issued that produce be restored or that payment be made for its value if
it has been disposed of. [But see National Agricultural Products Board Act,
1964 (Acts 1964 No. 39), s. 5(1) (i); ----Editors.]
31. R. v. Clement s/o Mbella,
Crim. Rev. 139-D-67, 9/11/67, Saudi J.
Accused was convicted of buying a
controlled agricultural product contrary to section 13(2) of the National
Agricultural Products Board (Control and Marketing ) Act, Cap. 486 as amended
by section 10(b) (ii) of Acts 1964 No 39. In addition to a fine of Shs. 500/-,
it was ordered that 97 bags of millet worth Shs. 2910/- be forfeited.
Held:
The order of forfeiture was not authorized by the Act. Order of forfeiture set
aside. [But see National Agricultural Products Board Act, 1964 (Acts 1964 No.
39), s. 5(1) (i) ---- Editors.]
32. R. v. Songo d/o Musoma, Crim.
Rev. 43-M-67, 27/11/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of arson. When the
charge was read to her she said, “I agree I unlawfully set the house on fire. I
was not justified in doing so.” This was recorded as a plea of guilty. The
facts, as related by the prosecution, were that accused burnt some native
medicine near the house of a co-wife of her husband, apparently in the hope
that the medicine would increase the husband’s love for herself. The fire
spread and the co-wife’s house was completely burnt.
Held:
Penal Code section 319(a) provides that “Any person who willfully and
unlawfully sets fire to any building or structure whatever … is guilty of a felony
….” Accused ’s plea did not admit to having willfully burnt the house, and
the plea was thus equivocal and should
not have been recorded as a plea of
guilty. Also, nothing in the recital of facts by the prosecution indicates that
the burning of the house was not accidental. Conviction quashed.
33. Azaria s/o Mbuya v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 11-D-67, 2/12/67, Seaton J.
Accused, a teacher, was convicted of
assault. [P.C s. 240.] There was evidence that he had questioned the
complainant, a girl of 12 years of age, concerning her relations with a boy in
the school. Accused claims that she lied to him, and as a result she was caned.
Complainant testified that she was caned on the thighs as well as the hands and
that accused attempted to pull her pants down. A doctor testified that there
were swellings on her hands and thighs. The complainant gave unsworn testimony,
ad it did not appear that the magistrate had attempted to ascertain whether she
understood the nature of an affirmation.
(1968) H.C.D.
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Held:
(1) The caning of another person may constitute assault, but the use of force
against another person is justified if exercised during lawful correction. (2)
Corporal punishment may be administered for serious breaches of school
discipline. However, female pupils may receive corporal punishment from male
teachers only if no female teacher is at the school and such punishment is administered
by the head of the school or with his written authorization. [Regulations 3(a)
and 4(b) of G.N. 40 of 1965, made under section 38(p) of the Education Ordinance,
Cap. 446.] In this case the manner in which the punishment was carried out
exceeded the permissible bounds. (3) In primary court all evidence is to be
given on affirmation “save in the case of a child of tender years who …… does
not understand the nature of the affirmation.” [Primary Courts Criminal Procedure
Code, s. 30(2), (Third Schedule to Magistrates’ Courts Act, Cap. 537).] If the
child does not understand the nature of an affirmation, his evidence may still
be received if he has the capacity to understand the duty to speak the truth.
It should appear in the record that the court has determined that he has such capacity,
but the failure to do so was not prejudicial in this case. (4) The unsworn
testimony of a child must be corroborated, but there was such corroboration in
the present case. Appeal dismissed.
34. Fideli Nyembe v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 654-M-67, 5/11/67, Mustafa J.
Accused was convicted of assault causing
actual bodily harm [P.C. s. 241].He alleged on appeal that he had been provoked
and, under the circumstances, had been justified in committing the assault.
Held:
Provocation cannot justify an assault. It can only be a “matter in mitigation.”
Appeal dismissed.
35. Revocate s/o Pascal v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 42-A-67, 28/11/67, Seaton J.
Accused went on “a minor rampage” in
complainant’s pombe bar, engaging in a fight and pouring pombe on various
customers. At issue is the order of the trial court that accused pay compensation
of Shs. 90/- to complainant.
Held:
The figure of Shs. 90/- constitutes the selling price of 9 tins of pombe which
complainant would have sold had not accused ’s conduct driven customers away.
Apparently the pombe spoiled eventually, so the full value of the 9 tins is
claimed. While it was not clear why complainant did not attempt to reduce his
loss by selling the pombe later that night or the next day, even if at a
reduced price, this factor does not in any way limit complainant’s recovery.
36. Juma s/o Abdallah v. R.,
Crim. App. 789-D-67, 6/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of conduct in a
public place in such a manner as to cause a breach of the peace contrary to
P.C. s. 89(b) and using abusive language contrary to P.C. s. 89(a). Both
charges grew out of an abusive public shouting match between accused and
complainant.
Held:
(1) Both convictions were quashed because there was no reasonable
likelihood of a breach of the peace having arisen due to this altercation. (2)
The court stated, obiter: Although the charge in two counts was proper, had accused
been guilty he still should only have received one punishment as there was only
one act of wrongdoing.
(1968) H.C.D
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15 –
37 Salum Haruna v. R., Crim. App. 773-M-67,
15/11/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of possession of
bhang. [Cultivation of Noxious Plants (Prohibition) Ordinance, s. 2(b).] The
only substantial evidence was that of a police officer who testified that “I
found one piece of rolled cigarette of bhang. I know bhang.”
Held:
“(I)t would be most unsafe to base a conviction on the bald evidence of a
police constable that he knows bhang without any inquiry as to how he acquired
his knowledge.” Conviction quashed.
38. R. v. Wambura Makindi, Crim.
Sass. 150-M-67, 9/11/67, Mustafa J.
Accused was charged with murder. A
witness stated that he had seen the accused and the deceased together at 4 P.M
on the day of the homicide; At about 7 P.M., the mother of the deceased, being
a child of 9.5 years, raised an alarm because the deceased was missing. The
same witness and several other persons went to the spot where he had seen the
deceased with the accused, and they soon found the body of the deceased. He had
been stabbed several times. The witness quoted him as identifying “Wambura
Makindi” as his assailant; the boy’s mother remembered that he had mentioned
the name “Wambura.” On the way to the dispensary, a Divisional Executive
Officer recorded a statement in which the deceased again identified “Wambura
Makindi” but placed the time of the assault at 2 P.M. Accused claimed that
another man in the community also has the name “Wambura Makindi.” He explained the wounds found on
his body at the time of his arrest, the day after the homicide, as the result
of another fight. He alleged that he had been in another place throughout the
day in question.
Held:
“(T)he dying declaration of the deceased needs corroboration because as a dying
declaration it was not made in such circumstances as can exclude corroboration
and also because it was made by a child of tender years.” The prosecution did
not establish that accused is the only man in the community named “Wambura
Makindi”; and the deceased’s own account of his murder conflicts, as to the
time of the assault, with the report of the witness. Thus, there is no
corroboration “sufficiently linking the accused with the person who attacked
the deceased.” Accused acquitted.
39. Shila s/o Mchomba v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 38-A-67, 7/12/67, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of burg alary and
theft. Evidence against him, consisting of several items found in his home
which were alleged to be among the stolen goods, had been obtained during a
search by a constable; the constable had no warrant for the search, was not
looking for the accused himself, and, according to accused ’s wife and some
other witnesses who were present at the time, did not have the wife’s
permission to make the search. During the trial, accused ’s wife was called as a witness by the prosecution;
it appeared that the magistrate did not warn her that she had no duty to
testify.
Held:
(1) Even assuming that the search was illegal, it does not follow that evidence
obtained thereby is in –admissible. The proper test seems to be whether the
evidence is “relevant to the facts in issue……”
(1968) H.C.D
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16 –
[Citing O’Brien v. McGrath, an
unreported case cited in 83 Law Quarterly Review 185.] (2) A husband and wife
are competent to give evidence for or against each other, but they cannot be
called except upon application of the accused. The record reveals neither such
a request, nor any warning to the wife by the magistrate. The admission of her
testimony was, therefore, erroneous. (3) However, since it appears that the
wife’s testimony “in no way assisted the case for the prosecution,” and is not
even referred to in the magistrate’s judgment, the error occasioned no failure
of justice. Appeal rejected.
40. Petro s/o Sang’undi v. R.,
Crim. App. 783-M-67, 22/11/67, Cross J.
Accused, a
Held:
(1) The Complainant should not be treated as an accomplice whose
testimony requires corroboration. Even if she knew the purpose of the payment,
she would not necessarily be an accomplice. [Citing Rasiklal Jamnadas Davda v.
R., (1965) E. A. 201.] (2) The fact that complainant may have been acting as a
police decoy also does not require that her evidence be corroborated.
[Distingushing Alexandra Parentis v. King, 1T.L.R. 208 on the ground that that
case involved professional decoys employed by the police.] (3) In the facts of
this case the testimony of complainant was in any event corroborated by the
finding of the notes under the leg of the table. [Distingushing Peter s/o
Kasembe v. R., Crim. App. 454-D-67 (1967 Tanzania High Court Digest, case no.
338) on the ground that the ruling there stated was based on the particular
facts of that case.] Appeal dismissed.
41. Ndewingia s/o Paulo v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 24-A-67, 4/12/67, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of housebreaking
and stealing. He was tried together with his brother who was acquitted. In
response to questioning by the court, the brother stated that he thought goods
found in their house had been stolen by his brother “because he is a thief and
he goes to prison frequently.” He also stated that accused had recently
completed a prison sentence.
Held:
It was improper for the court to admit evidence tending to prove that accused
had been previously convicted of theft or had a bad character. The introduction
of this evidence was prejudicial in this case. Conviction quashed.
42. Tuwati s/o Mzee v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 40-A-67, 27/11/67, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of breaking and
stealing [P.C. ss. 296, 265. The trial court sentenced accused to two years
imprisonment and 24 strokes under the Minimum Sentences Act “because it is not
accused ’s first offence”, but there was nothing in the record concerning these
convictions.
(1968) H.C.D.
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17 –
The value of the goods stolen was Shs.
64/- and accused was sixteen years of age.
Held:
(1) The details of the previous convictions should have been given in evidence
or otherwise proved after conviction and before sentence. (2) In view of the
value of the property stolen, the youth of the accused and the lack of proof
that he was anything but a first offender, the sentence was excessive. Sentence
reduced to twelve months imprisonment.
43. R. v. Kakengele Msagikwa, Crim.
Sass. 91-M-67, 9/10/67, Cross J.
Accused and two others were charged with
murder. There was evidence that a fight started between the other two accused
and deceased in a house. Accused then entered the house without a weapon and
told the others to leave. A witness testified that accused hit deceased twice
and said he would not leave without beating deceased. However, on
cross-examination he admitted that he had seen only hands and could not be sure
the blows were inflicted by accused. At the close of the prosecution case,
accused moved that he not be called upon to make a defence since the
prosecution had not made out a prima facie case. The prosecution argued that a
prima facie case had at least been made that accused had assaulted deceased.
Held:
(1) A prima facie case at least must be one on which a reasonable tribunal
could convict if no evidence is offered by the defence. [Citing Ramanlal
Ttrambaklal Batt v. R., (1957) E.A.C.A 332, 335.] The onus is on the
prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt; and a prima facie case
is not made out if it is one which on full consideration might possibly be
thought sufficient to sustain a conviction. Still less is a prima facie case
established by part of the testimony of a witness considered in isolation and
without reference to other parts of the witness’s testimony. (2) The evidence
of the prosecution did not establish a prima facie case. Accused acquitted.
44. Tuhani s/o Ngura v. R., Crim.
App. 846-D-67, 8/12/67, Georges C. J.
Independent evidence had established a
“very strong prima facie case” against two accused persons for bicycle theft,
malicious property damage and escape from lawful custody. Appellant and the
co-accused took the stand, appellant denying all knowledge of the matter and
any acquaintance with co-accused, and co-accused giving testimony further
implicating appellant in the crimes. The record does not show whether or not
appellant was advised of his right to cross-examine co-accused, merely that he
did not in fact do so.
Held:
(1) On the facts, it is proper to conclude that “the opportunity to
cross-examine was not afforded” to the appellant. The opportunity to cross-examine
is “a fundamental right” of a person whose co-accused gives testimony, since
such testimony, though given in defence of the witness, “becomes in fact
evidence for the prosecution against the other.” [Citing Edward s/o Msenga v.
R. (1956) E.A.C.A. 553, where “the trial magistrate had made a positive
decision not to allow” the cross-examination.] (2) However, the question in
such cases is whether the irregularities occasioned “ a failure of justice”; it
is not reasonable to state, as a rigid proposition, that the failure to afford
a co-accused the right of cross-examination is “ipse facto a fundamental
irregularity necessitating the quashing of the conviction.”
(1967)H.C.D
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18 -
(3) Here, where evidence independently
established a prima facie case against appellant, and where his
cross-examination would evidently have attacked the co-accused ’s testimony as
wholly false, rather than attempting to clarify its implications, it is
unlikely that a failure of justice occurred. Appeal dismissed.
45. Leornard s/o Kaseko v. R.,
Crim. App. 730-M-67, 8/11/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of arson. After
making an unsworn statement, he was questioned by the magistrate and cross
examined by the prosecutor.
Held:
(1) An accused who makes an unsworn statement may be asked questions by the
court in order to clarify any of the statements made by him. It is quite
improper for him to be cross-examined by the prosecution. (2) In the circumstances
of this case, the error in permitting cross-examination did not prejudice
accused, and it is curable under section 346 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Appeal dismissed.
46. Wambura Kirangi v. R., Crim.
App. 820-M-67, 24/11/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of unlawfully
doing grievous harm. [P.C. s. 225.] In his plea he said, “I admit to have
wounded the person.” This was recorded as a plea of guilty.
Held:
Although this may well be a plea of guilty to a charge under section 228 of the
Penal Code, it was not an unequivocal plea of guilty to a charge brought under
section 225, for it does not admit doing “grievous harm”. Conviction quashed.
47. R. v. Sangi Manyenyi, Crim.
Sass. 59-M-67, 23/11/67, Mustafa J.
Complainant was shot with an arrow,
whereupon he turned around and saw only the two accused. No evidence was
adduced to show which one had shot the arrow. Just before this, the accused had
attached complainant and taken the bow and arrow with which he was shot.
Held:
(1) In the absence of evidence as to which accused fired the arrow, they both
can be convicted of attempted murder only if the prosecution could show a
common intention. (2) The prosecution sought to find the requisite common
intention intent in the joint attack on the complainant moments before he was
wounded. When the arrow was shot, the assault on complainant had already been
terminated, and there was no evidence adduced to show that accused were still
acting in concert.[Citing Dracaku Afia and Another v. R., (1963) E. A. 363.]
(3) As no prima facie case was made out against accused they were acquitted.
48. R. v. Rukondo s/o Kamano,
Crim. Sass. 165-M-67, 17/11/67, Mustafa J
Accused was charged with attempted
murder. [P.C. s. 211(1).] There was evidence that accused and several others
shot a shower of arrows at complainant and his companions in an attempt to
recover meat which they believed complainant and his companions had taken from
them. They shot from about 40 paces away. One of the arrows hit complainant in
the buttock, causing a wound tow inches deep.
Held:
(1) It was not satisfactorily proved that the arrow which hit complainant was
shot by accused.
(1967)H.C.D.
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19 -
However, accused and his company were
all acting in concert and with common intention, and accused is therefore
responsible for the injury even if he did not himself shoot the arrow. (2)In
view of the distance from which the arrows were shot and the other
circumstances of the case, accused was guilty of the offence of an act intended
to cause grievous harm [ P.C. s. 222(2)] rather than attempted murder. Accused
convicted of the former offence.
49 R. v. John Wimaana, Crim.
Sass. 123-Bukoba-67, 20/9/67, Mustafa J.
Deceased was allegedly insulted by the
younger brother of one of the four accused, whereupon he seized the boy and
threw him down. The boy’s brother set upon the deceased, and the two of them
fell struggling to the ground. The other three accused then attacked the
deceased, at least some of them using sticks to beat him. The deceased broke free
and ran to a nearby house, not as yet having suffered any serious injury. The
accused caught him, and began to beat him again with sticks and to kick him.
They left him unconscious in the house, where he was treated briefly by his
wife and some friends. He was taken the next day to dispensary for treatment,
but died four days later from brain injuries sustained in the struggle.
Held:
Both beatings were “in the course of the same transaction …… (T)he matter took
a very serious turn when accused persons chased the deceased and beat him a
second time, but I do not think that incident could be isolated from the first
beating. When death occurs as a result of a fight as in this case, unless there
are very exceptional circumstances, persons who cause death are guilty of
manslaughter and not murder. In this case the offence disclosed is on the
borderline … and I will give the benefit of the doubt to the accused persons
and find them guilty of manslaughter ….”
50.R. v. Amani Zephania Kimerri,
Crim. Sass. 7-A-67, 18/10/67 Platt J.
Accused was charged with murder. The
alleged victim had been unaccounted for, and to the best of anybody’s
knowledge, absent from this world for the last three years. She was seen with
accused, her husband from whom she was separated, shortly before her
disappearance. There was very strong circumstantial evidence that accused had
murdered his wife, but the body had never been found, and he denied killing
her.
Held:
(1) The fact of death is provable by circumstantial evidence, notwithstanding
the fact that neither the body nor any trace thereof has ever been found, and
that accused has not confessed to any wrongdoing. [Citing R. v. Onufrejczyk
(1955) All E. R. 247; R. v. Horry (1952) N.Z.L.R. 111.] The ciroumstantial evidence
must be “cogent and compelling.” (2) Despite the contrary view of one assessor,
accused was convicted of murder and sentenced to death by hanging.
51. Mansuku Mohan Mawji v. R.,
Crim. App. 656-D-67, 20/12/67, Biron J.
Accused altered a cheque for Shs 100/-
endorsed to him, so that it read Shs. 400/- He was convicted of stealing
government property (the cheque was drawn on and cashed at the National Band of
Commerce, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and twenty-four strokes
under the Minimum Sentences Act.
(1967)H.C.D.
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20 -
Held: (1) This is a case of obtaining money by false pretences,
not one of theft. Conviction was quashed because obtaining money by false
pretences is not a scheduled offence under the Minimum Sentences Act. Because
of this fact, it does not matter that the money involved belonged to the
Government. Conviction under P.C. s. 302 was substituted and a shorter sentence
imposed. (2) The Court stated, obiter; Since the banks are nationalized in
52. Shene Kimboka v. R., Crim.
App. 157-D-67, -/-/67, Duff J.
The five accused were convicted on two
counts of robbery, one count of malicious damage to property. A taxi driver had
taken a passenger to a certain hamlet, where he waited while the passenger went
to his house for money to pay the fare. When the passenger returned, a group of
persons, including the five accused, had gathered about the car. They
questioned the driver and passenger, indicating that they suspected them of
being thieves. Dissatisfied, they set upon the pair; during the struggle, the
two men were injured and property and money were stolen from them. It is not
clear that any of the five accused stole any of the valuables.
Held:
(1) Clearly, the accused participated in the assault. Conviction entered
accordingly. (2) However, although the accused “shared a common intention to
prosecute an unlawful purpose, namely, the beating of so-called thieves,” it is
not clear that they themselves committed any robbery directly, nor is it clear
that “all of the accused shared the intention to steal.” Absent such proof, the
conviction for robbery must fail.
53. Edward Rwehabula v. John
Rwehabula, (PC) Civ. App. 186-D-66, 28/12/67, Saudi J.
Appellant’s appeal to a district court
was dismissed because he did not appear in court either in person or by agent
on the appointed day. Appellant had submitted a statement of his arguments to
the district court. Subsequently he also presented a medical certificate to the
court showing that he was ill on the date set for his hearing.
Held:
(1) Rule 13(1) of the Rules of Court (G.N. No. 312 of 1964) entitles a party to
have his appeal heard without his presence if he submits a written statement of
the arguments supporting his appeal. (2) Additionally, the district court
should have heard the appeal because appellant had a reasonable explanation for
his failure to appear on the appointed day. Case remanded to the district court
for hearing on the merits.
54. Lameck Bundala v. R., Crim.
App. 707-M-67, 15/11/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
servant. The particulars of the offence stated that “The person charged …. Did
steal cash Shs. 2,882/- the property of his employer ……” The only evidence of
theft was that 8.5 cartons of tea were missing.
Held:
In the absence of an amendment of the charge, the prosecution is bound by the
particulars, and these particulars were not proved. Conviction quashed because
of this matter and the general insufficiency of the evidence
(1967)H.C.D.
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21 -
55. Edward Opiyo s/o Auguro v. R.,
Crim. App. 893-M-67, 5/11/67, Mustafa J.
Accused was convicted on two counts of
obtaining money by false pretences. The first count alleged that he had taken
money “with intent to defraud” on a promise to “forbear the arresting” of a
certain person and to “stand and refuse removal” of that person for “detention
as a cattle thief following the President’s order of January, 1967.” The second
count alleged a promise to “forbear the support of returning” another person
“who had been sent in detention following the President’s order of January
1967.” The evidence on the first count revealed a promise to be a witness for
the named person against those who were charging him with cattle theft.
Held:
(1) As to the second count, the generality of the particulars and the absence
of the words “with intent to defraud” are fatal to the conviction, since the
accused may not have understood the charge against him. “The false pretence
must be set out in the charge with sufficient certainty.” (2) The difference between
the false pretence alleged in the first count and that revealed by the evidence
is fatal to the conviction on that count. Convictions quashed.
56. Nyaku s/o Ntandu v. R., Crim.
App. 805-D-67, 6/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of doing grievous
harm. [P.C. s.225.] In answer to the charge he originally pleaded that the
complainant had come to accused ’s house at night and refused to identify
himself, and accused thought he was an
enemy. This was recorded as a plea of not guilty. However, he later stated, “I
want now to change my plea to one of guilty because I injured this man. I agree
that I did wrong.” This was recorded as a plea of guilty. After the prosecutor
had recited the facts, the accused made a statement substantially identical to
his first plea.
Held:
(1) In the circumstances, and considering that the facts recited by the prosecution
were not inconsistent with the accused ’s statement, if accused thought, as he
had reason to believe, that the man who came to his house late at night was “an
enemy,” this would be a defence to the charge. (2) Accused did not
unequivocally plead guilty to the charge. Conviction quashed.
57. Haki s/o Nangwalanya v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 204-D-67, 30/11/67, Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of retaining
stolen property. His appeal was found to be without substance.
The
Court stated, obiter; (1) The trial court should not have appended exclamation
marks to the record of testimony of accused, an act which presumably was done
to indicate disbelief. It is only when the magistrate writes his judgment that
he may comment on the truthfulness of testimony. (2) On the first appeal to the
District Court, the magistrate should have “dismissed” the appeal; he is not
entitled to “reject” it. Appeal summarily rejected.
58. R. v. Edward Michael, Dist.
Ct. Crim. Case. 44-Mpwapwa-67, 2/12/67, Inspection Note by Biron J.
Accused were charged with stealing
groundnuts. After the first prosecution witness had testified, they objected
that the trial magistrate had previously convicted them of offences and
requested that the trial be held before another magistrate.
(1968) H.C.D.
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22 –
The case was referred to the High Court
for a ruling on this request.
Noted:
The magistrate has absolute discretion in such circumstances to continue with
the case or to transfer it under section 78(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The fact that the bench or prosecutor is aware of a previous conviction, or
even that the magistrate has previously convicted accused, does not require
that the case be transferred, though the position may be different if the magistrate
sits with lay assessors.
59. R. v. Messrs. J. M. Kika,
Crim. Rev. 130-D-67, 22/11/67, Duff J.
The accused firm was convicted of
permitting a vehicle to be used without
an existing policy of insurance [Motor Vehicles Insurance Ordinance, Cap. 169,
ss. 4(1), 4(2)] after the manager of the firm appeared and pleaded guilty. The
trial court suspended the licence of the manager.
Held:
A firm or company cannot be disqualified from holding a licence in such
circumstances, and it does not appear that the licence of the manager should
have been suspended. Case remanded for clarification of the status of the
accused firm or person.
60. R. v. Saudi s/o Yusufu, Crim.
Rev. 147-D-67, 15/11/67, Biron J.
Accused carelessly drove off a road and
ran into a dwelling house. He failed, inter alia, to report this accident to
the police, for which he was fined Shs. 75/-, under section 61 of the Traffic
Ordinance.
Held:
Section 61 requires the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident to report
it to the police only if injury is caused to a person or certain specified animals
or to another vehicle. Since damage to adjacent property is not covered by the
statute, the conviction was quashed.
61. R. v. Amiri s/o Juma, Crim.
Rev. 155-D-67, 25/11/67, Biron J.
Accused were convicted of being rogues
and vagabonds [P.C. s. 177(4)] upon evidence that they were found sleeping in
buses at a bus depot. Those considered adults were sentenced to imprisonment
for 15 days, and those considered juveniles, including a sixteen-year-old boy,
were sentenced to six strokes corporal punishment.
Held:
(1) Section 177(4) defines as a rogue and vagabond “every person found in or
near any premises …. At such time and under such circumstances as to lead to
the conclusion the such person is there for an illegal or disorderly purpose.”
The tort of civil trespass is not such an illegal purpose. (2) An element of
the offence of criminal trespass [P.C. s. 299(1)] is the intent to commit an
offence or to intimidate, insult or annoy the possessor of the property. There
is no evidence of such intent here. (3) A juvenile is a person under the age of
sixteen years and does not include a person of the age of sixteen years. The
Court stated, obiter: No purpose could have been served by the short terms of
imprisonment of the adult accused. “(I)t is not only a waste of public monies
to send them to prison for such a short spell, but it defeats the very object
of reformative punishment, in that it exposed these youths to contacts with,
and the influence of, criminals, including hardened ones, and possibly to even
worse dangers.” Convictions quashed.
(1968) H.C.D.
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23 –
62. Leshalon s/o Ncosha v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 10-A-67, 2/12/67, Seaton J.
The two accused were convicted of cattle
theft and sentenced to punishment as provided in the Minimum Sentences Act. In
addition to the imprisonment and corporal punishment, it was order that “After
their term of imprisonment, they will have to pay the complainant his cattle.”
Held:
(1) The trial court should have assessed the value of the missing cattle. (2)
The court should have also determined the share which each of the accused was
allocated in the proceeds of theft. Appropriate orders for compensation should
then have been made against each accused for the value of his share of the
proceeds, as provided in section 6(2) of the Minimum Sentences Act.
63. Ali Mohamed v. R., Crim. App.
504-D-67, 6/12/67, Biron, J
Accused was convicted, in two separate
trials, of two different burglaries, committed three weeks apart, and received
respectively sentences of three years imprisonment plus 24 strokes, and two
years imprisonment plus 24 strokes. This was an appeal from the second
conviction.
Held:
(1) When a court does not specify whether sentences are to run consecutively or
concurrently, they are to run consecutively unless a higher court orders
otherwise. Here the High Court ordered the two sentences of imprisonment to run
concurrently. (2) There is no authority for the Court to order sentences of
corporal punishment in two separate cases to be executed concurrently.
64. R. v. Paul T. Msilu, Crim.
Rev. 138-D-67, 6/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of five counts of
stealing Government property, and sentenced to ten strokes of corporal
punishment on each count, sentences to run concurrently. The only question
before the High Court was that of sentence.
Held:
There is no authority for ordering awards of corporal punishment to run
concurrently. The Corporal Punishment Ordinance, Cap. 17, Sec. 10, provides;
“When a person is convicted at one trial of two or more distinct offences, any
two or more of which are legally punishable with corporal punishment, only one
sentence of corporal punishment may be passed in respect of all the offences.”
Accordingly, the sentences were set aside and a single sentence of 10 strokes
was imposed in respect of all the convictions.
65. R. v. Kitila s/o Tintina,
Crim. Rev. 164-D-67, 12/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted on his own plea of
doing grievous harm [P.C. s. 225], and sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.
During a quarrel with his wife, when he had taken offence at the way she had
helped herself to a portion of meat, accused had struck her with a the stick on
hand, fracturing a joint of one of her fingers.
Held;
The offence was “a domestic one.” The magistrate failed to consider that, by
imposing “such a long term of imprisonment, he was in fact causing the
complainant to suffer more.” By depriving her of her breadwinner. Sentence altered
to result in immediate release.
(1968) H.C.D.
-
24 –
66. R. v. Zakaria s/o Kasanga,
Crim. Rev. 160-D-67, 24/11/67, Biron J.
Accused was sentenced to fines of Shs.
100/- and Shs. 150/- or imprisonment for three months and four months,
respectively, in default, for creating a public disturbance and assaulting a
police officer. The sentences of imprisonment were ordered to run concurrently.
Held:
(1) Terms of imprisonment imposed in default of payment of fines may not be
ordered to run concurrently. [Citing P.C. s. 36] (2) The magistrate intended
that accused serve only four months, which the High Court agreed was the proper
sentence. The sentences as imposed were set aside, and two terms of peremptory
imprisonment of three months and four months, respectively, to run
concurrently, were substituted.
67.R. v. Limango s/o Shomari, Dist.
Ct. Crim. Case 210-Kilosa-67, 30/11/67, Inspection Note by Duff J
Accused was convicted of entering
dwelling house with intent to steal and with stealing. [P.C. ss. 295,265.]
There was no breaking or attempted breaking, and the property stolen belonged
to a private individual. The trial court directed that accused receive ten
strokes of corporal punishment under section 5(2) of the Minimum Sentences Act.
Noted;
The provisions of the Minimum Sentences Act were inapplicable to this case and
the sentence was improper
68. R. v. Rajabu s/o Mohamedi,
Crim. Rev. 1963-D-67, 12/12/67, Hamlyn J
Accused, who fit under the exception to
the Act allowing a sentence of less than two years and 24 strokes, was
sentenced to nine months imprisonment and ten strokes;
Held:
Section 5(2) provides for a sentence of “…. Either ten strokes of corporal
punishment or such term of imprisonment as may appear to the court to meet the
requirements of the case.” (Emphasis added.) Since accused had received another
sentence of nine months imprisonment at the same trial, which was to run
concurrently with the sentence here in question, the ten strokes of corporal
punishment were set aside, while the sentence of nine months imprisonment was
allowed to stand and to run concurrently with the other sentence.
69. R. v. Nyasi s/o Aloys, Crim.
Rev. 165-D-67, 18/12/67, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of giving Shs. 6/-
to a police officer as an inducement to forbear entering charge for the offence
of affray. In view of the small sum involved, the magistrate invoked section
(5(2) of the Minimum Sentences Act, which permits an order for “ten strokes of
corporal punishment or such term of imprisonment as may appear to the court to
meet the requirements of the case.” The sentence ordered was “ten strokes of
corporal punishment or four months’ imprisonment.”
Held:
In applying section 5(2), a court cannot impose sentences in the alternative.
The choice of sentence is for the magistrate not the accused. The sentence here
is bad for vagueness. In such cases where it is proposed to inflict corporal
punishment, courts should be particularly careful; should the accused opt for
corporal punishment, “there is often no practical appeal.”
(1968) H.C.D.
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25 –
70. Selemani Rashidi v. R., Crim.
App. 840-D-67, 8/12/67, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of shop breaking
involving a “considerable” amount of property and of assault causing actual
bodily harm. Seven previous convictions were alleged against him at one point
or mother during the proceedings, but the record did not show “that these were
agreed to by him and they certainly were not proved against him.” Sentence of
36 months’ imprisonment was imposed on the first count; a statutory minimum
sentence, with corporal punishment and an order for compensation, was imposed
on the second count. The record did not disclose the basis of the sentence on
the first count.
Held:
As it is possible that “the sentence passed had been assessed upon the
un-admitted previous record” of convictions, the sentence cannot stand. Sentence
upon the first count reduced to 2 years’ imprisonment.
71. R.v. Daudi James, Crim. Rev.
148-D-67, 14/11/67, Duff J.
It is alleged that accused has three
relevant previous convictions. Accused denied these convictions. The
prosecution sought to prove these by tendering a certificate of comparison of
fingerprints which had been sent by the authorities in
Held:
The mere production of a certificate of comparison of fingerprints” …… does not
constitute prima facie evidence of all the facts set out in the document,”
unless it is produced by the person who took the fingerprints of the accused.
72. Hamisi Salum Muejori v. R.,
Crim. App. 854-D-67, 6/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of giving false
information to a person employed in the public service, and of obtaining by
false pretences Shs. 27/60. The trial court, noting that the accused “has
proved impervious to former sentences” and that he was an ”incorrigible
criminal,” gave him sentences of five months and two years, respectively, to
run concurrently.
Held:
“Whilst previous convictions are certainly a relevant factor in the assessment
of punishment, in that they disentitle an accused to any claim of leniency, the
determining factor in the assessment of punishment is the intrinsic offence
which has been committed.” It is not “ethical or just” to punish a man over and
over again for previous offences. While accused deserves no leniency, the offences
of which he stands convicted were trivial. Sentence on second count reduced to
five months.
73. Augustino Brown Chanafi v. R.,
Crim. App. 832-D-67, 15/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of forgery and
obtaining money by false pretences[P.C. ss. 337, 302]. He had obtained money
from the complainant upon a note which he represented to be a valid interim
insurance cover note, evidently with the intention of using part of the money
to obtain a genuine insurance cover for the complainant’s vehicle.
(1968) H.C.D
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Held:
The evidence supports a finding of “intent to defraud.” “(T)o deceive is by
falsehood to induce a state of mind; to defraud is by deceit to induce a course
of action.” [In re London & Globe Finance Corp. (1903) 1
74. Miderege s/o Bemeye v. R.
Crim. App. 799-M-67, 22/11/67, Cross J.
Accused was convicted of robbery with
violence. [P.C. s. 286.] There was evidence that accused, while drunk,
assaulted a number of persons in a pombe shop. After assaulting complainant, accused
took complainant’s coat and walked away with if
Held:
Penal Code section 285 provides that any person who steals anything an uses
violence to obtain or retain the thing stolen is guilty of robbery. Here, the
actions of accused were not in order to obtain or retain the coat, but rather
were part of generally belligerent behaviour which had no rational connection
with the theft. Conviction for simple theft substituted.
75. Tom Abraham Salema Mandara v. R.,
Crim. App. 707-D-67, 6/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of stealing
government property and of unlawful possession of Government trophies. There
was evidence that one Shabani, a Divisional Executive Officer, was storing at
his house two elephant tusks which had been shot by a Game Warden in the course
of his duties. Accused, who was an Area Secretary, brought two smaller tusks to
Shabani’s house and told him that he had been authorized by the Game Warden to
exchange them for the larger ones which Shabani was storing. The exchange was
effected. At accused ’s first trial the magistrate held that accused had no
case to answer. On appeal by the prosecution, the High Court stated that there
had been a case to answer, but that the trial had been a nullity because
accused had not been allowed to plead after new charges had been substituted.
Held:
(1) Since the first trial was a nullity, accused could be retried for offences
in respect of the same transaction. [Distinguishing Akberali Walimohamed Damji
v. R., 2 T.L.R ( R ) and cases cited in Rosen and Stratton, Digest of the East
African Case Law, P. 285.] (2) In evaluating the evidence, the failure of accused
to testify under oath is not without significance in view of his position and
advanced education. (3) The possession of the tusks by Shabani was merely
custody as opposed to owner-hip or possession with authority to pass ownership
or title. Therefore, the taking of them by accused constituted theft and not
obtaining by false pretences.
76. Ibrahim Ahmed v. Halima Guleti,
(PC) Civ. App. 128-M-67, 18/12/67, Cross J.
On appeal of a civil judgment from a
primary court, the district court reversed the decision for respondent below
because; “On a balance of probability, I find appellant’s evidence before the
primary court carries more weight than that of the respondent.”
(1968)
H.C.D.
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Held:
The District Court erred. The question for a court on appeal is whether the
decision below is reasonable and can be rationally supported: if so the lower
court decision should be affirmed. The appeal judge may not in effect try the
case de novo, and decide for the party he thinks should win. “Surely, when the
issue is entirely one of the credibility of witnesses, the weight of evidence
is best judged by the court before whom that evidence is given and not by a
tribunal which merely reads a transcript of the evidence.” Judgment of the primary
court restored.
77. Lehman’s (East
In this action plaintiff company alleges
that defendant company, which was a shareholder in plaintiff company, failed to
account in the balance sheet for discounts which it received while acting as
agents for plaintiff. In an application for dismissal of the suit prior to
trial, defendant argued that the balance sheets constituted settled accounts
between the parties and that plaintiff could not ask that they be reopened.
Ruled;
(1) Not every balance sheet amounts to an account stated, and each case must be
decided upon its particular facts. (2) In the facts of this case, the balance
sheet was an account stated. (3) Although it is a general basic proposition
that settled accounts are final, the Court has equitable power to depart from
this rule in instances where accounts are drawn up under a common mistake or
where fraud has operated with respect to
principal, agent, trustee or beneficiary. Such matters are raised by the
pleadings in the present case. Defendant’s application for dismissal rejected.
78. Lesindamu Kinawanawa v. Ngobani
Shila, (PC) Civ. Rev. 3-D-66, 2/2/68 Hamlyn J.
The parties entered into an agreement
under which defendant occupied plaintiff’s land and agreed to develop it.
Plaintiff later sought the return of the land, which he had a right to do,
whereupon defendant requested compensation for the improvements he had made.
The primary court assessed the improvements at Shs. 6,000/- and ordered
defendant to quit the land upon receiving payment from plaintiff. Although not
appealing against this decision, plaintiff made an application to the district
court in respect of this action, to the effect that he could not raise Shs.
6,000/- and seeking to drop his suit for recovery or possession of his land.
The District Court did this, and also vested the land in defendant, at the same
time extinguishing plaintiff’s debt to defendant.
Held:
The district court on an ex parte application by one of the parties without any
proper appeal before it. Defendant had neither notice nor knowledge of this
“appeal” to the district court. Order of primary court restored.
79. Sheikh Kasim Suleman v. Ayubu
Kamgila, (PC) Civ. App. 71-M-67, 27/12/67, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff and defendant were members of
a community of Muslims. A plot of land was held by the community, whose affairs
are generally looked after by a committee which was controlled, at the time of
this action, by a faction led by the defendant. The land was held under a grant
to “all the Muslims” which apparently had been made for the erection of a
mosque.
(1968)
H.C.D.
28 –
A mosque and a school had been built,
but a group led by plaintiff wanted another school to be built. Plaintiff sued
unsuccessfully in
Held:
“This appears to be a dispute between two factions of a community as regards administration
of its affairs. The land issue is but one aspect of such dispute. A dispute of
this kind, by its very nature, could not possibly be dealt with in the primary
court. This is not a matter over which a primary court has jurisdiction ….”
[Citing section 14, Magistrate’s Courts Act.] The whole are, therefore, a
nullity.
80. Edward Kalemela v. Muyebe
Rwenjenge, (PC) Civ. App. 105-M-67, 26/1/68, Mustafa J.
In an action in a primary court for
recovery of a loan of Shs. 250/- evidenced by a document, defendant
acknowledged the debt and judgment was entered by consent. Defendant later
appealed on the ground that the loan was conditional on the performance of
work, which work had not been done. The district court magistrate took further
evidence, upon which he set aside the judgment of the primary court.
Held:
(1) A judgment entered into by consent should not be upset by another
court, and the district court was wrong in taking further evidence. (2) The
primary court had no jurisdiction to hear the case, as the law applicable was
not customary law or Islamic law, nor was this an action for the recovery of a
civil debt by the Government. [Citing Magistrates’ Courts Act, s. 14(1).]
Consequently, the whole proceeding was a
nullity.
81. Walimu Jilala v. John Mongo,
(PC) Civ. App. 144-M-67, 25/1/68 Mustafa J.
Plaintiff sued defendant in
Held:
(1968)
H.C.D.
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29 –
The Court is aware of this practice.
Taking all these factors into consideration, appellant should be awarded costs
of Shs. 400/- as costs in the appeal. Appeal allowed.
82. Mtatiro Mwita v. Mwita Marianya,
(PC) Civ. App. 12-M-67, 16/1/68, Georges C. J
Plaintiff received one bullock from
defendant in exchange for some finger millet. The bullock died two months later
of unknown causes. Both parties belong to the Kuria tribe, and this type of contract
is well known in tribal custom. The custom is that if an animal so exchange for
millet dies within one year, the meat and skin may be returned to the other
party who is then obliged to replace the animal. Plaintiff followed this
procedure and then brought this suit for another bullock. The primary court
failed to follow the customary rule and decided for the defendant citing
Tarime. District Court Civil Appeal No. 4 of 1966, in which district court refused
to follow the custom.
Held:
(1) “If persons of the same tribe enter into an agreement well known to tribal
custom under which the terms are prescribed, these persons must, in the absence
of evidence to the contrary, be understood to be contracting in accordance with
these terms.” (2) Relevant customary law must be applied if it is”……applicable
and is not repugnant to justice or morality or inconsistent with any written
law.” The rule in question here is a simple one; it does not take account of
the fact that death may be due to the fault of the person receiving the animal
But this is not to say that it is repugnant to justice or morality, and it certainly
is not inconsistent with any written law. No evidence was presented to indicate
that plaintiff was in any way at fault in the death of the bullock. Decision
for plaintiff.
The
Court stated, obiter; If it were proved that the animal had died due to the
neglect of he person receiving it, “….. the Court, while upholding the rule,
could find that the facts did not fall within its purview, as good faith and
the customary standards of animal husbandry must be implied as the basis of the
agreement.”
83. Makafu Nyamrunda v. Muga Okanda,
(PC) Civ. App. 151-M-66, 22/12/67, Mustafa J.
Makafu is the former husband of Muga.
During their marriage two children were born. Muga subsequently remarried and
until now kept the children. Makafu brought this action to obtain custody of
the children. The district court, noting that Makafu was poor and had no wife
whereas Muga’s new husband was “a man of
means”, awarded custody to Muga because “the first thing to be considered is
the welfare of children” and they would be better off with Muga and her present
husband.
Held:
(1) The law of Persons, Government Notice No. 279/1963, sec. 175, provides that
children born in wedlock belong to the father. The two children here were born
in wedlock, and consequently Makafu has an absolute right to custody of
children the paramount consideration is the welfare of the children.”
84.Sungwa s/o Fumbuka v. Manyanda
Kasalucha, (PC) Civ. App. 79-M-67, 3/1/68, Cross J.
Plaintiff sued his wife’s father for
return of bride wealth paid at the time of his marriage. He said his wife had
left him one the time of his marriage. He said his wife had left him one year
previously, and that he did not know where she was. His witness.
(1968)
H.C.D
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However, said that the two were still
married, as far as he knew. The
Held:
(1) Paragraph 59 of Government Notice 279 deals with repayments of bride wealth
in case of divorce. The evidence indicates that the parties to this marriage
have not been divorced, and no refund whatever is allowable. (2) Without directly
disapproving the method by which the wife’s evidence was taken in these
proceedings, the Court further held that there was “nothing like sufficient
evidence on which the district magistrate could base the finding referred to.”
85. Maswi s/o Wambura v. Ryoba s/o
Muhono, (PC) Civ. App. 189-M-66; 20/12/67, Duff J.
Plaintiff gave 16 cattle as bride wealth
when he married. The marriage was brief, as he contracted a serious disease.
Under Bakuria law, he was entitled to 15 of the cattle upon the termination of
the marriage; for some reason, these were not recovered at the time. His wife
thereafter married defendant, who gave her parents 21 cattle as bride wealth.
Plaintiff sued defendant for 30 cattle, including 14 estimated as the number of
the offspring of the original 16.
Held;
A suit between successive husbands would only lie “where the woman was living
in concubinage with the second ‘husband.’ Plaintiff’s remedy, if any, is
against his former wife’s parent, and not against defendant “who did not benefit
in any way from the price paid” by the plaintiff to them.
86. Karoli Kanwa v. Yustinian
Mpinzire, (PC) Civ. App. 182-M-66, 18/12/67, Duff J.
Plaintiff claims a piece of land in
Bukoba district for a five –year-old girl. (The report does not indicate the
legal or familial relationship between these two.) It is claimed that the girl
inherited the property from an aunt, who in turn had obtained the property upon
the death of the aunt’s father in 1934.
Held:
Inheritance of land by females in Bukoba district was not possible before 1st
September, 1945 when the Rules Governing the Inheritance of Holdings by Female
Heirs came into effect. Since the aunt could not have inherited the land, the
chain of title of the girl was incomplete and the action failed.
87. Martin Bikonyoro v. Celestin
Kaokola, (PC) Civ. App. 99-M-67, 3/1/68, Cross J.
Plaintiff sued to recover a clan shamba
which his sister, having inherited it from her uncle, had sold to defendant
(she was also named as a defendant). The record showed two “mortgage” arrangements
between the sister and defendant, with plaintiff’s knowledge, in consideration
of sums advanced by defendant to the sister. The second of these gave the
defendant an option to purchase, for an amount equal to the difference between
the sums.
(1968)
H.C.D.
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31 –
Advanced and to be advanced by him and
the true value of the shamba, should the sister be unable to pay her debts to him.
Another document showed an “outright sale” of the shamba to defendant by the
sister, which plaintiff alleged had occurred without his knowledge, for an
amount including the sums advanced and an additional payment. The Primary Court
ordered plaintiff to pay defendant the small consideration for the original
mortgage, whereupon be might take possession of the land; it advised defendant
bring an action for the remainder of the sums actually advanced to the sister
on the strength of the second mortgage-instrument. The District Court ordered
plaintiff to repay the entire amount advanced by defendant, citing paragraphs
561 and 562 of Corry & Hartnoll’s “Customary Law of the Haya Tribe.”
Held:
(1) Paragraphs 561 and 562 of Cory & Hartnoll refer to a “sale without
reference to the family.” Whether or not plaintiff knew of the actual sale, he
did acquiesce in the arrangement which gave defendant an option to purchase.
(2) The applicable provision is paragraph 574 dealing with pledges of clan land
which transfer the land to the creditor upon failure to repay the debt within
an agreed time. “a relative has the right to redeem it, even after the time
limit has expired, as in invalid sale; in which case it follows that the
plantation becomes the property of the man who redeems it.” Therefore,
plaintiff may redeem the land, not for the amount advanced by defendant to the
sister, but for the entire “purchase price” ---- i.e., the sums advanced and
the additional amount actually paid. (3) Should plaintiff fail to redeem the
land for this amount within 3 months, it will remain the property of defendant.
88. Kapasyu s/o Mwaipinga v.
Mwendilemo s/o Mwakyusa, (PC) Civ. App. 149-D-67, 8/11/67, Duff J.
The dispute between the two relatives
involved a parcel of land, each claming it by inheritance. The assessors in the
district court suggested that as the parties are related the dispute could be
brought to an amicable solution by dividing the land equally between the two
claimants. Such a verdict is consistent with Nyakyusa customary law, and the
magistrate accepted the advice of the assessors, and held accordingly.
Held:
“It is clear that any customary law which dispossesses an owner would be
contrary to the principle of natural justice …. The ‘Solomon’ ruling must be
disturbed.” On the facts before the court, including an earlier litigation
involving the same plot of land, the disputed plot was awarded to Mwendilomo,
the respondent.
90. Marwa Kebahi v. Thomas Nyangi,
(PC) Civ. App. 161-M-66, 26/1/68, Mustafa J.
Defendant, a headman, seized cattle
belonging to plaintiff, sold then at public auction, and applied the proceeds
to the payment of local rates by two person alleged to be plaintiff’s brothers
and for whose local rates plaintiff was allegedly responsible. Plaintiff sued
for return of the cattle, contending that one of the persons for whose local
rates he was assessed was not his brother at all, and that the other, while
admittedly his brother, was a school boy at the time of assessment and
consequently not subject to local rates.
Held:
Defendant has the burden of showing that plaintiff is liable for the local
rates of the person concerned, which burden he failed to discharge here.
Defendant was ordered to pay the value of the cattle which were assessed at
Shs. 100/- each.
(1968)H.C.D.
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32 –
91. Peter Mashauri v. R., Crim.
App. 292-A-67, 22/1/68, Seaton J.
Accused admitted cutting and damaging
trees in Pare District without lawful authority. The issue was whether he had
violated the Forests Ordinance (Capl 389), sections 18(1) and 26(1).
Held:
(1) G.N. 73 of 1959 declared the prohibition of cutting trees of the type cut by
accused to be “in respect of all unreserved land in the
92. Hussein Adam v. Asili Abdallah,
(PC) Civ. 62-D-66, 30/1/68, Hamlyn J.
Plaintiff had been lawfully divorced by
defendant according to Islamic law but was assigned to a room in the
defendant’s house as she was pregnant at the time of the divorce. The plaintiff
later left the room and went to live with her parents, whereupon she brought
this suit for the cost of maintenance during pregnancy. Defendant refused to
pay because he had given her a room, which she chose to abandon without his
permission.
Held:
According to the consensus of several authorities on Islamic Law consulted
by the High Court, the rule is that during a woman’s period of legal retirement
the husband has neither the right to remain with her, nor to enter the house
where she is retiring except with her consent. In the instant case, the house
which the defendant assigned her was not of the sort to which she was entitled,
it being part of the house where he resided, and thus her leaving the room was
justifiable. Defendant was ordered to pay maintenance to plaintiff for the
period of her pregnancy.
93. Halima Mgaya v. Saada Juma,
(PC) Civ. App. 100-D-67, 31/1/68, Saudi J.
Mgaya and Juma owned adjoining shambaa.
It was not disputed that two trees an mango and a coconut, which were growing
on Mgaya’s land belonged to Juma, having been planted there by his father,
although it was not clear how this had come about. Mgaya sought an order
restraining Juma from picking the fruit from his trees.
Held:
Juma should be compensated for the trees which he owns at the Government rate
and then they will belong to Mgaya, thus giving fair treatment to both parties
and precluding further disputes from arising concerning these trees. The
compensation should be paid in annual installments out of the sale of the fruit
from the trees.
94. Nyamhanga Chacha v. Chacha
Mang’asa, (PC) Civ. App. 148-M-66, 16/1/68, Georges C.J.
Plaintiff sued successfully in
(1968)H.C.D.
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33 –
Defendant-appellant cross-examined him.
The Court notes that the “appellant is not recorded as having said anything.”
Held:
At the hearing of an appeal, the appellate court, after hearing any additional
evidence that it may require or permit, “shall first hear the appellant or his
agent and then unless it forthwith dismisses the appeal, the respondent or his
agent, and the appellant or his agent shall have a right to reply.” [Civil Procedure
(Appeals in Proceedings Originating in Primary Courts) Rules 1963, s. 14.] Defendant-appellant
was “prejudiced” by the failure of this procedure. Case remitted to the
District Court for rehearing “preferably by another District Magistrate.” Costs
to respondent.
95. Hilarius Karario v. Sabaya Kirahi,
(PC) Civ. App. 101-M-66, 16/12/67, Hamlyn J.
In summarily dismissing an appeal, the
High Court discussed appellant’s claim that the trial court failed to summon
his witnesses.
The
Court noted; The Primary duty is on the party to a suit to arrange for
the attendance of his own witnesses. If for any reason a party thinks the
witness will not appear, it is open to him to request the court to issue a
summons. “If, however, the party desiring the witness to give evidence takes
non steps to secure the witness’ attendance (other than merely asking him to
come to the court) he cannot of right request an adjournment of the matter for
the missing witness to be sought and brought before the court.”
96. Koba s/o Joseph v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 181-D-67, 22/1/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was fined for having uttered
words taken to be abusive of authority. During the course of the case accused
was set free on the bond of his father in the amount of shs. 200/- He failed to
reappear at the proper date for continuation whereupon his father forfeited the
money and was imprisoned as well. Upon accused ’s return a few days later, he
was detained in remand prison The abusive language charge was quashed on appeal
to the District Court, and the only issue before the High Court concerned the
forfeiture of the bond and imprisonment of the father.
Held:
(1) The Shs. 200/- cannot be recovered. They were forfeited because of the
fault of accused in not appearing at the proper time. (2) In any event, accused
is not the proper person to seek recovery of the bond. (3) It was most improper
on the part of the lower court to have imprisoned the surety
97. R.V. Mukeku Mtiso, Crim. Rev.
49-D-67, 29/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted on one count, of
obstructing the working of a train [East African Railways and Harbours Act,
1950 s. 69 (a) ], and on three counts of driving a motor vehicle with defective
equipment. He was sentenced to a fine of Shs. 150/- or imprisonment for two and
one-half months on the first count and to smaller fines and terms of
imprisonment in default on the other counts.
Held:
(1) The penalty for an offence contrary to section 69 of the East African
Railways and Harbours Act, 1950, is a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten
years. (2) Offences under term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years. (2)
Offences under laws other than the Penal Code which are punishable with death
or imprisonment for ten years of more are triable by the High Court only.
(1968)H.C.D
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[Criminal Procedure Code, First
Schedule, Part B.] Therefore the magistrate had no jurisdiction to try the
offence charged in the first count.(2) Although the convictions in respect of
the other counts could be sustained, these offences were interconnected with
that charged in the first count and should be heard together with it.
Conviction quashed an preliminary inquiry ordered in respect of all the offences.
98. Salum s/o Mohamedi v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 22-D-67, 4/1/68, Saudi J.
Accused was convicted of housebreaking
and stealing. His alleged accomplice, who was acquitted, stated that the radio
found in his house had been brought there by accused. He also said that accused
was a notorious thief, and that no one but accused could have broken into complainant’s
house to steal the radio. He called two witnesses in corroboration of his
testimony. They said they had seen accused playing the radio on the verandah of
the accomplice’s house. The discovery of the radio there was the only other
evidence linking either the accused or the alleged accomplice with
housebreaking.
Held:
(1) The testimony of an alleged accomplice requires corroboration, and cannot
itself be relied upon to convict an accused. (2) Here, the corroboration was
insufficient. Upon the evidence, “it could be said that the appellant was or
had been seen using the radio when it was already in the house of (the accomplice).
The real issue is who brought it into that house …. Without a satisfactory
answer to this question, it is unsafe to let (the accomplice) go Scot free and
convict the appellant.” Conviction quashed.
99. Omari s/o Musa Msusa v. R.,
Crim. App. 839-D-67, 4/1/68, Duff J.
Accused was convicted of robbery. [P.C.
s. 286] At the trial the prosecution introduced a confession allegedly made by
accused to a District Council messenger who had arrested him and escorted him
to the police station.
Held:
(1) The messenger was exercising the duties of police officer, and as such
a confession made to him by accused was inadmissible. (2) The error in admitting
the confession occasioned no failure of justice. Appeal dismissed.
100. Issa s/o Jakala v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 228-D-67, 29/1/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft.
At the trial, the magistrate did not give accused an opportunity to cross-examine
the prosecution witnesses.
Held:
(1) The failure to extend to accused the right of cross examination was a fundamental
error, and the conviction cannot stand despite the apparent strength of the
prosecution case. (2) If an accused does not desire to cross-examine a
particular prosecution witness after he has been given the opportunity to do
so, a note to that effect should be embodied in the record. Conviction quashed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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101. Martin Mlasani v. R., Crim.
App. 288-A-67, 26/1/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
robbery. There apparently was evidence that a prosecution witness, who was one
of the victims of the crime, had given his name to the police the day following
the crime, but none of the policemen who were witnesses testified as to this
matter.
Held:
(1) The fact that the witness had identified the accused the day after the
crime would have been admissible under section
166 of the Evidence Act if the testimony had been given by an “authority
legally competent to investigate” the matter. [Citing Shabani bin Donaldi v.
Rex, (1940) 7 E.A.C.A. at P. 60; distinguishing Wario Wako Kella v. R., E.A.C.A
Crim. App. 106 of 1967.] (2) The other evidence of identity in the present case
was sufficient to support the conviction. Appeal dismissed.
102. Rajabu s/o Mahanza v. R.,
Crim. App. 830-D-67, 22/11/67, Duff J.
Accused were convicted of arson. There
was evidence that they had verbally made indecent advances towards complainant.
This was corroborated by a neighbour of complainant. Complainant said that when
she refused them, accused threatened to burn her house down. The neighbour did
not hear this alleged threat. Three nights later, complainant’s house was set
on fire. At that time complainant alleged that she now at a distance of 40
paces two people running way; whom she identified by their figures and clothes
as the two accused.
Held:
While a fact may generally be proved by the testimony of a single witness, this does not lessen the
need for testing with the greatest care the evidence of such a witness respecting
identification, especially when it is known that the conditions under which the
identification took place were far from ideal. In such circumstances other
evidence, direct or circumstantial, pointing to guilt is required. [Citing
Abdallh s/o Wendo v. R., 20 E.A.C.A. 166] Conviction quashed.
103. R. v. Francis s/o Ngumbo,
Crim. Rev. 47-D-67, 29/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of stealing from
the person of another. [P.C. ss. 269(a), 265.] There was evidence that accused
had snatched from the chairman of a co-operative society a bag containing Shs.
21,460/-; he was immediately apprehended. In an unsworn statement at the trial,
accused said, “I know it was Co-operative money. I was annoyed at the way Abdallah
(the Chairman) was underpaying the cashew nut sellers and so I snatched the
money from him ….” In the appeal hearing, accused further stated that his mind
was disturbed at the time of committing the crime and that he had acted on impulse without any intention
of stealing or keeping the money. During the proceedings accused was
transferred to a hospital for observation of his mental condition. The medical
report stated n part, “He is a case of chronic schizophrenia. At the time of
committing the offence he was aware of the nature and quality of the act. He is
fit to stand trial and follow the proceedings in court ..No insight in to his
inappropriate behavior. Not psychotic yet.”
Held:
(1) Theft is defined as “(a) an intent permanently to deprive the general or
special owner of the thing of it; …. (d) in the case of money an intent to use
it at the will of the person who takes or converts it although he may intend
afterwards to repay the amount to the owner.”
(1968)H.C.D.
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[P.C. s. 258.] (2) “In this particular
case, in view of the accused ’s mental condition and the state he was in at the
time, at the very lowest, there is a reasonable doubt as to whether in
snatching the money he intended to steal it within the meaning of the
definition of theft.” Conviction quashed.
104. R. v. Mohamed s/o Selemani,
Dist. Ct. Crim. Case 2415-D-67, 16/1/68, Inspection Note by Hamlyn J.
Upon convicting accused petty theft, the
district judge made the following order; “Both accused person are given the
choice either to undergo 10 strokes corporal punishment …. Or two months
imprisonment if they so wish.”
Held:
(1) This Order was incorrect. A court must set a specific sentence; no where
does the law provide that accused should or may be given a choice of
punishments. (2) Both accused “elected” to receive 10 strokes, which punishment
had already been administered and the accused released before this case reached
the High Court. Consequently no order in respect of sentence was made.
105. Mackreyo Kingu s/o Nakala v. R.,
Crim. App. 788-D-67, 20/12/67, Duff J.
Accused was convicted of assault
occasioning actual bodily harm and sentenced to 9 moths’ imprisonment. The
complainant, his wife, had angered him by her tardiness in preparing his
supper. Her injuries, hemorrhages in both eyes, were not serious.
Held:
“In cases of this nature between husband and wife and where the injuries
inflicted are not serious, recourse should be had to the provisions of section
134 of the Criminal Procedure.” Sentence reduced to result in immediate release.
106. Daniel Sinsirimwezi v. R.,
Crim. App. 786-D-67, 22/11/67, Duff J.
Accused was charged with house-breaking
and stealing goods worth Shs. 149/- Upon proof that one of the stolen items, a
patched shirt, had been found in accused ‘s possession, the magistrate
convicted him of receiving stolen goods, invoking the doctrine of recent
possession The magistrate felt obliged to impose the minimum sentence of 2
years and 24 strokes, since the value of the property involved in the charge
exceeded Shs. 100/-.
Held:
Notwithstanding the charge, the magistrate should base the sentence upon the
value of the goods actually shown to have been received by accused . As this
was clearly less than Shs. 100/-, the magistrate should have applied section
5(2) and permitted the accused to adduce any “special circumstances” which
might warrant leniency. Record returned for such hearing.
107. Gordon Masita v. R., Crim.
App. 785-D-67, 20/12/67, Duff J.
Accused, a first offender, appealed
against a sentence of two years imprisonment and 24 strokes for theft by a
person employed in the public service. [P. C. ss. 270, 265.] The amount
involved did not exceed Shs. 100/- When asked to state any special
circumstances, the accused replied. “I have no father. I have two brothers who
are schooling, they depend on me. I have got three children. They also depend
on me.”
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held: Having dependants can be a special
circumstance, even though “It is true that in most criminal cases dependants
are involved and suffer as a result of the incarceration of the convicted
person.” This particular plea was one which could have been accepted by the
trial court as constituting special circumstances. The expression “special
circumstances” is used in an extremely wide sense in the Minimum Sentences Act.
[See Cap. 526, ss. 5(2), 5(4).] Sentence reduced to four months imprisonment.
108. Musa s/o Mgojwa v. R., Crim.
App. 870-D-67, 20/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was charged with stealing but
convicted of conveying property reasonably suspected to have been stolen,
contrary to Penal Code section 312. There was evidence that accused had sold
two buckets and a cooking pot belonging to complainant, who identified the
goods as those belonging to him. The District Magistrate held that accused
could not be convicted of stealing since the heft had not been reported. The
State Attorney submitted that he could not be convicted of theft because the
property was not found in his possession.
Held:
(1) A conviction of conveying under Penal Code section 312 does not lie where
it has been established that the property definitely has been stolen, and also
that it has been stolen from an identified person. (2) The fact that the crime
had not been reported does not preclude a conviction for stealing.(3) The fact
that accused was not found in possession of the property also does not preclude
a conviction for stealing Conviction for stealing substituted.
109. Juma s/o Masudi v. R., Crim.
App. 750-D-67, 22/11/67, Duff J.
Accused, posing as a police officer,
induced complainant to place Shs. 360/- in his custody by saying that it was
the subject of a police investigation. Accused then disappeared. He was subsequently
convicted, inter alia, of obtaining money by false pretences. [P. C. s. 302].
Held:
“It is clear that the complainant had no intention of parting with his money
(permanently) ….(Q)uite clearly these facts support a charge of theft and not
of obtaining by false pretences.” Conviction under P.C. s. 265 substituted.
110. Ramadhani s/o Athumani v. R.,
Crim. App. 872-D-67, 20/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was charged with 10 counts of
forgery [P.C. ss. 333, 337], 10 counts of uttering false documents [P.C. ss.
342, 337] and 10 counts of stealing [P.C. s. 265]. He was convicted as charged
on the first twenty counts but convictions for stealing by a person employed in
the public service [P.C. ss. 270, 265] were substituted with respect to the
last 10 counts. There was evidence that accused, who was a village executive
officer, wrongfully issued permits to brew pombe and appropriated the shs. 5/-
fee for his own use. He had no authority to issue such permits, but gave each
applicant a receipt from a receipt book which he had wrongfully retained. The
charges in the first twenty counts alleged that he had forged and uttered false
receipts
(1968)H.C.D
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Held:
(1) Accused could properly have been convicted of forging an uttering false
pombe permits. However, the receipts which he issued were unequivocally what
they purported to be receipts for the payment of Shs. 5/- and were not false
documents within the meaning of Penal Code section 335. (2) The defective
charges on the first twenty counts are not curable. (3) The monies never came
into the possession of the Government, nor were they received on behalf of the
government since accused had no authority to issue pombe permits. (4) For the
foregoing reason, and because the offence was not charged, the convictions for
stealing by public servant cannot be sustained. (5) The persons paying the fees
did so willingly and voluntarily. Therefore, the offence against them was
obtaining money by false pretences rather than theft. Convictions for forgery
and uttering quashed. Convictions of obtaining by false pretences substituted
for the theft convictions.
111. Cosmas Patrick Chanda v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 5-D-68, 18/1/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of housebreaking
and stealing. He admitted that he had stolen the goods and said that he had
opened the door of the house with a key.
Held:
The opening of a door with a key constitutes a “breaking” at law and the
conviction was proper. Appeal dismissed.
112. Ladislaus s/o Lukasi v. R.,
Crim. App. 915-D-67, 11/1/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of stealing b
servant [P.C. ss. 265,271]; since his employer was the TANU Youth league, he
was sentenced under the Minimum Sentences Act. A check of accused ’s accounts
by the Area Commissioner had revealed a shortage, which accused admitted was
due to an appropriation of T.Y.L. money for his personal purposes. A similar
statement was made to a police officer, and both statements were entered in
evidence. Yet another witness confirmed and admission by the accused that he
had taken the money for his personal use, but that he “was prepared to refund
it.”
Held:
(1) Accused ’s intention to refund the money, if believed, does not alter the
fact that “his taking constitutes theft as defined in section 258 of the Penal
Code ….” (2) The testimony by the police officer as to accused ‘s admission,
which constituted a confession, was inadmissible under section 27 of the
Evidence Act of 1967. Nonetheless, the remaining evidence produced by the prosecution
clearly established the accused ‘s guilt. Appeal rejected.
113. R. v. Kasula & Densi s/o
Sanziki, Crim. Rev. 8-M-68, 10/1/68, Mustafa J.
Accused was charged with being in
possession or property reasonably suspected of having been stolen or unlawfully
obtained. [P.C. s. 312.] The property was found as a result or a police search
of the house accused and the house of a friend in which accused was staying.
There was no evidence that accused was arrested in the course of a journey.
Held:
(1) A conviction under Penal Code section 312 arises out of a search conducted
under Criminal Procedure Code, section 24. (2) Criminal Procedure Code, section
24 refers to searches of “any person who may be reasonably suspected of having
in his possession or conveying …. Anything stolen or unlawfully obtained.” The
word “possession” in this section is ejusdem generis with “conveying,” and the
section does not apply to the search of an accused ’s house [Citing R. v.
Misengi s/o Abdullah, T.L.R. ®, 312.]
(1968)(H.C.D
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114. Hamidu s/o Udu v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 169-D-67, 26/12/67, Biron J.
Accused was arrested as a tax defaulter.
In making an inventory of his property at the lock-up, a purportedly stolen
radio was found among his possessions. Accused told two different and inconsistent
stories at different times about how the radio came to be among his belongings.
He was convicted of receiving stolen property.
Held:
(1) It is not the rule that there must be independent evidence of a theft.
The circumstances in which an accused receives goods may of themselves prove
that the goods were stolen, and further may prove that he knew that fact at the
time when he received them. [Citing R. v. Sbarra, 13 Cr. App. R. 118, Darling
J.] (2) In the instant case, however, there was neither evidence that the radio
was stolen, nor evidence as to the circumstances under which the accused
received the radio. Conviction quashed.
115. Juma s/o Muhumpa v. R.,
Crim. App. 738-M-67, 15/11/67, Cross J.
Accused had stolen the bicycle of
complainant while two other persons had restrained complainant by force.
Accused was convicted of “robbery with violence” under section 285 and 286 of
the Penal Code, and sentenced to 2 years and 24 strokes, the minimum prescribed
by law. Section 286 provides that where an offender is in company with other
persons, and is armed with a dangerous weapon, or uses personal violence upon
the victim, he is liable to life imprisonment. Accused ’s appeal on the merits
of the conviction was dismissed.
The
Court stated, obiter: Although the accused was rightly convicted of
robbery, and properly sentenced, the appeal was admitted to clarify the magistrate’s
misunderstanding of the purpose of section 286. He “seems …. To have regarded
section 286 as creating a separate offence of robbery with violence. This is not so. Section 285 creates the offence of
robbery and section 286 provides firstly a penalty for that offence and
secondly an increased maximum penalty if there are present the circumstances of
aggravation set out therein.”
116. William Alfred v. Stephen Alfred,
(PC) Civ. App. 83-A-67, 24/2/68, Seaton, J.
Plaintiff applied for leave to appeal
from a
Held:
Appeals under section 16 of the Magistrate Courts Act, Cap. 537, are within the
discretion of the District Court. This discretion must be exercised
“judicially.” Under the circumstances it “would seem that tardiness or laches
is the appellant’s weakness”, and that the court’s discretion was exercised
properly. Appeal rejected.
117. Estates Ltd. v. Naran Mistry, Civ.
App. 11-A-68, 12/2/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff was employed by defendant from
month to month at a salary of Shs. 1,000/- per month under an oral contract.
There was no provision made in the contract for leave or pay in lieu of leave,
or as to how the contract might be terminated. Plaintiff left the employ of
defendant after one year, without giving any notice that he was quitting.
(1968)H.C.D.
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40 –
Held:
(1) It is an implied term in this sort of contract that a “reasonable period of
leave” be granted annually. Such period was set at 18 days, and plaintiff was
allowed Shs. 600/- in lieu thereof. (2) Reasonable notice of termination of the
employment relation was also an implied term of the contract. (3) As defendant failed to adduce any
evidence of specific damages occasioned by plaintiff’s quitting without giving
notice, general damages of shs. 40/- were awarded.
118. C.K.Matemba t/a Matemba &
Company v. Jumanne Yamulinga t/a Citizen Club, Civ. 1-M-67, 25/1/68,
Mustafa J.
Plaintiff sued defendant in Resident Magistrate’s
Court. The summons instructed the defendant to file a written statement of
defence within 21 days after receipt of the summons. Judgment ex parte for the
plaintiff, however, was entered only 15 days after defendant received the
summons. More than 30 days later, defendant applied to have the ex parte
judgment set aside, along with an order for proclamation of sale which by then
had been made; the application was granted, and the order rescinded. Plaintiff then
applied by way of revision to have the High Court set aside these latter
actions by the Resident Magistrate.
Held:
(1) The original ex parte judgment for plaintiff was premature, since
defendant’s time within which to file his defence had not elapsed. (2) In an
application for revision, the High Court has not power to interfere except
where the subordinate court has exercised a jurisdiction not vested in it by
law, where it has failed to exercise a jurisdiction so vested, and where it has
acted “in the exercise of its jurisdiction illegally or with material
irregularity”. [Civ. Proc. Code, ss. 79(1).] This section applies “to
jurisdiction alone, the irregular exercise or non-exercise of it, or the
illegal assumption of it. The section is not directed against conclusions of
law or fact in which the question of jurisdiction is not involved.” [Quoting
Balakrishna v. Vasuda (1917) 44
The
Court noted, obiter: The validity of an order setting aside an ex parte
decree may be attacked under section 75 of the Code, in an appeal from the
final decree. [Citing Mulla’s Civil Procedure Code, 10th Edition, P. 605]
Plaintiff’s application dismissed.
119. Mrisho s/o Pazi v. Tatu d/o
Juma, (PC) Civ. App. 69-D-67, 23/2/68, Saudi J.
This case concerned the inheritance of
property as between appellant, the husband of deceased, and respondent,
deceased’s daughter by a previous marriage. The property in question included a
shamba at Kibaha and gold ornaments and Khangas. There was some doubt as to
whether the gold ornaments and Khangas. There was some doubt as to whether the
gold ornaments and Khangas existed. Although both parties live in Magomeni
where there is a
Held:
(1) Under section 4 of the Magistrate’s Court of Ilala. Cap. 537, each
(1968)H.C.D.
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41 -
The Court characterized this result as
“unfortunate”. (2) The
120. Mariambai Rajali and John P. Curtis,
Matr. Cause 5-D-66, 23/2/68, Biron J.
The parties are Mustims, and were
divorced under Islamic law before the Primary Court of Lindi. Petitioner now is
claiming maintenance (kohr) due to her during
the subsistence of her marriage to respondent. Petitioner is an Asian, but not
respondent. The Magistrates’ Courts act, section 14 (1) provides that primary
courts have jurisdiction over all proceedings of a civil nature where Islamic
law is applicable but then certain exceptions are set out, among them disputes
“(b) in which Islamic law is applicable by virtue of the provisions of the
Marriage, Divorce and Succession (Non-Christian Asiatics) Ordinance”, in which
instance jurisdiction is expressly conferred on, and therefore limited to, the
High Court.
Held:
(1) The jurisdiction of the
121. Wankuru d/o Kisuku v. Kiraba s/o
Zwaku, Civ. App. 54-D-67, 16/2/68, SaudiJ.
Deceased died in 1951 or 1952, survived
by two wives and two daughter, both of whom are now adults. After deceased’s
death, respondent, the son of deceased’s sister, raised the daughters and paid
for their support. In this action, the question to be decided was whether
respondent or appellant, who is the daughter of deceased’s sister, should be
awarded custody of the daughters. The court noted that the real dispute was as
to which party should receive the bride price payable when the girls married.
Held:
As between the two claimants, respondent should receive the bride price “On the
sole ground that he took custody of these girls and brought them up from 1951
or 1952 when their father died”. Appeal dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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122. Mwaja s/o Mkomawanyu v. Mazengo
s/o Ndungu, (PC) Civ. App. 105-D-67, 10/2/68, Saudi J.
Appellant sued his father-in-law for the
return of bride wealth, after having obtained a divorce from his wife because
she had left him. There was evidence that the wife had given premature birth
during the marriage. There was also evidence that she had deserted appellant
because he had tally failed to support
her.
Held:
Paragraph 52(b) of the restated Customary Law, G. N. No. 279 of 1963, provides,
“In cases in which no grounds of divorce are offered by any of the two
parties…. (i)f a woman has a premature birth and the existence of a foetus is
proved by a female relative of the husband, the wife is considered as having
has a child.” It further provides that if children have been born, no bride
wealth shall be returned to the husband. Therefore, appellant is not entitled
to the return of any part of the bride wealth.
The
Court stated, obiter; Even had no children been born, appellant would
not have been entitled to the return of any substantial part of the bride
wealth because he had caused his wife to leave by failing to support her.
123. Wandwi s/o Chacha v. Nyanganane
Makere, (PC) Civ. App. 223-M-67, 21/1/68, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff and defendant were living in
concubinage, jointly cultivating shambas and raising cattle and sheep.
Apparently, plaintiff, the man, had originally followed defendant to her
holding to live. [When defendant drove plaintiff away, he sued her, in [these
Held:
(1) Under section 96 of the Law of Persons, Government Notice No. 279 of 1963,
a man who follows a woman to her holding to live in concubinage is entitled to
“a quarter of all properly which has been obtained with his help, apart from
his individual properties ….. “ (2) As only the animals were clearly obtained
by defendant “with his help”, plaintiff is entitled to one-fourth of the
monetary value of the animals.
124. Josephat Kabiyengo v. Laurian
Kyoba, (PC) Civ. App. 43-M-67, 16/1/68, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff sued to recover a clan shamba
sold by the second defendant to the first defendant without clan consent. The
Held:
“(T)he district magistrate was right to add on to the purchases price the value
of the improvements … See section 564, Cory & Hartnoll at page 139. I
cannot say that shs. 2,000/- for two acres of coffee trees and banana plants is
excessive.” Time for redemption was extended by approximately 11 months, failing
which the shamba would be the property of first defendant. Plaintiff’s appeal
dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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125. Constantin Hamanya v. Elias
Kayoza, (PC) Civ. App. 33-M-67, 27/1/68, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff was the successor in interest,
by bequeath, to a shamba formerly owned by an old lady. Before her death,
second defendant, also a descendant of the lady, had incurred a debt to first
defender, which he had honored by permitting his creditor to pick 100 debes of
coffee from the shamba. The lady learned of this arrangement, and gave her
verbal approval. After her death, plaintiff sued both defendants, in
Held:
(1) Plaintiff was not he owner of the shamba until after the lady’s death, and
therefore has no right to the value of coffee removed from it during her
life-time. (2)Plaintiff would be entitled to compensation for coffee picked subsequent
to her death; however; without evidence as to the quantities picked before and
after her death, his claim is “bad for uncertainty”. Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
126. Gabriel Nzizula v. Rooza d/o
Muyungi, (PC) Civ. App. 49-M-66, 5/2/68, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff’s close relative borrowed a
sum of money from defendant, pledging a certain shamba as security. The
borrower did not pay on the date specified, and defendant took possession of
the shamba. Plaintiff sued to redeem the land.
Held:
Under Haya Law, if a shamba has been pledged on the condition that it will
become the property of a creditor failing repayment of a debt on an agreed
date, relative has the right to redeem it even after the time limit for repayment
has expired. Upon payment of the sum due, the relative becomes the owner of the
property. [Citing Cory & Hartnoll, Customary Law of the Haya Tribe.]
127. Ndewawiosia d/o Ndeamtzo v. Imanuel
s/o Malasi, (PC) Civ. App. 80-D-66, 10/2/68, Saudi J.
Plaintiff, the youngest daughter of
deceased and the only unmarried daughter, appealed against a judgment awarding
deceased’s land to defendant, the nephew of deceased. Deceased died twenty
years ago survived by his five daughters, four of whom had married, and by the
illegitimate son of plaintiff, whom he had recognized. Defendant bases his
claim to the land on the fact that females are not entitled to inherit clan
land and on the assertion that shortly before his death the deceased had asked defendant
to take charge of the land. Both plaintiff and defendant are Wachagga.
Held:
(1) Traditionally, among the Wachagga and various other tribes of
(1968)
H.C.D.
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[Citing Bi-Mwana Amina Mukubali v.
Severini Shumbusho, Digest of Appeals from Local Courts 1955-1956, No. 88;
Saidina d/o Angovi v. Saiboko Mlemba, Digest of Appeals from Local Courts, 1961
Vol. V111(No. 205.] The Court stated, “It is quite clear that this traditional
custom has outlived its usefulness. The age of discrimination based on sex is
long gone and the world is now in the stage of full equality of all human
beings irrespective of their sex. Creed, race or colour. On grounds of natural
justice daughters like sons in every par of
128. Athman Lusaju v. Sadiki
Athumani, (PC) Civ. App. 134-D-66, 10/2/68, Biron J.
Plaintiff, apparently the lay leader of
a mosque, sued eight members of the mosque for defamation. Defendants has
written a letter to plaintiff complaining about his actions as a leader and
warning that if plaintiff did not desist from spreading slander and disturbing
the peace, the writers would resort to superior authority. Copies of this
letter were sent to the local sheikh, the local T. A. N.U. branch, two branches
of the East African Muslim Welfare Society and to the Village Development
Committee.
Held:
(1) The letter addressed to plaintiff could not form the basis of a claim for
libel, but the copies sent to other could amount to publication. (2) If the
letter is defamatory at all, it “hardly exceeds the bounds of fair comment, and
was published to persons and bodies having an interest in either the mosque
itself or in the preservation of the peace, which according to the (defendants)
the (plaintiff ) was threatening.” The publication was thus privileged, and to
succeed in this action plaintiff would have to establish malice. There is no
evidence of such malice. Appeal dismissed.
129. Abdallah Salimu v. Ramadhani
Shemdoe, (PC) Civ. App. 55-D-67, 15/2/68, Georges C. J.
An earlier High Court judgment in this
custody case awarded respondent “all the expenses incurred in the upbringing
and maintenance” of a certain child, who was at the time aged 17 years,
including the costs of her education for 4 years. The judgment directed the
Primary Court, which had originally assessed these expenses at Shs. 3000/-, to
take evidence from the parties and from village elder as to “the average cost
of maintaining a child for a year at the village where the parties lived.”
Arguing upon the very conflicting evidence thus gathered, respondent put the
figure at shs.600/- per year, making a total (including education costs) of
Shs. 10, 800/-. Appellant continued to argue for a total of shs. 300/- as a
maximum. He submitted that even this amount, which had already been paid, would
be an overpayment, since Sambaa customary Law permits only the award of
“mtonge” ---- one cow --- in such cases, The these village elders who testified
strongly supported his view, also agreeing that the value of one cow would be
about Shs. 150/- Appellant was also supported by respondent’s wife, the mother
of the child, who stated that respondent had “not fairly treated” the child.
(1968)H.C.D
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Held:
(1) “This court does not seek to interfere with the customs of any particular
tribe in
130. Mugaya Marwa v. Shoma Goro,
(PC) Civ. App. 222-M-67, 24/1/68, Mustafa J.
The husband of defendant’s daughter
brought this action to regain some or all of the bride price he had paid. The
spouses had lived together for 5 years, she bearing him two children. Their
divorce was grounded on the fault of the wife. The District Court awarded
plaintiff the return of 30 cattle and Shs. 135/-, which represented about half
the original bride price.
Held:
When neither party is guilty of wrongdoing in the breakup of a marriage, and
there are live off-spring of the marriage, no refund, or only a nominal one, of
the dowry is made. Here, however, the wife was the guilty party, and consequently
her former husband is entitled to the return of a substantial amount of the
bride price he paid to her father. Order of the District Court upheld.
131. Leonard Karomba v. Mustafa
Buberwa, (PC) Civ. App. 199-M-67, 3/2/68, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff borrowed Shs. 200/- in
October, 1964, putting up a shamba leld under Nyarubanja tenure as security.
Repayment was originally due in October, 1965, which due date was extended by
mutual consent to March, 1966. Plaintiff had not sought to prevent him from
living on or using the shamba. Defendant refused the tendered repayment,
preferring title to the shamba (the redemption period having expired),
whereupon plaintiff filed this action seeking an order requiring defendant to
accept repayment of the loan.
Held:
The district magistrate found that defendant was trying by devious means to
obtain the piece of land. The judgment of the District Court was upheld and
defendant was ordered to accept repayment of the Shs. 200/- thus extinguishing
any and all claim he had to the shamba.
132. Andrea Rafael v. Antonia
Masakuya, (PC) Civ. App. 51-D-66, 5/2/68, Biron J.
Plaintiff entered into a contract to
sell a shamba to defendant. Defendant went into possession and had, at the time
of the action, remained so for five years.
(1968)H.C.D
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Plaintiff refused to complete the sale
and claimed possession. Defendant did not dispute the claim to possession, but
claimed compensation for improvements she had effected on the land(banana
trees, coffee trees aged 2 or 3 years, and a house for cattle). The District
Court of Kilimanjaro awarded her compensation for the improvements, and also
for “trouble created by the (plaintiff).”
Held:
(1) Defendant is entitled to compensation for the improvements, at the rates of
She. 10/- for each banana tree, She. 3/- for each coffee tree, and She. 200/-
for the cattle house, if she gives up possession. (2) Alternatively, the
defendant could insist upon completion of the contract and, upon payment of the
purchase price, become entitled to possession of the land. (3) The defendant is
not entitled, in fact or in law, to compensation for “trouble created” by
plaintiff.
133. Daniel Marwa v. Surati Mwita,
(PC) CIF. App. 113-D-66, 8/2/68, Saudi J.
Two neighbors disagreed as to which one
of them had the right to an adjacent piece of land which had recently become
vacant. Respondent moved on to the land, claiming the former owner had given it
to him, though he did not produce the former owner as a witness, or other
credible evidence to establish his claim. Appellant’s claim rests on the fact
that he went to the local VDC which allocated the plot to him, notwithstanding
(or perhaps in ignorance of ) respondent’s occupation of the land.
Held:
In view of the respondent’s inability to clearly establish his right to the
land, and appellant’s inability to show that he had a superior claim to the
land, the District Court divided it equally between the parties. The High Court
could see no good ground for interfering with this decision, and accordingly dismissed
the appeal.
134. Jacob Tibifunukula v. Daud
Justinian, (PC) Civ. App. 211-M-66, 5/2/68, Georges C. J.
Plaintiff pledged a portion of his
shamba to secure a loan of Shs. 130/- The evidence conflicted as to whether he
had made a timely offer to repay the debt, the finding being that he had not.
Several months after the debt, came due, defendant entered upon the land and
twice cut bananas, whereupon plaintiff instituted as action to redeem his
shamba. There was not showing that the land, located in the Bukoba area, was
held under family tenure. However, plaintiff won in District Court, on the
grounds that defendant had not obtained a court order enforcing the pledge.
Held:
(1) If the land were held under family tenure, a right in the pledgor to redeem
“cannot be said to be logically deducible from the existence of such a right in
his relative”; no such right appears to exist. (2) Where money is loaned upon a
pledge of property, on condition that the property becomes the property of the
pledge if the loan is not repaid on time, the property does not pass unless
there is a court order to that effect. Although there is no clear evidence of
any such custom obtaining in this area, the scheme of land transactions in
Bukoba “shows that publicity is an essential part of any transaction intended
to pass property in land”. [Citing “Section 929”, requiring all conditions of a
sale to be specified before six witnesses, and “Rule 930”, providing that a
sale without witnesses is void, though both parties may agree that it has taken
place.} This rule “will ensure the proper amount of publicity. In appropriate
cases, the Court would be empowered to order sale of the property instead of
its transfer to the pledge, particular where the sum secured is much less than
the value of time property.”
(1968)H.C.D.
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The Court stated, obiter: even if the
land had been clan land, and even if a pledgor’s right to redeem could be
inferred from the rights of relatives, the pledgor would be bound by the same
period of limitations governing actions by the relatives in pledge cases ----
i.e., three months after notice of the pledge; plaintiff’s action in this case,
thus, would have been barred. [Citing Cory & Hrtonoll, Customary Law of the
Haya Tribe, paragraphs 572, 573, 574; and Bi. Paulina for Leornard Nestor v.
Issa Kamala, Appeal No. 10 of 1959, Digest of Appeals from Local Courts No.
152.
135. Simon Kashumala v. Leonard
Mutajwaha, (PC) Civ. App. 16-D-67, 16/2/68, Saudi J.
This was an action to recover money
loaned, plus interest at the rate of 25% per annum, the interest rate requested
being part of the contract between the parties. The High Court quashed the
lower court Judgment and ordered a trial de novo.
The
Court stated, obiter; “(I)nterest at 25% p. a is excessive and the respondent
should not be allowed more than 9% interest or the loan until 15/7/66 when the
first judgment was pronounced, and 6% interest on the decretal amount, if any, after
the date of judgment.
136. Damas Sabi v. John Kisika,
(PC) Civ. App. 80-D-67, 2/2/68, Saudi J.
Plaintiff and defendant were engaged in
selling local pombe jointly. After 1965, they had a dispute and defendant
worked the business by himself. Apparently having concluded a settlement for
capital invested in the business, plaintiff sued for his share of the profits.
He could not substantiate his estimate of the profits due him. Defendant
admitted that the profits for the year 1965 were Shs. 700/- but the District
Court ruled that he was entitled to the entire sum.
Held:
Each party to a two-man joint business is entitled to half of the profits.
Appeal allowed to extent that defendant will have only half the profits, with
costs on that amount.
137. Cleophace Anatory v. Paul
Edward, (PC) Civ. App. 91-M-67, 13/1/68, Mustafa J.
A judgment creditor, on a loan of Shs.
7,000/- sought execution of the decree. The
Held:
Applicant is not competent to bring this action, since he was not a party to
the original dispute.
138. Joseph Kimalando v. Philemon
Mshiu, (PC) Civ. App. 111-A-67, 7/2/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff’s deceased wife was a member
of the All Christian Association of Moshi, whose purpose is to assist in the
burial expenses of its members. Upon the death of plaintiff’s wife, eight other
women contributed a total of Shs. 160/- to the Association for her burial.
Defendant, the chairman of the Association, paid only Shs. 40/- to plaintiff,
insisting that the
(1968)
H.C.D
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Balance should be kept for future deaths
of members. The suit was filed in
Held:
(1) “It would appear that this suit is not concerned with customary law but
arises out of some contractual right or obligation incidental to membership of
the All Christian Association.” As such, it would not fall within the jurisdiction of the Primary Courts. [Citing Magistrates’
Courts Act, Cap. 537, s. 14.] (2)The action was summarily dismissed by the High
Court. The District Court, finding for defendant, had held that, since only the
women subscribed money to the Association here, only they are entitled to sue
the Association for failure to carry out its obligations to its members.
Further, the proper party to sue would be the Association itself, not its
chairman or any individual member.
139. Ismael s/o Rashidi v. R.,
Crim. App. 889-D-67, 16/2/68, Biron J.
Accused, who now stands convicted of
cattle theft [P.C. ss, 268, 265], was detained by Presidential order under the
Preventive Detention Act, Cap. 490. After being charged with cattle theft,
accused sought bail. Section 3 of Cap. 490 provides; “No order made under this
Act shall be questioned in any court.” Since the detention order had not been
rescinded, the District Court held that it had no power to grant bail, although
it would have liked. To do so. This question was raised in the High Court by
accused as part of a general appeal from conviction of cattle theft, which appeal
was rejected on the merits.
The
Court stated, obiter: (1) Although the state attorney informed the Court
that the Presidential order for the arrest of suspected cattle thieves such as
accused was not made pursuant to the Preventive Detention Act, the Court dealt
with the point raised about bail on the footing that the District Court was right
that accused was so detained. (2) “(W)here a person is detained under the Preventive
Detention Act and subsequently handed over by the authorities, acting on behalf
of the President, to the judicial arm to be dealt with for the very same act or
omission for which he was detained, thereby being brought under the jurisdiction
and custody of the court, the original detention order is rescinded, if only implicitly.
In other words, in such case, although there is no evidence to the effect that
the original detention order was expressly rescinded by the President, a court
can assume that it has in fact been rescinded.” Therefore, the District Court
could have granted bail.
140. R. v. Mrisho s/o Seffu,
Crim. Rev. 10-M-68, 15/2/68, Mustafa J.
Accused was convicted by a District
Magistrate of the offence of incest by males. [P.C. s. 158(1).]
Held
: This offence is triable only by the High Court. [Crim. Proc. Code, First
Schedule.] Therefore, the trial was a nullity. Conviction quashed and case
remitted to the subordinate court for a preliminary inquiry at the option of
the Republic.
141. Silverster s/o Malicel v.
R., Crim. Rev. 7-M-68, 12/2/68, Mustafa J.
Accused, a temporary revenue collector,
was convicted, inter alia, of destroying evidence. [P.C. s. 109.] He was give a
receipt book, which he was later unable to produce, and he accounted for no
money. Subsequently, eleven receipts were recovered from persons who had paid
accused, in aggregate, shs. 660/-
(1968)H.C.D.
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The other receipts were never recovered,
and he was charged with willfully hiding or destroying them, “knowing that they
would be required as evidence in a judicial proceeding.”
Held:
It is not possible that the accused could have known that the receipt book was
required as evidence before a case against him was filed, or perhaps even
contemplated. It is likely that the receipts were destroyed before such action
was contemplated but in all events the contrary has not been proved beyond a
reasonable doubt.
142. Salum s/o Salum v. R., Crim.
App. 12-D-68, 14/2/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of shop breaking
and stealing on evidence which the High Court characterized as “somewhat thin.”
Accused denied having been at the scene of the crime but did not say where he
had been. The trial magistrate stated in his judgment that “as the accused was
raising a defence of alibi, it is required of him to raise some evidence which
should satisfy the court that his alibi is reasonably true.”
Held:
“The accused does not have to establish that his alibi is reasonably true. All
he has to is to create doubt as to the
strength of the case for the prosecution. It follows, therefore, that where the
evidence for the prosecution is itself thin, an alibi which is not in itself
particularly strong may very well serve the purpose of raising doubt as to the guilty
of the accused.” Conviction quashed.
143. Athumani s/o Kassim v. R.,
Crim. App. 923-D-67, 12/2/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
public servant. There was evidence that the stolen local rate stamps were found
in the possession of accused during a search of the office staff made under the
supervision of the Divisional Executive Officer. Accused then confessed to the
Divisional Executive Officer, and led a messenger to his house where he disclosed
other stolen stamps. The trial court refused to admit the confession but
permitted the production of the stamps
found on accused.
Held:
“(O)n a comparison of [section 29 of the Evidence Act, 1967] with the repealed
section 24 of the Indian Evidence Act, the door has now been opened much wider
for the admission of confessions.” The confession to the Divisional Executive
Officer was admissible under the new section. The Court stated, obiter, that
the confession would also have been admissible under the repealed section 24
because there was no indication that it had been obtained as a result of any
inducement, threat or promise. Appeal summarily rejected.
144. Emmanuel Tumbotele v. R.,
Crim. App. 189-A-67, 2/2/68, Seaton J.
Accused were convicted of shop breaking,
malicious damage to property and robbery with violence [P.C. ss. 297, 326(1),
285, 286.] They were picked out at an identification parade at the police
station, as the men who had approached a disabled car at night to rob the
passengers, by one of the passengers. He said he had seen them in the light of
the headlamps. He and he other passengers all testified that they recognized
the accused at the trial as the men who had attacked their car; their testimony
conflicted, however, as to whether they had all attended the identification
parade and there identified the accused.
Held:
It has been held that, where the evidence implicating an accused is “entirely
of identification”, it must be “absolutely water-tight to justify conviction.”
[Citing R. v. Sebwato (1960) E.A.C.A. 179.] In the present case, the evidence regarding
identification is “unsatisfactory”, so that sustaining the con-viction would be
“unsafe.” Convictions quashed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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50 –
145. R. v. James s/o Yohana, Crim
Rev. 51-A-67,-/1/68, Seaton J.
Accused and three others were convicted
of burglary and theft. The trial court found accused to be above 20 years of
age on the bases of his appearance. A petition was filed on his behalf with an
affidavit from his brother, stating that he was only 14.5 years old, and should
therefore be dealt with according to the Children and Young Persons Ordinance
[Cap. 13] Subsequently, a certificate was obtained from a medical officer and
presented to the High Court on appeal, indicating that the medical officer
though the accused to be between 16-18 years of age.
Held:
(1) There is nothing in the Act which would make a certificate by a registered
medical practitioner conclusive evidence as to accused ’s age. The real purpose
of section 16(2) is to make such certificates receivable as evidence while
dispensing with the need to call the doctor as a witness. (2) A finding as to
accused ’s age by a subordinate court, under section 16(1), and an order based
thereon, may be set aside by the High court under the appeals provisions in
Part V of the Act. The Court accepted the affidavit of the accused ’s brother.
146. R. v. Ally Mohamed, Crim
Rev. 8-A-68, 6/2/68, Seaton J
Accused, aged 7,8 and 10 years,
respectively, were convicted of indecent assault upon a 6-year-old boy, put on
probation and ordered to pay compensation of Shs. 10/- each to the complainant.
The Magistrate did not appear to have asked the accused to show cause why they
should not be convicted, or to have cross-examined the witnesses against the
accused, as is provided for by the Children and Yong Persons Ordinance [Cap.
13, ss. 9, 12]. Nor did he direct himself as to the presumptions of incapacity
of children under 12 years of age laid down in section 15 of the Penal Code.
Held:
“The omission to comply with the procedural formalities is serious but even more
is the failure of the learned magistrate to direct himself regarding the
presumed incapacity.” Convictions quashed, sentences set aside.
147. Juma s/o Ramadhani v. R.,
Crim. App. 22-D-68, 14/2/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted, inter alia, of
disorderly conduct in a police station and Malicious damage to property. After
accused was brought to a police station, he resisted being put in the lock-up,
and during the struggle he tore the uniform (valued at Shs. 60/-) of one of the
officers.
Held:
(1) The conviction of disorderly conduct in a police station was upheld. (2)
“To support a charge of malicious damage, there must be evidence that the act
was done deliberately and intentionally.” This was not clearly established her.
Conviction of malicious damage to property quashed.
148. R. v. Mohamedi s/o Mzee,
Crim. Rev. 9-D-68, 27/2/68, Biron J.
The two accused, whose ages are given in
the charge sheet as 13 years and 12 years respectively, were convicted on their
own pleas of being rogues and vagabonds. [P.C. s.177(4).] The wording of the
particulars of the charge were as follows; “on the 12th day of
December 1967 at about 03.30 hrs., at New Bus stand, within the Municipalty and
District of Tanga, in Tanga Region, were found wandering upon such highway at
such time,
(1968)H.C.D.
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Under such circumstances, as to lead to
the conclusion that such persons were there for an illegal or disorderly
purposes [sic], thus were stopped and arrested by one Juma s/o Ally.”
Held:
(1) “From these particulars it is impossible to ascertain the circumstances
which would lead to the conclusion the accused were at the bus stand for an illegal
or disorderly purpose …… (T)here is not sufficient material on the record on
which to sustain the convictions……” Convictions quashed. (2) “Although the
sentences will have been executed by now, the is order is not merely academic,
as it will have the effect of expunging the convictions and sentences from the
records of the two accused.” (3) The magistrate should have made a finding as
to the age of the accused juveniles, and medical evidence should have been
adduced to this end. [Citing the Children and Young Persons Ordinance, Cap.
13,]
149. Peter s/o Mutabuzi v.R., Crim.
App. 1-M-68, 12/2/68, Mustafa J.
Accused, a microscopist working in a
government hospital, demanded payment from complainant for performing tests; he
was charged with corrupt transaction with agent [Prevention of Corruption
Ordinance, Cap. 400, s. 3(1)]. On the grounds that he was a public servant and
received the money “through his official functions” as such, the Magistrate
substituted a conviction under section 6 of the Ordinance. At the trial, the
Magistrate refused to hear one of the defence witnesses, because the witness
had been present in court during the trial.
Held:
(1) Neither the Prevention of Corruption Ordinance nor the Criminal Procedure
Code authorizes the substitution of a conviction under section 6 of the
Ordinance for a charge brought under section 3(1). (2) “(N)o sanction in terms
of section 14 was obtained which is necessary before any further proceedings in
respect of an alleged offence contrary to section 6 of Cap. 400 can be taken
against any person.” (3) The presence of a witness during proceedings may affect
the weight to be given to his testimony, but not its admissibility. (4) Regarding
re-trials, each case must depend on its own particular facts; re-trials should
be ordered only “where the interests of justice require it an should not be
ordered where it is likely to cause an injustice to an accused person. The
trial magistrate seriously misdirected himself in this case”. [Citing Ahmedi
Ali Dharamsi Sumar v. R. (1964) E.A. 481, 483.] Re-trial not ordered.
150. R. v. The Manager of Chambogo
Magnesite Co., Ltd,. Crim. Rev. 5,6-A-68, 2/2/68, Seaton J.
Accused were convicted, in each or two
cases, on separate counts of driving and permitting to be driven a motor
vehicle on a public road without efficient had-brokes and foot-brakes [Traffic
Ordinance, Cap. 168, ss. 43(a), 70].
Held:
“The failure to have efficient had and foot brakes constitutes one offence, not
two separate offences under section 43(a) of the Traffic Ordinance, although
the fact that both hand and foot brakes are inefficient may be an aggravating
circumstances when assessing sentence.” Convictions on second counts in each
case quashed.
151. Mohamed Salim v. R., Crim.
App. 944-D-67, 9/2/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of driving a motor
vehicle on a public road while his efficiency was impaired by drinks or drugs.
In pleading to the offence, accused said, “It is true. I had taken 2 bottles
(1968)H.C.D
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Of beer.” This was entered as a plea of
guilty. The facts stated by the prosecution were that accused had been under
the influence of liquor.
Held:
(1) It is not enough that the accused was under the influence of liquor. It
must be proved that his efficiency was impaired by reason of such influence.
(2) The plea was equivocal and should not have been entered as a plea of
guilty. Conviction quashed.
152. Mrs. G. A.H. Adat v. R.,
Crim App. 932-D-67, 9/2/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of failing to
report an accident. [Traffic Ordinance, s. 61 as amended by Acts 1962 No. 55.]
While driving an automobile in
Held:
(1) No offence is committed under section 61 unless the accident involves
injury to a person other than the driver, and the trial magistrate erred in
failing to consider this issue. However, the error was not prejudicial since
there was clear evidence of injury. (2) Once a driver knows that there has been
an accident with the livelihood of personal injury to a third party, the
obligation to report the accident is absolute, and he is guilty if he fails to
report even though he believes that an injury has not occurred. Conviction
sustained.
153. Dr. M. H. Iskander v. R.,
Crim. App. 44-M-689, 8/2/68, Mustafa J.
Upon conviction of assorted driving
offences, accused ’s licence was revoked for 12 months. (He was also fined.)
When asked if there were any special reasons why he should not lose his licence,
he replied that he was a medical doctor, that he used his car for the benefit
of the people, and that he needed to drive if he was to carry out his duties
effectively.
Held:
There are many authorities for the proposition that “special reasons” must be
special to the circumstances of the case and not to the offender. “The fact
that an accused ’s livelihood depends on motor driving or that he has a very
good driving record is not a special reason.” [Citing Whittall v. Kirby (1947)
K.B.194; R. v. Hohn Gedeon and Simon Jeremiah (1957) E. A. 664.] Revocation of
licence by the trial court upheld.
154. Recentinato Totinati Mangisto v.
R., Crim. App. 812-D-67, 26/1/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
public servant [P.C. s. 265, 270], and fraudulent false accounting [P.C. s.
317(c) ]. The District Court magistrate ordered the two sentences to run consecutively.
Held:
(1) “The fraudulent false accounting was part and parcel of the stealing
offence. In such cases, unless there is good reason to the contrary, it is customary
to order the various sentences in respect of the several convictions which are
all part and parcel of the same transaction to run concurrently.” (2) “The offences
of false accounting were acts of omission. As opposed to commission, which
deserve more lenient treatment. Sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
(1968)H.C.D.
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53 –
155. Isaya s/o Magige Sasi v. R.,
Crim. App. 127-A-67, 9/2/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted inter alia, of
false accounting [P.C. s. 317(b)], on evidence that he had falsified a record
of a journey he had taken with a Government Transport vehicle. As
officer-in-charge of a Police Station, he went with one of his subordinates on
a three-day trip to apprehend two women. He said that he had done this to
assist the local Magistrate, in connection with a civil matter involving the
women. He recorded the trip in the Motor Log Book, however, as a journey to
cities other than those actually visited in connection with a criminal case
then being investigated.
Held:
An intention to defraud is essential to the offence of false accounting. An
intention to conceal previous dishonest or fraudulent acts, either for personal
financial gain or toe protect an accused ’s employment security, is such a
fraudulent intention. [Citing George Woodgate v. R.,, (1959) E. A. 525; Rex v.
Sayed Hadi Husseing Shah, (1941) 8 E.A.C.A. 36] Appeals on false accounting
charges dismissed.
156. T. C. Harby v. R., Crim.
App. 196-A-67, 2/2/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted on 4 counts of
obtaining credit by false pretences [P.C. s. 305(1)]. Accused had had his
private automobile repaired on two occasions, had chartered an airplane on
another occasion, and had purchased to bottles of perfume, in all cases signing
invoices made out to his employer, the New Arusha Holel. The Hotel had not
authorized him to incur such debts on its behalf.
Held:
In order to obtain a conviction under section 305(1), three elements of the
offence must be proven: the incurring of a debt or liability, an obtaining of
credit by false pretences, credit”, in the ordinary meaning of the words,
signifies that a person is entrusted with money or goods on the faith of future
payment by himself. Convictions quashed.
157. Musa Alli Mahambi v. R., Crim.
App. 26-D-68, 21/2/68, Georges C. J.
A search of accused ’s home revealed his
possession of a radio which had been stolen, during the night, from
complainant’s home one month earlier. Complainant’s testimony, as to the
original taking, was that she had awakened during the night to see the thief
“standing inside the house”; she could not identify the intruder. Accused was
convicted on a single charge of burglary and stealing.
Held:
(1) Under the doctrine of recent possession, in such circumstances “It is fair
inference ….. that the appellant had either stolen (the radio) or received it
knowing it to be stolen.” (2) “The interval seems short enough to support the
conclusion that he was the thief.” (3) However, the complainant’s testimony
does not indicate that any part of the house was found broken, nor does it
assert that the premises had been properly shut the night before. Therefore
there can be no conviction under the charge for burglary and stealing. Conviction
for stealing substituted.
(1968)H.C.D.
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–
158. Saudi Juma v. R., (PC) Crim.
App. 13-D-68, 10/2/68, Saudi J.
Accused was convicted of criminal
trespass on the land of complainant, but he conviction was quashed on appeal to
the District Court on the ground that the land did not belong to either party.
Held:
When, in a case of criminal trespass, a dispute arises as to the ownership of
the land, the court should not proceed with the criminal charge and should
advise the complainant to bring a civil action to determine the question of
ownership. Parties directed to start a civil action before the District Court
of Kondo to settle the issue of ownership.
159. Eliud s/o Kuzwa v. R., Crim.
App. 921-D-67, 16/2/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of forgery,
uttering and stealing. There was evidence that accused had been given shs.
100/- with which to purchase a butcher’s licence for a relative. Accused improperly
obtained the licence for Shs. 50/- The was a direct conflict between the testimony
of accused, who said that he had returned the remaining Shs. 50/- to
complainant’s clerk, and the testimony of the clerk, who said that the money
had not been returned. One Saudi Habib had witnessed the transaction, but he
was not called as a witness at the trial.
Held:
(1) The English rule is that a witness may be called by the judge after the
case for the defence has been closed only if some matter has arisen ex improvision
in the course of the case. The court may depart from this procedure only in
special circumstances. [Comparing R. v. Tregear, 51 Cr. App. R. 280, with R. v.
Cleghorn, 51 Cr. App. R. 291.] (2) The limitations in the English Law have not
been incorporated into Crim Proc. Code section 151 which provides, “Any court
may, at any stage of an inquiry, trial, or other proceeding under this Code,
summon any person as a witness …… and the court shall summon …. Any such person
if his evidence appears to it essential to the just decision of the case.” The
High Court stated that “the court … has an unfettered discretion in the recalling
of a witness, or the calling of a witness of its own motion, and, where it appears
essential to a just decision in the case before it to have the evidence of some
witness, it is mandatory on the court to call such witness.” This rule is applicable
though the testimony may weaken the defence. [Citing Manyaki d/o Nyaganya v.
R., (1958) E. A. 495; Kulukana Otim v. R., (!963) E.A.253.] (3) In the present
case the court had a duty to call the witness to the transaction. (4) However,
even if an inference unfavorable to the prosecution is drawn from the failure
of the prosecution to call the witness, there is sufficient evidence to support
the conviction. Appeal dismissed.
160. Hasani Abdalla Mbaga v. R.,
Crim. App. 6-A-68, 9/2/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted in same of
stealing by servant. The prosecution called witnesses from widely scattered
parts of
Held:
(1) There is no authority for imposing such a condition upon the calling of a
witness. Section 173 of the Criminal Procedure Code permits costs to be ordered
against accused after conviction, but his power is exercised only in exceptional
circumstances. [Citing the Municipal Council of Dar es Salaam v. A. B. de P.
Almeida, (1957) E. A 244.] To permit
such a condition to be imposed prior to conviction might inhibit an impecunious
accused in the conduct of his defence. (2) The procedure did not prejudice
accused. Appeal summarily rejected.
(1968)H.C.D.
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161. D.T. Dobie & Company (T)
Ltd. v. Manji’s Ltd., Civ. Case 86-D-65, 7/3/68, Biron J.
Plaintiff claimed a sum in excess of
Shs. 32,000/- for goods sold and delivered. The defence was that the claim was
time-barred. Plaintiff’s action is in 3 counts representing 3 “separate
accounts” between the parties, though his claim is that they constitute one
running account, being separated only for purposes of his internal accounting
system. Of these account, one was on a cash basis, one on a 60 day credit basis
and the third on a yet longer credit period basis. A receiver was appointed for
plaintiff over three years before this action was filed, after which time all
transactions between plaintiff and defendant were on a cash basis. Plaintiff’s
contention is that although the debts be seeks to collect were incurred over
three years ago, they are still collectable because there was an open and
running account between the parties.
Held:
(1) The legal significance of an account being a “running” one is that “where
payments are not specifically appropriated to a debit item they can be applied as
payment in the principle of first-in, first-out”. (Citing Ismail’s Stores Ltd.
v. M.A. Lone, Civ. App. 38-D-59, Cranshaw, Ag. C.J.) (2) Even if there at one
time was a running single account between the parties, an unlikely thing in
view of the separate credit arrangements, it came to an end when the receiver
was appointed and he put relations on a cash basis. Consequently, it cannot be
argued by plaintiff the payments in the last three years covered debts incurred
earlier. Action dismissed.
162. Bituro d/o Msiba v. Magero
Naguguri, (PC) Civ. App. 197-D-66, 16/3/68, Duff J.
Plaintiff, a relative of deceased,
claimed ownership of a house which had been registered in the name of deceased.
The house had been built with the lab our of defendant and deceased on the land
of a third party, but it had been registered in deceased’s name alone. Deceased
had been destitute and defendant had cared for her for ten years, whereas
plaintiff had provided no aid for deceased.
Held:
In order to do justice in the case, the value of the care which defendant
provided for deceased should be equated with the value of the labour of deceased
in building the house. Defendant was awarded ownership of the house, subject to
any claims of the owner of the land, and plaintiff was awarded Shs. 270/-
belonging to deceased out of which costs of the suit were to be paid.
163. Thomas Ngarumau v. Stephen
Ngarumau, (PC) Civ. App. 74-A-66, 18/1/68, Seaton J.
This case concerns the inheritance of a
cow from deceased. Deceased was survived by a widow and a son, Thomas, who is
the plaintiff. The widow was inherited by deceased’s brother, and defendant,
Stephen, was born while this relationship existed. Plaintiff sued defendant for
a cow which was given by the widow, the mother of both plaintiff and defendant,
as dowry for defendant’s wife; he contended that defendant had no right to any
part of deceased’s estate.
(1968)H.C.D.
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The case is governed by the law of the
Kilimanjaro District.
Held:
Under paragraphs 66A and 70 of the Law of Persons [G.N. 279 of 1963, applied to
Kilimanjaro District by G. N. 475 of 1963], a widow is free to choose a
relative of the deceased husband and live with him as his wife; and if a child
is sired by a relative of the deceased husband, he is always accepted in to the
family. Therefore, defendant is legally a child of deceased and has full rights
of inheritance from him. Plaintiff’s appeal rejected.
164. Balyehaila Mulagilwa v. Bwami
Mulagilwa, (PC) Civ. App. 90-D-66, 13/12/67, Duff J.
At issue is the validity of a will which
purports to disinherit a son of the testator. The will was witnessed by on
person, who was not of deceased’s clan. The will was not signed by the
testator.
Held:
Because the will was not signed, and because adequate reasons for disinheriting
the son were not disclosed, the will was invalid [Citing Sisa Bukungua v.
Angelo Mulakozi, case 211, per Murphy J.
165. Deusdedit Kashaga v. Bi. Baite
Rwabigene, (PC) Civ. App. 90-M-67, 19/2/68, Mustafa J.
The parties both claim a shamba.
Plaintiff, a full sister of deceased, claims by way of intestate succession.
Defendant, a distant relative of deceased, based his claim on an oral will.
Defendant called two witnesses who heard deceased say at a pombe party that she
wanted defendant to succeed to her property and another witness who had heard
deceased make a similar statement at another time.
Held:
G. N. No. 436/63, Schedule 1, section 11, reads; “An oral will must be
witnessed by at least 4 person, at least 2 of whom must be kinsmen and at least
2 unrelated to the testator. The wife or wives of the testator are additional
to the minimum of 4 recognized witnesses.” Since this requirement was not complied
with, the allege oral will has not been proven. Plaintiff is entitled to the
shamba by intestate succession.
166. John Hamisi v. Boniface s/o Paul,
(PC) Civ. App. 69-D-66, 2/2/68, Hamlyn J.
Defendant allegedly called plaintiff a
thief. The Primary Court found that defendant had uttered the words complained
of, but that such word were justified in that they were true. Defendant had
seen plaintiff leaving a strange house in the early hours of the morning, and
upon asking him what he was doing, plaintiff ran away. Plaintiff never was
convicted or even charged, with theft, and indeed there is no evidence that he
stole anything from the house.
Held:
“(T)he term ‘thief’ was probably used in a colloquial sense as meaning a person
who was intent on stealing rather than one who was actually carrying the goods
of another away. It seems a fairly reasonable assumption by one who finds a
person silently coming out of the house of another in the dark hours of the
early morning, when that person flees, for the discoverer to chase him with a
shout of ‘Thief, thief’. And in the absence of any explanation by the (plaintiff)
as to what he was in fact doing at that time, the Court seems to have been
justified in reaching the
(1968)H.C.D
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Conclusion that it did – that the
appellant was not entitled to compensation for defamation ……” Appeal dismissed.
167. H.S. Mangat v. B. Sharna,
Civ. Case 83-D-67, 20/3/68, Georges C. J.
Defendant had engaged plaintiff, an
advocate, for the sale of certain land. After a rather careless handling of
defendant’s affairs, characterized by the High Court as “offhand” and
“indifferent”, plaintiff secured the signature of a purchaser on a transfer
deed. Defendant also executed this deed. The property had been pledged with the
National Bank of Commerce in Dodoma, by notice of deposit of title deeds This
bank handed over the deed to plaintiff, who sent it for registration to the
Commissioner of Lands. Defendant, however, feeling that the value of the
transaction had been seriously impaired by plaintiff’s handling of it, sent two
letters to the Commissioner of Lands; one was marked as copied to both the bank
and purchaser, and one marked as copied to the bank only. These letters accused
the plaintiff of “grave breach of trust”, and requested that the Commissioner
withhold his approval of the transaction. There was no dispute as to whether
the letters were defamatory; the High Court rejected the defence of justification,
finding insufficient evidence of “breach of trust.” The remaining issues were
“qualified privilege” and “malice.”
Held:
(1) “The authorities are clear .. that a privileged occasion arises where the
defendant has an interest in making the communication to the third person, and
the third person has a corresponding interest in receiving,, it ….. (T)his
reciprocity is of the essence of the matter …. Here, defendant’s interest is
clear. The Commissioner is sufficiently “interested”, since the transaction depends
upon his consent. The bank is “interested”, since the property had been pledged
with it, and since it had had to surrender the deed for registration. The
purchaser was “interested” as a party to the transaction which the defendant
was seeking to avoid, and because plaintiff had been acting for both the
defendant and the purchaser in seeking to have the transaction registered. (2) Since all of the defendant’s
communications were made under “qualified privilege”, malice must be proved.
(3) Malice in such cases is not established merely by showing that the words
used were not “reasonably necessary to protect the interest .. which is the
foundation f (the) privilege; (the defendant) will be protected, even though
his language should be violent or excessively strong if ……he might honestly and
on reasonable grounds have believe that what he wrote … was true and necessary
for the purpose of his vindication, though in fact it was not so.” [Quoting
Adam v. Ward (1917) A. C. 309] Also, “the question is whether (defendant) is
using the occasion honestly or abusing it ……But there is a state of mind, short
of deliberate falsehood, by reason of which a person may properly be held ..
to have abused the occasion. It has been
said that anger would be such a state of mind.” [Quoting Royal Aquarium and
Summer & Winter Garden Society v. Parkinson (1892) 1Q.B. 431, 443]. If,
through anger, defendant were “reckless” with the truth, he may be said to have
abused an occasion of qualified privilege. (4) On the facts, the defendant here
did abuse the occasion, and so loses his qualified privilege. (5) The plaintiff
himself provoked the state of anger which led to the defamatory outburst. The
“area of publication “ was very narrow, and
(1968)H.C.D.
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No specific financial or other detriment
to plaintiff has been shown. The defendant’s allegations were serious, but this
it not a case for substantial damages. Shs. 1,000/- awarded to plaintiff, plus
taxed costs.
168. Sylvester Laurent v. Katambeki
Ndyema, (PC) Civ. App. 212-M-67, 14/3/68, Mustafa J.
This case concerned a dispute as to the
boundaries between the forest land of plaintiff and that of defendants. The
Held:
The District Court Magistrate wrongly based his judgment on his personal knowledge.
He should have given plaintiff the opportunity to challenge his conclusions of
fact and findings of customary law. The Court stated, obiter that when visiting
the site, the better practice would have been for the Magistrate to consult
with the village development committee and other villagers rather than relying
entirely on his personal observations. Primary Court judgment for plaintiff
restored.
169. Emanuel Paulo v. Daudi
Tibendelana, (PC) Civ. App. 51-M-67, 20/3/68, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff sued defendant for the return
of land mortgaged as security for a loan of Shs. 500/- The agreement called for
the repayment of Shs. 1,000/- within one year ------ i.e., specified an
interest rate of 100% per annum. Plaintiff alleged that, upon his failure
to pay the money, defendant ha claimed
two shambas instead of the one pledged. The Primary Court found for defendant,
and plaintiff’s appeal to the District Court was dismissed for non-prosecution.
On appeal to the High Court, the Court was satisfied that the land mortgaged
did include the shamba claimed by defendant. Further evidence obtained from the
District Magistrate indicated that the shamba was worth between Shs. 2,000/-
and Shs. 2,500/-
Held:
“(T)he whole transaction appears to be highly inequitable. This is usury with a
vengeance. I find it unconscionable ….. In such circumstances the Primary Court
Magistrate should have given judgment….. for either Shs. 500/- or at most Shs.
1,000/- which the defendant could have recovered by selling the shamba, the
balance to be returned to plaintiff. Judgment for defendant entered, for Shs.
1,000/- the land to be sold at public auction if the judgment is not paid
within 30 days, proceeds in excess of the judgment to be refunded to plaintiff.
Defendant will have the right to bid at the auction; if proceeds fall short of
Shs. 1,000/-, defendant will be entitled to sue plaintiff personally for the
remainder.
(1968)H.C.D.
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170. Riddoch Motors Ltd. v. Ahmed
Okash, Civ. App. 12-A-67, 9/3/6-, Seaton J.
Plaintiff sued defendant for accounts
which became due prior to December 1956. The case was filed in July 1966, and
defendant claimed that it was time-barred. Both parties agreed that the period
of limitation is three years, and they apparently agreed that it was extended
by some transaction in 1957. Plaintiff contended that a new period started in
January 1961 under the terms of section 19 of the Indian Limitation Act, 1908,
which provides that if the debtor makes a written acknowledgement of the debt,
a fresh period of limitation begins. Plaintiff did not introduce the written
acknowledgement itself; instead a draft of the acknowledgement was introduced,
and plaintiff gave oral testimony that a copy of the draft had been made and
had been signed by defendant, but that this document had been lost. Plaintiff
claimed that still another period started in September 1961 when defendant
signed his name beside an entry which had been made in plaintiff’s ledger in
1956 showing the amount of the debt. Plaintiff argued that this constituted an
account stated and that it made the debt enforceable even if the period of
limitation had previously lapsed. [Citing Bishun Chand Frim v. Girdhari Lal,
(1934) P.C., 61 Law Reports, Indian Appeals]. Plaintiff further argued that a
new period started in November 1963 when he received a cheque in partial payment
of the debt, relying on section 20 of the Indian Limitation Act, 1908. However,
the cheque was not introduced and there was no evidence as to who had signed
it. Finally, plaintiff argued that a debt of Shs. 200/- incurred in 1964 was in
no event time-barred. This debt was not specified in the plaint, but was
contained in particulars requested by defendant. Plaintiff offered no proof of
this debt but relied on Order 8, rule 5, of the Civil Procedure Code, which
provides that every allegation of fact in the plaint, if not denied
specifically or by necessary implication or stated not to be admitted shall be
taken to be admitted.
Held:
(1) Sections 66 and 67(1) (c) of the Evidence Act provide that secondary
evidence of a written document is admissible when the original has been
destroyed or lost. The trial court admitted the draft letter of the January
1961 acknowledgement under this section “ and this Court is loath to hold that
it was wrong”. [Citing Read v. Price, A. E. R. Reprint (1908-19100 599]. (2)
The written acknowledgement of September 1961 kept the account of defendant
alive and enforceable. (3) A cheque, proved to be signed by a debtor and given
in payment, and which is accepted and duly honored, is an acknowledgement of payment
within the meaning of section 20 of the Indian Limitation Act, 1908. even a
third party cheque endorsed by the debtor could well have sufficed.[Citing Ismail’s
Stores Ltd. v. Lone, Tanganyika L. R., Supp. No. 3 of 1961, 6; The Fifty Years’
Digest (1901-1950), Part X, p. 982]. However, it cannot be presumed hat the cheque
was signed or endorsed by the debtor. Therefore, section 20 was not satisfied
and the period of limitation lapsed.. (4) No proof of the Shs. 200/- debt was
required, for the provisions of Order 8, Rule 5, of the Civil Procedure Code
extend to claims specified in particulars demanded by the defendant. Judgment
for plaintiff for Shs. 200/-.
(1968)H.C.D
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171. Salada Tofiki v. Hamisi Waziri
Mwenda, Civ. App. 225-M-67, 29/2/68, Mustafa J.
A firm to whom a debt was owed filed a
suit personally against plaintiff and recovered Shs. 2,821/- Plaintiff then
sued defendant, one of his partners, to recover part of the money he paid
out. After hearing all the facts, the
trial court concluded that the debt was a partnership debt rather than a
personal obligation incurred by plaintiff, which finding was accepted by the
High Court.
Held:
Each partner is liable to contribute equally to the losses of the partnership.
Accordingly, defendant was ordered to pay Shs. 403/- to Hamisi, being 1/7 th of
the Shs. 2,821/- paid out by Hamisi, [Citing section 194 of the Law of Contract
Ordinance, 1961].
172. Zubaira Mussa v. Saudi Selemani,
Civ. App. 140-D-67, 14/2/68 Duff J.
One partner had advanced by way of a
loan (his full partnership share having been paid), Shs. 1,200/- to the
partnership for which he had been repaid only in part, whereupon he brought
this suit seeking to recover the balance.
Held:
(1) The relation between partners is not one of debtor and creditor, unless and
until the partnership has been dissolved. (2) Furthermore, the loss here
claimed would have to be aggregated with all other partnership assets and
liabilities and then the profit (or loss) he determined, and divided, absent a
contrary agreement between the partners, equally among the partners.
173. Ujagar Singh v. The Mbeya
Co-operative
This proceeding concerned the costs to
be awarded to plaintiff, who, in the main action, recovered Shs. 38,500/- for
breach of contract. In the pleadings in the contract action, defendant put
plaintiff to strict proof of all aspects o his claim. Plaintiff prepared the
case accordingly and appeared in court with his witnesses, who had traveled
from Arusha. The case was then settled. Plaintiff claimed an instruction fee of
Shs. 5,000/- of which the Deputy Registrar taxed off Shs. 3,000/- In taxing off
this amount, the Deputy Registrar stated that the case was not “by any means
long or tedious”; he also stated at one point that “the policy of this court
(is) to reduce the cost of litigation so that justice does not become the
privilege of the rich.” With regard to the witnesses’ travel expenses, the
Deputy Registrar reduced the award from Shs. 3,110/- the price of air travel,
to Shs. 867/50, the price of first class train travel, relying on the fact that
the witnesses had not testified.
Held:
(1) An instruction fee is for work done in preparing a case before trial; it is
irrelevant whether the trial itself would or would not be long and tedious. (2)
It would be improper to consider a policy of reducing court fees in assessing
the instruction fee to be awarded. (3) In view of the fact that the case was
not settled until the time of trial, the fact that the witnesses did not testify
should not affect the travel expenses awarded. The Court refused to lay down any general
principle as to whether
(1968)H.C.D.
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Travel expenses should be based upon air
or train fares, but relied upon the uncontested statement of plaintiff that the
fare and incidental expenses of train travel would be equal to the air fare.
The Court awarded an instruction fee of Shs. 3,000/- and witnesses’ expenses of
Shs. 3,110/-
174. Hassanali Walji v. R., Crim.
App. 127—68, 22/3/68, George C. J.
Accused was convicted of using insulting
language likely to cause a breach of the peace and of a corrupt transaction
[Penal Code s. 89(1); Prevention of Corruption Ordinance, Cap. 400, s.
3(2)].The first count was based on evidence that he had used insulting language
about TANU, annoying persons in a shop. It was further alleged that he had
offered the local TANU Chairman Shs. 50/- as an inducement not to report the
matter to the Area Commissioner. In applying for bail pending appeal to the
High Court, accused alleged “special circumstance”, in that he suffered from a
urinary affliction requiring long
treatment and possibly hospitalization; the Prison Mekical Officer, however,
had certified that he could be treated while in custody, and hospitalized if necessary.
Accused also argued that his appeal was very likely to succeed on the second
count, and cited cases with argument that the High Court found fairly
persuasive.
Held:
(1) Illness, in this case, is not a “special circumstance”, because of the
availability of facilities for accused ’s treatment while in custody. (2) While
accused ’s arguments are not without merit, “it is only where the strongest
possible case for success is made out that the Court ought to grant bail …..” Where “ a
short and simple point of law” seems likely to be dispositive of an appeal,
bail may be granted. But the test is always whether an appeal “has an
overwhelming chance of success”, and the test is not met “(W)here an argument
of the facts needs detailed references to the text of the evidence or the
judgment to support it ….. Application denied.
175. Christopher s/o Lucas v. R.,
Crim. App. 194-A-67, 21/2/68, Seaton J.
Accused were convicted of store-breaking
and stealing [P.C. ss. 265, 296(1)]. The evidence was that complainant had
secured his store before leaving by placing a drum against the inside of the
door, that this door had been forced open or removed, that both accused were
discovered in possession of skins stolen from the store the following evening,
and that one accused was arrested with the skins that evening, while the other,
who fled, was arrested on month later.
Held:
The evidence supports the conviction. Complainant’s testimony suggests that he
must have left his store, having secured the door from the inside, through a
window, or by some similar exit. This is “possible, but preposterous.” The
evidence is nonetheless sufficient to sustain the conviction.
(1968)H.C.D.
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176. R. v. Hamisi Simbano, Crim.
Rev. 22-A-68, 14/3/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of failing to
renew the licence on a gun which he owned [See. Cap. 223, ss. 13 (1), 31(2)],
and fined Shs. 100/-
Held:
No offence is created by the failure to renew one’s licence, although, under
section 13 of the Arms and Ammunition Ordinance, one may be liable to pay an
increased fee for a tardy renewal. Conviction quashed.
177. Abdalla Mohamed v. R., Crim.
App. 894-D-67, 15/3/68, Georges C. J
This case alternative counts of stealing
by agent (larceny by trick) and obtaining money by false pretences. Accused was
convicted on the second count and acquitted on the first count. Conviction
below was quashed by the High Court because of insufficient evidence.
The
Court stated, obiter: “(T)he learned magistrate should have stated that
having found the appellant guilty on the count of obtaining money by false pretences,
he would enter no verdict on the stealing count. This is preferable to acquitting
the appellant. The line between obtaining by false pretences and larceny by
trick is often fine. If the accused person is formally acquitted on the
alternative count, a court of appeal may (think) that that was the count of
which a conviction should have been entered and be unable to act because of the
acquittal.”
178. R. v. Pangaras s/o Liprima,
Crim. Rev. 13-D-68, 11/3/68, Biron J.
After convicting accused of causing
death by dangerous driving [Cap. 168, sec. 44A] the district magistrate doubted
whether he had jurisdiction to ever have heard the case. Accordingly, he forwarded
the proceedings to the High Court for necessary action in revision.
Held:
Section 44A(2) provides for the hearing of cases such as this one by resident
magistrates; this term embraces only resident magistrates and senior resident
magistrates. As the district magistrate had no jurisdiction to hear the case,
the proceedings were declared a nullity and the purported conviction quashed.
179. Msengi s/o Kiula v. R.,
Crim. App 101-D-68, 20/3/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of attempting to
escape from lawful custody. After being arrested he suddenly bolted from the
police station where he was being booked. A policeman chased accused and
recaptured him almost immediately.
Held:
“The trial magistrate was perhaps a little over-cautious in regarding this sudden dash for liberty by the (accused)
as an attempted escape only. I would have though that the fct that he gained
liberty from restraint constituted the matter an “escape’ in the fullest sense
of the word. There is no necessity, so far as I know, for the escaper to be at
liberty for any length of time, and the fact that he attains such liberty free
from restriction (albeit he is being chased during that period) does in fact
constitute the full offence. An attempt to escape, on the other hand,
would seem to apply to an instance where a prisoner in handcuffs was found to
be opening these instruments prior to decamping, or a person confined in a
locked cell was discovered opening the door,
(1968)H.C.D.
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The lock of which he had picked, but had
not put the whole of his intention into effect by absconding through the open
door.” Accused received a sentence of three months imprisonment for escaping
from lawful custody.
180. Abraham s/o Lanjon v. R.,
Crim. App. 10-D-68, 14/3/68, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted of bicycle
stealing, primarily upon evidence that the stolen bicycle was found at this
house. His defence was that the bicycle had been left there by his
brother-in-law, whose whereabouts were unknown. There was evidence that the
theft took place in June 1967 and that the brother-in-law had disappeared the
preceding February from the area.
Held:
(1) Accused need not prove his innocence or prove his defence to the same
extent that the prosecution must prove the charge; it is enough if he raises a
reasonable doubt as to his guilt. (2)”(T)he question of estimates of dates as
with estimates of time and distance, is not to be taken too seriously with African
villages, as they may and often do give wrong dates without intending to do so
because they really do not have very much to do with dates in their daily
lives.” Conviction quashed.
181. Nwiroma Alli Hussein Nyamakaba
v. R., Crim. App. 47-D-68, 15/3/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of theft by public
servant. A statement written and signed by accused acknowledging a shortage of
funds was admitted in evidence. Accused testified that this statement was
induced by fear after an accountant had threatened to “ make things worse for
him” unless he signed. Accused also claimed that a trial within a trial should
have been held as to the admissibility of this statement. The prosecution also
introduced the testimony of accused ’s assistant who had had access to the
funds.
Held:
(1) The statement acknowledging the shortage did not constitute a confession to
theft since many explanations of the shortage not involving criminal conduct
are possible. Therefore, the sections of the Tanzania Evidence Act, 1967,
concerning confessions are not applicable to the statement. The court stated,
obiter, that even if the statement had constituted a confession, it would have
been admissible. In contrast to the Indian Evidence Act, section 29 of the
Tanzania Evidence Act, 1967, does not prohibit evidence of a confession merely
because it resulted from a threat, inducement or promise. The confession is inadmissible
only if the inducement was of such a nature as was likely to cause an untrue
admission of guilt. The Court also noted that the evidence did not support
accused ’s contention that the statement was induced by fear. (2) There was no
objection at the time of the introduction of the statement, and so no trial
within a trial was possible. In any event, the procedure of a trial within a
trial is “highly artificial” where no assessors take part in the trial. It may
be convenient to hear all of the evidence, including that of the accused, which
concerns the admissibility of the statement at that stage of the trial, but it
is not necessary to then re-record such evidence. If, as in this case, the objection
comes at the end of the case, the magistrate can with equal facility rule then
on the admissibility of the statement.
(1968)H.C.D.
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(3) Although the rules concerning
retracted confessions do not strictly apply to mere admissions, a court should
examine the circumstances of an incriminating admission with great care before
relying upon it. The trial court did so in this case. (4) The testimony of the
assistant could be considered that of a person with an interest of his own and
as such would require corroboration. [Citing R. v. Parater, (1960) 1 All E. R.
298]. However, on the evidence in this case it can reasonably be held that the
assistant was not a suspect an thus had no interest of his own.
182. Thabiti Ngalile v. R., Crim.
App. 902-D-67, 7/2/68, Biron J.
Accused was charged in two separate
counts with shopbreaking [P.C. s. 296(1)] and stealing [P.C. s.265] and was convicted
on both counts. Both counts referred to the single act of breaking into
complainant’s shop. A confession which accused made to a TANU ten house leader
was admitted into evidence. A second
confession, which was made to police officers after accused had been cautioned,
was also admitted officers after accused had been cautioned, was also admitted.
Held:
(1) The offence of shopbreaking and stealing created by Penal Code section
296(1) is a composite offence in itself. The second count of stealing was therefore
superfluous. (2) The confession to the Police Officers was inadmissible under
section 27 of the Evidence Act, 1967 even though accused had been cautioned.
(3) “Although there appears to be a not infrequent practice of ten-cell leaders
exercising powers of arrest, they have in fact no greater powers of arrest,
they have in fact no greater powers of arrest than those of an ordinary
citizen.” Therefore they should not be equated with police officers for the
purposes of section 27 of the Evidence Act, and the confession made to the ten
house leader was admissible. (4) The introduction of the confession to the
Police Officers did not prejudice accused. Conviction on first count affirmed;
sentence on second count set aside.
183.
Accused was convicted of arson, which
conviction was based entirely on an identification by complainant of accused as
the arsonist. It was night time and complainant only saw the arsonist from the
back as he was running away, but complainant said she recognized that person as
accused because of the clothes he wore. Accused, under oath, denied setting the
fire.
Held:
“Where the evidence which implicates an accused is entirely that of identification,
that evidence must be water-tight before a conviction could be founded
thereon.” (Citing R. v. Eria Sebwato, 1960 E.A. 174). Conviction quashed.
184. Ramadhani Tendwa v. R., Crim. App.
166-A-67, 16/3/68, Seaton J.
Applicants were convicted of purchasing
50 bags of maize without a licence from the National Agricultural Products
Board, and the grain was forfeited by court order. The High Court quashed that
conviction, whereupon applicants sought to reclaim their grain, only to find
that the
(1968)H.C.D.
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Police had since sold it at public
auction, for shs. 1,126/80. Applicants claim the maize to have been worth Shs.
1,900/- and seek either that amount of money, or else 50 bags of maize. At issue
is the question of whether the trial court should have allowed applicants to
adduce evidence as to the market value of the maize at the time it was sold by
the police, or whether, as the district court held, recovery was limited to
Shs. 1,126/80.
Held:
“In resolving these problems, it may be helpful to refer to the Government Proceedings
Act, 1967. That Act provides remedies against the Government for liability in
contract, quasi-contract, detinue, tort and in other respects as if it were a
private person. The applicants’ substantive rights against the Government,
therefore, are the same as if they had suffered damages or loss through a
quasi-contractual breach or tortuous act of any private citizens.” Applicants
were awarded Shs. 1,126/80 but without prejudice to the applicants right to
bring a civil suit against the Government for recovery of the difference, if
any, between the amount recovered here and the market value of the maize at the
time of sale.
185. R. v. Stanslaus Joseph
Sinyangwe, Crim. Rev. 12-M-68, 11/3/68, Mustafa J.
Accused sent a letter to complainant
threatening to kill him. He was convicted in district court of doing an act
likely to cause a breach of the peace. [P.C. s. 89(2)(b)].
Held:
(1) These facts constitute a specific offence, that of threatening in writing
to kill another. (P.C. s. 214). (2) Since homicide offences, including a violation
of section 214, are triable only by the High Court, the proceedings below were
declared a nullity.
186. R. v. Mahumudu s/o Kibwana,
Crim. Sass. 230-D-67, 15/2/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused ’s only possible defence to a
murder charge was that shortly before the killing he heard deceased say to
someone else that he (deceased) had signed
a paper authorizing the police to beat accused.
Held:
“As a general rule … spoken words alone cannot be the basis for provocation…
but variations of (the rule) may arise by virtue of the application of section
200 of the Penal Code in special instances among particular communities. Where
spoken words are accepted in customary view as constituting provocation, the
words must be of so devastating a character, of such over-bearing force, as to
shatter the self-control of a normal person of that community.” Accused was
convicted of murder and sentenced to suffer death by hanging.
187. R. v. Elieza Sangwa, Crim.
Rev. -/D/68, 16/3/68, Biron J.
Accused was charged with failing to
comply to with the conditions of a removal order. After the close of the
prosecution case, the prosecution stated that accused was a recluse, and the
trial magistrate noted in the record that accused appeared to be of unsound
mind. On the basis of accused ’s conduct it was ordered that he be detained in
safe custody, and a copy of the order was sent to the Second Vice-President. No
medical examination was carried out.
(1968)H.C.D
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Held: (1) Criminal Procedure Code sections 164(3) (4) and (5)
provide that if at the close of the prosecution case it appears that a charge
has been made out, the court should inquire into the fact of unsoundness of
mind and may order that accused be detained for the purpose of a medical examination
or that bail be granted on condition that accused submit to such an
examination. If, after considering the medical report and other evidence the
court is of the option that the accused is of unsound mind and is incapable of
making a defence, it shall order that accused be detained in safe custody and
transmit a copy of the order to the Minister. (2) Pursuant to these provisions,
a medical report is a condition precedent to an order of detainment. The order
in the present case was thus ultra vires. The High Court ordered that accused
be medically examined as to his mental condition and that the case then the
remanded to the trial court.
188. Yusufu Kabong v. R., Crim.
App. 64-D-68, 20/3/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of an offence
covered by the Minimum Sentences Act. Whether the Act applies to accused
depends on whether he is a juvenile ---i.e., whether he is under 16. The charge
sheet listed his age as 16; a medical examination found his age to be 16 or 17.
The record contained no mention of the qualifications or experience of the
medical officer.
Held:
“However high (the medical officer’s) qualifications and the extent of his
experience, I am very far from persuaded that a doctor, particularly having
regard to the equipment here (the case originated in Tukuyu, Rungwe District,)
could give a definite assessment in respect of age, that is, whether a person
has reached the age of 16 or not, with that degree of certainty required in a
criminal case.” Accused to be treated as a minor.
189. Chacha s/o Matiku v. R.,
Crim. App. 891-D-67, 15/3/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted for a crime
involving theft (the exact charge was not specified) Two extra-judicial
statements made by the accused were apparently introduced as part of the
prosecution case. Accused chose to make an unsworn statement. The record on
this point reads, “Towards the end of July 1966. (Both statements of accused
adopted and is informed to add on what he has already stated).” The Court
stated, obiter; If accused adopted his earlier statements, he should be
recorded as having said so as part of his unsworn statement at the trial. “It
may seem a tedious waste of time to record again faithfully matter already
noted elsewhere, but the exercise must be carried out unless the accused person
says otherwise . He is then in a position to explain inconsistencies, and in
any event differences between his account in court and his previous account may
be of great significance.
190. R. v. Vendelin s/o John Costa,
Crim. Rev. 16-A-68, 21/2/68, Seaton J.
Accused were convicted of shop-breaking
and stealing [P.C. s. 296(1)]. They broke into a shop where they stole Shs.
88/50 and bottles of liquor valued at about Shs. 250/- The liquor was dropped
when
(1968)H.C.D.
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Accused were discovered by a prosecution
witness. It is not clear how many bottles were salvaged, or what the value was
of those that were broken. An order for compensation was made as follows;
“Accused to refund to P.W.1 Shs. 88/50 and price of the other drinks distress
in default.”
Held:
(1) Section 6(1) of the Minimum Sentences Act, applicable here, requires an order
for compensation where the accused has obtained property as a result of a
scheduled offence. The word “obtained”, however, means more than that the
accused has “had possession” of goods; it means that he must have made some
gain on the transaction, since the purpose of the provision is to “ensure that
the offender does not receive any benefit from the offence but is made some
gain on the transaction, since the purpose of the provision is to “ensure that
the offender does not receive any benefit from the offence but is made to
disgorge ……” all gains. Here, accused made no such gain. [Citing Sajile Salemulu
v. r. (1964) E. A. 341]. (2) Compensation may also be ordered under section 176
of the Criminal Procedure Code, upon the showing that some person has suffered
some material loss or personal injury because of the offence. The Code
specifies that the liability be determined as in a civil case. Such order is
not justified here, as it would not be in a civil case, “without more precise
proof of damages.” (3) Under the compensation provision of the Minimum
Sentences Act, compensation is recoverable as a civil debt and “an order for
distress in default of payment … is bad in law.” [Citing Mwakapesile v. R.,
(1965) E.A. 407]. Compensation reduced to Shs. 88/50.
191. R. v. Ramadhani Alli,
Accused was convicted of assaulting a
police officer [P.C. s. 243(b)], and sentenced to receive 12 strokes of
corporal punishment. Such a sentence would be proper only if the assault was of
an aggravated nature.
Held:
“(A)ny form of assault that caused serious impairment or disability to the
victim, such as disfigurement, maiming and the like, e.g., cutting off the victim’s
fingers, hand, ear or nose, or causing him to sustain serious injury such as a
fractured arm or leg or any other part of the body by violent or wild attack
would constitute an assault of an aggravated nature.”
192. Adija Malifeza v. R., (P.C)
Crim. App. 12-D-68, 1/3/68, Saudi J.
Accused was convicted of selling native
liquor [Cap. 77, s. 32], and fined Shs. 350/- or distress. She was a first
offender, and there was no evidence on the record showing her financial
position; it did appear that she was “a village woman without any regular
income.” After she appealed to the District Court, the
Held:
(1) Because the accused is a first offender, and because the record is devoid
of information as to her ability to pay a large fine, a fine of only Shs. 50/-
was imposed. (2) Once an appeal against its order is lodged, the Primary Court
is not entitled to levy distress on accused ’s house. (3) The sale is null and
void, and the sale proceeds must be refunded to the purchaser of the house at
the purported auction.
(1968)H.C.D.
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193. Amiri Salehe v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 23, 24-D-68, 1/3/68, Saidi J
Accused was convicted of using abusive
language, brawling and threatening violence, conduct likely to occasion breach
of the peace, and damage to property [P.C. ss. 89(1)(a) and (b) and 326] as a
result of a fight in a pombe shop. He was given a sentence not specified in the
High Court judgment.
Held:
Although the accused had behaved in “ a very reckless manner toward the complainants”,
sentence should be reduced in view of the facts that accused “appeared to have
been drunk and …… was a first offender ….” Sentences of shs. 25/- or one
month’s imprisonment (abusive language, conduct likely to occasion breach of
peace ) and shs. 20/- or one month (brawling, property damage) were imposed.
194. R. v. Juma Swalehe, Crim.
Rev. 6-D-68, 26/1/68, Duff J.
Accused was convicted in Primary Court
of stealing by servant [P.C. s. 265,271], and received two sentences, both under
the Minimum Sentences Act. The District Court, hearing the matter on
confirmation of sentence, held that only one sentence should have been imposed and
the Minimum Sentences Act did not apply to the offences charged. An order for
15 month’s imprisonment was substituted.
Held:
(1) Although the charge involved two sections of the Penal Code, only one
sentence may be imposed for the offence of stealing by servant. (2) This
offence is not among the offences scheduled in the Minimum Sentences Act, and a
sentence there under is improper. (3) The sentencing power of an appellate
court ---i.e., “a superior court exercising its revision jurisdiction” --- is
“measured by the power of the court from whose judgment or order the appeal before
it has been made or is being revised …..” The District Court is therefore
limited to imposing the maximum sentence that could have been imposed by the
195. Issa s/o Amri v. R., Crim.
App. 40-D-68, 13/3/68, Biron J.
Accused was discovered squatting in a
doorway late at night. Found in his pocket was a set of keys which he claimed
to have found earlier. He was convicted of being in possession of housebreaking
implements [PC s. 288(c) ] and being a rogue and vagabond [PC s. 177(4) ].
Held:
(1) Although the possession of the keys by accused is suspicious, it does not
establish that accused was intending to use them for housebreaking purposes.
Conviction quashed. (2) A vagabond is a suspected person who has no visible
means of subsistence and cannot give a good account of himself. [Citing 2
T.L.R. 40]. Accused fitted this description, and thus was properly convicted.
(3) The charge should have been laid under sub-section (3) and not sub-section
(4) of section 174 of the Penal Code, but this defect was curable by section
346 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
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196. Paskale s/o Stephano v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 126-M-68, 15/3/68, Mustafa J.
Accused, a servant of complainant was
convicted, inter alia, of entering a dwelling house with intent to
commit a felony therein [PC. S. 295}, and stealing [P.C. s. 265}.
Held:
Accused had free access to the house of his employer. Thus it cannot be
inferred from the theft of goods alone that accused entered the house with
intent to commit a felony. Conviction quashed. (Conviction of theft upheld.)
197. Juma s/o Athumani v. R.,
Crim App. 915-D-67, 9/2/68, Biron J
Accused was convicted of simple theft
[P.C. s. 265]. He had presented a cheque for payment at a bank, and was alleged
to have received Shs. 300/- more than the amount indicated thereon, due to a
cashier’s mistake. He denied having received the additional amount at all. When
questioned on the same day at his office, he was found to be in possession on
only shs. 110/-.
Held:
Accepting that accused did receive the additional amount, it is not clear that
he discovered the mistake at the time he received the money. The point of law
raised is “not free from difficulty and it is a hoary old one. There are
numerous --- and not all of them reconcilable --- cases as to whether money legitimately
and innocently received by mistake …. And subsequently converted by the
receiver constitutes theft.” The same as the English Larceny Act, under which
“there must be an animus furandi at the time when the defendant takes the property
……” [Quoting Moynes v. Cooper (1956) 40 Cr. App. R. 20]. The case of Russell v.
Smith (1957) 41 Cr. App. R. 198, apparently to the contrary, is distinguishable;
in that case, which involved sacks of coal, the defendant could “not be said to
have received and been in possession of
(the goods) until he discovered their presence, and ….. there and then
misappropriated them ….” The evidence in this case does not show a taking or
misappropriation with animus furandi.
198. Saudi Ally v. R., Crim. App.
211-A-67, 21/2/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of stealing from a
motor vehicle. [P.C. s. 269 (c) ]. He entered a truck and sorted through its
contents picking out what he desired. Just as he was about to depart, the owner
arrived and locked him in the truck.
Held:
The asportation requirement for a conviction of simple theft is fulfilled by
any movement of the item involved. Here, however, the charge was the graver one
of stealing from shown not merely that the items were moved, but that they were
removed from the vehicle.
199. Keya Iddi s/o Hassani v. R.,
Crim. App. 37-D-68, 13/3/68, Biron J.
The magistrate, upon being convinced
that the child being offered as a witness understood the duty to speak the
truth, swore him as a witness.
Held:
The child should not have automatically been sworn. The matter is governed by
section 127(2) of the Evidence Act. First it must be determined whether the
child is possessed of sufficient intelligence to justify receiving his
(1968)H.C.D.
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Evidence, and that he understands the
importance of speaking truthfully. If this requirement is fulfilled the child
may testify, but before he is sworn it must be determined whether he understands
and appreciates the nature of an oath, a far more complex matter than knowing
that one should not lie. Only if the child understands both these concepts
should he be sworn.
200. Kiboga s/o Mahenga v. R.,
Crim. App. 47-D-68, 22/3/68, Mustafa J.
Accused was charged with taking part in
a corrupt transaction. [Cap. 400, Prevention of Corruption Ordinance, sec.
3(2)]. P.W.3 made a statement favorable to accused which was allegedly contrary
to an earlier written statement that he had made, whereupon the prosecution asked that he be treated as a
hostile witness, which request was granted. The witness’ earlier statement was
not produced in court, nor was accused given an opportunity to cross-examine
the witness.
Held:
The statement should have been produced in court, and accused should have been
given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness. The magistrate treated the
witness’ earlier statement as substantive evidence, accepting it as the truth
rather than the statement made in court by the witness. This was unwarranted and
highly prejudicial to the accused. Conviction quashed.
201. Sila s/o Mayoyi v. Mululu s/o
Nhambali, (PC) Civ. App. 168-D-67, 3/4/68, Hamlyn J.
The parties disputed as to the number of
cattle agreed to as bride-price. One of appellant’s grounds of appeal was that
he had some new witness who would testify for him.
Held:
“It is only in very exceptional circumstances that this court will make an
order sending back a case for additional evidence to be taken; …. When a case is called …. Each party is
expected to attend with his witnesses … Facilities are at the disposal of the
parties to ensure the presence of reluctant or laggard witnesses .. Having
taken no steps to ensure the presence of the persons whom the appellant now
names, he cannot ask to reopen the matter”. Appeal dismissed.
202. Masenha Musile v. Sabe Balalu,
(PC) Civ. App. 206-D-67, 16/4/68, Saudi, J.
At issue is the repayment of bridewealth
to the husband upon the dissolution of a customary marriage which had lasted “
a long time” and which union produced three offspring . Both the primary and
district courts ordered the return of part of the original bride wealth to the
husband.
Held:
The husband was entitled to the return of none of the bridewealth which he had
originally paid because of the long duration of the marriage and the fact that
there were children. [Citing Customary Law Declaration, para. 52(b)]. Ordered
that no bride wealth be refunded to appellant.
(1968)H.C.D
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203. Nyungwi s/o Nhambali v. Bozzi
s/o Lyamgholo, (PC) Civ. App. 166-D-67, 10/4/68, Biron JH.
Plaintiff, upon the dissolution of his
marriage to defendant’s daughter after 14 years and 7 children, sought the
return of the bride wealth he had paid. No evidence was adduced as to who was
the guilty party. The primary court awarded plaintiff 11 cattle and 7 goats.
The district court reduced this award to 7 cattle and 6 goats, because of the
long duration of the marriage and the birth of children. Plaintiff suggested
that these were irrelevant factors.
Held:
The Law of Persons [G.N. No. 279/63] specifically provides that both the number
of years of married life, and the number of children borne by a wife to her
husband are material and relevant factors in determining the amount of bride
wealth to be returned to the husband upon dissolution of the marriage. Decision
of the district court was upheld.
204. Henock s/o Mtoi v. Frida d/o
Yafeti, (PC) Civ. App. 155-D-67, 1/4/68, Biron J.
Plaintiff sought Shs. 100/- as
maintenance for her child, which she alleges that defendant sired. Defendant
admitted that he lived with plaintiff for 10 years and was the father of four
previous children born to plaintiff. He claimed that he had not had sexual
intercourse with plaintiff since July, 1965. The child was born in September,
1966. The primary court, while tending to believe that defendant was the father
of the child, decided against plaintiff because there was no independent
evidence of inter course between the parties after July, 1965.
Held:
The primary court misdirected itself as to the burden of proof. “If a woman is
living with a man in concubinage, he is held responsible for her pregnancy.
If the man wants to deny paternity, it
is up to him to prove his claim. [G.N. No. 279/63, s. 188. Also citing s. 183].
Judgment for plaintiff, relief as prayed.
205. Bigwomunda Mulaula v. Bahanda
Rwojo, (PC) Civ. App. 135-D-67, 25/4/68, Saudi J.
Deceased made a will in which he made
plaintiff the guardian of his daughter; his property to pass to plaintiff upon
the daughter’s death, thus disinheriting deceased’s brother, the defendant. The
will was not signed by the testator or the four witnesses; no clan members were
called, and no reason was given for the disinheritance. Upon the daughter’s
death defendant took possession of a shamba which was part of deceased’s
estate, and plaintiff then sued for possession.
Held:
Where a testator intends to disinherit the members of his family by means of Kubachwa,
at least ten witnesses must be called, including either close relatives of the
testator or the head of his clan or clan sub-division. The testator must give
an explanation for his actions, and the prospective witnesses are to refuse to
witness the will if not satisfied with his reasons. [Citing Zelamura Kanyamajugo
v. Mtungi Katabazi, Civ. App. 2 of 1960, Local Digest No. 39 Cory, Customary
Law of the Haya Tribe, paras. 41, 42, 44, 46, 48]. The Court stated, obiter, “I
personally feel that ‘kubachwa’ is a practice that should not be encouraged as
it takes its roots from the base nature of man and fosters hatred.” Defendant’s
appeal dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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206. Miss Asia d/o Amiri v. Ahmed s/o
David, (PC) Civ. App. 67-A-66, 21/3/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff, the former wife, sued
defendant, the former husband, for custody of a child. Plaintiff and defendant
eloped in 1961 after defendant, a Christian, had agreed to adopt plaintiff’s
Muslim faith. At that time, dowry was paid according to Pare customary law, but
they were not married until over a year later, and the child was born in the
interim. The marriage was performed according to Islmic law after defendant
conversion. The parties were divorced in 1966. At the time of the suit,
defendant had remarried but plaintiff had not, and the child was living with
defendant.
Held:
(1) According to Islamic law if a man commits zinaa (fornication or adultery)
the child is considered to be the child of the mother only. However, a child is
legitimate if born as a result of a regular or irregular marriage (the latter
being a marriage prohibited because of difference of religion ) or by “acknowledgement.”
[Citing Mulla Principles of Mohamedan Law, (15th ed. 1961) p. 282].
(2) According to Pare customary law, “A father has the right to legitimate his
illegitimate children at any time by marrying their mother.” [S. 181 A of the
Law of Persons, G. N. 279 of 1963, as applied by Local Customary Law
(Declaration) (No. 2) Order, G. N. 130 of 1964]. (3) Since it appears that
defendant has legal custody under both Islamic law and Pare customary law, and
because it is in the best interests of the child, plaintiff’s appeal must be
dismissed. The Court stated, obiter, that had defendant not remarried,
considerations concerning the welfare of the child might have warranted a
different result.
207. William Rubai v. Majura Ebwabi,
Civ. App. 231-M-67, 25/4/68, Hamlyn J.
Plaintiff sued defendant for Shs.
1,336/-, the value of goods allegedly given as dowry when plaintiff married
defendant’s daughter. There was evidence that plaintiff’s wife had been driven
from the matrimonial home after one year because of the actions of plaintiff.
Held:
Since the wife was in no way at fault in leaving the matrimonial home and
returning toher parents, any dowry paid is not returnable. Plaintiff’s appeal
dismissed.
208. Terewaeli W. Swai v. Elingaya
w/o Terewaeli, (PC) Civ. App. 1-A-68, 25/3/68, Platt J.
Plaintiff brought claims against her
husband for maintenance, on behalf of herself and her apparently illegitimate
child, both for the period in which she and defendant had lived together in the
matrimonial home, and for a period after he had left her. The judgment of the
District Court included an award of Shs. 300/- for the latter period. An award
for the earlier period was not contested in the appeal.
Held:
There having been no divorce, the husband remained responsible for the
maintenance of his wife during the latter period. Defendant’s appeal dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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209. Barthazar Barongo v. Mary
Benedicto, Dist. Ct. Civ. App. 5-Shinyanga-66, 23/3/68, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff husband obtained a divorce in
the Primary Court of Shinyanga. There was evidence that plaintiff and defendant
had been married for fifteen years and had six children, but that no bride
wealth had been paid at the time of the marriage. The primary court heard the case without assessors, and
the appeal to the district court was heard with assessors, but the magistrate
did not obtain their opinion before giving judgment. The case was referred to
the High Court by the supervisory magistrate.
Held:
(1) Section 5 of the Law of Persons [G.N. 279 of 1963] provides; “The payment
of bride wealth is not essential for the validity of a marriage.” There was
other evidence of a marriage here, and therefore the granting of a divorce was
proper. (2) The primary court should hve sat with assessors and the district
court should have taken the opinions of the assessors. No order of revision
made.
210. Kasunga Mwakitalima v.
Kitindisya Mapata, (PC) Civ. App. 217-D-67 11/4/68 Saudi J.
Plaintiff sued for the value of trees
cut by defendant, his neighbour. Defendant argued that the former owner of the
shamba in question, plaintiff’s younger brother, had abandoned the land in
1955, and that the village headman had allotted it to defendant in the same
year. Defendant claimed to have planted several trees since that time. The
dispute between plaintiff and defendant originated in criminal proceedings
brought in 1966 by plaintiff.
Held
(1) The allotment, if any, by the village headman, could not be considerer
lawful, as it was made in the same year as the alleged abandonment; the
District Council by-laws require a waiting period of 2 years. (2)Defendant
cannot claim the land by virtue of adverse possession, because 12 years had not
passed since he occupied it.
211. Akilimali Rumisho v. Kaunara
Kisamo, (PC) Civ. App. 98-A-66, 21/3/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff sued for possession of a
shamba which he had inherited from his father and which his father had in turn
inherited from the plaintiff’s grandfather. Defendant, the half-brother of
plaintiff’s father did not claim a right of possession, and the principal issue
concerned compensation for unexhausted improvements. Defendant had originally
been given possession by plaintiff’s father in 1930. The primary court found
that the shamba was under cultivation in 1930 but had fallen into neglect at
that time. It awarded defendant Shs. 2,315/-, being half the value of 643
banana trees valued at Shs. 10/- each, which were assessed with the aid of
agricultural experts at the time of the trial. On appeal, the district court,
without the aid of experts, found that the land was uncultivated in 1930 and
awarded Shs. 4,630/-, the full value of the banana trees plus Shs. 230/- for
pineapple and sugar cane crops which were found on inspecting the shamba.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
(1) Under Chagga law, usufructuary rights over unoccupied lands were
distributed by the Chief and were thereafter called a “kihamba cha asili”. Such
land could, as in the present case, be given out on lease upon payment of
“Masiro”. However, the original holder or his successor has a right of repossession
without time limit, although his burden of proof increases with the length of
the time interval. [Citing Chief Willibald
Kirita v. Salema Fumba and Ex-Chief Joseph Kirita, Moshi Appeal No. 9 of
1946; Yohanes Matsindiko v. Yohanes Moruwera, Moshi Appeal No. 5 of 1953;
Joseph Andrea v. Ndebyaukina Kitumanga, Moshi Appeal No. 53 of 1959; Phillip
Mtusha v. Stephen John, Local Courts Appeal No. 59 of 1962 (see Digest of
Appeals from Local Courts, Vols. 1, 11, V and X)] This was a “kihamba cha
asili” and it is clear that plaintiff has a right of possession despite the
delay in making his claim. (2) An appellate court should not, without good
reason, upset the findings of fact on which a trial court bases its estimates
of damages, and no such good reason has been shown in the present case.
Judgment of primary court restored.
212. Izaak Sempanama v. Leokadia
Mwombeki (PC) Civ. App. 29-D-67, 20/4/68, Saudi J.
The parties, members of the Haya tribe,
ran a partnership business whose assets consisted of 5 head of cattle.
Disagreement between the parties was hampering the operation of the business.
Held:
In view of the fact that the business could not have continued without further
disagreement between the partners, the Court ordered the partnership to be
wound up and the assets distributed equally between the partners. Each was to
get two head of cattle; the fifth cow was to be sold and the proceeds divided
between the partners.
213 Mwananchi Engineering &
Contracting Co. v. S. N. Teja, Misc. Civ. App. 17-D-67, 25/4/68, Biron J.
An employee of appellant company was
housed in the ground floor of a building of flats owned by respondent.
Respondent sought to convert the ground floor of his building into commercial
premises, to which end he had obtained the necessary permission from the
Minister that the re-development of the ground floor was in the public
interest. The Rent Restriction Board granted respondent possession of the
ground floor.
Held:
(1) Section 19(1) of the Rent Restriction Act provides that no order for the
ejectment of a tenant shall be made unless “….. (n) the landlord requires
possession of the premises for the purposes of re-development otherwise than as
a dwelling house, and the Minister has certified that such re-development is in
the public interest.” Section 19(11) makes such certificate admissible before
the Board or a court. However, section 19(2) of the Act provides that recovery
of possession of premises shall granted only if the Board is convinced
that “…. Having regard to all the
circumstances of the case it is reasonable to make such an order.” (2) The certificate
from the Minister is conclusive on the issue of the public interest. The Board
or a court may not make a separate inquiry as to whether converting premises to
business use would be in the public
(1968)H.C.D.
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Interest. (3) However, before an order
of ejectment is made the court (or Board) must be affirmatively convinced that
it is “reasonable” to eject the tenant. (4) As there was sufficient material before
the High Court it proceeded to determine the question of reasonableness. (5)
The landlord was granted vacant possession, but such possession “…… is not to
be delivered up until reasonable alternative accommodation is available to the
tenant, that is, the person in actual possession, as opposed to his company.”
214. Shabani s/o Ismael v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 10-A-68, 11/4/68, Platt J.
Accused and one Tabu were charged
jointly with affray. [P.C s. 87]. Accused pleaded guilty and was convicted.
Tabu pleaded not guilty and at her trial there was evidence that she had taken
no part in any fight but had been
assaulted by accused. The trial court held that there was no case for her to
answer. It is undisputed that no person other than accused and Tabu took part
in the transaction.
Held:
(1) The elements of the offence of affray are (a) that there was a fight, (b)
that the accused took part in it, and (c) that the fight occurred in a public
place. (2) With regard to element (b), the word ‘fight’ implies a combat of two
or more persons in such a manner as to cause a breach of the peace. Thus, if
only two person are involved and one of the two remains passive or acts in
self-defence, the other person cannot be guilty of affray, although he may be guilty
of assault. [Citing Sharp & Johnson v. R., (1957) 41 Crim. App. Reports
86]. (3) No other conviction can be substituted in this case. The Court stated,
obiter: Where one of two persons charged with affray pleads not guilty
and the other pleads guilty, it would be proper to enter a plea of not guilty
on behalf of both accused. Conviction quashed.
215. Romani Alfred v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 60-A-67, 3/4/68, Platt J.
Accused asserts that he was not
permitted to call certain witnesses, or to produce certain physical evidence.
He seeks to have his case reopened so he can fully defend himself.
Held:
“There is nothing on the record to show that (accused) was given the
opportunity to call witnesses and that he declined to do so. As there may be
some merit to (accused ’s) complaints …. and as such evidence may affect the
merits of this case …. the Court ordered that the record of the case be transmitted
to the district court for the hearing of further evidence. (Emphases added in
both instances.)
216. William Msaka v. R., Crim.
App. 78-D-68, 8/4/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused were convicted of corrupt
transaction with agent [Cap. 400, s. 3(1)]. The district magistrate’s judgment
briefly summarized the prosecution’s evidence, but was overwhelmingly devoted
to a critical analysis of the defence.
Held:
(1) While the Court may overlook errors in trial court proceedings which do not
occasion a failure of justice, the Court must be convinced that such errors
“did not materially affect the conclusion … that despite such error the trial
court would inevitably have reached the same finding.” (2) The magistrate’s failure
to analyse the
(1968)H.C.D.
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Prosecution case makes it impossible for
the Court to analyse his finding. It is thus necessary to allow the appeals,
“…… for the record of the trial does not disclose …. That the correct
principles of justice were observed.”
217. Monanka Nyamweli v. R.,
Crim. App. 205-M-68, 11/4/68, Mustafa J.
Accused pleaded guilty to brawling (P.C.
s. 89(1)(b) ]. The particulars of the offence were that he created a
disturbance at a public meeting” …. By making excessive noise and shouting
while the meeting was going on.”
Held:
P.C. s. 89(1)(b) makes it an offence to “….. create a disturbance in such a
manner as is likely to cause a breach of the peace.” There was neither averment
nor evidence here that the accused ’s shouting was likely to cause a breach of
the peace. Consequently the plea of guilty was a nullity. Conviction quashed.
218. Jairosi Yohane v. R., Crim.
App. 74-D-68, 8/4/68, Hamlyn J.
The district court, in hearing this case
on appeal from a primary court, summarily rejected the appeal.
Held:
Section 17 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act, Cap. 537, sets out the powers of
district courts in dealing with appeals from primary courts; now here is the
power granted to summarily reject appeals from primary courts. The power of
summary rejection of appeals is granted to the High Court alone. [Citing Cap.
537, s. 24 (1)]. The district court should have “dismissed” the appeal from the
primary court, confirming the conviction and sentence of that court.
219. Enock s/o Shombe v. R.,
Crim. App. 119-D-68, 27/3/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of robbery with
violence. Complainant’s wife identified him at the trial; otherwise, the
evidence was entirely circumstantial; that accused was arrested in possession
of some cigarettes (which were identified as stolen from the serial numbers on
the packets) and some cash, and that shortly after the robbery he had behaved in
a some what spendthrift manner.
Held:
“(T)he learned magistrate very properly directed himself on the circumstantial
evidence; ‘the inculpatory facts were inconsistent with the innocence of the
accused and incapable of explanation upon any other reasonable hypothesis than
that of his guilt’.” Conviction upheld.
220. Hasoni Abasi s/o Mohamed v. R.,
Crim. App. 27-M-68, 23/3/68, Mustafa J.
Accused was convicted of stealing from
the person of another, leaving a moving train at an unappointed place, and escaping
from lawful custody. He was given a single sentence of 3 year’s imprisonment
and 4 years’ police supervision, covering all charges. During the trial, after
the prosecution had closed its case and accused had given his own evidence, the
magistrate recalled three prosecution witnesses “….. to fill a gap in the
prosecution case as regards the identification of the (accused).” Having
convicted accused, the prosecution presented a certificate of previous conviction,
all of which
(1968)H.C.D
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The accused denied. After an adjournment
to permit the prosecution to prove the convictions, the magistrate admitted the
certificate and on that evidence alone proceeded to pass sentence.
Held:
(1) The omnibus sentence was improper, but the error is curable under section
346 of the Criminal Procedure Code. (2) The calling of prosecution witnesses to
“fill a gap in the prosecution case,” after the appellant had given evidence,
was a “fatal” error by the magistrate. (3) The admission of the challenged
certificate of prior convictions without further proof was improper, under
Section 143(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Convictions quashed.
221. R. v. International Trading and
Credit Company or Tanganyika, Ltd. Crim. App. 722-D-66, 5/4/68, Duff J.
This was an appeal by way of case
stated. Accused (Intrata) was charged with selling food unfit for human
consumption [Food and Drugs Ordinance, Cap. 93, ss. 12 (1), 26]. The sole
question was whether the three transactions in question amounted to “sales”. In
each case Intrata transferred adulterated cassava belonging to the Kigoma
Co-operative Union to the complainants. Invoices were sent in Intrata’s name
and contained no reference to the co-operative, and payment was to Intrata,
which then remitted the funds to the Co-operative, subtracting a small
commission fee.
Held:
“…. (T)he contracts were made between the merchants and the respondent company,
no reference whatsoever being made to the co-operative union, and these
contracts disclose a sale ….” [Citing Hotchin v. HIndmarsh (1891) 2Q.B.189;
Preston v. Albuery (1963) 3 All E. R. 897; Lester v. Balfour (1953) 2Q.B. 168].
222. R. v. Musua d/o Shumbi,
Crim. Sass. 188-Dodoma-67, 22/2/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused is a witch doctor. Deceased, a
one year old child, was sick, whereupon the parents brought the child to the
accused. She put some herbs in almost boiling water and then poured the hot
mixture over deceased, who died two days later of shock due to burns. Accused
pleaded guilty to manslaughter, saying in mitigation: “I did not think the hot
water would kill the child.”
Held:
“The act of which [accused] is guilty is on of the grossest negligence and any
ordinary person must know that to pour nearly boiling water over anyone,
particularly a small child, must result in grave injury….” Taking into account
that accused was a first offender and had been in remand for 6 months, sentence
was set at 18 months imprisonment.
223. R. v. Hussein s/o Hamza,
Dist. Ct Crim. Case 470-Korogwe-67, 23/4/68, Inspection Note by Biron J.
Accused, who was charged with arson, was
sent by the trial magistrate for a mental examination, He was found to be of
unsound mind, whereupon the record of the case was forwarded to the Minister of
Justice.
Held:
(1) Before sending the record to the Minister of Justice, the trial magistrate
should have made a finding that the accused is of unsound mind and consequently
incapable of making his defence. [Citing Crim. Proc. Code.
(1968)H.C.D.
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s. 164(6)] (2) “The court should also ….
Before making any finding as to an accused ’s mental condition, consider and
rule as to whether a prima facie case against him has been established.” If
not, the case should simply be dismissed.
224. Athuman Kitalama v. R.,
Crim. App. 76-D-68, 5/4/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted on his own plea of
giving false evidence at a trial.
Held:
P.C. s. 102(1) provides: “Any person who ….. knowingly gives false testimony
touching any matter which is material to any question then depending in the
proceeding … is guilty of the misdemeanor termed ‘perjury’.” To constitute
perjury, the testimony must be material to the case. As there was no proof that
the false evidence given here was material to the case, one of the elements of
the offence was not established. Conviction quashed.
225. Sephen s/o Munga v. R.,
Crim. App. 186-D-68, 17/4/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was initially charged with
attempted murder, to which he pleaded not guilty. After the prosecution had
presented its evidence, the magistrate, finding that the evidence did not show
an intent to murder, altered the charge to one of causing grievous harm. The
appellant was not required to plead to this charge, nor was he given the
opportunity of recalling the prosecution witnesses for cress-examination. After
making his defence accused was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and
sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
Held:
The trial was a nullity. “Until a charge is put and an accused ’s plea recorded
there can be no basis for a trial to proceed and the accused person is not
properly before the court for trial and determination of his case.” The proper
course for the court to have taken, upon altering the charge was to so inform
him of its action and have him plead to the new charge. Then it should inform
him that he had the right to recall any or all of the prosecution witnesses for
cross-examination. [Citing Crim. Proc. Code s. 227]. Conviction and sentence
set aside; case remanded to trial court for re-trial.
226. Lucas s/o Gangaya v. R.,
Crim. App. 129-D-68, 10/4/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was charged with being in
possession of property suspected to have been stolen [P.C. s. 312]. He pleaded
not guilty, and two prosecution witnesses gave their evidence. The prosecutor
then applied to withdraw the charge, and substitute one of “conveying” such
property, under the same section. The magistrate accepted the new charge,
without taking a plea to it and proceeded with the trial.
Held:
If an accused is not given the opportunity to plead to a charge, the
proceedings are a nullity. Accused in this case may be charged and tried again,
if the prosecution so desires.
(1968)H.C.D
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227. Moshua s/o Mduna v. R.,
Crim. App. 922-D-67, 19/1/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of assault and
causing actual bodily harm. The evidence left no reasonable doubt as to his
guilt, but a fine of Shs. 400/- was imposed without enquiry by the court into
the financial means of the accused. Further, the case had been transferred from
primary court to resident magistrate’s court upon complainant’s statement that
she wished to retain an advocate. Accused alleged that this was done to permit
prosecution by an advocate who was related to complainant, before a magistrate
who was of complainant’s tribe. The magistrate, in fact, was a member of
complainant’s tribe, but the prosecutor was not related to her.
Held:
(1) The fact that the magistrate may have been of the same tribe as complainant
cannot affect the conviction, since that fact “… does not appear in any way to
have influenced the matter …” (2) “Before imposing fine a court should make
enquiries of the financial standing of the accused, and this should form part
of the record.” [Quoting R. v. Bison s/o Mwango, 2 T. L. R. (R) . 31,32]. This
should be done to ensure that the fine is one “which is within the means of the
accused person to pay.” (3) A man convicted of striking a woman should pay
compensation even though there is no permanent injury, since striking a woman
“is not a manly act.” Fine reduced to Shs. 200/-
228. Gamaiyo s/o Melau v. R.,
Crim. App. 36-A-68, 19/4/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of attempted rape.
There was evidence that accused threw complainant to the ground, threatened her
with a knife, and tore off her underpants, She then caught hold of his private
parts and prevented him from unbuttoning his pants. At this point an alarm was
raised and accused ran away.
Held:
[Quoting from Adamu s/o Mulira v. R., (1953) 20 E.A.C.A. 223]: “(T)o constitute
an attempt to rape there must be evidence of an attempt to have sexual
connection with the woman not with standing her resistance … (I)n the instant
case, we feel some doubt whether the learned trial judge fully appreciated the
necessity of finding an intention to have intercourse at all costs not with
standing any resistance on the part of the woman, plus an attempt to put this
intention into effect.” Under this test accused ‘s actions did not constitute
attempted rape. Conviction of indecent assault [P. C. s. 135] substituted.
229. R. v. M. S. Lemki, Crim.
Rev. 10-D-68, -/4/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused, a resident of
Held:
(1) Accused argued that because of the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar,
Zanzibar is no longer a “neighboring country”, and thus, although the rule has
never.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Been formally amended, it is
inapplicable to him since he is now a Tanzanian. This argument was rejected.
The Traffic Rules are framed not only for the convenience of international
travelers, but also for the assistance of the local licencing authority in
dealing with such persons. Since the temporary licence is free, the purpose
seems to be to assist the traffic authorities, not a revenue measure, or one of
traffic control in the narrower sense. Zanzibar has its own vehicle registration,
and mainland vehicle records do not include Zanzibar vehicles. The purpose is
to obtain information about “foreign” vehicle of which the authorities would
otherwise have no information, and on that basis Zanzibar must be deemed to be
covered by the Traffic Rules until they are specifically amended. (2) “The side
– note …. Is not a part of the rules and it has frequently been held that such
marginal annotations are so placed to show the ‘drift’ of the section --- that
is, a reference to its general contents; it is certainly no part of the law embodied
in the rule in question.”
230. Semdoup s/o Melita v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 34-A-67, 11/4/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft.
During the trial and prior to his conviction, evidence of previous convictions
was introduced. There was also evidence that the complainant had spent Shs.
256/- to pay expenses of persons who had searched for the cattle. The cattle
were found and returned to complainant, apparently as a result of the search.
Held:
(1) Evidence of previous convictions should not be accepted until after the
conviction, but the error did not prejudice accused in the facts of this case.
(2) The award of compensation for expenses incurred by complainant in the
search was proper. [Par. 5 of Primary Courts Criminal Procedure Code, Third
Schedule, Magistrates court Act, Cap. 537] Appeal as to conviction dismissed.
231. R. v. Ngobili s/o Mpulula,
Crim. Rev. 27-D-68, 9/4/68, Duff J.
Accused was convicted of a corrupt
transaction [Prevention of Corruption Ordinance, Cap. 400, ss. 3(2), 3(3)(a)],
having given forty shillings to a Primary Court clerk. The sentence include an
order of forfeiture of the amount to the Government.
Held:
Under section 3(3)(b), forfeiture can be ordered only when the accused was the
receiver, rather than the giver, of money. Order of forfeiture set aside.
232. R. v. Shendakaji s/o Makwayo,
Crim. Rev. 29-D-68, 10/4/68, Biron J.
Accused was sentenced to fines of Shs.
30/- or imprisonment for three months in
default, on two counts of violating the Fauna Conservation Ordinance. The
warrant of commitment stated: “Fines cumulative, sentence to run concurrently.”
Held:
Sentences imposed in default of the payment of fines may not be ordered to run
concurrently with each other. [See P.C. s. 36] Sentences of imprisonment
ordered to run consecutively.
(1968)H.C.D.
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233. R. v. Selemani Alfani, Crim.
Rev. 16-D-68, 16/4/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
servant, and sentenced to pay a fine of Shs. 2,000/- or 9 months’ imprisonment
in default.
Held:
Where a fine exceeds Shs. 400/-, imprisonment in default of payment may not exceed
6 months. Term of 6 months substituted.
234. Juma s/o Iddi v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 67-D-68, 10/4/68, Biron J.
Accused, a first offender alleged to be
18 years old, was convicted of housebreaking and of stealing goods valued by
complainant at Shs. 101/-.The items, all used and some damaged clothing and
household goods, were valued individually in the charge sheet, but not in
complainant’s testimony. No finding was made by the magistrate as to accused ’s
age. Accused was sentence to 2 years 24 strokes, under the Minimum Sentences
Act.
Held:
The magistrate was obliged to make a specific finding as to accused ’s age, to
be sure that he was not a young person and thus outside the ambit of the Act.
(2) A specific finding is also required, in such cases, as to the value of the
goods. Here, complainant’s valuation was Shs. 1/- more than the amount which
would have enabled the court to grant leniency. (3) The accused ’s age, in this
case, is itself “special reasons within the meaning of the ….act.” Sentence
reduced to result in immediate release. Alexander s/o Ngimna v. R., Crim. App.
95-D-68, 5/4/68, Biron J. Accord, that specific finding must be made on all
grounds of leniency specified in section 5(2) of the Act.
236. Jesa Ibrahim v. R., Crim. App.
202-A-67, 22/3/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
two counts of stealing. He was a 21-year-old first offender, and the value of
the property involved was Shs. 86/- Without making specific findings as to his reasons for granting leniency, the
magistrate imposed a sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment.
Held:
There is nothing on the record to show any special reasons why the sentence of
two years’ imprisonment was not imposed. Upon the State Attorney’s request for
enhancement of the sentence to two years and 24 strokes, there is no
alternative but to accede. Sentence enhance.
(1968)H.C.D.
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237. R. v. Jonathani s/o Chamade,
Crim. Conf. 65-M-68, 22/4/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of possessing
“moshi”, a prohibited liquor, and sentence to two years imprisonment. [Local
Liquor, Ordinance, Cap. 77, sec. 36 (1), (2); G.N. 229/41] Maximum penalty for
this offence is a fine of Shs. 4,000/- or two years imprisonment, or both. The
district magistrate, in imposing sentence, remarked; “Severe sentences have
always been recommended for this prevalent murderous stuff.” Accused was a
first offender, with several dependants. The case came to the High Court for
confirmation of sentence.
Held:
(1) “The fact that the Legislature has expressly provided for the imposition of
a fine at the discretion of the trial court is an indication that the offence
may not always be so heinous as to require imprisonment. It should also be observed
that if the maximum term of imprisonment is imposed on every offender, the
trial court is left with little sanction
to deter second or chronic offenders.” (2) “Having said all of the
above, however, it is borne in mind that this court will not interfere in a
matter in a matter of sentence unless it is so excessive as to be unsustainable.
The sentence imposed in this case, although severe, cannot be said to fall into
such a category as would clearly require revision by this Court. The sentence
is accordingly confirmed.
238. R. v. Mabula Masota Charles,
Dist. Ct. Crim. Case 58-D-68, 3/4/68, Inspection Note by Saudi J.
Accused, a first offender, was convicted
of traveling on a railroad without a valid ticket, which would have cost Shs.
7/10, and was sentenced to 1 month’s imprisonment.
The
Court noted: In this case, a conditional discharge order accompanied by
an order to pay the fare to the Railways would have “met the justice of the
case.” The Court called attention to High Court Circular No. 2 of 1961, where
the Court’s views on this problem are elaborated.
239. Musa s/o Bakari v. R., Crim.
App. 37-D-68, 24/4/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of stealing [P.C.
s. 265] and housebreaking [P.C. s. 294(1)], and given consecutive sentences of
good reason to the contrary, to order the sentences for the related offences of
housebreaking and stealing to run concurrently with each other. The fact that
the appellant had a previous conviction for theft – whereon, incidentally, he
was sentenced to imprisonment for eight month --- does not constitute such good
reason to justify a departure from the general practice. The order that the two
sentences are to run consecutively to each other is accordingly set aside and
there is substituted there for an order that the two sentences are to run concurrently
with each other.”
240. Ali Simba v. R., Crim. App.
249-A-67, 27/3/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of cheating [P.C.
s. 304]. He had persuaded complainant to write out a receipt in a book produced
by accused, gave a copy to complainant, and then ran away with the book
containing the duplicate.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held: Accused may have enable himself to put complainant in
some difficulty, at a later date, by producing the receipt showing a payment by
him to complainant. However, the receipt book was his own, and there was no
showing that by his trick he had obtained anything capable of being stolen.
Conviction quashed.
241. Alex Godfrey Mungumbele v. R.,
Crim. App. 20-D-68, 19/4/68, Biron J.
Accused, a clerk employed by the
National Agricultural Products Board, was charged in a single count with two
separate commissions of theft by public servant. [P.C. ss. 265, 270}. He was convicted
on his own plea of theft by clerks and servants [P.C. ss. 265, 271] and was
sentenced to nine months imprisonment. The property was that of Rawajani Mills,
which had been nationalized prior to the thefts and to which accused had been
assigned by the Board.
Held:
(1) The two separate commissions of theft should not have been charged in a single
count. However, the error did not prejudice accused and is curable under
section 346 of the Criminal Procedure Code. (2) Person employed in the public
service is defined as “any person holding any of the following offices …
namely; (i) … any office the power of appointing a person to which or of removing
from which is vested in President or in any public Commission or Board.” [P.C.
s. 5, as amended by Part 1 of the Fourth Schedule to the Republic of Tanganyika
(Consequential, Transitional and Temporary Provisions) Act, 1962]. (3)An
employee of the Board, accused was a person employed in the public service
[Citing ss. 3(1), 3(2), 4(2) an para. 8 of Part (b) of the First Schedule to
the Agricultural Products (Control and Marketing) Act, 1962; G.N. 550 of 1962]
The theft therefore constitutes theft by public servant irrespective of whether
the property of the mill was government property, a question which the Court
left open. Sentence enhanced in accordance with the Minimum Sentences Act.
242. Awali Mlanga v. R., Crim.
App. 205-A-67, 20/3/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of house breaking
and stealing [P.C. ss. 265, 294 (1)], in a prosecution based on his “recent
possession” of goods identified as stolen. The High Court quashed the convictions
because of the weakness of the evidence identifying the goods.
The
Court stated, obiter: “It is to be observed that in a case of recent possession
the proper test to be applied is whether the defence could reasonably have been
true.”
243. Sayale s/o Seliani v. R.,
Crim. App. 15-A-68,. 3/4/68, Platt J.
The three accused were convicted of
robbery. They were in the process of beating complainant when his watch fell or
was torn off his wrist, whereupon one of the accused pocketed it.
Held:
Robbery is defined by P.C. s. 285 as using actual or threatened violence “…. To
obtain or retain the thing stolen or to prevent … resistance to its being
stolen….” The purpose must be to steal something. Here the taking of the watch
was incidental to the assault. Conviction of causing actual bodily harm [P.C.
s. 241] substituted, pursuant to the provisions of Crim. Proc. Code, s. 181.
244. Hassan Ramadhani v. R.,
Crim. App. 257-A-67, 5/4/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of stealing from a
motor vehicle contrary to Penal Code section 269(c) upon evidence that he had
taken the gear box of the vehicle itself.
Held:
(1) Section 269 (c) provides for thefts in which “the thing is stolen from any
kind of vessel or vehicle or place of deposit …” This wording refers to things
being conveyed by or deposited in vessels or vehicles rather than to parts of
the vessels or vehicles themselves. (2) In interpreting a statute, marginal
notes may be referred to for assistance. In the present case the relevant
portion of the marginal note reads “stealing goods in transit” suggesting that
portions of vehicles themselves were not included. Conviction of simple theft
[P.C. s. 265] substitute.
245. R. v. Ndesario s/o Yose Kaaya,
Crim. Rev. 13-A-68, 9/4/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of theft. [P.C s.
265]. There was evidence that a water furrow traverses complainant’s shamba.
Accused had no water right, but by a gentlemen’s agreement he was permitted to
take water from the furrow between 6 a. m and 9 a.m. It was charged that
accused had taken water during the night and used it for irrigation. The
conviction was quashed for insufficient evidence.
The
Court stated, obiter; (1) So long as fluid such as water can be sufficiently
appropriated to the user, it can be stolen. [Citing Archoold, Criminal Pleading
Evidence and Practice, 36th edn., para. 1532 and authorities cited
therein, which held that water supplied by a water company to a consumer and
standing in his pipes may be the water passing over his farm, and for accused
to extract water except during the permitted hours and to use it for irrigation
would be to take a moveable object which did not belong to him with the intent
to permanently deprive the holder of the right of it.
246. Faustin Joseph v. R.,(PC)
Crim. App. 3-A-68, 3/4/68, Platt J.
A village executive officer was trying
to settle a dispute, which resulted in hot words being exchanged and accused
being charged with using abusive language.
Accused was convicted, largely on the basis of a letter written by the executive
officer to the trial magistrate. The executive officer never appeared in court.
Held:
However well-meaning the action of the executive officer, “It is a cardinal
rule that evidence put before the court should be by witnesses giving testimony
on oath and prepared to face cross-examination.” If this were not the rule, a
person might (as here never know on what the magistrate based his judgment. And
justice would not be seen to be done, and if the evidence given were incorrect
or biased, justice would not be done at all. Conviction quashed.
(1968)H.C.D
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247. The City Council of
Defendant contracted to contracted to
construct a market for plaintiff for Shs. 78,830/- and to complete the work
within 30 weeks from 31st July, 1965 the date of commencement. The
contract provided for liquidated damages of shs. 500/- per week for late
completion of the market. There was evidence that defendant delayed in
constructing the building an that much of the work which he completed was defective.
Exercising its contractual rights, plaintiff ejected defendant from the
building site in February, 19066. The dispute was referred to the City engineer
as provided in the contract and his findings, which favoured plaintiff, were
served on defendant on 10th May, 1966. The contract specified that after such
findings defendant could demand arbitration by giving notice within 28 days.
Such notice was posted on 7th June but was not received until 8th
June by plaintiff and was rejected because it was late. The market was
completed by another contractor 48 weeks after the date specified in the
contract with plaintiff. Plaintiff paid a total of Shs. 77,100/- to the two
contractors, or Shs. 1,730/- less than the original contract price. However, it
seeks damage of Shs. 3,417/- for payments to watchman after defendant was
ejected and Shs. 24.000/- liquidated damages for the 48 week delay in
completion. At the trial defendant requested that the Court order arbitration
but no prayer for a stay to permit such arbitration was filed prior to the
trial.
Held:
(1) Defendant was in breach of contract at the time of his ejection, and the
ejection was proper. (2) The relevant date for the service of statutory notice
is the date of receipt, not the date of posting, though considerations may be
different where notice is posted early enough to reach the other party in the
normal course of events but is delayed though no fault of the party who posted
it. Thus the notice of arbitration was tardy. (3) The High court may order a
stay of proceedings to permit arbitration only if application is made “at any
time after appearance and before filing a written statement or taking any other
steps in the proceedings.” [Quoting Arbitration Ordinance, Cap. 15, s. 6;
citing New Zealand Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Andrew Spyron, (1962) E.A.74]. The procedure
set forth in section 18 of the Second Schedule of the Civil Procedure Code does
not apply to the High Court. [Citing Civ. Proc. Code, s. 64]. The Court doubted
whether the latter procedure would permit a stay if it were applicable. (4)
Section 74 of the Contract Act provides that where a contract specifies
liquidated damages the aggrieved party “is entitled, whether or not actual
damage or loss is proved to have been caused there by, to receive from the
party who has broken the contract reasonable compensation not exceeding the
(1968)H.C.D.
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Amount so named …” Under the terms of
this section, a liquidated damage clause operates only to set the maximum limit
of damages and does not excuse a plaintiff from proving his actual damage.
[Citing Saleh Shaher Absi v. Naider Naced Kassim, (1956) 23 E.A.C.A.382]. Thus,
in effect, all damages are unliquidated. However, in cases where damage is
clear but the quantum difficult to prove, the Court should give regard to the
parties’ estimate where it appears reasonable, and in such cases detailed proof
of specific items of damage will not have to be produced. In this case it is
not clear that plaintiff has suffered any such damage. (5) The cost of
employing the watchman should be allowed as damages. Damages of Shs. 1,687/-,
the cost of the watchman less the difference between the contract price and the
price which plaintiff paid to the two contractors, allowed.
248. Bi-Baikiliza Kamugisha v.
Bi-Kyobalychwa Kamugisha, (PC) Civ. App. 226-D-67, 27/4/68, Hamlyn J.
In 1966 defendant purported to sell her
share in family land to one Felician. Plaintiffs, members of the family, then
filed this action in a primary court in the Bukoba District to recover the land
Felician, the purchaser, was not made a party to the suit. The primary court
ordered that the land be confiscated and returned to the family without
compensation to the purchaser.
Held:
(1) “The purchaser was entitled to be heard and to Endeavour to establish title
to the land. If (as seems to be the case) the seller had no title to pass to
the purchaser, then he was clearly entitled himself to be compensated …..” (2)
The Court stated, obiter: Defendant had no title to transfer to the purchaser,
the property being a family land and she being a female. In any event, the
transaction appears to be ultra vires because no consent of defendant’s near
relatives was obtained. Plaintiffs advised to attempt to obtain the return of
the land by amicable settment or, failing that, by instituting a new action.
249. Khadija d/o Abdallah v. Saidi
Omari, (PC) Civ. App. 89-D-68, 2/5/68, Biron J.
Plaintiff, a nephew of the father of an
eight-year-old female child, filed this action against the mother for custody
of the child. Plaintiff had written authorization from the father to take
custody. The parents for the child had been divorced after the father left
Tanzania for Arabia and remarried and the child has at all times lived with the
mother.
Held:
It is doubtful whether the father himself would have a right to custody. [Citing
Mulla, Principles of Mohamedan Law, Ninth edn. P. 212 to the effect that under
Islamic law the mother is entitled to custody of her female child until the
child has attained puberty, even though she has been divorced.
(1968)H.C.D.
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By her husband.] (2) The only parties
who have any claim to custody of a child are its parents and this claim cannot
be delegated to another relative. Therefore, plaintiff has no locus standi in
the case. (3) The primary consideration is the welfare of the child: In the
present case the mother has remarried, her second husband is of sufficient
means, the child has lived with the mother since birth, and she appeared well
cared for when seen in court. Defendant’s appeal allowed.
250. Paul Joseph v. Nkoba Kulwa,
(PC) Civ. App. 119-M-67, 14/5/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff, claiming to be the father of
a child born during the period when defendant’s daughter lived with him in
concubinage, sued defendant for custody. The daughter had left the child with
defendant when, having left plaintiff for a time, she returned to live with
him. At the primary court hearing, the defendant admitted that plaintiff was
the child’s father, and expressed willingness to have plaintiff as a legitimate
son-in-law. At the district court hearing, the daughter testified that
plaintiff was not the father, and defendant changed his story to agree with
hers. She named another man, who did not testify.
Held:
(1) Children born in concubinage belong to the man with whom the mother is
living unless he wishes to and can disprove paternity, under section 183 of the
Law of Persons, F. N. 279/63, made binding in Maswa district by G. N. 474/63.
Section 183, stating that the man nominated by the woman as the father cannot
deny paternity unless he can prove he had no sexual intercourse with her, does
not mean that such man should be entitled to the child’s custody where another
man claims it. Once birth during concubinage is established, “a presumption was
created in favour of the appellant’s paternity.” With the evidence amounting
essentially to plaintiff’s word as against that of the child’s mother, the
presumption is not displaced. (2) Plaintiff is married with two other children;
the child’s mother lives with her parents and is unmarried. “It is well established
that where the status of children is concerned, their welfare is the paramount
consideration.” This test is best served, apart from other legal
considerations, by awarding custody to plaintiff. Plaintiff’s appeal allowed,
with an order that he pay defendant Shs. 100/- plus reasonable compensation for
maintenance to defendant.
251. Maria Theresa Chin v. Yan Shui
Ming. Mat Cause 13-D-67, 20/5/68, Saudi J.
Petitioner has lived in
(1968)H.C.D.
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Instead he went to
Held:
“Although the marriage was not celebrated in Tanzania, and the respondent does
not live and has not lived in Tanzania, and the respondent does not live and
has not lived in Tanzania, this Court has Jurisdiction under section 4 (1)
(a)(ii) of the Matrimonial Causes Ordinance, Cap. 364, for the reason that the
petitioner wife has lived in the country for a period extending beyond three
years.” Petition for divorce granted.
252. C.K. Matenba v. Mary Matenba, Mat. Cause
1-D-66, 10/5/68, Georges C. J.
Petitioner husband applied for a divorce
on grounds of cruelty. Respondent wife originally prayer for judicial
separation on the grounds of petitioner’s adultery but later substituted a
prayer for divorce, and a decree nisi was granted on that prayer. During these
proceedings the Court granted leave to withdraw the original petition though
this was merely noted in the record and was not signed or mentioned in the
judgment or order granting the decree nisi to respondent. It is also alleged
that other errors occurred in the proceeding: (a) that the answer was not
served on a person who apparently was the woman involved in the alleged
adultery; (b) that no affidavit of service on her was filed; (c) that the
application for amendment submitted by respondent was not in writing and was
not accompanied by and affidavit stating that there was no collusion; and (d)
that the application by petitioner to withdraw his petition was not in writing
or accompanied by and affidavit denying collusion. In the present proceedings
petitioner applied to have respondent’s decree nisi made absolute. Respondent
opposed the application and prayed that the decree nisi be rescinded. She
stated that she is a Roman Catholic, that her religion does not permit divorce,
and that she is greatly distressed because of her sin in seeking a divorce, a
step which she says she took in a state of confusion.
Held:
(1) An answer cannot survive the withdrawal of a petition. [Citing Schira v.
Schira (1865) L.R. 1 P. & N 465; Sandler v. Sandler (1934) P. 149. (2) The
order granting leave to withdraw the petition constituted a judgment. (Citing
Tharman Din V. Cabal Das, A.I.R. 1933
(1968)H.C.D
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Settlement (1955) 1 All E.R. 185]. The
order was altered to one staying the petition so that the decree to one staying
the petition so that the decree nisi given on the answer could be given effect.
(5) The failure to serve the woman named in the answer made the proceedings
voidable but not void and may be cured. [Citing Watts v.
253.Hulda John v.
This is an appeal from judgment for
defendant in an affiliation proceeding under the Affiliation Ordinance, Cap.
278 as amended by the Affiliation Ordinance (Amendment) Act, 1964. Plaintiff
lived out of wedlock with the male defendant between 1956 and 1964, having two
children by him. During 1966 defendant took up word in Magamba, leaving
plaintiff and the two children in
(1968)H.C.D.
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Between them and therefore he denies
paternity. The only evidence on the record is that of the two parties; however,
plaintiff contends that she had further evidence to support her allegations but
that the trial magistrate denied her the right to bring her witnesses.
Held:
(1) Under s. 5 of the Affiliation Ordinance, plaintiff was required to present
evidence other than her own to corroborate her claim, and since she failed to
do so, her claim could not succeed. (2) Since the plaintiff had no assistance
from counsel in bringing her action, an action which would have been far more
likely to succeed if brought in the primary court (see The Law of Persons,
Government Notice 279/63, para. 183, which is applicable in primary court and
puts the burden of proof on the defendant of her corroborative evidence, the
Court ordered the case hear de novo in
the district court before a different magistrate. The former proceedings were
quashed.
254. Kirisa s/o Kitentera v. Patiri
d/o Magesa, (PC) Civ. App. 147-D-66, 7/2/68, Duff J.
Plaintiff sued for custody of two
children, claiming them as the issue of his marriage with defendant. The
evidence, when the defendant appealed an adverse judgment o the district court,
established that plaintiff and defendant had never married, and that defendant
was in fact married to plaintiff’s mother i.e according to a custom of the
Wangurime people. She alleged that her two children were fathered by her
lovers, and it seems not to have been clearly established that plaintiff was
the father of either of them. Defendant and plaintiff’s mother are now divorced.
Held:
Since no marriage between plaintiff and defendant ever existed, plaintiff has
no right to custody of the children. The Court stated, obiter; if the marriage
between the two ladies were still subsisting, some rights of inheritance might
eventually benefit the plaintiff; but as the ladies are now divorced, no such
question can arise. Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
255. Christina Ndege v. Daudi
Wankanya, (PC) Civ. App. 162-D-67, 29/4/68, Saudi J.
Appellant and her husband had occupied
the disputed land for thirty years. In 1959 her husband contracted an illness
and she thereafter took him to
Held:
“It is quite obvious that the re-allocation of the land illegal and amounted to
abuse of power by the Village Development Committee.” The original owner, the
husband who had died, left behind his widow and five children. Appeal allowed
and direction given that appellant and her children be put in possession of the
land forthwith.
(1968)H.C.D.
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91 –
256. N.J. Amin Ltd. v. V. B. Patel
& Company Ltd., Civ. Case 38-D-67,
/5/68, Hamlyn J.
This is an application by plaintiff to
amend his reply to the defence which has been filed. The case arose out of the
failure of plaintiff to accept goods delivered by defendant, and the proposed
amendment alleged that there was no contract because plaintiff’s offer was
withdrawn before it was accepted by defendant.
Held:
The amendment would not set up a new cause of action, or introduce a new case,
or change the subject matter of the suit. “Amendments to pleadings should
freely be allowed where they can be made without injustice to the other side, and
there is no injustice where the other side can be compensated by costs.” To
refuse to grant the application “would be to make an order which might prevent
this court at trial from determining the real matters at issue between the
parties. Litigation is intended to resolve outstanding disputes between parties
and not merely to disregard them.” Application allowed.
257. Isidori s/o Caspar v. R.,
Crim. App. 166-D-68, 10/5/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was charged with abduction (P.
C. s. 133) and indecent assault (P.C. s. 135). There was evidence that accused
seized complainant as she was walking to her house, carried her t his house,
stripped her of the clothing and beat her when she refused to have sexual
intercourse. The trial magistrate convicted accused of abduction but made no
explicit finding that accused had intent to commit sexual intercourse. He
dismissed the charge of indecent assault on the ground that the charge was
duplicitous.
Held:
(1) An intent to have sexual intercourse is an element of the crime of
abduction. However, in the facts of this case, it seems that the magistrate inferred
such a finding though it was not stated explicitly. (2) Abduction does not
necessarily involve an indecent assault. In the present case, stripping the complainant
of her clothes constituted an indecent assault separate from the original
abduction. However, since the crimes normally result in concurrent sentences,
nothing need be done about the acquittal. Conviction of abduction affirmed.
258. Njole Sandanda v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 91-D-68, 3/4/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted in primary court
of cattle stealing. On appeal to the district court, the magistrate found that
the appeal had been lodged without sufficient ground of complaint and ordered
that it be summarily rejected.
Held:
“The district court has no powers to reject (whether summarily or otherwise)
appeals made to it by an appellant from a conviction in a primary court. The
duty of the district court is to hear the appeal and either to allow it or to
dismiss it. The power of summary rejection is reserved to the High Court
alone.” The Court added, for the guidance of the magistrate, that Form J/PCF.
22 is inappropriate in cases where an appeal is anything but of the simplest
nature. Case remitted to district court for hearing of appeal.
(1968)H.C.D.
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92 –
259. R. v. V. B. Patel & Company
(Mwanza) Ltd., Crim. App. 985-M-67, 11/4/68, Mustafa J.
This is an appeal by the Republic by was
of case stated. Accused company was charged with failure to register with the
National Provident Fund contrary to section 38 (1) (f) and Regulation 6 (made
under section 48) of the National Provident Fund Act, Cap. 564, and with
failure to pay a contribution due, contrary to s. 38(1)(d) of the Act. The
agreed facts were that on Dilip Patel, who was in charge of the Mwanza shop of
the company, signed a form stating that the firm has nine permanent employees
and one temporary employee, and as a result of this information the firm was
registered as a contributing employer. However, Mr. Patel later refused to
complete the form regarding registrable employees on the ground that the temporary
employee was a casual laborer and that the company therefore did not have ten
registrable employees.
Held:
(1) Section 11 (1)(b) of the Act provides that the Minister may order that
temporary employees be registrable as members of the fund, but there is no
evidence that such an order has been made, and thus temporary employees are not
registrable as members. (2) However, in determining whether a private employer
has ten employees and is thus subject to the act, exempt and temporary
employees shall be included; a distinction is made between the registration of
the company itself and the registration of its individual employees.[Schedule
to G. N. 566 of 1964, as amended by G. N. 39/68, sec. 2]. The company was thus
subject to the act. (3) Although he was clerk, Patel was the only person found
at Mwanza office and was in apparent control of the company, and his action in
giving the information was binding on the company. The question whether the
notification constituted conclusive proof of the information contained therein
does not arise. (4) Although the company is guilty of failing to register its
eligible employees, the duty to contribute to the fund arises only after such
registration has been completed. Thus, the company is not guilty of the second
count of failing to contribute. Appeal by republic allowed as to first count
only and case returned with direction that there is case to answer on the first
count.
260. William s/o Petro v. R.,
Crim. App. 32-D-68, 21/2/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of burglary [P. C.
s. 294(1)] and inde
assault (P.C. s. 135). The burglary charge did not specify the felony
which accused intended when he broke into the house, but here was evidence that
the indecent assault had taken place after the breaking. The prosecution case
rested primarily on the testimony of complainant; a child of 11 years, and her
sister who was nine years of age. During voir dire examination, complainant
testified that it is wrong to tell a lie, and the magistrate relied upon this
in finding that she understood the nature of an oath. Complainant’s sister, who
did not testify under oath, was not examined as to her understanding of the
duty to speak the truth. The magistrate relied upon the testimony of the sister
to corroborate that of complainant as to the indecent assault.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
(1) The burglary charge should have set out the felony which accused had
intended to commit, but the failure to do so may be cured on appeal if not
prejudicial. [Citing Crim. Proc. Code, s. 346; R. v. Bakari bin Yusuf, 7
E.A.C.A. 63]. In deciding whether the error was prejudicial, “one should be
guided not by the under fined possibility of the accused having been
prejudiced, but by some suggestion which a reasonable man could accept that
there had been prejudice to the accused.” Here the felony was specified in the
second count and there was no prejudice. (2) When a child is called as a
witness, two separate questions arise: First, does the child understand the
nature of the oath; and second does the child understand the duty to speak the
truth, and is the child of sufficient intelligence to justify reception of the
evidence not on oath. The second question arises only if the first is answered
negatively, and the two should not be confused. (3) It is a general rule that
corroboration is required of a complainant’s evidence of a sexual offence, but
corroboration is not required as a matter of Law if the relying on such
testimony and gives his reasons for so doing. (4) The unsworn testimony of a
child itself requires corroboration an cannot be used as corroboration of the
testimony of the complainant of a sexual offence. (5) In this case, the
magistrate did not properly consider the matter of corroboration and the error
was prejudicial. (6) Evidence of burglary need not be corroborated even though
the felony intended was a sexual offence which by itself would normally require
corroboration. Conviction for indecent assault quashed, conviction for burglary
confirmed.
261. Meshilieki s/o Modiri v. R.,
Crim. App. 268-A-67, 25/4/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft.
The primary issue on appeal concerned identification of the cattle. The trial
court rejected photographs of the cattle because the negatives were not
produced and neither the photographer or any person present at the time the
photographs ere taken was called as a witness. Accused argued that the cattle
should have been exhibited or viewed by the court. However, there was evidence
that complainant had identified the cattle and that they had been freshly
branded by accused long after the normal age for brandling.
Held:
(1) The photographs were properly excluded from evidence for the reasons stated
by the trial magistrate. (2) The trial magistrate correctly observed that as a
general principle the property should be produced as an exhibit if available,
but that this procedure is not essential if there is other sufficient evidence
of identification. [Juma allibux v. R., 1967 High Court Digest, case No. 383
distinguished]. In the present case, the other evidence of identification was
sufficient to support the conviction.
262. Mohamed s/o Issa v. R.,
Crim. App. 1-D-68, 21/2/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of burglary,
stealing, and assault with intent to prevent lawful apprehension. The events
out of which these convictions arose took place on 25th
(1968)H.C.D.
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July, 1966, but no attempt was made to
apprehend accused until 21st February, 1967, although during this
time accused lived at his house which was near the police station and
complainant had allegedly identified accused both to a neighbour and in a
police report shortly after the crime took place. The police report was not
introduced into evidence.
Held:
“It is important that the police should produce the statements made by the witnesses
at the time to support their allegations that they did identify the appellant.
Such statements are clearly admissible under section 166 of the Evidence Act,
Act No. 6 of 1967.” [Citing Mario Wako Kella v. R., Court of Appeal for
263. Masika s/o Nusurupia v. R.,
Crim. App. 31-A-67, 2/12/67, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft.
During the course of the trial the accused responded to a query by the court:
“Yes, I have been charged with the offence of stealing of coffee in 1960, I was
found guilty and was imprisoned for 6 months in jail. (The trial record records
the testimony given by participants, but not the question asked.)
Held:
(1) “It would appear from this reply that the court asked the appellant a
question tending to show that he had committed or been convicted of a previous
offence or that he was of a bad character.” [Citing Evidence Act, sec 56(4).]
(2) The Court then had to decide whether this irregularity or error had in any
way occasioned a failure of justice. [Citing Magistrates’ Courts Act, sec. 32
(2).] Because other irregularities had also taken place during the trial,
conviction was quashed.
264. Robinson s/o Pili v. R.,
Crim. App. 41-D-68, 15/5/68, Georges C. J.
Accused, a plumber at a mission
hospital, was convicted of stealing by servant. There was evidence that various
tools including a spanner, screwdriver, iron cutter and wheelbarrow were found
at accused ’s house. Accused ’s defence was that some of the tools were his
personal property and that he had received permission to borrow the wheelbarrow
and iron cutter, which he admitted were the property of the mission. The trial
court rejected the defence on the ground that he did not believe it to be true.
Held:
(1) One could expect to find tools such as a spanner and screwdriver at the
house of any craftsman, and in the absence of any identifying mark, accused
should not have been expected to give any account of his possession other than
to say that they were his. (2) With regard to accused ’s explanation that he
had borrowed some of the tools with permission, the proper test is whether the
explanation was a reasonable one which could possibly be true; if so, it should
have been accepted even though the magistrate
had doubts as to its truthfulness. Conviction quashed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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95 –
265. R. v. Mipaa @ Masanja s/o
Mananjimia, Crim. Rev. 158-A-67, 21/2/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of assault causing
grievous harm [P. C. s. 225] on evidence that he hit complainant with his fist
causing her to lose one tooth.
Held:
The loss of one tooth in the circumstances of this case did not cause such permanent
or serious injury or disfigurement as to amount grievous harm. [Citing Reg. V.
Ali s/o Fakili, 2 T. L. R. (1954) 44; Russell on Crime, 10th edn.
(1950) p. 690]. Conviction for assault causing actual bodily harm. (P. C. s.
241) substituted.
266. Joaquin Gregory D’Silva v. R.,
Crim. App. 167-D-68, 6/5/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of failing to comply
with a notice from the Principal Immigration Officer ordering him to leave
Tanzania [Immigration Act, Cap. 534, s. 23 (1) (j)]. The Prohibited Immigrant
Notice, issued on 14 November 1967, stated that the Minister for Home affairs
had declared accused to be an undesirable immigrant; it directed accused to
leave the country within 14 days. Accused admittedly overstayed the period. The
Minister did not testify at the trial. The Principal Immigration Officer
testified that he was informed of the declaration by telephone, and on that
bases issued the Notice. The Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Home
Affairs also testified that the Minister had indeed issued the order in
writing, and that the order was in the Minister’s possession.
Held:
The Principal Secretary “normally communicates ministerial decisions to both
the public and members of the Ministry serving under him.” It is therefore
proper that he should communicate the Minister’s order to the officer charged
with putting such an order into effect. Further, the Notice specified that such
an order had been made; without some positive indication to the contrary, “the court
was entitled to assume that every necessary administrative act leading up to
the issue of the Notice had been duly carried out.” Finally, there was no
contention that the Minister’s order had been improperly obtained, or that the
Minister’s signature thereon was not genuine. Under the circumstances, the defence
was not entitled to call the Minister himself. Appeal dismissed.
267. Zephirine s/o Kipande v. R.
Crim. App. 109-M-68, 22/5/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of indecent
assault, though the evidence indicated the “….. the complainant neither
struggled nor raised an alarm when the (accused) dragged her to his house ( and
that ) complainant had ample opportunity to escape….”
Held:
There is a strong inference from the evidence that complainant consented to the
acts of accused. “As the complainant was a mature woman, consent was material
and the onus was on the prosecution to prove that she was not a willing party
to the appellant’s acts. This onus the prosecution cannot be said to have
discharged in this case.” Conviction quashed.
268. R. v. Chanungu Chipaeni,
Crim. Rev. 14-A-68, 12/2/68, Seaton J.
Accused was charged with an offence
contrary to section 84 (a) and 96 of the Prisons Ordinance. There was evidence
that while
(1968)H.C.D.
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96 –
Visiting a prison, accused threw or let
fall cigarettes, allegedly in order to give them to prisoners. Accused stated
that if any cigarettes fell, it was accidental.
Held:
(1) Section 84 of the Prison Ordinance creates no offence. (2) Section 96 prescribes
punishment for prisoners convicted of
offences against prison discipline and is not applicable to accused. (3) If
warranted, a conviction for bringing or throwing tobacco to a prisoner (Prison
Ord. s. 119) could be substituted. However, the facts of the case do not prove
any offence beyond reasonable doubt. Conviction quashed.
269. Mbushi s/o Maganga v. R.
Crim. App. 25-M-68, 22/5/68, Seaton J.
Accused was charged with cattle theft,
but was ultimately convicted, without the original charge ever having been
amended, of criminal trespass (P.C. s. 299) (1)(a)).
Held:
The learned magistrate convicted accused of an offence with which he was not
charged on the basis of section 181 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code. “(F) or
section 181 to be effective in this respect, the minor offence must be cognate
to the offence of which the (accused) was charged.” [Citing Alli Mohamed
Hassani v. R., (1963) E.A. 294]. “The (accused) could not be deemed to have
been given notice, upon a charge of theft, of all the circumstances which would
constitute the minor offence of criminal trespass.” Conviction quashed.
270. R. v. Anyandulile s/o Mwaikusa,
Crim. Rev. 39-D-68, 22/5/68, Georges c. J.
Accused was charged with housebreaking
[P.C. 294(1)] but was convicted of malicious damage to property [P.C. s.
326(1)]. It was proved that he broke a padlock and entered the house, but the
charge failed to specify the felony which he intended to commit within the house
and the magistrate found that no such intent was proved.
Held:
There are no specific provisions empowering a court to convict under section
326(1) where a charge has been laid under section 294(1). “It cannot be said
either that section 294(1) creates an offence consisting of several particulars,
a combination of some only of which constitutes the offence created under
section 326(1).” Conviction quashed.
271. R. v. John Kennethe Peterson,
Dist. Ct. Crim. Case 634-Tanga 68, 22/4/68, Inspection Note by Hamlyn J.
The accused was charged with causing
death by dangerous driving [Traffic Ordinance, s. 44A(1)], and other minor and
technical offences under the same Ordinance. He applied for a separate trial on
the dangerous driving count, and the court so ordered, although opposed by the
prosecutor on the ground that “It is difficult for me to prove negligence if
these other counts are stayed.” The record of the case was sent to the High
Court for “comments”.
Held:
(1) The record of the proceedings are before the High Court prematurely the
correct procedure is for the case to go through to completion, and then the
matter can be brought on appeal should the Attorney-General so desire. (2) The
Court stated, obiter, with respect to the prosecutor’s opposition to a separate
trial on the dangerous driving count: “It is a little difficult to understand
how
(1968)H.C.D.
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97 –
Proof of an alleged fact can be
prejudiced by the presence or absence of other counts in the charge”.
272. R. v. Hashimu s/o Mohamed Mfaume,
Misc. Crim. Cause 9-D-68, 25/5/68, Saidi J.
Accused was charged with stealing a
bicycle. Complainant was the third of the prosecution witnesses; when called
upon to cross-examine, accused asked that the case be transferred to another
magistrate, saying “I do not see why this witness did not give evidence first
as he appears to have been the complainant.” Having doubts as to the proper
course, the magistrate forwarded the case file to the High Court for direction.
Held:
Transfer of a case to another magistrate is covered by section 80 of the
Criminal Procedure Code. Where the grounds for transfer are that it is necessary
to secure a fair trial, “ a clear case must be made out that the accused person
has a reasonable apprehension in his mind that he will not have a fair and
impartial trial transferred.” It is enough that the accused ’s apprehension
itself is reasonable, whether or not the High Court believes that transfer is
necessary for any other reason; but his fears must be grounded in “the proved
existence of distinct events giving rise to a reasonable apprehension ….”
[Quoting Wilson, J. In Miscellaneous cause No. 10 of 1937, 1 T.L.R. (R) 129;
citing Baktu Singh v. Kali Prasad (1900) 28 Cal. 297, 301; and Bhag Singh v.
Rex, 1 T.L.R. (R) 135.] Neither the order in which the witnesses were called
here, nor any other aspects of the conduct of the trial, would cause the
accused to reasonably fear that he would not receive fair treatment.
Continuation of trial by same magistrate ordered.
273. Jeremiah s/o Mhindi v. R.,
Crim. App. 108-D-68, 10/5/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of causing death
by dangerous driving [Traffic Ord., Cap. 168, s. 44A(1)(a)] There was evidence
that the accident took place at night and that accused failed to dim his
headlights and struck the other lorry on the wrong side of the road. Accused
made an uncautioned statement to a police officer before it had been decided to
charge him with an offence. In this statement he admitted that his vehicle had
been on the wrong side of the road, but stated that he had dimmed his own
lights and had crossed the road because he was dazzled by the bright lights of
the other lorry. Accused was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, and he was
disqualified from driving for one year.
Held:
(1) The statement to the police officer was an attempt to explain the accident
and was properly admitted in evidence since it did not constitute a confession
of guilt. (2) Since the police had not decided to charge accused at the time
the statement was made, no caution was required. (3) Even if accused was
dazzled by the one coming lights, it was his duty to moderate his speed and if
necessary to stop. In any event, his being dazzled would not have prevented him
from pulling to the left-hand side of the road. (4) The disqualification from
driving should not have been of such a length that it would expire while he was
still in prison. Disqualification modified to one of three years and appeal
otherwise dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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98 –
274. John Michael Msekwa v. R.,
Crim. App. 150-D-68, 27/4/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of six counts of
burglary and house breaking an ten counts of stealing. The total value of the
property stolen was Shs. 326/10, but in none of the individual counts did the
value of the property reach Shs. 100/-. In these circumstances the trial
magistrate held that section 5 (2)of the Minimum Sentences Act prohibited the
imposition of the normal minimum sentence. Accused was a first offender.
Held:
Section 5(2) permits a sentence less than the prescribed minimum where the accused
is a first offender, the value of the stolen property is less than Shs. 100/-
and there are special circumstances. A lesser sentence could have been imposed
after finding that special circumstances exist, but no inquiry as to special
circumstances was made. The Court stated, for the guidance of the trial
magistrate “(I)t may be that the trial magistrate may consider that a person convicted
of a series of such serious offences committed over a period on months may have
some difficulty in showing the special circumstances which would entitle him to
leniency.” Case remitted for determination as to special circumstances.
275. Inosence s/o Pangras Nsunguru v.
R., Crim. App. 56-D-68, 6/4/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of housebreaking
and stealing. The evidence showed that exactly Shs. 100/- had been stolen in
the house, and the trial magistrate did not consider whether special circumstances
would warrant the imposition of less than minimum sentence. The housebreaking
charge had not specified the felony that accused allegedly intended to commit
upon entering the premises.
Held:
(1) The particulars of a housebreaking charge should always specify the felony
that accused intended to commit on breaking and entering. However, the error
was not prejudicial in the present case. (2) Section 5 (2) (b) of the Minimum
Sentences act gives the court discretion to impose a lesser sentence where “the
value of the property obtained … does not … exceed one hundred shillings.” This
language clearly gives the court discretion where the amount is exactly shs.
100/-. Case remitted for a determination of special circumstances.
276. Rashid s/o Mashaka v. R.,
Crim. App. 202-D-68, 21/5/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of burglary, and sentenced
to 2 years and 24 strokes, the minimum sentence allowable for this offence
under the Minimum Sentences Act. This appeal was summarily rejected, both as to
conviction and sentence.
Held:
The Court stated, obiter; “The appellant had four previous convictions, two for
housebreaking – one in 1966, for which a minimum sentence had been imposed.
Learned magistrates should make more frequent use of their powers to remand
persons to the High Court for sentence so that appropriately long terms of
imprisonment may be imposed on persons who break into houses an also terrorise
residents. The type of conduct must be seen to be heavily punished
(1968)H.C.D.
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99-
277. Alli Mohamed v. R., Crim.
App. 233-A-67, 24/4/68, Platt J.
Accused entered into a contract to buy
complainant’s motor vehicle, agreeing to pay the purchase price after he had
approved the vehicle. He took delivery after certain defects were rectified,
but made no payments (a subsequently offered part payment was refused), and
kept the vehicle. accused was charged with theft (P.C. s. 265), and obtaining
goods by false pretences (P.C. s. 302); he was convicted of theft, the
magistrate dismissing the alternative count. On appeal, the Republic conceded
that the theft conviction could not stand, but contended that the dismissed
count would support a conviction.
Held:
(1) The Republic properly conceded that the facts would not support a
conviction for theft because the property in the vehicle had passed by sale under
the contract to accused when he accepted delivery and voiced no disapproval
(Cap. 214 s. 20 rule 14) He could not steal his own property (2) The count of
obtaining goods by false pretences was properly dismissed by the lower court.
“A promise to do something in the future is not by itself a false pretence.
But, such a promise may be coupled with a false pretence. Of existing fact, and
where a promise in future expressly or impliedly contains a false statement of
existing fact, the offence can be proved.” (Citing R. V. Dent, (1955) 39 Cr. App.
R. 131) In Dent’s case it is made clear that the state of a man’s mind is not a
fact a misrepresentation of “(1)t is a well known principle that in charging
this offence the particulars of the charge must set out with sufficient
particularity the existing statement of fact which is alleged to be false.” It
is not sufficient to allege, as was done here, that appellant committed the
offence “ by pretending that he was going to buy [the said vehicle].”
278. John s/o Elirehema v. R.,
Crim. App. 25-A-68, 3/5/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of stealing from
the person of another. (P.C. ss. 265, 269 (a). ) Complainant had done some work
for accused, and came to accused in a bar to collect his wages At accused ‘s
request, he obtained change for a Shs. 100/- note from his mother. Accused took
the change but retained the Shs. 100/- note at all times and did not give
either it or the wages to complainant. On appeal, the Republic argued for
conviction of cheating or taking by false pretences (P.C. ss. 304, 302).
Held:
Arguably, accused insinuated that he intended to give complainant the Shs.
100/- note and to pay his wages upon receiving the change, which might be
considered a “trick” or “device” within the meaning of section 304. However,
“cheating” and false pretences” are offences involving a complainant’s parting
with the “property” in a thing rather than the mere possession of it. [Citing
Hollis v. R., (1883) 12 L.R., Q.B.D.; R. v. Williams, 6 Car. & P. 390].
Here the complainant and his mother did not intend that the property should
pass permanently to accused except in exchange for Shs. 100/- note and
complainant’s wages. Thus, they parted with possession only, and the offence
committed was larceny by trick, dealt with in Penal Code section 265, the
general theft provision. The fraudulent deception was not evidence of cheating
so much as evidence of the animus furandi. Conviction for theft substitutes.
(1968)H.C.D.
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100 –
279. Nuru s/o Ayubu v. R., Crim.
App. 35-M-68, 15/5/68, Seaton J.
Accused ’s were convicted of robbery
with violence. (P.C. ss. 285, 286) There was evidence that they went to
complainant’s house and threatened to shoot him unless he gave them Shs. 600/-
Complainant’s son, without a request from complainant, got the money and handed
it to a third accused (who was acquitted ) who gave it to the accused involved
in this appeal. The issue before the Court was whether the crime amounted to
robbery with violence or demanding property with menaces (P.C s. 293).
Held:
(1) Robbery involves a taking of property Demanding property with menaces, if
it does not succeed, requires that the property could be said to have been
stolen if the menaces had succeeded. [Citing John Raymond Vaz v. R., (1961)
E.A. 320]. (2) In the present case, there was a taking of the property even
though it was delivered into accused ’s hands [Citing Gathuri Njuguna v. R.,
(1965) E. A. 583]. Thus, the menaces succeeded and it seems that this element
of both offences was fulfilled. (3) A second distinction is that robbery
involves an immediate threat of injury to person or property. On the other
hand, demanding property with menaces may involve a veiled threat which is of
such a nature that an ordinary reasonable man would read menace into the
demand. (It is not necessary that the victim have subjectively felt such
menace). [Citing John Raymond Vaz v. R., supra.] In addition, demanding
property with menaces need not involve a threat of violence, but may involve a
threat to accuse the victim of misconduct . [Citing John Raymond Vaz v. R.,
supra; Rex v. Fulbhai Jethabhai Patel, (1946) 13E.A.C.A.179] In the present
case it seems that this element of both offences was fulfilled. (4) A third
distinction is that for a conviction of robbery the property must be handed
over by the person threatened or at his request [Citing R. v. Edward (1833) 1M.
& Rob. 257, C. & P. 518; cf. R. v. Donolly, 2 East P.C. at 718] whereas
demanding money with menaces may involve a taking from some other person [c.f.
R. v. Cheshire (1864)3 N.S.W.S.C.R. 129 (Australia) English and Empire Digest,
Vo,. 15, p. 875]. In the present case the money was not taken from complainant
or at his request, but was given by his son. Convictions for demanding money
with menaces substituted.
280. Harnam Singh v. R., Crim.
App. 97-D-68, 2/5/68, Biron J.
Appellant, the second accused, was
convicted of receiving stolen property; the first accused, who was convicted of
stealing and fraudulent false accounting has not appealed. The evidence was
that the first accused, who was a teller at the National Bank of Commerce, City
Drive Branch, would cash checks for the second accused drawn on the Masdo House
Branch. The first accused would hold a check until a subsequent check was
drawn, and the proceeds of the second check or a part thereof would then be
deposited in the Masdo House Branch to cover payment of the earlier check.
There was some indication that these transactions were intended by the accused
to operate as unauthorized short – term loans, and in fact all of the money was
repaid.
(1968)H.C.D.
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101-
Held:
(1) Even if there was an intent to repay, the payments amounted to stealing by
the first accused. Penal Code Section 258(2) provides, “A person who takes or
converts anything capable of being stolen is deemed to do so fraudulently if he
does so with … (e) in the case of money, an intent to use it at the will of the
person who takes or converts it, although he may intend afterwards to repay the
amount to the owner.” (2) In order to be convicted of receiving stolen property, an accused must know or have
reason to believe that he property was in fact stolen. [Citing P.C. s. 311(1);
D.P.P v. Nieser (1959) 43 Cr. App. R. 35. (3) Ignorance of this rule of law
would not be a defence of the first accused on the maxim ignorantia juris non excusat.
“(I)n the case of the second accused, as the requisite guilty knowledge is an
essential ingredient of the offence receiving, his ignorance of the law would
constitute a defence, as in his case the maxim ignorantia facti excusat would
apply.” As such “borrowing” is not within the normal conception of theft held
by laymen, and as the trial magistrate did not consider the point, it cannot be
said on appeal that the requisite guilty knowledge existed. Conviction of
second accused quashed.
281.Safiani s/o Shabani v. R.,
Crim. App. 9-D-68, 21/2/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of stealing postal
matter. [P.C. s. 267]. The facts as stated by the prosecution were that accused
obtained Shs. 30/- by presenting a stolen Post Office Saving Book. Accused
agreed with the facts and when asked to plead to the charge stated, “It is
true.” This was recorded as a plea of guilty.
Held:
The money was not stolen but was obtained by false pretences since the postmaster
voluntarily paid the money thinking since the postmaster voluntarily paid the
money thinking that accused was the owner of the savings book. Conviction
quashed and accused ordered to be re-charged.
282. Sisti Nganga Ami v. R.,
Crim, App. 265-A-67, 3/5/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of theft by public
servant. (P.C. s. 270). He was sentenced to two years imprisonment but no
corporal punishment was ordered. There was evidence that accused, a Government Co-operative Inspector,
gave advice as to the formation of a cooperative and received money for the
purpose of registering the cooperative and received money for the purpose of
registering the cooperative and depositing the remainder in a bank. The
cooperative was never registered and no bank deposit was made. Several
witnesses testified that they had seen accused sign receipts for the money and
identified his signature on the receipt s when they were presented in court.
Accused argued that testimony as to handwriting may only be given by experts
and that the Minimum Sentences Act did not apply because the formation of cooperatives was not within his duties and
the cooperative was not registered.
Held;(1)
Section 49 of the Evidence Act declares that the testimony of any person who is
acquainted with a person’s handwriting in one of the prescribed ways is
admissible to identify the handwriting. The weight attached to the testimony
may vary with the qualifications of the witness and expert testimony may be
required in some cases. However, this
(1968)H.C.D.
-102 –
Is not such a case. (2) Although the cooperative
was not registered and the formation of cooperatives is not within accused ‘s
normal duties, the transaction was closely related to his proper duties and was
gained “by virtue of his employment” (P.C. s.) Therefore, the Minimum sentences
act was applicable. Twenty four strokes corporal punishment ordered in addition
to the two-year prison sentence.
283. Leornard s/o Fue v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 6-A-68, 3/4/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted in the Primary
Court of forcible entry as a result of having built his house partially upon
the complainant’s land. There was some evidence of negotiations between accused
and complainant for permission to so build, but such permission was not in fact
granted.
Held:
(1) “The appellant did not build his house partially upon the complainant’s
land by using violence in any of the ways provided by P.C. s. 85 “Conviction
quashed. (2) “Strictly speaking the order for compensation ought to be set
aside, but as there will no doubt have to be civil proceedings to verify the
boundary and require the accused to remove back to his own land, I shall allow
that order to stand and to be taken into consideration in any such civil
proceeding.”
284. Stephano James v. Fabian Nkani,
(PC) Civ. App. 47-M-68, 29/5/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff obtained a judgment in Primary
Court in June 1965 for recovery of a shamba. In August 1967, defendant applied
to the District Court for leave to appeal out of time. The magistrate disbelieved
defendant’s explanation that he had not been present when the Primary Court
judgment was delivered and that he was waiting to hear the disposition of the
case. The magistrate cited Amani Chogo Chacha v. Rioba Nyamtara, High Court
Digest, Vol. 1, No. 10, case No. 433, in which Mustafa J. commented that it is
against public policy to allow matters which have been decided to be re-opened
many years later.
Held:
In the case cited, the High Court’s comment was with reference to a judgment
which had been given 18 years earlier, whereas in this case the appeal was only
tow years after the judgment. Nevertheless, the same principle is applicable.
Appeal dismissed.
285. Gokar Damji & Sons v.
Gulamhussein Saleh Haji, Civ. App. 30-D-67, 3/6/68, Georges C. J.
On 4 May, 1967, a decree was entered in
favour of plaintiffs for approximately Shs. 20,000/-. On 7 September, 1967, an
order was made under Order 20, Rule 11, of the Civil Procedure Code 1966,
allowing defendants to pay by installments of Shs. 250/- per month, interest at 6% per
annum. In the trial court’s second order, reference was made “in the
introductory part” to the decree of 4 May, 1967, but “there is no reference to
it in the substantive part,” according to the High Court’s summary. Plaintiffs
appealed the lower court’s disposition of the case, saying there were aggrieved
by the “order made by the learned Senior Resident Magistrate on the 7th
September 1967.”
Held:
(1) The order of 7 September cannot be considered as part of the original
decree in the suit, on the facts of this case. (2) An order under Order 20,
Rule 11 may not be
(1968)H.C.D
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Appealed to the High Court. Section 74
of the Procedure Code specifies the orders of Resident Magistrates and District
Courts from which appeals to the High Court are allowed. A further specification,
of orders “under rules from which an
appeal is expressly allowed by rules,” is contained in Order 40, Rule 1. In
neither place, nor in any other law brought to the attention of the Court, is
an order under Order 20, Rule 11, made appeal able. Plaintiffs’ appeal dismissed.
286. Ingra v. Frixoz Costas
Meimaridis, Civ. Case 95-D-67, 6/6/68, Hamlyn J.
This is an application for relief under
the Business Names Ordinance, section 15, for failure to register in accordance
with provisions of the Ordinance. Plaintiff had filed a contract action and
defendants claimed that it was not maintainable because of the plaintiff’s
failure to register. Plaintiff registered two months later, after learning of
his oversight from defendants’ pleadings.
Held:
(1) Plaintiff is entitled to relief because his non-registration was “accidental,
or due to inadvertence” [Business Names Ordinance, s. 15(a)], and the two-month
delay after learning of his mistake did not indicate otherwise. (2) Although
relief will not be granted under section 15 of the Ordinance if it would prejudice
defendants, they must show that they would not have entered in to the contract
with plaintiff if he had complied with the provisions of the Ordinance. [Citing
Nandala v. Lyding (1963) E.A. 706]. As defendants submitted no evidence to that
effect, the plaintiff’s prayer for relief is granted.
287. City Council of Dar es Salaam v.
Taj Mohamed, Civ. Case 64-D-57, 3/6/68, Georges C. J
This was a hearing on costs to be paid
in action brought for breach of contract. Plaintiff proved the breach, but
presented no evidence as to damages. His claim for agreed liquidated damages
was rejected for lack of proof of damage.
Ruled:
(1) Liquidated damages cannot be awarded, because plaintiff failed to prove damages suffered from breach of
the contract. (2) Plaintiff is entitled to costs, having substantially proved
what it undertook to prove, the breach of contract. (3) Costs should be awarded
on the High Court scale not that of the District Court, in view of the
“substantial” sum claimed. (The Court did not specify the amount).
288. Ephraim Obongo v. Naftael Okeyo,
(PC) Civ. App. 98-M-68, 21/5/68, Seaton J.
Defendant, a lorry owner, used to
collect cassava from plaintiff for selling. On one occasion, his lorry – driver
and turn boy went to plaintiff to collect some bags of cassava; plaintiff
refused to deliver the goods, demanding that they first produce some empty
cassava bags which they had evidently taken another day, or some money. They
returned to defendant’s wife, who gave them 24 bags and Shs. 190/-, and sent a
not promising that everything would be taken care of when her husband returned
from a journey. Plaintiff received no more money, and sued in Primary Court for
the value of the cassava he had given them, and for some other.
(1968)H.C.D.
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104 –
Empty bags not returned, less the money
and bags received. It was not disputed that the suit involved less than Shs.
2000/-, the jurisdictional maximum for suits in Primary Court. The court held
that the claim should be against the wife and dismissed the suit; the District
court, on appeal, gave judgment against defendant. On appeal to the High Court,
defendant argued that the Primary Courts’ jurisdiction was limited to civil
proceedings turning upon customary or Islamic Law, or civil proceedings to
recover in the words of the Magistrates Courts Act, section 14(1) (a)(ii) ---
“civil debts, rent or interest due to the Republic”, or to the government or
any municipal, town or district council. He argued that plaintiff ’s was a
claim in contract which had to be brought in District Court. Plaintiff replied
that the words of the Act should be read “disjunctively,” giving the Primary
Courts jurisdiction in all cases of “civil debt” where the amount involved is
within the jurisdiction limit.
`Held:
(1) The present case involves an issue of privity of contract, “a rather subtle
and technical point which perhaps Primary Courts could not deal with. This may
have been a reason for excluding civil suits based on principles of contract
from the jurisdiction of the Primary Court,” if that is in fact the effect of
the Act. On the latter question, however, the Court made no further finding.
(2)However, “(i)t has not been established to my satisfaction that a claim of
this nature could not have been brought under customary law.” It is a simple
case of a claim for goods delivered, “not … for breach of contract as such.”
Also, despite the difficulty of determining whether the wife, the lorry-driver
and the turn boy were acting “in the course of their employment” for defendant,
“In suits between Africans living within a local community and doing business
amongst themselves on a basis of trust, I consider it would not be in the
interests of justice to import technical notions of privity of contract and
other such notions, unless clearly required by the law to do so.” (3)_ There
being no apparent reason why such a case could not be settled under customary
law, there is no reason not to accept the District Court’s finding, supported
by the evidence, that plaintiff had
dealt with servants of defendant whom defendant had probably authorized to act
as they did. District Court judgment for plaintiff upheld, with a minor
variance as to amount.
289. Adamu Mtondo v. Likuna Omari,
(PC) Civ. App. 11-D-68, 10/5/68, Hamlyn J.
Appellant orally pronounced a divorce
from his wife. Somewhat less than a month later, presumably in a period of
“tuhr”, he orally revoked the divorce.
The Primary Court held that the divorce was complete and, on appeal, the
District court affirmed acting on the advice of an assessor that the revocation
was of no effect because the dowry had not been fully paid at that time.
Neither court specified the school of Muslim law to which the parties adhered.
Held;
Under the more common interpretations, divorce is effected only by three
pronouncements and was not effected here, where only one pronouncement was
given. Trial courts should specify the school of Muslim law which is
applicable; in the absence of any indication to
(1968)H.C.D.
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–
The contrary, it should be presumed that
the more common interpretation applies. (2) Even if the single pronouncement
was effective, the fact that the dowry had not been fully paid did not affect
the validity of the revocation and the oral divorce was rescinded. Appeal
allowed and respondent declared to be still the lawful wife of appellant.
290. B. Sirley & Co. V.
Tanganyika Tegry Plastics Ltd,., Civ. Case 42-D-67, 5/1/68, Saidi J.
Plaintiff an advocate, sued defendants
to recover Shs. 23,486/- plus interest, alleged to be due on a promissory note
drawn by defendants in favour of Polypen Ltd. and endorsed by the latter to
plaintiff. The day before the making of the note, Polypen Ltd. had issued a
pro-forma invoice for a large number of ball – pen refills to be supplied to
defendants in consideration for the amount of the note; the words “Pro-Forma
Invoice of 3. 10. 66. for 3355 gross refills” appeared on the note itself after
the words “for value received.” The note was discounted to plaintiff in
consideration of a cheque for Shs. 18,000/- drawn on his clients account.
Plaintiff denied that the funds had come from the account of Polypen Ltd.
itself, which was one of his clients, and said that he had previously
transferred funds from his personal account to his clients account to cover the
cheque. Defendant gave notice for production of the relevant books of account, but plaintiff refused to produce
them on the ground that they weighed forty pounds, and that their production
might jeopardise his work. There was also evidence that in addition to being
the advocate for Polypen Ltd., plaintiff formed the company, was one of the two
subscribers to the memorandum and articles of association, and had for a
considerable time been one of its directors.
Held:
(1) Plaintiff was the holder of the note and had duly presented it for payment.
(2) Although consideration was originally given for the note by Polypen Ltd.,
to defendants, it eventually totally failed, due to the non-delivery of the
goods for which it had been given. (3) Every holder of a note or bill of
exchange is prima facie deemed to be a holder in due course and the onus of
establishing otherwise is on the person challenging such allegation. [Bills of
Exchange Ordinance, Cap. 215, s. 30 (2)]. However, the presumption may be negatives
by the relevant surrounding circumstances of the particular case or the
admissions and conduct of the holder. (4) Considering the close connection of
plaintiff with Polypen Ltd., as its founder, a shareholder, a director for a
considerable time and its advocate; and further, considering the fact that the
note contained the words “Pro-forma Invoice … for 3355 gross refills,” that
plaintiff’s cheque to Polypen Ltd., was
drawn on the account in which the kept clients’ funds, and that plaintiff
refused to produce his books of accounts, there is a preponderance of evidence
in favour of defendants. “Viewing the evidence as a whole, I am not persuaded
that the plaintiff is a holder in due course for value without notice of the
defect in the title of Polpen Limited ….” Plaintiff’s claim dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D
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106 –
291 Bi Bagonza d/o Kasindo v. Raphael
Kasindo, (PC) Civ. App. 38-M-67, 17/5/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff, a daughter of deceased, sued
defendant, her elder son, for a share in deceased’s estate. She based her claim
on the fact that she was a daughter, that she cared for her father and that she
was the beneficiary of an been distributed.
Held:
(1) The suit was premature. The head of the clan is entitled to distribute the
estate. After he has done so she may file a suit if she has a grievance at that
time. (2) The Court stated, obiter: An oral will naming plaintiff sole heiress
of his immovable property would not necessarily be given effect for the reasons
set out in the Law of Wills [G.N. 436/63, applied to the jurisdiction of the
Buhaya District Council by G. N. 605/63]. Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
292. Surjit Singh Toor t/a Frank
Sestito & Co. v. Babla & Gajjar Auto Garage, Civ. Rev. 2-D-67,
22/4/68, Hamlyn J.
This was an application by plaintiff for
relief from a ruling setting aside an ex parte judgment in his favour.
Plaintiff had filed an action and defendant was served with the summons in
Mbeya. Although defendant forwarded the defence and later the fees, there was
apparently a mis-delivery and subsequent confusion as to whether defendant had
filed his defence. As a result of this confusion, and through no fault of the
defendant, the court was unaware that a defence had been filed when it made an
ex parte judgment in favour of plaintiff on 18the May, 1967. On 22 June, 1967,
defendant first became aware of the ex parte judgment when he was ordered to
show cause why execution should not be ordered. On 19 July, defendant filed an
affidavit to set aside the judgment and the judgment was set aside. Plaintiff
contended that under Article 164 of the Limitations Act, the defendant had
thirty days from the date of the ex parte judgment to file his application, and
that as he had not done so within that time, the order setting aside the decree
was improper.
Held:
Article 164 of the Indian Limitation Act refers to the date of the decree which
(under Indian procedure can usually be ascertained from the summons. This not
the case where, as here, the summons originates under Rule 7 (1) of the Subordinate Courts (Civil
Procedure – Summonses and Pleadings) Rules, 1955, and therefore the provisions
of Article 164 must be interpreted to mean that the 30-day limitation period
runs from the date when such decree became known to defendant.
The
Court stated, obiter, “In cases where the summons is for disposal, of
course, the ordinary wording of the Article obtains.” Application dismissed.
293. Kantibhai C. Patel v.
Gulammusein Bros. Misc. Civ. App. 12-D-68, 24/6/68, Georges C. J.
This case arose out of previous
proceedings in which respondent landlord had filed suit for vacant premises
against applicant tenant. A consent order was filed in July 1966 requiring
applicant to vacate the premises on or before 31st December 1966.
However, the landlord
(1968)H.C.D.
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Did not immediately enforce the order
and applicant remained in possession and continued to pay what he called “rent.
On 21st November 1967, the landlord gave applicant notice to enforce
the consent order and applicant thereafter applied to the Senior Resident
Magistrate for a stay of execution of the order or its discharge. [Rent
Restriction Ordinance Cap. 479, s. 19(5), that the landlord had agreed to a
month-to-month tenancy after the consent order to vaca, and that the consent
order was no longer valid; (b) that the landlord was stopped from enforcing the
consent order by his subsequent action; (c) that there had been no jurisdiction
to entered the consent order; and (d) that in any event it would be unjust and
inequitable to enforce the order. The Senior Resident Magistrate refused to
grant a stay and an appeal of his refusal was filed with the High Court. In addition,
applicant applied for a stay of order pending the High Court appeal, and it is
this application which the High Court
considered in this judgment.
Held:
(1) Despite the fact that Order XXXIX, Rule 5 (3) of the Civil Procedure Code
contains no provision on the matter, the High Court must consider the merits of
the appeal in order to decide whether to grant a stay of enforcement of the
original order pending appeal. In is an arguable case, not whether there are
substantial merits to the appeal. (2) The order of the Senior Resident
Magistrate denying a stay of the original consent order was itself appealable
under section 11 D of the Rent Restriction act which provides that every order,
decision or judgment of the court in any matter of a civil nature arising out
of that Act is appealable. The appeal is not barred by section 70(3) of the
Civil Procedure Code which bars appeals from consent decrees, for this appeal
is not from the original consent order but from the refusal of the Senior
Resident Magistrate to stay enforcement of that order. (3)The Court cannot
consider whether their was jurisdiction to grant the original consent order,
because the time for appealing that order has passed. The Court stated, obiter,
that were it possible to consider the matter there would be great doubt as to
whether such jurisdiction existed, because section 19 of the Rent Restriction
Act permits a judgment for recovery of possession only if the court finds that
there are alternative accommodations, that the order is reasonable, etc. “The
procedure … should more nearly follow the acceptance of a plea of guilty in a
criminal case than the recording of a consent order in a civil case.” (4) It is
arguable that a consent order for possession of property may be varied [Citing
Hegarry’s Rent Act, 9th edn., p. 227], and the scope of section
19(5) of the Rent Restriction Act has not been authoritatively defined. It can
also be argued with force that the magistrate refused to stay the consent
decree because he was not aware of his discretion to do so. Thus, the appeal
must be said to be arguable. Stay of execution ordered pending the appeal.
294. Kitenge s/o v. R., (PC) Civ.
App. 84-M-68, 11/6/68, Seaton J.
This suit was brought to recover
bridewealth paid by plaintiff who applied to the court for seizure of the
defendant’s
(1968)H.C.D.
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Cattle pendente ite. The court ordered
seven head of cattle placed in plaintiff’s custody, purporting to act under
section 17 of the Magistrates Courts (Civil Proceeding in Primary Courts )
Rules, 1964, G. N. 310/1964.
Held:
The order was improperly made. Under section 17, the Primary Court only has a
discretionary power to order property to be placed in its own custody or that
of an officer of the court.
295. Attilio s/o Mosca v. R.,
Misc. Crim. Cause 12-D-68, 3/6/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of being in
possession of uncustomed goods and of violating section 3(2) of the Prevention
of Corruption Ordinance. The latter offence is scheduled under the Minimum
Sentences Act. In applying for bail pending appeal of the convictions, accused
argued that absence from his business – a hotel – would mean financial ruin, since
accused operated the business by himself.
The
Court ruled; (1) Bail is not granted after conviction, “particularly for
an offence scheduled under the Minimum Sentences Act,” unless there are “exceptional
circumstances” or unless “the appeal has an overwhelming probability of
success.” (2) Accused’s financial predicament was “a contingency which could be
foreseen. Anyone facing trial for a scheduled offence, even though convinced of
his own innocence, should contemplate the possibility of a conviction and his
enforced absence from normal affairs.” Finding the appeal to lack overwhelmingly
good prospects of success, the Court refused bail.
296. Rashidi M. Omari v. R.,
Crim. App. 259-D-68, 7/6/68, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted of defamation.
(P.C. s. 187) Accused had requested that the Area Commissioner make a removal
order against a neighbour who was having an affair with his wife. Complainant,
a probation officer then interceded on behalf of the neighbour. Accused then
wrote an excited letter to the Principal Probation Officer in Dar es Salaam,
protesting complainant’s intercession in the matter. The prosecution concerned
the contents of this letter.
Held:
Penal Code section 192 provides that publication of defamatory matter is
privileged on condition that it is published in good faith if the person publishing
it has a legitimate personal interest in publishing it, and the publication
does not exceed that which is reasonably sufficient for the occasion “and in
following cases, namely …. (3) If the matter is an expression of opinion in
good faith as to the conduct of a person in a judicial, official or other
capacity, or as to his personal character so far as it appears in such
conduct.” The letter written to complainant’s superior officer came within the
terms of this section. Conviction quashed.
297. Makasi German v. R., Crim.
App. 173-M-68, 24/5/68, Seaton J.
Accused and another were convicted of
rape. Complainant and a girl-friend had gone to graze cattle in the bush. They
were joined by accused and his friend, and the four of them drank a can of
local liquor called “moshi.”
(1968)H.C.D.
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Complainant lay on her back to relax,
whereupon accused had sexual intercourse with her; he then invited his friend
to take his turn, which the friend did. Complainant said she was aware of what
was happening, but that she was too tired and intoxicated to prevent it. Her
girl girl-friend told essentially the same story; but she admitted that she had
agreed, that morning , with accused and his friend that she would meet them
that afternoon, and bring a friend willing to have intercourse with them.
Held:
“It is not every participation in a crime which makes a party an accomplice in
it, and … where a witness is an accomplice in a very secondary sense or has acted
from relatively innocent motives, corroboration of such a witness’ evidence
whilst desirable is not essential. In the present case, the girl friend is not
in the same category as those participants of offences who may likely to swear
falsely in order to shift guilt from herself, or in the hope of obtaining a
pardon, although it might be inferred that she was not a person of blameless character.”
[Citing Rex. v. Wangirwa (1944) 11 E.A.C.A. 93] In the present case, the real
difficulty is that the magistrate did not direct himself to the problem of corroboration
in sexual matters. “This is a rule of practice, if not in law,” and it is not
clear that accused would have been convicted had the magistrate attended
properly to the issue. Conviction quashed.
298. Sangwa Ngedelele v. R.,
Crim. App. 198-M-68, 31/5/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of stealing upon
evidence that he had misappropriated funds which he had collected, purportedly
in payment of local rates. There was introduced into evidence a statement which
accused made to a police officer. In this statement he admitted having received
the money. He further stated that he had not returned the money and asked for
time in which to refund it. The prosecution conceded that the last portion of
the statement was inadmissible but contended that the first portion was
properly introduced.
Held:
(1) A confession to a police officer is inadmissible under section 27 of the
Evidence Act, but a mere admission is admissible. “A confession is a direct
acknowledgment of guilt on the part of the accused … (A)n admission … is a
statement by the accused, direct or implied of facts pertinent to the issue and
tending in connexion with proof of other facts to prove his guilt, but of itself
is insufficient to authorize a conviction.” [Quoting Gopa s/o Gidamebanya v.
Reg., (1953) 20 E.A.C.A. 318 and authorities cited therein]. (2) In the
circumstances of this case, it is not permissible to separate the first portion
of the statement from the latter in order to admit part of the statement from
the latter in order to admit part of the statement; the prohibition of section
27 of of the Evidence Act extends to both portions and the entire statement was
inadmissible. Conviction quashed because of this misdirection and for insufficient
evidence.
299. Abdala s/o Siki v. R., Crim.
App. 301-D-68, Biron J.
The two accused, after being
interrogated at length and thoroughly beaten by an assistant head man and a
TANU Youth League member, confessed to a theft, of which they were suspected.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
“(i)f the convictions rested and depended only on these confessions made under
duress, (this Court) would not have the slightest hesitation allowing the
appeals and quashing the convictions.” (2) Because of the presence of other
evidence, independent of the confessions, which was sufficient basis for a conviction,
the convictions were affirmed.
300. R. v. Jairi s/o Mwipopo,
Crim. Rev. 46-D-68, 27/5/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of defilement of a
girl aged ten years. There was medical evidence that the girl had been sexually
assaulted, and her mother testified that the child had promptly complained to
her, but here was no evidence linking the accused to the assault except that
offered by the girl herself. There was no examination by the court to discover
whether she understood the nature of an oath, nor was there any examination to
discover if she was sufficiently intelligent and understood the duty of telling
the truth so that her unsworn evidence could be admitted.
Held:
(1) In case of this nature it is vital to consider the need for corroboration,
and failure to do so is a fundamental error. If the magistrate “had examined
the child, concluded that she could give evidence on oath, then in his judgment
pointed out that there was no corroboration, warned himself of the danger of
convicting when there was no corroboration, and then decided that despite that
danger, he was so completely satisfied with the evidence of the complainant
that he would convict, then his judgment would not have been faulted.” (2)
“Corroboration, it must be stressed, is independent evidence connecting the
accused person with the offence.” Neither evidence of a complaint by the girl,
nor medical testimony that an assault has taken place, are corroboration; the
former is not independent, and the latter does not connect accused with the
violation.
301. R. v. Magibo Makaba. Crim.
Rev. 30-M-68, 5/6/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft.
During the cross-examination of one of the prosecution witnesses, accused
requested to see a statement which the wife of that witness had made at the
police station, or to have that statement read to him. The wife had not been
called as a prosecution witness.
Held:
The statement might have been admissible under section 8 of the Evidence Act as
part of the res gestae, “ i. e., as accompanying facts and constituent
incidents which reveal the true nature of the fact in issue and disclose the
motives of the parties or establish their connection with the fact under
inquiry. Accused also might have used it in deciding whether to call the wife
as a defense witness or in cross-examination of other witnesses. In these
circumstances, it was prejudicial error for the magistrate to deny accused
access to the statement without investigating the possibility that it would be
of aid to him. Conviction quashed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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302. R. v. Amiri s/o Rashidi,
Crim. App. 234-D-68, 29/5/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of selling native
liquor without a permit [Local Liquor Ordinance, Cap. 77 ss. 32 51]. Some of
his customers testified that he sold them some “pombe”; he himself testified
that pombe was there in a barrel to be sold but denied that he had sold any of
it. Accused contended that there was no certainty as to what was sold, since
the charge sheen referred to “mbege”; that the items taken from the scene of
the alleged crime were taken during an illegal search, and were therefore not
admissible in evidence; and that the trial magistrate had not directed himself that the witnesses
were accomplices, whose testimony needed corroboration.
Held:
(1) The High Court takes judicial notice of the fact that “mbege” is pombe
brewed from bananas. (2) Although there was no scientific evidence, and no
opinion evidence as such the police constable and purchasers identified the
substance as pombe, and the accused admitted that the substance in the barrel
was pombe. The facts do not necessitate scientific or expert testimony as to
the nature of the substance sold, and there was clear enough evidence of the
sale itself. (3) It is “trite law” that the fact that a search, whether of
premises or of the person, was unlawful, does not preclude the trial court from
receiving articles found as a result of such search. (4) Although the witnesses
were “accomplices” and the magistrate did not advert to the matter of
corroboration, there was adequate corroboration of their testimony from the
other facts in evidence. Appeal dismissed.
303. John s/o Mtandara v. R.,
Crim. App. 448-M-68, -/-/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of unlawful
possession of moshi [Cap. 77 s. 36(1)(2); G.N. 228/41]. He was found in the
company of the co-accused (who was convicted but did not appeal), who was
carrying a Fanta bottle on-quarter filled with a liquid subsequently identified
as moshi Both men’s breath smelled of moshi. When the law officers attempted to
arrest the men on a charge of possessing moshi, accused produced a knife and
attempted to stab them. The co-accused were then one or two paces apart.
Held:
(1) It is not a necessary conclusion that accused must have been in possession
of the bottle of moshi, merely because his breath smelled of it and he
attempted to defend his companion and himself from arrest; therefore, the accused
must be given the benefit of the doubt. (2) The interpretation of “possession”
in section 5 of the Penal Code, which is wider than the common law definition,
includes “joint possession”, but applies only to the Penal Code. [Citing Kaman
s/o Njerage v. R., (1954) 21 E.A. 257]. Therefore, to establish joint possession
of the bottle, there must be evidence that accused had a power of control over
his companion who had actual possession. Conviction quashed.
304. Jumanne Juma v. R., (P. C)
Crim. App. 206-M-68, 17/6/68. Seaton J.
Accused were convicted of being in
possession of moshi [Cap. 77, s. 36(2)]. Police witnesses established that a
search had uncovered implements and vessels associated with moshi, and also
established the arrest, the
(1968)H.C.D.
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Identification of accused and “ all the
other requisites to sustain a conviction ….. except what the liquor was.”
Held:
The prosecution bears the burden of showing that the substance found is in fact
moshi. “Attached to every Police Station in this country are usually one or two
officers who, by virtue of their experience, are qualified to identify this
liquor by sight and smell, it not by taste. They should so state when called to
give evidence for the prosecution. “ Convictions quashed.
305. Francis s/o Kanyuka v. R.,Crim.
App. 191-M-68, 24/5/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of theft by public
servant. At some time during the course of tax collections in which accused and
several others were engaged, the key to accused’s cash box was lost;
subsequently, a sum of money was discovered to be missing. The magistrate
refused accused’s request to call as a
defence witness a person who had already testified for the prosecution; he also
directed himself that it was for accused to show that the cash box had seen
tempered with by someone other than himself.
Held:
(1) “Even if the learned magistrate was disinclined to call P.W. 5 as a defence
witness … it would not have been improper …. To have himself recalled P.W. 5 to
elaborate on the circumstances in which the cash box key had been lost and the
money stolen.” [Citing Rev. Deria Hussein Dolbahanta Juma Said v. R., 20
E.A.C.A. 181] (2) As for the showing required of accused, “all that was
necessary was that the possibility of tampering (by someone other than accused)
could have been reasonably inferred from the evidence”. Conviction quashed.
306. R. v. Geofrey Mallamia,
Crim. Rev. 29-A-68, 29/5/68 Platt J.
Two juveniles were convicted of
stealing, whereupon they were sentenced to 8 strokes corporal punishment
[Corporal Punishment Ordinance, Cap. 17, sec. 6] They were also ordered
repatriated to their home areas [Children and Young Persons’ Ordinance Cap. 13,
sec. 23(b)].
Held:
Cap. 17, sec. 6 empowers a court to impose corporal punishment in lieu of other
punishment where the offence charged is under the Penal Code, other than an
offence punishable by death. Cap. 13, sec. 23 permits repatriation as an
alternative, or in addition to, other punishments which may be awarded under
Cap. 13. The trial magistrate therefore had to choose between punishing accused
under Cap. 13 or Cap. 17. The orders of repatriation were set aside.
307. Elgeyo Border Wheat Farms Ltd.
V. R., Crim. App. 129-A-67, 22/5/68, ----------------- J.
Accused companies were convicted of
failing to pay certain contributions to the fund under section 38(1)(d) of the
National Provident Fund Act, Act No 36 of 1964. There is no dispute as to accused
’s permanent employees. The dispute concerns additional persons who picked
coffee for the companies during harvest season. These persons were paid
according to the number of tins of cherry coffee they picked and were not
required to word for any specified
(1968)H.C.D.
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Period of days or number of hours per
day. They were paid at the end of the day or the end of the week as they chose.
Some were women and children. Accused argued, in the alternative, that (a) no
employment relationship existed between the companies and these people, or (b)
that they were not “temporary employees” as defined by section 2 of the Act.
Held:
(1) There is doubt as to whether any employment relationship existed between
the companies and some of these persons, such as some of the women and children
who worked only occasionally. However, no evidence was taken on this issue, and
it will be assumed that they were all employees. (2) Section 17 (2) of the
National Provident Fund Act provides that a special contribution shall be made
to the fund for temporary employees. “Temporary employee engaged on a daily
contract of service who has not been employed by that employer for a continuous
period of three months …..” It is conceded that the persons in question were
not employed for more than three months. “Contract of Service” is defined with
reference to the Employment Ordinance, Cap. 366 which, as amended, provides
that it “means any contract, whether in writing or oral, … to employ or to
serve as an employee for any period of definition of “contract of service” has
been incorporated from the Employment Ordinance, it is appropriate for the
court to examine other relevant provisions of that Ordinance Section 34, as
amended by the Security of Employment Act, No. 62 of 1964, provides that where
there is a “contract of service under which a task or piece work is to be
executed, …. Such contract shall … for
all purposes be deemed to be a contract of service for the performance of work
of the kind envisaged in such first-mentioned contract of service or a period
of time which, in the absence of any agreement between the parties for a lesser
period, shall be deemed to be a month.” This section is subject to varying
interpretations, and it is unclear whether the employees should be treated as
persons employed for period of a month or persons for whom there was no
specified period of employment. However, in neither case would they be engaged
on a daily contract of service, and therefore, the charge was not proved. (4)
By the proviso to section 39(1) of the National Provident Fund Act, there shall
be annexed to he complaint schedule setting forth information as to each
individual employee. Such a schedule was not presented in the present case.
Convictions quashed.
308. Abilah s/o Daid v. R., Crim.
App. 258-D-68, 7/6/68, Saidi J.
Accused had been sued in a shamba
dispute, the plaintiff obtaining a judgment for possession of the shamba and
costs of Shs. 529/50. The plaintiff moved the court for execution of the
decree. The court’s action was unclear from the records. The court did write a
letter asking accused to pay the costs by 7 October, 1967. A reminder was sent
on 29 January, 1968. Following his failure to pay or to reply to the court, the
magistrate ordered the arrest of accused, who was subsequently charged with
disobedience of lawful orders [P.C. s. 124].
Held:
(1) Failure to pay a debt is not an offence in law, and section 124 of the
Penal Code must not be used to convert a civil case into a criminal matter. (2)
The Court stated, obiter; The proper procedure here would have been to attach
accused ’s property under Order 21, rule 42. with a view to ward its being
sold, or to attach his salary under.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Order 21, rule 47, or to issue notice
under Order 21, rule 35 for accused to show cause why he should not be arrested
and detained in civil prison for failure to pay the costs as ordered. A debtor
is sent to civil prison if the court, having inquired into his financial
standing, is convinced that he can pay the debt and is simply refusing to do
so. Civil imprisonment is not intended as punishment, but as an attempt to
force payment; it would be unlawful if the debtor were found to be without
means. [Citing Lala Das v. Mina Mal and Chajju Mal (1922) 4 Lah. L.J. 266;
Barrett v. Hamond (1878) 10 Ch. D. 285; Morris v. Ingram (1879) 13 Ch. D. 338].
Conviction quashed.
309. Alfred Bazila v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 381-M-68, 30/5/68, Mustafa J.
Accused, a messenger employed by the
Bukoba District Council, was in charge of prisoners held at a Primary Court. He
let two prisoners out of their cells and ordered them to wash his clothes while
he went for a walk. The prisoners escaped, and accused was charged under
section 117 (1) of the Penal Code which applies to “any person who aids a
prisoner in escaping or attempting to escape from lawful custody ……”
Held:
“(T)he word ‘aid’ would import .. an element of positive assistance and/or an
intention of helping the prisoners to escape. The evidence led only establishes
that [accused] was extremely negligence and careless.” Conviction quashed.
310. R. v. Halifa Ibrahim, Crim.
Rev. 40-A-68, 12/6/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of attempting
suicide and placed on probation for twelve months. During this period, he was
convicted of possessing moshi and sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment.
Shortly before his release from prison, the probation officer informed the
District Magistrate by sworn complaint that accused had violated the terms of
his parole, by being convicted of a further offence. A “charge” was drawn
stating that accused had thereby committed an offence against section 6(1) of
the Probation Ordinance, Cap. 247. The day before his release, accused was
brought before the District Magistrate, where he admitted having committed the
liquor offence during the probation period. This was taken as a plea of guilty,
and he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. By the time the case came
before the High Court on revision, accused had completed this sentence and been
released.
Held:
The conviction for violating the terms of a probation order must be quashed although
it is too late for this to be of benefit to the accused. Section 6 of Cap. 247
“does not of itself create an offence punishable with imprisonment in the case
of a probationer committing an offence during the period of his probation.” It
merely empowers the court, upon receiving information in writing and on oath
that the probation terms have been violated, to summon the probationer to
court. If he has been convicted of a further offence, the court may then pass
any sentence for the original offence which it could have passed at the
original proceedings; or, if the probationer was not convicted during the
original proceedings, the court may convict him on the original charge and pass
sentence
(1968)H.C.D.
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115 –
Accordingly.
The
Court stated, obiter (1) In cases of attempted suicide, just as it is undesirable
to impose sentences of imprisonment, so is it inappropriate to order an accused
placed on probation, which may result in imprisonment. (2) Section 7 of Cap.
247 does provide for a fine for violation of certain terms of probation.
311. R. v. Joshwa s/o Motiya @ Motiya
@ Mangiti s/o Motiya,
Resident Magistrate’s Court Crim. Case
878-Moshi-67, 8/6/68, Inspection Note by Platt J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
sentenced to 2.5 years imprisonment. The Resident Magistrate’s judgment noted
that the sentence had to be confirmed.
The
Court noted; “A subordinate court presided over by a Resident Magistrate
need not seek confirmation of a sentence in the case of a scheduled offence
unless the Minimum Sentence is exceeded by more than six months”. Since the
sentence was exactly six months in excess of the minimum, no confirmation was
required.
312. Andrea s/o Kimbulu v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 277-M-68, 3/6/68, Seaton J.
Accused was charged in Primary Court
with housebreaking, theft, and assault. At the close of the prosecution case,
the magistrate substituted a charge of robbery [P.C. s. 286], and accused was
duly convicted of that offence. The record indicates that after the original
charges were read and the accused was addressed in terms of section 41(2)(b) of
the Magistrates Courts Act, he stated that he did not wish to be tried by the
court. The record also indicates that after the charge was altered and read to
the accused, he denied guilt and was altered and read to the accused, he denied
guilt and was put upon his defence.
Held:
(1) The requirement of transfer under the Magistrates Courts Act, section
41(2)(b), is not discretionary. If the Accused is charged with an offence
punishable with imprisonment for more than 12 months or by corporal punishment,
and elects to be tried in the District Court, the Primary Court Magistrate
“shall transfer” the case. (2) “The alteration or substitution of the charge at
the end of the case for the prosecution should have been followed by the
appellant being given the option recalling and previous witnesses and
cross-examining them – the procedure outlined in s. 21 of the Third Schedule to
the Magistrates Courts Act.” (3) The irregularities of procedure might not have
been fatal to the convictions of accused had the evidence clearly indicated
that he was guilty of the offence charged. As it did not, the conviction could
not stand.
313. Masika s/o Nusurupia v. R.,
Crim. App. 31-A-67, 2/12/67, Seaton J.
Accused, charged in Primary Court with
theft of one head of cattle, was convicted of being in possession of stolen
property. On appeal to the District Court, the conviction was quashed and a
conviction on the original charge was substituted, resulting in the imposition
of the statutory minimum sentence. During the original trial, the court had
questioned accused to bring out evidence of a prior conviction. Furthermore,
when accused claimed innocence.
(1968)H.C.D.
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And testified that another man had sold
him the cattle, the court had the other man charged with theft and took
evidence which was then used in the case against accused.
Held:
(1) The Primary Court erred in opening the second case and using evidence obtained
there against accused. The court should have used its powers under section
15(3) of the Magistrates Courts Act, Cap. 537, to call the other man to
testify. (2) It would appear that the court asked the appellant a question
tending to show that he had committee or been convicted of a previous offence
or that he was of bad character. This prohibited by section 56(4) of the Evidence
Act. The court allowed the appeal despite the fact that it was out of time.
314. Ngulila s/o Mwakanyemba,
Crim. Rev. 48-D-68, 31/5/68, Duff J.
Accused was convicted of buying a
specified agricultural product contrary to section 13 (2) of the Agricultural
Products (Control and Marketing ) Act, Cap. 486. In addition to a fine imposed,
it was ordered that the produce involved be forfeited.
Held:
“Every forfeiture order should specify the authority under which it is made and
should contain sufficient reasons to show that the magistrate applied his mind
judicially to the question whether or not the order should be made.” In this
case there was no provision authorising the forfeiture. Ordered that the value
of the produce be refunded to accused. [But, of. National Agricultural Products
Board Act, 1964, Acts 1964 No. 39, s. 5(1) which applies to the National Agricultural
Products Board but not to other Boards and which provides: “In relation to the
Board …. The principal Act shall have effect … (i) as if it were provided in
section 13 thereof that … where a person is convicted of any offence contrary
wither to that Act or to this Act, the court may order that any produce in
respect of which the offence was committed shall be forfeit to the United
Republic. “ --- Editors].
315. R. v. Rashidi Shimie, Crim.
Rev. 36-A-68, 26/6/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of unlawful
wounding [P. C. s. 288(1)] and sentenced to a term of three months
imprisonment, the sentence was imposed on 16th January, 1968, but
back-dated to begin running as of 19th October, 1967.
Held:
(1) The back dating of a sentence is “improper and without the authority of
law. ”An absolute e discharge under P.C. s. 38 was substituted. (2)The Court
stated, obiter: “(I)n a case
where there is considerable mitigation, the learned Magistrate has a number of
ways by which he can take such mitigation into account. He can exercise his
discretion under section 3 of the Penal Code, he may impose a fine, on he may
impose a term of imprisonment which he may suspend under section 294A of the
Criminal Procedure Code.
316. Isaya s/o Longai v. R.,
Crim. App. 73-A-68, 15/6/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of stealing Shs.
1,500/- from his father. He was sentenced to strokes and imprisonment under the
Minimum Sentences Act, and ordered to repay Shs. 1,500/- to his father by way
of compensation. Shs. 900/- deposited in his Postal Saving Account by accused
was ordered to be paid to
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Complainant, and accused was ordered not
to withdrawn any money from that account.
Held:
(1) The compensation order itself was confirmed, but the orders involving the
Postal Saving Account were set aside. Sec. 179 of the Criminal Procedure Code
permits restitution of property but , in the case of money, restitution is
limited to the money “actually found upon a person charged with an offence at
the time of his apprehension”. The money in the Postal Savings Account was not
taken from accused at the time of his arrest and thus it cannot be subject to a
compensation order. (2) This does not mean that complainant is without a remedy.
The Minimum Sentences Act, sec. 6(2) makes monies ordered to be paid by way of
compensation recoverable in the same way as a civil debt. “Therefore the [complainant]
could have obtained judgment against the [accused] in a Civil Court, and attach
the property belonging to the [accused] in the Post Office. [Complainant]
should have been advised to take this course.
317. Ramlal Pandit v. R., Crim.
App. 71-A-68, 29/5/68, Platt J.
Appellant reported to the police that he
had been assaulted, and the police instituted a prosecution, but the District
Court held that the accused had no case to answer. The magistrate went on to
order appellant to pay the accused compensation at Shs. 60/- per day for seven
days, under Crim. Proc. Code s. 175, which gives the court power to order the
“complainant” to pay compensation to the accused if the charge has been
frivolous or vexatious.
Held:
(1) Appellant had reported the matter to the police and was the main witness
for the prosecution, but was not he “complainant” within the meaning of this
section; this refers to the police officer or private person who actually institutes
the prosecution. [Citing R. v. Kassameli Jaffer and others, 1 T.L.R. 176]. (2)
There seems to be no reason why compensation cannot be ordered even against the
Republic, in the appropriate circumstances, under this section. (3) However,
this was no a frivolous or vexatious charge; it would not have been surprising
is the magistrate had held that there was at least a prima facie case to
answer. Appeal allowed, order for compensation set aside.
318. R. v. Xaver s/o Janda, Crim.
Rev. 46-D-68, 27/5/68 Duff J. Five separate criminal case files were opened in
respect of accused, containing three counts of housebreaking, one of shop breaking
and stealing, four of simple theft, and one of burglary. Accused pleaded guilty
to all charges. Sentences of imprisonment in four of the cases were ordered to
run concurrently, the fifth sentence being made consecutive, resulting in a
sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment. Sentences of Corporal Punishment were
involved in the sentence ordered to run consecutively, the total being 48
strokes. The severity of the sentence was due in part to the magistrate’s
concern at the accused ’s substantial record of previous convictions.
Held:
In view of the previous convictions of accused, the imposition of 5 years’
imprisonment was not excessive. However, “there was no need to open five
separate cases,
(1968)H.C.D.
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And … the nine counts could have been
made the subject of one case file …. I do not consider it fair or proper ..
that forty-eight strokes of corporal punishment should have been imposed, and
had the charges been preferred in on case only, one sentence of corporal
punishment would have been imposed having regard to the provisions of section
10 of the Corporal Punishment Ordinance, Cap. 17.” Sentences of imprisonment
upheld: directed that only one sentence or corporal punishment, or 24 strokes,
be imposed.
319. Chababila s/o Kakobe v. R.,
Crim. App. 166-M-68, 17/5/68, Seaton J.
Accused, 42 years old, was charged and
convicted of common assault. Accused had stabbed one person in the neck and had
fractured the arm of another with a stick. A sentence of 2 years and 12 strokes
was imposed by the magistrate.
Held:
Accused was not charged with attempted murder or grievous harm, but with common
assault. A sentence of corporal punishment on an adult for a misdemeanor should
be imposed sparingly and in cases where the heinousness of the offence is
attended with aggravating circumstances such as gross brutality or the age and
sex of the victim. Corporal punishment order set aside; imprisonment reduced to
18 months.
320. William Kibona v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 439-M-68, 13/6/68, Mustafa J.
Accused was convicted in Primary Court
of housebreaking and theft, and sentenced to a fine of Shs. 50/- on each count,
or two months’ imprisonment in default. Realising that he had erred in imposing
fines, the magistrate forwarded the record for revision. The District
Magistrate asked accused whether he wished to appeal against conviction and
accused replied that he did not. The District Magistrate, in a revisional
order, found that the articles involved were worth Shs. 200/- set aside the
sentence and substituted one of two years and twenty-four strokes for burglary,
and six months for theft, to run concurrently.
Held:
A District Court, exercising revisional jurisdiction under section 18 of the
Magistrates Courts Act, if it wishes to enhance a sentence, must, under the
proviso to section 17 (b) of the Act, give specific notice of enhancement of sentence.
It is not enough to inquire whether accused wishes to appeal. Case remitted to
the District Court for service of notice of enhancement of sentence and
disposition according to law.
321. Daniel Mtunze v. R., Crim.
App. 245-D-68, 7/6.68, Saudi J.
Accused was convicted of fraudulent
false accounting [P.C. s. 317(c)] and stealing by public servant [P.C. ss. 265,
270]. He had sold radio licences on behalf of he E.A.P.T.A. to nine individuals
each of whom paid the sum of Shs. 20/-; he retained for his own purposed the
money so collected. In order to conceal his actions, he omitted to enter
correctly these nine separate transactions, Accused was given two consecutive
sentences of 2 years and 24 strokes under the Minimum Sentences Act, though he
claimed exemption from its provision by virtue of his age, which he alleged to
be 47 years.
(1968)H.C.D.
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119 –
Held: (1) The convictions of false accounting and theft by
public servant were supported by the facts. [Citing R. V. Sefu Salum @ Ngomba,
Crim. Rev. No. 72 of 1965]. However, the charges ought to have been brought in
nine separate counts. Thus, since the sum involved in each such count would
have been less than Shs. 100/-, and accused was a first offender, the court
should have considered section 5(2) of the Act, the provision for leniency. (2)
The court may not impose a sentence of corporal punishment upon an accused who
claims exemption by reason of age without first obtaining the findings of a
medical examination. (3)The sentences on the two counts here were incorrectly
made to run consecutively. As they arose out of the same transaction, they
should be concurrent. Original conviction quashed and sentence passed thereon
set aside; conviction on nine separate counts of each offence originally
charged substituted, and concurrent sentences of 6 months’ imprisonment
imposed.
322. John s/o Silanda v. R.,
Crim. App. 242-D-68, 26/6/68, Biron J.
Accused was charged with stealing goods
in transit [P.C. ss. 265, 269 (c) ], but was convicted, consistent with the
facts, of stealing by a public servant [P.C. ss. 265, 270].
Held:
A person charged with stealing goods in
transit, a non-scheduled offence, cannot be convicted of stealing as a public
servant, a scheduled offence, and thus subjected to punishment under the
Minimum Sentences Act. “The Minimum Sentences Act, 1963, is a penal statute of
a very serious nature, and must therefore be construed strictly. There are many
cases (in which) it has been held that, unless a person is expressly charged
with a scheduled offence under the specific relevant section set out with
precise particularity, he cannot be convicted of a scheduled offence.”
Conviction varied to stealing goods in transit and sentence reduced.
323. Rashidi s/o Ramadhani v. R.,
Crim App.163-D-68, 29/5/68, Georges C. J.
Accused presented a cheque for Shs.
420/- at the National Bank of Commerce in Iringa. The words on the cheque
clearly stated the amount, but the numbers appeared to be “Shs. 4,210/-.”
Accused replied to a question by the clerk, stating that this was the sum to be
paid, and was then given this amount. He was convicted of theft, and sentenced
under the Minimum Sentences Act on the ground that the funds were Government
property, and ordered to pay compensation.
Held:
(1) Accused ’s action here constitutes larceny, as defined in section 258 of
the Penal Code, “because quite clearly he had fraudulently converted the excess
paid to him to his own use,” with the intention to steal being fully formed at
the time he received the money. (2) As a corporation, the National Bank of
Commerce has an independent existence. “Even though the corporation is owned by
the Government, its property cannot be said to be Government property any more
than can the property of a company be called the property of its shareholders,
no matter own few they may be.” Thus, the case is one of simple theft, and the
Minimum Sentences Act does not apply. (3) Accused did not plan to rob the Bank,
but instead “was subjected to a sudden temptation and he yielded. There was
gross carelessness on the part of the employee of the Bank which created the
situation.” A sentence of 2 years’ imprisonment is too severe. (4) Since the
case does not fall under the Minimum Sentences Act, the power of the High Court
to order compensation is limited to an
(1968)H.C.D.
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Order for Shs. 2,000/- It is therefore
preferable to allow the Bank to pursue its civil remedy. Sentence reduced to 6
months; order for compensation quashed.
324. Abdi s/o Omari . R., Crim.
App. 271-D-68, 11/6/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused were convicted on six counts of
stealing by servant, the total amount involved in the six offences being Shs.
170/-. The sums involved in each count, however, were each less than Shs.
100/-. Both accused were first offenders. Sentences under the Minimum Sentences
Act were imposed.
Held:
The court is not entitled to aggregate the value of the property stolen in each
of several thefts charged in separate counts, so as to arrive at a total sum of
over Shs. 100/- and there by deprive the accused of consideration for leniency
under section 5(2) of the Act. [Citing R. v. Aloys Kapande (1964) E.A. 287].
Here, since each count involved less than Shs. 100/-, and since accused were
first offenders, the record must be returned to the trial court for an inquiry
into the special circumstances, if any, which might justify imposition of less
than 2 years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes.
325. R. v. Angasisye s/o Mwaikuga,
Crim. Rev. 12-D-68, 6/4/68, Duff J.
The day after the Water Development
Department had hired several workers, accused offered Shs. 10/- to the
Department agent charged with hiring, to obtain similar work. The High Court’s
summary of the situation is that “it was clear by then that [the agent] was in
no position to assist the accused, it also being apparent that [the agent] was
not a man to succumb to temptation.” Being convicted on his own plea of guilty
to a charge under section 3 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Ordinance,
accused did not request leniency, and was therefore sentenced to 2 years and 24
strokes under the Minimum Sentences Act. Forfeiture of Shs. 10/- to the
Government was also ordered.
Held:
(1)The High Court may, on revision, consider the question of “special
circumstances” which might warrant leniency under section 5(2) of the Minimum
Sentences Act, despite the fact that the issue was not considered at all by the
lower court. To do otherwise, in this case, would be unfair to accused, in view
of the punishments already endured. (2) Accused pleaded guilty in his first appearance
in court and “this fact alone entitled him to some leniency.” (3) Accused ’s
conduct was “pathetic and, if anything, silly. It would not be stretching
matters too far to say that the accused was desperate to obtain employment and
hence his attempt at corruption. These facts amply constitute special
circumstances in my view and to think otherwise would be to made a mockery of
Cap. 526 and its implications.” (4) The forfeiture order was illegal under
section 3(3)(b) of Cap. 400. Sentence reduced to result in immediate release;
Shs. 10/- ordered refunded to accused.
326. R. v. Mshamu Omari, District
Court Crim. Case 2-Nachingwea-68, 16/5/68, Inspection Note by Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of a corrupt
transaction [Prevention of Corruption Ordinance, Cap. 400, s. 3(2)], an offence
scheduled under the Minimum Sentences Act, Cap. 526. A sentence of only
(1968)H.C.D
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6 months’ imprisonment was imposed, most
of which had been completed by the time the case came before the High Court.
The magistrate had based the sentence upon the facts that the accused was a
first offender and that the amount involved was only Shs. 20/-, saying “I
consider this constitutes a special circumstances (sic) described in section
5(2) of the Act.
The
Court noted: The requirements for leniency, under section 5(2) of the
Act, are three: that the accused must be a first offender, that the money concerned
must not be in excess of Shs. 100/- and that there be “special circumstances”
warranting leniency. These three requirements are set out in separate
subsections. “It is clearly quite incorrect to admit as special circumstances
matters which are the requisites of the earlier sub-sections … In other words,
the ‘special circumstances’ cannot be either the fact that the accused is a
first offender, or the fact that sum involved is less than Shs. 100/- These are
separate requirements ….”
327. Daniel s/o Sindirimwesi v. R.,
Crim. App. 786-D-67, 8/3/68, Duff J.
Accused was first convicted of
housebreaking and stealing goods worth Shs. 149. The High Court altered the
conviction to one of receiving a patched shirt, which was part of the property
stolen from the complainant. The record was returned to the lower court for a
specific finding as to “special circumstances” which might warrant leniency
under the Minimum Sentences Act. There, accused said that he had no such claim
to made, and a sentence of 2 years and 24 strokes was imposed.
Held:
“(W)hilst poverty is not an excuse for committing crimes of theft or receiving
stolen property, it appears to me that the possession of a patched shirt and
the wearing of it by the accused was a special circumstance which could have
been taken into consideration by the learned magistrate.” Since the accused had
served 6 months of his sentence, a sentence was substituted so as to result in
his immediate release.
328. Jayantilal Lavji Kara Shah v.
R., Crim. App. 231-D-68, 28/6/68, Georges C. J.
Accused, an advocate, was convicted of
two counts of forgery, one count of uttering a false document, one count of
stealing by agent and one count of obtaining money by false pretences. The
facts were that he had been holding a certificate of title for a client. He
forged another certificate, which he gave to the client, and then used the
genuine certificate to negotiate a mortgage. He then forged the client’s
signature on the mortgage and obtained Shs. 60,000/-. He was sentenced to four
years’ imprisonment - one year on the
forgery counts, and three years’ on the
other counts which were to run concurrently with each other, but consecutively
to the forgery counts.
Held:
(1) All of the counts refer to a single transaction, and consecutive terms of
imprisonment should not have been imposed. “In such cases, the best method of
sentencing is to arrive at an appropriate punishment for the entire transaction
and award concurrent terms to meet each
(1968)H.C.D.
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Separate count, taking into consideration
the maximum punishment fixed for each by law.” (2) The jurisdiction of the
Senior Resident Magistrate is limited to passing a sentence of imprisonment for
a term not exceeding three years for any single offence. Sitting on appeal, the
High court cannot pass a sentence higher than that which the trial magistrate
could have passed. Although the term of four years’ imprisonment is not in
itself excessive, the imposition of concurrent terms of imprisonment will
result in a total term of imprisonment of three years. Sentences ordered to run
concurrently.
329. Amri s/o Ahmed v. R., Crim.
App. 277-D-68, 6/6/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of rape [P.C. ss.
130, 131]. The version of the matter offered by the accused was that accused
and complainant, a virgin of 15 or 16 years of age, had agreed to undress and
to engage in some sexual intimacies with each other, the girl saying from the
start that there would be no intercourse. After some time together, accused did
in fact have intercourse with the girl, apparently having to overcome some
resistance on her part with force.
Held:
(1) “If the girls …. Laid down any condition … however foolish she was in
allowing any sexual intimacy at all, the breach of such condition and penetration
would constitute rape. That a woman may allow some form of sexual liberty to a
man (be it little or great) does not entitle that man to proceed to have intercourse
with her against her will.” The conviction must therefore stand. (2)In the
matter of sentence, accused should have the benefit of his “not wholly unsupported
version of the mater.” The Court must consider the fact that accused may have
been “entrapped by desires which may have been inflamed by the recklessness and
foolishness of the complainant ….” Sentence reduced to 6 months’ imprisonment,
an order for corporal punishment being set aside.
330. Lulu s/o Titu v. R., Crim.
App. 207-D-67, 8/6/68, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft.
The only evidence was that the day after the theft of a sheep, one sheep’s leg
was found at accused’s house. Accused’s wife was arrested and detained in an
attempt to coerce the husband into appearing so that he could be arrested.
Held:
(1) In the absence of any other evidence, the possession of the sheep’s leg,
which accused said he had bought at the market, was insufficient to support the
conviction. (2) The Court stated, obiter, that the arrest of a wife of an
accused is illegal unless she has taken some part in the commission of the offence
and could subject those arresting her to a claim for damages. Conviction
quashed.
331. Kishorilal Dhaniram Aggarwal v.
R., Crim. App. 238-D-68, 7/6/68, Saudi J.
Accused was convicted of seven counts of
obtaining goods b;y false pretences. [P.C. s. 302]. Three of the counts
referred to transactions which took place on 27th November 1964; two
referred to events taking place on 28th November; and two referred
to events taking place on 29th November.
(1968)H.C.D.
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He was sentenced to a total of five
years imprisonment, the counts referring to each single day to run concurrently
with each other but consecutively to the counts referring to the previous days.
There was evidence that for many years accused had purchased goods from Mwanza
merchants on credit. He then distributed the goods to smaller towns in the area
and paid the Mwanza merchants by post-dated cheques. In the transactions in
question, he issued post-dated cheques totalling Shs. 108,000/- and then flew
to Bombay without depositing any funds in his bank account, which at the time
had a balance of Shs. 88/95. The appeal was against the severity of sentence
only, and it was alleged that accused was in poor health.
Held:
(1) Accused had for years purchased goods with post-dated cheques which he had
regularly paid until the events in question, an in the circumstances he should
have been charged with obtaining credit by false pretences [P.C. s. 305] rather
than obtaining goods by false pretences [P.C. s. 302]. (2) As accused was
represented by counsel both at the trial and on appeal, and as the matter of
the error in the charge was not raised at the trial an the appeal is against
sentence only, the complaint against the conviction cannot be entertained, but
the error may be considered in assessing sentence. (3) The trial magistrate
acted properly in ordering that the sentences on the counts referring to each
single day run concurrently with each other the issuance of several cheques on
the same day could be considered to be one transaction because the offences
were of the same nature. It was also proper to order that counts referring to
each successive day run the offences on separate days constituted separate
transaction. (4) The total sentence should be reduced, “not necessarily on the
grounds of … ill health,” but because the maximum sentence for obtaining credit
by false pretences is one year, whereas the maximum sentence for. Obtaining
goods by false pretences is three years. This does not constitute interference
with the conviction itself. Sentences reduced to a total of three years imprisonment,
the maximum that would have been permissible if accused had been convicted
under section 305, and if the counts referring to a single day are to run
concurrently.
332. Paulo Kulola v. R., Crim.
App. 396-M-68, 1/6/68, Mustafa J. Accused met two persons in a bus station, and
convinced them that they should hide the money they were carrying, last it be
taken by customs officials He persuaded them to give him Shs. 20/- and 50/- respectively,
whereupon he purchased envelopes in which he suggested he would put the money.
He instead put paper in the envelopes and proceeded to show his victims how to
hide the envelopes on their persons. Accused was convicted of obtaining money
by false pretences.
Held:
Since the victims at no time intended to part with more than the temporary
possession of their money, the offence committed was not obtaining money by
false pretences, but larceny by trick. Conviction of theft {P.C. s. 265]
substituted.
(1968)H.C.D.
124 –
333. R. v. Daniel Kambegwa, Crim.
Rev. 170-D-67, 6/4/68, Duff J.
Accused was charged with theft by public
servant [P.C. 265, 270]. The prosecution
stated that a bonnet stand was missing from a motor vehicle, and that accused
was seen some days later using it as a walking stick. Accused answered the
charge by saying “It is true.” When asked if there were special circumstances
which might warrant leniency under the Minimum Sentences Act, he stated that he
had not know that the bonnet stand was of any use, and that he had taken it to
use as a stick.
Held:
(1) In a prosecution for larceny, it is irrelevant that the property taken may
be of no value, or that the owner may intend no further use for it. (2) In this
case, the “plea of guilty” was equivocal, since the gist of accused’s position
was that the bonnet stand had been abandoned. Conviction quashed.
334. Nassoro s/o Sadiki @ Moshi s/o
Sadiki v. R., Crim. App. 219-D-68, 12/6/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of possession of
property suspected to have been stolen. [P.C. s. 312.] There was evidence that
he had been apprehended fleeing from a railway station with a handbag which
contained a post office savings book bearing the name of the owner.
Held:
The charge was in respect of the savings book, and section 312 is inapplicable
in the case of property which can be identified as that of a known individual.
Where the identity of the owner is known, the matter is no longer one of
suspicion only, and the charge should be laid under one of the sections dealing
with stealing or feloniously receiving stolen property. [Citing R. v. Shabani
Seidi, (1943) 1T.L.R. (R) 77; R. v. Zubsili s/o Katakuhakwa, (1963) E.A. 17,
19]. Conviction quashed.
335. Elikana s/o Mekijanga v. R.,
Crim. App. 45-A-68, 15/6/68, Accused was convicted of burglary and stealing.
The goods were taken from a tailor’s house and included some of the tailor’s
clothing, some clothing belonging to other persons left with him for repair, a
piece of cloth, and a lady’s wristwatch. Although accused was found 1.5 months
later in possession of several items which the tailor and another witness said
were among the goods stolen, the only satisfactorily identified item was gown,
which the tailor recognized from his own workmanship.
Held:
“Having in mind that the appellant had a very small proportion of the stolen
property in his possession … and the
time that had elapsed since the theft, the inference of theft does not seem to
me to be certain. In all the circumstances … the better inference from the
facts would be one of receiving stolen property.” Conviction for receiving
stolen property [P.C. s. 311(1)] substituted.
336. South India Corp. (T) Private
Ltd. v. H. J. Stanely & Sons. Ltd. Misc. Civ. Application 1-D-68,
30/1/68, Georges C. J.
Respondents’ advocate went on overseas leave
after the High Court trial of the case between appellants and respondents, and
after appellants’ application for extension of time for
(1968)H.C.D.
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Appeal had been served upon his firm. He
had not, at that time, seen the record. He returned some 2 months later, and 3
weeks after that the firm approached the appellants’ advocated to discuss the
argument of certain grounds of cross-appeal. The latter firm did not consent,
and respondents’ advocates filed an application for extension for time for
filing notice of cross-appeal.
Held:
Rule 9 of the East African Court of Appeal Ruled, 1954, provide that time for
taking any step in connection with an appeal to that Court may be extended for
“sufficient reason.” It has been held that the “mistakes of a legal advisor”
may amount to “sufficient reason. [Citing for the principle (but distinguishing
the result) Shah H. Barmal v. Santchi Kumari (1961) E.A. 679.] This would also
include “default of a legal advisor,” each case being dealt with on its facts “to
produce a result consistent with justice and the overriding consideration that
cases should be dealt with on their merits.” Here, where the delay was
relatively brief, the absent advocate was the member of his firm “especially
familiar” with the case, and the other side was notified within 3 weeks of his
return that a cross-appeal was desired, there was “sufficient reason” for
granting the extension. Extension granted.
337. Sosthenes s/o Kagyabukama v.
Theobald Kuyungulima, (PC) Civ. App. 94-M-68, 24/7/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff sued defendant in Primary
Court for the refund of the purchase price of a shamba. Defendant did not
appear after being duly summoned. Judgment was given for plaintiff after proof
ex parte in accordance with section 23 (a) of the Magistrate Courts (Civil
Procedure in Primary Courts) Rules 1964. Defendant appealed to the District
Court, which investigated the merits of the case and reversed the decision of
the trial court.
Held:
The proper way for defendant to challenge the Primary Court’s decision on the
merits was to apply to the trial court under section 29, Magistrates Court
(Civil Procedure in Primary Courts) Rules 1964 to set aside its judgment and
commence the hearing afresh. The District Court could not reinvestigate the merits
of the case on appeal, but could only make use of the evidence on record, none
of which supports a reversal of the trial court’s decision in this case. Plaintiff’s
appeal allowed.
338. Hassani abdallah v. African
Bazaar, Misc. Civ. App. 6-D-68, -/7/68, Hamlyn J.
Plaintiff claimed for wage arrears. When
his claim originally arose, plaintiff complained to the Branch Secretary of
NUTA, and after a conference with the employer, plaintiff withdrew the complaint
upon receiving a cash settlement and an increase in wages. Two years later,
plaintiff lodged a complaint based on the same facts with the Ministry of
Labour. This complaint was rejected, and plaintiff thereupon filed this action.
Held:
Plaintiff abandoned his claim at the time of settlement; since consideration
for this was paid by defendant to plaintiff, there was an accord and satisfaction
with respect to the claim.
(1968)H.C.D.
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339. Bartholomew Ndyanabo v. B.
Petronida Ndyamukama, (PC) Civ. App. 112-M-68, 19/7/68, Seaton J.
Appellant sold land to the respondent.
In the written document attesting the sale, the land was described by appellant
as being 40x60 feet. The action originated in a Primary Court in the Bukoba
area.
Held:
As the respondent’s consent to the contract was induced by fraud she was
entitled to repudiate on discovering the true position.
340. Kulthum Ally Kara v. Yassin
Osman, Misc. Civ. Cause 32-D-68, 14/6/68, Georges C. J.
Applicant, a divorced Muslim wife,
applied for custody of their children in District Court. The Senior Resident
Magistrate ruled that Islamic Law was applicable and that, therefore, the case
must begin in Primary Court. Applicant then applied for a High Court order that
the case proceed in District Court.
Held:
(1) Under section 57(1) of the Magistrates Courts Act, proceedings “in respect
of marriage, guardianship or inheritance under customary law, or the incidents
thereof “ must ordinarily begin in Primary court, unless the High Court grants
leave for their commencement in some other court. However, this section does
not apply to this case, since the law involved is Islamic law, which is not included
within the term customary law.”(2) The Primary Court’s jurisdiction over civil
proceedings under Islamic law is not exclusive; the concurrent jurisdiction of
the District Court is secured by sections 36 and 35 (2) of the Act. (3) Section
13 of the Civil Procedure Code 1966 requires all suits to be instituted “in the
court of the lowest grade competent to try it”; but section 57 provides that
section 13 shall not be read to require any proceedings of a civil nature to be
commenced in Primary Court. “It would appear, therefore, that once a District
Court has jurisdiction and prior permission is not required under section 57, a
party can file an action in the District Court if he so chooses, even though
the Primary Court would also have had
jurisdiction ….” Ordered that action be remitted to District Court.
341. Francis s/o Mwijage v. Boniface
s/o Kabalemeza, Civ. App. 84-M-68, 31/7/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff sued defendant in District
Court for refund of brideprice allegedly paid by him to defendant. The trial
court found that no brideprice had been paid and dismissed the suit. On appeal,
a question arose as to the jurisdiction of the District Court to try the suit.
Held:
(1) The law applicable to the suit is customary law, which under section 14 of
the Magistrates Courts Act, Cap. 537, is justifiable in Primary Courts. Under
section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code, every suit shall be instituted in the
court of the lowest grade competent to try it, which was, in this case, a
Primary Court. Section 13, however, is a rule of procedure, not of jurisdiction
[Citing Mulla, 1934 10th Edition, pp. 98- 100], and does
(1968)H.C.D
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Not deprive higher courts of jurisdiction
which they already possess. Further, under section 35 (2) of the Magistrates
Courts Act, District Courts have limited original jurisdiction in proceedings
save where it is conferred exclusively on some other court; and section 14 of
that Act “does not appear to give primary courts exclusive jurisdiction over
suits involving customary law.” Thus the
District Court had jurisdiction to try the suit. (2) Under section 57 of the
Magistrates Courts Act, all civil proceedings in respect of the incidents of
marriage must be taken in the Primary Court, unless the Republic or the
President is a party or the High Court gives leave. Brideprice is one of the
incidents of marriage under customary law, and none of the exempting conditions
stated above has been fulfilled. The proceedings in the District Court were
therefore ultra vires. Appeal dismissed.
342. Kanipius Odero v. Nolous Ong’ina,
(PC) Civ. App. 126-M-68, 20/7/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff was beaten and injured by
defendant, who wa subsequently convicted by the District Court, fines Shs.
200/- and ordered to pay Shs. 100/- compensation. Plaintiff then brought this
action in Primary Court for Shs. 1000/- damages. Against the advice of
assessors that the amount was too high according to customary law, the magistrate,
without any reasons given, allowed the claim for the entire amount, being Shs.
686/- for bodily injury and Shs. 314/- for car and hospital charges. On appeal
the District Court reduced the award to Shs. 900/-, with advice to plaintiff to
apply for the Shs.100/- paid into court by defendant pursuant to the order to
pay compensation.
Held:
(1) The order for compensation made upon conviction in a criminal case does not
oust any court’s jurisdiction to award additional compensation in a subsequent
civil suit, but such an order shall be taken into account in affixing damages
in civil suit. [Citing Cr. Proc. Code. ss. 176, 178(3)]. (2) The Primary
Court’s ward was excessive. The amount of Shs. 314/- is proper, because there
are receipts supporting those claims. In additional, plaintiff is entitled to
Shs. 60/- for fifteen lost days of work, although there is no indication of his
occupation on the record, and to Shs. 124/- as a rough measure of recompense
for injuries (bad bruising of right side of the chest and bleeding into the
right lung) and for wounded feelings.
343. Ramadhani s/o Saidi v. Gati d/o
Magori, (PC) Civ. App. 68-M-67, 15/7/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff and defendant were living
together while plaintiff was married to another man. Sometime thereafter,
plaintiff left the defendant to attend a funeral, leaving him with their child,
and never returned; she is presently re-united with her husband. The Primary
Court held that defendant was entitled to the custody of the child upon payment
of Shs. 100/- to plaintiff’s father, but the District Court of Musoma reversed.
Held:
The Primary Court judgment was sound and is therefore restored. [Citing Law of
Person, G. N. 279/1963,s. 178; Salum s/o Rashid v. Hadija d/o Abdallah,
Tanzania High Court Digest, Vol. 1, No. 5]. “Where the natural father is
prepared to legitimize his child and there are no reasons adduced why he should
not have custody of her, he should be allowed to do so.”
(1968)H.C.D.
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344. Shauri s/o Dighis v. Mohe s/o
Dighs, (PC) Civ. App. 125-A-66, 4/7/68, Platt J.
The parties were half-brothers,
plaintiff being the son of the junior house and defendant the son of the senior
house. When defendant was married, plaintiff’s mother gave him a wedding
present of one cow. After some years, during which the cow produced six
offspring, plaintiff’s marriage was arranged, and his mother then asked
defendant for a wedding present for plaintiff of one cow. Defendant refused,
denying that there was any duty under the customary law (which was not identified
in the High Court judgment) to exchange wedding presents, and saying that in
any event he had already given a suitable present to plaintiff’s family in
recompense for the cow he had received. Plaintiff sued in the Endasale Primary
Court for the return of the cow given to defendant, along with its six
offspring. The assessors agreed with his position, and the magistrate gave judgment
for him. The District Court at Mbulu, again in agreement with its assessors,
hel that no customary law duty to exchange presents had been established, and
gave a judgment for defendant. The High Court called further assessors for assistance,
and their opinion was that the District Court had been correct.
Held:
“In these circumstances, the balance of opinion is in favour of the judgment of
the District Court, which seems …. To be a more sensible opinion than that
expressed by the Primary Court.” Plaintiff’s appeal dismissed.
345. Doto d/o Sweya v. Mhinda d/o
Sweya, (PC) Civ. App. 187-M-67, 4/6/68, Seaton J.
Defendant was the eldest and plaintiff
the youngest of three sisters. Their parent died when they were young.
Defendant acted as mother of the other two sisters up to the time of their
respective marriages, receiving the bridewealth for both of them. After twenty
years, plaintiff brought this action demanding return to her of the eight head
of cattle paid as bridewealth upon her marriage, together with thirty-two
others which she claimed as their offspring.
Held:
(1) The Law of Person, G.N.279/1963, which is applicable to the Nzega District
by virtue of G. N. 13/1964, contains no express provisions on this question;
but section 7 confirms that the person entitled to receive bridewealth is the
father or his main heir. [Citing also ss. 34, 35]. (2) It is not clear whether
bridewealth was customarily received in “trust” in Nzega; but here was a custom
whereby the father of the bride, or his main heir, could share the bridewealth.
(3) The remaining twelve cattle admittedly in defendant’s possession may be retained
as her share of the bridewealth and as compensation for her services.
Plaintiff’s appeal allowed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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346. United Bus Service Limited Co.
v. The New India Assurance Company, Ltd. Civ. Case. 1-M-67, 19/7/68, Seaton
J.
Plaintiff, a limited company operating a
fleet of buses, filed an application for insurance with defendant in which it
set forth the market value of the vehicle to be insured as Shs. 65,000/- This
value was correct at the time the proposal form was submitted, but the value
only included the chassis and cab, which were purchased for approximately Shs.
65,000/- under a hire-purchase agreement, and did not include a bus body which
plaintiff fitted to the chassis at a cost of about shs. 25,000/- before the
policy was issued. The vehicle was subsequently damaged in an accident and
defendant initially commenced repair work; but when it discovered that the
value of the vehicle was Shs. 90,000/- rather than Shs. 65,000/- as the
proposal stated, it ordered the work stopped and disclaimed liability because
of the alleged false statement. Plaintiff sued for the cost of the repairs and
lost profits which it would have earned during the repair period. Defendant
raised the defence misrepresentation; and its witnesses proved its standing
policy of not insuring vehicles worth more than Shs. 75,000/-. It also argued
that only the legal owner could sue, and that the policy required arbitration
of disputed claims within 12 months after liability was disclaimed. Under the
hire-purchase agreement, plaintiff was obliged to maintain and repair the vehicle
and also to procure a policy of comprehensive liability insurance, with the
owner designated as sole agent to receive any proceeds and to negotiate claims.
The policy issued by defendant was endorsed to set forth the interest of the
owner under the hire-purchase agreement and to provide that all monies were to
be paid to the owner as long as it was the owner.
Held:
(1) Where the risk of loss is on the hirer, as here, it is entitled to recover
under the policy even though all monies received would be held by the hirer as
trustee for the owner. (2) The dispute here “arose out of the policy and is
thus subject to arbitration; plaintiff’s argument, that the denial of liability
goes to the entire policy and thus repudiates the entire policy (including the
arbitration clause), is not well taken. However, having been advised in
correspondence from plaintiff’s attorney that a lawsuit was contemplated, and
not having invoked the arbitration clause, defendant is estopped to raise this as a defence. (3)Even
though the value as stated on the proposal was true as of the date of the proposal,
defendant relied upon the truth of the statements in issuing the policy and
they were untrue by the date the policy was issued. In view of its intention to
build on a bus body to the chassis and cab, plaintiff had a duty to disclose to
the defendant the true value of the vehicle as of the date the policy was
issued. In failing to do so the plaintiff “misled the defendants into
consenting to issuing the policy which they would otherwise have declined to do
….” The contract of insurance was thus void able at the option of the insurer
under section 19 (1), of the Law of Contract Ordinance. (4) Having so held
against plaintiff, the Court entered findings on the remaining issues as
follows. While plaintiff had proved the actual cost of repairing the damage, it
would not be entitled to lost profits even under the contract, since
(1968)H.C.D.
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(i) the policy excluded, by its terms,
“consequential loss;” (ii) plaintiff had not adequately established its special
damages; and (iii) plaintiff failed to mitigate losses, but continued the
repairs after defendant disclaimed.
347. Henrico s/o Welengaile v.
Felician s/o Kiraama, (PC) Civ. App. 111-M-68, 15/8/68, Mustafa J.
Both plaintiff and defendant are members
of the same Haya clan and each owned a clan shamba. In 1950, defendant
mortgaged his shamba to a stranger. Plaintiff redeemed the shamba and remained
in possession. In 1967 defendant refunded the mortgage money to plaintiff and
claimed possession of the shamba. Plaintiff filed action for Shs. 4200/-, being
compensation for the improvements which he effected on the shamba. The Primary
Court, after visiting the site, ordered the defendant to pay Shs. 1010/60 as
compensation. The District Court, however, reversed that decision, and relying
on Cory & Hartnoll, Customary Law of the Haya Tribe, para 567, held that no
compensation was payable. Paragraph 567 reads: “Right of Original Owner. At any
time the original owner or has direct male descendants have the right to claim
the return of the relative who redeemed it on payment of the redemption price.
Any hardship to the present occupier incurred by his dispossession is not
considered.” This is followed by a “Note” which states, “For this reason relatives who have only a vague
right to interfere will not do so.”
Held:
Plaintiff was in occupation for 15 years and that would indicate that he could
not be certain if the defendant was going to redeem the shamba or not. In any
event, plaintiff could not be expected to keep the shamba unattended and
uncultivated for all this period or to let it go to ruin. “I think that both
common sense and equity would require that (plaintiff) should be entitled to compensation.”
Primary Court judgment restored.
348. Kimonge Mwalimu v. Kavuli Ngoma,
(PC) Civ. App. 25-D-68, 25/5/68, Hamlyn J.
Some years ago, a certain path was used
by villagers generally to take cattle to pasture. Within the past few years,
respondent extended his cultivation into the track, narrowing it until it now
suffices only for pedestrians. Appellant sought to re-open the track, which
“saves cattle owners from driving their beasts several miles in order to get to
the grazing grounds.”
Held:
As it appears that there is no lack of ground in the area for cultivation of
crops elsewhere, the track should be re-opened; the whom of a single person
cannot outweigh “the established rights of the community as a whole.” “I
consider that local authority might assist in demarcating the boundaries of the
track so that all may be aware of the extent of their rights of passage.
349. Bi Mukagilaya Bitasimbile v.
Raphael s/o Rubili, (PC) Civ. App. 73-M-68, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff sued for return of purchase
price paid on a clan shamba wrongly sold to her by defendant’s aunt, and for
compensation for a house and other permanent improvements
(1968)H.C.D.
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She effect thereon. It was not disputed
that plaintiff had paid defendant’s aunt for the said shamba. It was further
established that defendant’s mother had taken proceedings in 1954 to declare
the sale void. In those proceedings the District Commissioner’s Court had held
the sale invalid but allowed defendant’s aunt to remain in the shamba until her
death; thereafter, the shamba was to become the property of defendant’s mother.
Plaintiff remained on the shamba until the death of defendant’s aunt.
Defendant, as successor to her mother’s rights, recovered possession from the
plaintiff who started these proceedings.
Held:
(1) It had already been decided in the earlier action that plaintiff was
entitled to be refunded her purchase money; but she is not entitled to be compensated
for improvements in the form of houses and permanent crops because she was
aware, at the time of improving the shamba, of the dispute over her title. (2)
Plaintiff should remain in possession of the shamba until the purchase price
she had paid is refunded to her. (3) If plaintiff dies before receiving the purchase
money, the shamba should then become the property of the defendant, and no heir
of the plaintiff would be entitled to claim the sum, “for the right of the
plaintiff to remain on the shamba pending the receipt of the money would be
personal to her.”
350. Hamisi Mlezi v. Umoja Printers,
Civ. App. 8-D-68, 31/7/68, Duff J.
Plaintiff sued defendant on a dishonored
cheque issued by him and was granted judgment. The cheque had been given by
defendant to plaintiff and signed by him but with a rubber stamp marked “Bashir
& Company” affixed to the cheque. In 1955, Bashir & Company was
registered under the Business Names (Registration) Ordinance, Cap. 213, and the
defendant was the person authorized to operate its bank account. Defendant
alleged that he had signed the cheque on behalf of a principal or in a
representative character, and so was not personally liable, by virtue of s.
26(1) of the Bills of Exchange Ordinance, Cap. 215.
Held:
The defendant is personally liable on the cheque. “Examination of the cheque reveals
that it was not said in terms that he was signing on behalf of a company, and
the fact that the same ‘Bashir & Company’ was rubber-stamped on the cheque
without further ado did not automatically exclude his liability …… A court is
entitled to look at the surrounding circumstances under which the bill was
signed, and this the lower court did. The court accepted, as it was entitled to
do, the evidence adduced which established that the appellant was personally
liable.”
351. Jeremiah Kaijage v. Sahid
Byarushengo, Civ. Application 9-M-68, Mustafa J.
At the hearing date of a suit filed by
applicant, neither he nor the advocate named as representing him appeared, and
the suit was dismissed under Civil Procedure Code Order 9 Rule 8. Plaintiff
applied to the High Court for leave to appeal out of time, on the grounds that
he had never instructed the advocate to appear for him, and was never himself
told of the hearing date.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
The dismissing the suit under Order 9 Rule 8 is not appeal able. Applicant’s
only remedy is to apply for restoration of his suit under Order 9 Rule 9.
Application dismissed; no order as to costs, because of applicant’s probable ignorance
of the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code.
352. Martin Mwanga v. Essak Esmail
& Sons, Civ. App. 7-D-68, 24/7/68, Biron J.
Plaintiff sued defendant for goods sold
and delivered, and was granted an ex parte order in the absence of defendant.
Prior to judgment, defendant had written to plaintiff, agreeing that he owed
him “some money” and promising to pay it. A copy was sent to the Resident
Magistrate with the not attached; “I am prepared to pay the said sum in
production of all the Invoices signed by me.” Defendant argued on appeal (i)
than his letter constitute a written statement of defence in that it did not
accept the full claim of the plaintiff, but required proof of the alleged debt
by way of production of invoices, and (ii) that the claim was never proved in
court.
Held:
Appeal allowed. “Although the appellant defendant’s letter does not really constitute
a formal written statement of defence, it certainly is a very strong indication
that he was not admitting the claim, therefore, if the magistrate was not
prepared to accept this letter as a written statement of defence, it was his
duty to so inform the appellant and direct him to file a proper written
statement of defence. In any event, he had certainly no right or justification
to make an ex parte order in the absence of the defendant, and even without the
claim having been proved, which violates all the principles natural justice. “
353. Dr. M. Daya, Administrator of
H.H. The Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam v. T. Sanga. Civ. Rev. 3-D-67,
29/7/68, Georges C. J
Plaintiff sued defendant in District
Court for service rendered. Defendant, being duly summoned, did not appear.
Judgment was given ex parte for plaintiff on 20 November 1966, execution
proceedings were filed, and defendant was subsequently arrested and brought to
court on 20 April 1967, when he first became aware of the judgment against him.
On 4 May 1967, defendant was informed by the court of his right to apply for a
stay of execution and for a setting aside of the judgment. On 23 May, 1967,
such an application was filed.
Held:
Defendant’s application was too late. Under Article 164, Indian Limitations
Act, the defendant had a period of thirty days from the date he first knew of
the judgment to make application to set it aside. The period does not begin to
run from the time when defendant first learned of his right to make such application.
If that were so, the period could be indefinitely postponed. Application dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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–
354. Sabayaga Farmers’ Cooperative
Ltd v. Anyony Mwita, Civ. App. 172-M-67, 6/6/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff sued defendant in Resident
Magistrate’s Court for Shs. 715/-, for maize which defendant was alleged to
have wrongfully taken. Defendant, who was not represented by an advocate and
whose officer in charge of the case had never appeared in court, filed a
written statement of defence which read as follows: “1; That on behalf of the
Society, I strongly deny any indebtedness to the Plaintiff in the sum of Shs.
715/-. 2. That I put the plaintiff to strict proof of his claim.” The Resident
Magistrate ordered the written statement of defence struck out under Order 6,
rule 16 of the Civil Procedure Code, because it was a general denial and
therefore insufficient under Order 8, rules 3, 4 and 5. Plaintiff was then permitted
to give his evidence ex parte, and judgment was awarded for plaintiff. Defendant
then appealed, and his memorandum of appeal included the following: “5. That
the defendant (appellant) denies having removed unlawfully 13 bags of maize
from the plaintiff’s premises at Ngoremi. Also the defendant (appellant) denies
his indebtedness to the plaintiff in respect of 13 bags of maize or Shs.
715/-.” The District Registrar gave him notice of hearing of the appeal in
which he was advised that the could appear himself or by agent, or might submit
a written statement of his arguments. Defendant did not appear at the appeal,
and plaintiff moved that his appeal be dismissed.
Held:
(1) The notice of appeal was given under Rule13 of the Civil Procedure (Appeals
in Proceedings Originating in Primary Courts) Rules, 1963, G. N. 312/64, which
permits an appellant to submit his appeal in writing without appearing. The
rule is not applicable to this appeal, which is from a Resident Magistrate’s
Court, but as defendant has relied on the notice in ignorance of its invalidity,
the appeal should be decided on its merits. (2) There is authority that a court
has discretion under Order 8, rule 10 of the Indian Civil Procedure Code of
1908 (which is similar to Order 8 rule 14 of the present code) to ignore a defective
written statement of defence and to give judgment for plaintiff after hearing
his evidence ex parte [Citing Haji Ibrahim Haji Adam v. Ismail Dilmirkhan
(1938) 1 T.L.R. (R) 585]. The court also has inherent powers to strike portions
of pleadings in addition to its powers under Order 6, rule 6 of the Code.
[Citing Bank of India, Ltd. v. Manibhai M. Patel, Ltd., (1965) E.A. 638].
However, these powers should be exercised very cautiously, and a pleading
should generally not be struck where the defect can be cured by amendment.
[Citing Mulla, Indian Code of Civil Procedure of 1908, 10th edn., p.
543] (3) In the present case the written statement of defence was curable as is
shown by paragraph 5 of the memorandum of appeal, which would have satisfied
the requirements of Order 8, rules 3, 4, or 5 of the Code. Defendant’s officer
was a man of limited education and with no legal experience, and in these
circumstances, the trial court erred in striking the written statement of
defence. Ex parte judgment set aside, and case remanded to trial court for
amendment of the written statement and trial of the case on its merits.
(1968)H.C.D.
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355. Joseph Kimera v. Idd Hemedi,
Civ. App. 1-M-68, 31/7/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff sued defendant upon a contract
of guarantee and was awarded judgment. His principal evidence consisted of a
document, Exhibit A, alleged to have been written and signed by defendant
acknowledging the guarantee, and also a copy of a letter, Exhibit B, written by
plaintiff to defendant demanding payment on the contract. Defendant appealed on
the following grounds, inter alea; (i) the magistrate should have referred
Exhibit A to handwriting experts or the police to determine if it was really
written by defendant, rather than rely on his own judgment; (ii) the magistrate
erred in admitting in evidence Exhibit B without proof that it was delivered to
the defendant and without proof of service of notice to produce the original;
(iii) plaintiff failed to serve a copy of Exhibit A on the defendant together
with the plaint and summons as required by Order VII, Rule 14 of the Civil
Procedure Code; (iv) the magistrate failed to frame the issues at the outset of
the trial as required by Order XIV, Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Code.
Held:
(1) “Most magistrates would perhaps prefer to have the evidence of specialists
or experts on a question of handwriting, but I do not think the method employed
by the learned magistrate was unreasonable or failed to satisfy s. 69. of the
Evidence Act.’ (2) Notice to produce is a technical device with which laymen
would not ordinarily be acquitted, and was not required of plaintiff. However, plaintiff
should have been required to prove delivery of the original of Exhibit B to the
defendant. (3) The trial court should have recorded the reasons why plaintiff
failed to attach copy of Exhibit A to the plaint, and why nevertheless it was
admitted as evidence. (4) The failure to frame the issues at the outset was not
in itself fatal. However, the combination of the various procedural
irregularities amounts to a mis-trial and a failure of justice. Case remanded
for re-trial.
356. Farrab Inc. S. A. v. The Ottoman
Bank, Civ. Case 23-A-66, 23/3/68, Platt J.
Plaintiff company, incorporated and with
its principal place of business in Tangier, but with a registered office in
Tanzania, was in liquidation. It sued certain of its mortgagees for an
accounting and to recover certain of its properties. The defendant banks sought
an order under Order 25, rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Code and under section
344 of the Companies Ordinance compelling plaintiff argued that, because it had
the office in Tanzania, it was not a person residing outside Tanzania – the
only class of persons subject to the security for costs provisions of Order 25,
rule 1. Auditors were unable to vouch for the accuracy of the valuations of the
fixed assets on plaintiff’s books, and other valuations did not convince the
Court of plaintiff’s solvency.
Held:
(1) The residence and domicile of a trading company are determined by the situs
of its principal place of business – “Where the administrative business of the
company is conducted, and this may not be the place where is manufacture or
other operations are carried on.” As
(1968)H.C.D.
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Plaintiff is in liquidation, with all
its assets in receivership, it has no place of business in Tanzania and its
principal place of business must be elsewhere.(2) Under Order 25, rule 1,
security for costs might not be required if the plaintiff had sufficient
immovable property in Tanzania, apart from the property in suit, to cover the
costs likely to be incurred by defendants; but plaintiff’s property was not
sufficient here. (3) Plaintiff cannot avoid the requirements of Order 25, rule
1, by arguing that in a mortgage suit, costs would not be awarded against the
mortgagor but would be added to the mortgage debt. In some cases, a mortgage
may be permitted to apply for cost, and in such cases security for costs is
proper. Such an order is within the court’s discretion here, where the
mortgagor plaintiff is a company in liquidation. [Citing City of Moscow Gas Co.
v. International Financial Society, 7 L.R. Chancery App. (1871/72)] (4) With
respect to section 344 of the Companies Ordinance, the Court indicated that
companies in liquidation should normally be required to give security for
costs, but did not rely on this presumption; reliance for the order was rather
placed on the finding of fact that plaintiff’s solvency was doubtful. Plaintiff
ordered to furnish ₤1000 security for costs for each of the two defendants
making the application.
357. Mohamed Stambuli v. Mwanaharusi
Selemani, Probate and Administration Cause 11-M-65, 1/7/68, Seaton J.
This was an application for the
revocation of letters of Administration of a deceased’s estate, under the
Probate and Administration Ordinance, Cap. 445, section 49. Proceedings begun
in the Primary Court to settle the estate ended in an equivocal way. The
present respondent, acting on legal advice that those proceedings were outside
the jurisdiction of the Primary Court, brought a petition in the High Court for
a grant of Letters of Administration and this was granted. Meanwhile, present
applicants, anxious to protect their interests, had brought an action in the
District Court, which asked the District Administration and this was granted.
Meanwhile, present applicants, anxious to protect their interests, had brought
an action in the District Court, which asked the District Administrative Officer
to take possession of the estate. Applicants now seek revocation on the grounds
that the original petition was false, in that (1) respondent is only
half-sister of deceased; (2) deceased was wife of applicant Stambuli up to her
death; (3) applicant Saudi is a whole
blood son of deceased’s brother Husein.
Held:
(1) Primary Courts have no pecuniary limits to their jurisdiction in
administration of deceased’s’ estates, where the applicable law is customary or
Islamic law and the estate is not governed by the Marriage, Divorce and Succession
(non-Christian
(1968)
H.C.D.
- 136 –
s.121 states that birth during marriage
is conclusive proof of legitimacy. Even if the Evidence Act does not supersede
Islamic law on this point, Husein acknowledged Saudi as his son. (5) As both
applicants have interests in the estate, the proceedings to obtain the Letters
of Administration were defective. However, it seems that no useful purpose
would be served by revoking the existing grant; but it should be qualified by
attaching thereto a declaration of the beneficial interests of the present
applicants as found by this Court. So. Ordered; costs to be borne by the
estate.
358. John Lwehabura v. Edward
Lwehanura, (PC) Civ. App. 74-M-68, Seaton J.
At issue is the validity of a will which
purports to disinherit the eldest son of the testator. It was alleged that the
testator disinherited the son, plaintiff, because the latter beat the former
and had not apologized according to Haya customary law. The testator then
disinherited the plaintiff in his will, which he signed and which was attested
by two witnesses. It was not established whether the testator’s wife or any of
the testator’s kin witnessed the will as required by law.
Held:
(1) The alleged will was invalid and insufficiently proved. [Citing ss. 3-5 of
the Law of Wills, G. N. 436/63, which provide that written wills must be attested
by proper witnesses who must include testator’s wife or wives if at home]. (2)
Under section 19, two witnesses are required, on of them being a kinsmen and
the other unrelated to the testator, if the testator is literate. (3) Property
should devolve according to the Law of Inheritance, G. N. 436 of 1963. Appeal
allowed.
359. Bi Temalilwa d/0 Bijumi v.
Bernardino Baitilwake, (PC) Civ. App. 80-M-68, 19/7/68, Mustafa J.
First defendant had, by a will,
bequeathed a clan shamba to second defendant, The shamba belonged to one Biyongo,
after the death of his father. Biyongo left a daughter, Bi Kibihile, who as a
female could not inherit the clan shamba. The chief of the area attempted to
dispossess Be Kibihile’s aunt of the shamba but his attempt was successfully
resisted by plaintiff. Upon Be Kibihile’s death, the first defendant made a
written will, which was disputed by plaintiff, bequeathing the shamba to second
defendant. Defendants alleged that the matter was res judicata; in two previous
actions brought by the plaintiff, plaintiff had failed to obtain an injunction
preventing first defendant from building a house on the shamba, and failed to
obtain a declaration that he was first defendant’s guardian. In the first of
these cases, the Primary Court Magistrate had specifically left open the
question of plaintiff’s right of inheritance. Plaintiff was a closer blood-and
clan-relative of the first defendant than was the second defendant. It also
appeared that on one occasion plaintiff had redeemed a portion of the shamba
which had been sold by the first defendant to a third party. Both the Primary
Court and District Court of Bukoba found for plaintiff in this action, which
was brought to invalidate first defendant’s will and the bequeath to second
defendant.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
(1) The evidence establishes that the right of plaintiff to inherit the clan
shamba was “much greater” than that of second defendant, and that the “clan
members were in favour of (plaintiff) being the heir of (first defendant).” (2)
The right of a testator to bequeath property to whom she likes is restricted in
respect of clan shambas. In Section 38 and 39 in Third Schedule (Law of Wills)
of the Local (Declaration) Order, G. N. 436/63, it is provided that a will
which disinherits a person “Without just cause” may be set aside, such a matter
“being decided by a family council …..” Since the clan members favoured
plaintiff in the hearing below, the courts’ finding that the will was invalid
should not be upset. (3) The matter was not res judicata, since the question of
inheritance of the clan shamba was not at issue in the previous actions brought
by plaintiff. Appeal dismissed.
360. R. v. Modest s/o Bishungwe,
Crim. Rev. 26-M-68, 19/7/68, Seaton J.
Complainant is a school-girl between the
ages of 10 and 12 years. The two accused, her brother and the man who sought to
marry complainant were convicted of abduction. (P.C. s. 133) Second accused had
paid bridewealth to the father of complainant, for an elder sister of
complainant. Meanwhile, however, the elder sister had married someone else;
after consultation with village elders, it was decided that second accused
should marry complainant, whereupon a marriage ceremony was performed. She
lived with second accused for a short time, though the marriage was never consummated.
Complainant objected to the marriage. Her brother rather than her father, who
was “somewhat mentally defective,” arranged the compromise of having second accused
marry his sister, which accounts for his presence as an accused party. Section
133 makes it an offence to abduct for the purpose of marrying, a “woman of any
age.”
Held:
(1) The only question was whether a girl is generally taken to be “something between
a child and a woman (Citing The Queen v. Prince (1875) L.R. 2 C. C. R. 154).
The Legislature distinguished between a woman and a girl under the age of 16
years. “It is an established rule in the interpretation of statutes that, when
construing the terms of any particular provision, every clause should be
construed with reference to the context and the other claused of the Act, so
as, …. To make a consistent enactment of the whole statute or series of
statutes relating to the subject matter.” (Citing Canada Sugar Refining Co. v.
R., (1898) A.C. 735 and particularly per Lord Davey at page 741). This can only
be done be limiting the term “woman” to human females aged 16 or over. (2)When
the Legislature intended to create an offence where the victim was a human female
n any of the stages of development or categories of age groups, it used the
phrase “female person.” (P.C. s. 158, incest by females). (3) The rationale for
distinguishing between females of 16 or more and those of lesser years is that
on the question of consent to marriage those in the older group are deemed
legally capable of consenting to marriage, whereas those under 16 are not
legally competent to do so. As complainant was not a “woman of any age” the
conviction were quashed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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138 –
361. R. v. Katabazi s/o Kahurananga,
Crim. Rev. 49-M-68, 1/8/68, Seaton J.
The first accused possessed a General
Game Licence which he loaned to the second accused. The second accused then
used the Licence in order to obtain two elephants. The second accused pleaded
guilty to making a false declaration and hunting elephants without a General
Game Licence. [Fauna Conservation Ordinance, Cap. 302, ss. 13 (1) 53(1),
12(1)]. The first accused was convicted of transferring a game licence. [Fauna
Conservation Ordinance, Cap. 302, ss.
13(4), 53(1)(b) 53 (2)].
Held:
(1) “Section 12 of Cap. 302 does not create the offence of making a false
declaration for a licence but it may be that section 12 read with s. 13 could
be construed together as creating the offence of hunting an elephant without
first obtaining a general game licence.
Hence I am not prepared to challenge [the second accused ’s] conviction …. “
(2) Section 13(4) makes the transfer of a licence void but nothing in section
13 or section 53 makes such transfer a crime. Conviction of first accused
quashed.
362. Sidori Francis v. R., Crim.
App. 317-D-68, 17/7/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of conveying
property (a radio) reasonably suspected of having been stolen or unlawfully
obtained. After testifying in his own behalf, he refused to answer questions
put to him during cross-examination. Thereupon, the trial court also convicted
accused of contempt of court. (P.C. s. 114(1)(b)). He only appealed the main
conviction, which appeal was dismissed, but the High Court, sua sponte,
considered the conviction for contempt of court. Accused said that he had a
licence for the radio, but that he had lost it. The trial court had asked him
where it was, and ordered him to produce it, which accused failed to do.
Held:
(1) Section 114(1)(b) makes it an offence, inter alea, for a sworn witness (as
accused was ) to refuse to answer a question or produce a document. Since the
court believed that accused was not properly in possession of the radio, he
hardly would be able to produce a licence for it, so the failure to do so
cannot constitute contempt of court. Conviction quashed. (2) The Court made
note of the fact that accused could have, had he so chosen, refused to give any
evidence at all.
363. Makubi s/o Nana v. R., Crim.
App. 335-D-68, -/7/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of corruption
[Prevention of Corruption Ordinance, s. 3(2)] A Village Executive Officer has
come to his house to count his cattle for tax purposes. Accused said that some
of the cattle in his kraal belonged to a neighbor. When the officer insisted on
counting them all, accused offered him a twenty-shilling not, as he admitted in
his testimony, “as an inducement not to include the other cattle which were of
another man.” The trial court took this explanation as a plea of guilty.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
A necessary element of the offence is that the act of offering an inducement be
done “corruptly”. But for an act to be done corruptly, it must be done with an
evil mind or an evil intention. [Citing Mandia v. R., (1966) E. A. 315; R. v.
Akbarali K. Jetha, 14 E.A.C.A. 122; and Bradford Election Petition. (No.2),
(1869) 19 L.T. 723] The accused here clearly had no evil mind. “The dictionary
meaning of ‘corrupt’ in this sense is to induce to act dishonestly or
unfaithfully, and in no sense can appellant be said to have acted thus.” So the
accused ’s statement was not equivalent to a plea of guilty, since it contained
no admission of having acted corruptly. Appeal allowed; conviction quashed.
364. Mzee s/o Selemani v. R.,
Crim. App. 244-D-68, 21/6/68, Georges C. J.
Accused, a Divisional Executive Officer,
was convicted of wrongful confinement [P.C. s. 253] and abuse of office [P.C.
s. 96]. Complainant went to accused ’s house to seek a permit to hold an ngoma.
When accused replied that no such permits were available, complainant apologized
for bothering him. At this point accused rebuked complainant for interrupting a
“bwana mkubwa” and ordered a clerk to arrest complainant. No warrant for the
arrest was issued. Complainant was charged with an offence contrary to section
124 of the Penal Code and was released on bail after being detained for short
period. This charge against complainant was later dropped. Accused argued that
because he was an ex officio justice of the peace, he was immune from
prosecution as a judicial officer under section 16 of the Penal Code and
section 60 of he Magistrates’ Courts Act.
Held:
(1) The immunity of judicial officers extends only to those actions taken by
the officer in the performance of a judicial function. [Citing Saudi Bakari
Kionywaki v. R., Crim. App. 714-D-67, High Court Digest, Vo, I, case No. 443].
(2) Although the issuance of a warrant of an arrest has been held to be a
judicial function [Citing Saudi Bakari Kionywaki v. R., supra], the arrest of a
person without warrant for an offence allegedly committed within the officer’s
view does not constitute a judicial function. In the first case, the officer is
to make an impartial evaluation of the grounds justifying the warrant; in the
second case he is exercising a function similar to that of countless police
officers. Therefore, there was no immunity and the conviction for wrongful
confinement was proper. (3) Penal Code section 124 provides for the
disobedience of a lawful order, and since no order has been made by accused
which could be disobeyed, the arrest of complainant was unlawful. (4) Penal
Code section 96 provides that any officer “who …. Does or directs to be done,
in abuse of the authority of his office, any arbitrary acts prejudicial to the
rights of another, is guilty of misdemeanor.” Accused knew that the arrest was
wrongful, and the arrest was arbitrary and prejudicial to complainant. Sentence
on first count reduced from nine months to three months; appeal otherwise
dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D.
-140
–
365. Ahmed Ibrahim v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 330-M-68, 29/6/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of stealing,
largely on the basis of a confession which he later recanted, claiming that he
had been beaten and coerced into confessing. It came out at the trial that accused
had a previous theft conviction. This fact was referred to by both assessors as
justifying their view that accused was guilty. Several witnesses testified that
accused ’s hands were bound and that
they saw him being beaten.
Held:
(1) The Primary Court should have instructed the assessors that the confession
could be admitted into evidence only if they were satisfied that accused made
it voluntarily. [Citing Magistrate’s Courts (Rules of Evidence in Primary
Courts) Regulations, 1964, rule 13). (2) The trial court erred in admitting
evidence of accused ’s bad character (i.e., the previous conviction.) Because
of these errors the conviction was quashed and sentence set aside.
366. Salehe s/o Kassim v. R., Crim.
App. 226, 227,228-D-68, 29/7/68, Hamlyn J.
The three accused were convicted of
burglary and stealing. The magistrate held that “though accused No. 1 claimed
that the clothes .. were his own in absence of proper identification on his
side and his failure to quote at least cost of each as the complainant did, I
find that they are not his… On the other side accused No. 2 and 3 claimed to
have got the clothes from accused No. 1. Though this might be so, I am
reluctant to accept this testimony which is uncorroborated as the law
requires.”
Held:
The magistrate misdirected himself on two counts. (1) No corroboration is
required b the law for testimony by co-accused which is part of the defence
evidence. (2) The law does not require accused to positively prove their
version of the matter; they need only “raise some doubt in the mind of the
court as to whether the prosecution has proved its case to the full. Appeal allowed.
367. R. v. John Yakubona, Crim.
Sass. 102-M-68, 12/7/68, Mustafa J.
The first accused, an assistant
divisional executive officer, ordered second accused, a messenger, to lock up
over fifty alleged tax defaulters in two small cells which had almost no
ventilation. First accused gave evidence, denied by the second accused, that he
had ordered that no more that eleven people be locked in one cell and twelve in
the other. There was other evidence that prisoners shouted intermittently all
afternoon and throughout the night,
while second accused was on guard. It also appeared that first accused returned
at midnight, but went away without doing anything. Thirteen of the prisoners in
one cell suffocated, and accused were charged with manslaughter.
Held:
(1) The evidence of each accused against the other is accomplice evidence. However,
making allowances for that, it does seem that first accused ordered second
accused to lock up the prisoners in two cells, knowing full well that the cells
could not safety hold so many people.(2) Both of the accused had a duty of care
to the prisoners, and both showed such a high degree of recklessness in regard
to human life as to.
(1968)H.C.D.
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141 –
Amount to an unlawful act; therefore,
they are guilty of manslaughter. As both are equally responsible, and as a
“severe and deterrent” sentence is called for, each is sentenced to ten years’
imprisonment.
368. R. v. Tulali s/o Kisongo,
Crim. Sass. 55-A-67, 9/5/68, Platt J.
Accused was charged with endangering the
safety of persons traveling on the railway, by placing stones on the line [P.C.
s. 224]. Both assessors and the judge accepted the evidence of the driver
and a passenger that accused had been sitting
on the railway line with two other persons and that they had placed stones on
the line.
Held:
(1) The prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that accused intended to
endanger the safety of a person or persons traveling by railway. The Penal Code
contains no offence equivalent to section 34 of the English Offences Against
the Person Act 1861 (endangering by unlawful act or omission the safety of any
railway passenger). The assessors must consider whether the accused, a youth
with not formal education who alleges that he did not know the likelihood of
danger resulting from his acts, formed the specific intent required by the
section. (2) The stone was of a size to be inherently dangerous, and the only
conclusion must be that the accused intended the natural consequences of his
acts, which would be to endanger the safety of travelers. In agreement with the
assessors, accused is found guilty.(3) Taking into account the Probation
Officer’s report, referring to accused ’s youth and backwardness due to illness
which has left him deaf, a sentence of 18 months’ probation is ordered.
369. R. v. Rashidi s/o Mohamed,
Crim. Rev. 25/7/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was convicted of having
committed an unnatural offence. [P.C. s. 154(1)].There was ample evidence that
a brutal rape per anum had been committed upon complainant, an elderly woman,
but he only evidence connecting accused with the offence was the testimony of
the complainant herself.
Held;
(1) There is a general rule that corroborative evidence is required to support
the testimony of the complainant concerning a sexual offence. (2) If a
magistrate notes the absence of corroboration, warns himself of the danger of
convicting in the absence of corroboration, but nevertheless finds that the evidence
is so convincing that he feels it is safe to convict, it is possible to support
the conviction. However, no such course was followed by the magistrate in the
present case. Conviction quashed.
370. Mchelengwajingi s/o Masala v.
R., Crim. App. 279-M-68, 19/6/68, Seaton J.
The four accused were convicted of rape.
[P.C. s. 130]. There was evidence that the accused and the complainant had been
drinking together and that all of them were drunk. At about midnight, one of
the accused carried complainant away. Complainant testified that the first and
second
(1968)H.C.D.
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Accused then had intercourse with her by
force. She stated that the third and fourth accused later had intercourse with
her but that she was too tired and drunk by that time to resist. Another
prosecution witness saw the third accused having intercourse with complainant,
and a torn piece of her clothing was later found near the scene. The first and
third accused admitted having had intercourse with complainant but stated that
she had consented. The second and fourth accused denied having had intercourse with her.
Held:
(1) There was no corroboration for complainant’s testimony that the second and
fourth accused had had intercourse with her. (2) There may be authority
supporting a conviction for rape when
the complainant is too drunk to resist. [Citing R. v. Complain (1845) 1 Cox
C.C. 220]. However, in the present case, there is no corroboration of
complainant’s testimony that the intercourse with the first and third accused
was without her consent. Neither the torn clothing nor the fact that she was
drunk would necessarily negative the fact of her consent. (3) The trial
magistrate also failed to consider the possibility that because of their
drunkenness the accused had no intention to commit rape and mistakenly believed
that complainant had consented. Convictions quashed.
371. Thomas @ Mkiria Ikwabe v. R.,
Crim. App. 497-M-68, 25/7/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of being in
unlawful possession of the local liquor called “moshi” and was sentenced to pay
a fine of Shs. 500/- or six months’ imprisonment. Accused is a first offender
who has to support his brother’s wife, who is ill, and who also has three
children who are in school. He says that he is a poor man.
Held:
Fines imposed for liquor offences “should bear a reasonably relation to the accused
’s power to pay taking all his circumstances into account.” [Citing Mohamed
Juma v. Rex, 1 T.L.R. 257]. The fine imposed is excessive for a first offender
and should be reduced to a fine of Shs. 200/- or two months’ imprisonment.
372. R. v. Yasini s/o Ramadhani,
Crim. Rev. 22-D-68, 10/7/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted in each of two
separate cases of housebreaking and stealing. Both cases were heard by the same
magistrate on the same day, and judgment and sentence in the cases were also
given on the same day. In one case accused was sentenced to imprisonment of 16
months and in the other case to imprisonment of 14 months.
Held:
(1) In the absence of any direction to the contrary, the sentence in the second
case would run consecutively to that in the first case for a total of 30
months. (2) As the Minimum Sentences Act applies to the offence of housebreaking,
and as special circumstances cannot be considered in the facts of this case,
the minimum permissible sentences in each case was two years imprisonment. (3)
The Court stated, obiter, “(I) t is not understood why the offences were dealt
with in two separate files.” Sentence enhanced, due to accused ’s long record
of previous convictions, to three years imprisonment in each of the two cases,
the sentences in the two cases to run concurrently.
(1968)H.C.D.
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373. Geofray s/o Buyombe v. R.,
Crim. App. 355-M-68, 30/7/68, Mustafa J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
servant [P.C. ss. 265, 271]. He was a Divisional Secretary of T.A.P.A., and
collected revenues on its behalf. He admitted appropriating part of it for
himself, but alleged that this was partly because he had not been paid his
salary by T.A.P.A for 8 months.
Held:
Appeal rejected. Even “if an employee has not been paid his salary he has no
right to use money which he has received
for his employer without authorization.”
374. Issa s/o Ntoka v. R., Crim.
App. 217-D-68, Georges C. J.
Accused having sold eight kilos of cashew
nuts valued at Shs. 5/75, to the weighing clerk (P.W.1) of the Nanyanga
Co-operative, altered the chit issued to him to read 988 kilos, valued Shs.
650/75, and presented for payment to P.W. 2, who paid that sum. Accused
admitted that he was paid in excess, but stated that he was illiterate.
Held:
Illiterate though he might be, it is clear that accused could not have thought
that eight kilos of cashew nuts were worth Shs. 650/-, and that he should have
enquired. (2) Conviction on the count of stealing quashed, but a conviction for
obtaining by false pretences substituted. “(T)he most intelligible distinction
between larceny by trick and obtaining by false pretences is that in the former
the person parting with the property intends to part with possession only, not
with the property, while in the latter, he intends to part with both.” The
victim here clearly intended to part with both possession and property of the
money he handed to accused.
375. Magati s/o Mchoya v. R.,
Crim. App. 340-M-68, 31/7/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of robbery with
violence. The village headman and others discovered his wife illegally brewing
moshi. When they arrested her, the accused seized a bicycle and briefcase
belonging to the headman and pulled out a knife, saying that if the headman
could take away, accused took the articles into his house. The headman later
recovered them.
Held:
Conviction quashed. “As to he detaining of the bicycle and the briefcase, the appellant’s
motives were to exert pressure to have his wife freed by detaining them
temporarily.” He did not intend to deprive the headman permanently of them, so
there could be neither theft nor robbery.
376. Meliki s/o Mayala v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 246-M-68, 19/7/68, Seaton J.
Accused, by a written contract, agreed
to build a home for the complainant, who was to supply the building materials.
The complainant became unsatisfied with the progress made and terminated the
accused ’s contract. Complainant demand return of four bags of cement, which accused
has sold to a third party before the complainant ended the contract.
(1968)H.C.D.
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144 –
Held:
The essential element of section 273, and all other cases of theft in the Penal
Code, is fraudulent taking or conversion. Here, there was no evidence that the
contract required the accused to use the very bags supplied to him for building
the house. The act of the complainant in terminating the contract deprived the
accused of the opportunity of replacing the bags; his fraudulent intent was not
proved. Conviction quashed.
377. Waziri s/o Abdallah v. R.,
Crim. App. 273-D-68, 12/7/68, Georges C. J.
Accused, the secretary of a cooperative
society, was convicted of three counts of stealing by servant [P.C. 265 ss. 271]
and was sentenced to two years imprisonment and 24 strokes under the Minimum
Sentences Act. There was evidence that accused knowingly submitted vouchers to
the treasurer of the society for traveling expenses and “posho” which were in
excess of the amount due to him and as a result received excess payment of
three occasions of Shs. 21/-, Shs. 27/- and Shs. 48/-.
Held:
The crime was obtaining money by false pretences rather than of stealing.
Conviction for obtaining money by false pretences substituted, and sentence
reduced to imprisonment of one year as the Minimum Sentences Act was not
applicable to the substitute conviction.
378. Andogwisye s/o Mwambungu,
Crim. App. 294-M-68, Seaton J.
Accused, an Executive Officer in a
region Police office was convicted of six counts of stealing by public servant
[P.C. s. 270]. The main question on appeal arose in connection with five counts
concerning premium monies received by accused in respect of insurance policies
held by police constables. The Regional Commander testified that he had been
instructed by the Inspector-General of Police to act as agent, receiving
premiums from policy holders for transmission to the insurance company. This
duty was delegated to accused. The evidence accepted by the court showed that
accused had failed to had failed to hand over some Shs. 2000/- in premium
payments, as a result of which many police policies lapsed.
Held:
The premiums were the property of the insurance company, not the Government,
and accused received them as an agent of the company. The “failure to deal
specifically with the question of employment and to make and finding of fact
thereon was a serious misdirection.” [Citing Rajabu s/o Mbaruku v. R., (1962)
E.A. 669]. Convictions under section 265 of the Penal Code substituted (simple
theft) and sentences of twelve months imposed. Order for compensation to
Government altered to require compensation to insurance company.
379. National and Grindlays Bank,
Ltd. v.Mohamedali Shariff, Bankruptcy Cause 6-D-67, -/8/68, Hamlyn J.
Petitioner creditor brought an action to
have the debtor adjudge bankrupt. The petition was accepted by the court and a
receiving order made. Section 20 (1) of the Bankruptcy Ordinance, Cap. 25,
provides that after the creditors Ordinance, Cap. 25, provides that after the
creditors have met, if they do not agree to a composition or other scheme as
provided in the Ordinance, the debtor
(1968)H.C.D.
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145 –
Shall be adjuged bankrupt. The proper
procedures under section 20(1) were complied with, whereupon the creditor now
seeks an adjudication of bankruptcy. The debtor at this point alleges that
because of certain “irregularities” in the creditor’s claim, the question of
whether there was an ct of bankruptcy at all should be reopened. The creditor
argued that once the petition of bankruptcy was accepted by the court, which
under section 7 of the Ordinance is empowered to dismiss such petition if it is
not satisfied with the proof of the petitioning creditor or of the act of
bankruptcy, the issue of whether there has been an act of bankruptcy is closed.
Ruled:
Section 104(2) of the Ordinance provides: “The courts may at any time adjourn
any proceedings before it upon such terms, if any, as it may think to impose.”
The Court noted that “in the present case, the debtor has set out in his
affidavit a number of allegations, one of which raises the question of the
correctness of the creditor’s claim, and states that the figure given therein
is incorrect … The allegation of the debtor … is a serious one, nor has any
counter-affidavit been filed putting the matter into issue. It would .. be a
strong thing for this Court to rule in the face such allegation of the debtor, that without
any inquiry into the truth or otherwise of the affidavit, adjudication should
be made forthwith. It may be that the debtor’s contention has no real basis in
either fact or law, but it is clearly impossible at this stage for this Court
to say. There is nothing sacrosanct about the decree annexed to the Bankruptcy
Notice as would warrant this Court to disregard the contentions contained in the
debtor’s affidavit …” (Citing Boaler v. Power (1910) 2 K.B.229, where “even
after adjudication the court inquired into the validity of the petitioning
creditor’s judgment.”) The Court found that the debtor’s affidavit contained
“good reason” or granting an adjournment of the proceedings to enable him to
produce his objections to an adjudication of bankruptcy. It was so ordered.
380. Onorato Della Santa t/o New
Phoenix Restaurant v. Michael George Scohdoulis, Civ. Case 12-D-68, 21/8/68
Plaintiff brought this action for the
sale of his restaurant under his own name, adding the words “trading as New
Phoenix Restaurant.” Defendant raised the preliminary point that this name is
not registered under the Business Names (Registration) Ordinance, Cap. 213, and
that plaintiff had filed no statement of particulars under that name. Section
15(1) of that Ordinance provides that where there has been such a default, the
defaulter’s rights under any contract “made or entered into ….in relation to
the business in respect of the carrying on of which particulars were required
at any time while he is in default shall not be enforceable by action or other
legal proceeding whether in the business name or otherwise.” The restaurant is
registered as “New Phoenix Restaurant, Bar and Cafereria,” but described in the
contract in question as “New Phoenix Restaurant.”
Held:
(1) Section 15(1) is not applicable here. Plaintiff is registered and not in
default, and the transaction Plaintiff is registered and not in default, and
the transaction is clearly concerned with the firm whose registered name
closely
(1968)H.C.D.
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146 –
Resembles the name appearing in the
title to the suit. (2) The reference to the firm name in the title to the suit
is merely a misdescription, which can be amended at any time, with leave by the
Court, under Order I, Rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Code. [Citing
Chitaley & Rao, Vol. I 2nd
ed., p. 1127] Leave to amend granted.
381. Joseph Constantive v. Losilale
Ndaskoi, Civ. Case 18-A-67, 28/6/68, Platt J.
Plaintiff agreed to build a house for
defendant and, in return, defendant was to give plaintiff a piece of land. Both
are Waarusha. Plaintiff entered the land and carried out a number of
improvements. He failed to build the house for the defendant. Defendant forcibly
ejected plaintiff from the land. Plaintiff, in an action brought initially in
the High Court, claimed compensation for unexhausted improvements, including
permanent trees and some houses and produce, under Arusha law. In earlier
proceedings, defendant had claimed title to the land on the basis of Arusha
Law.
Held:
(1) The dispute is governed by Arusha law, because (i) plaintiff based his
claim upon it and not upon the Law of Contract Ordinance; (ii) both parties had
accepted that the agreement was governed by customary law; and (iii)
defendant’s claim for title of the land had been governed by customary law, and
it would now be illogical to decide the question of unexhausted improvements on
a different basis. (2) Since the agreement was governed by customary law, the
Law of Contract Ordinance was excluded by section 1 (3) of that Ordinance, as
amended in the Magistrates Courts Act 1963, Sixth Schedule. (3) By section
57(1) of the Magistrates Courts Act, no proceedings relating to immovable property under
customary law could be instituted in any court other than a Primary Court
without the leave of the High Court. “Immovable property” in that section must
be defined to include permanent trees and houses, but to exclude crops and
“food plants.” Since most of this claim related to permanent trees and houses,
it was necessary to obtain leave from the High Court. (4)Since it is undesirable
to devide the claim, the entire proceedings are referred to the Primary Court.
382. Peter John Burt v. Christine
Hassnoot Burt, Matr. Cause 3-D-68, 11/6/68, Biron J.
This was an application for leave to
present a petition for divorce, before the expiry of three years since the date
of the marriage. The grounds for the application were unusual hardship and unusual
depravity” --- i.e., that applicant’s wife was living with another man by whom
she had had a child, forcing applicant to “live the life of a bachelor.”
Applicant came to Tanzania from Britain in 1966 on an entry permit due to
expire in November, 1968. His job with a local company was to terminate on 30
September, 1968, and he stated that “he has no relative or friend in this country……
Held:
(1) Applicant has not acquired a domicile of choice in this country, “nor
apparently is he in a position to do so.” The Court therefore has no jurisdiction
to entertain this matrimonial suit. (2)The Court stated, obiter, that the applicant’s
allegation of unusual depravity and hardship was “not particularly compelling.”
(1968)H.C.D.
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383.El Haji Salum Mbogorowe v. Asumini
d/o Ngobesi, (PC) Civ. App. 82-M-68, 11/6/68, Seaton J.
Plaintiff was married to the son of
defendant for twelve years. She bore eight children during their marriage. She
left her husband in 1967 and was prevented from marrying another man by the
defendant. She sued him for this in Primary Court. She there claimed that her
children were not her husband’s he being impotent, and that the true father had
been his brother. When she left him, she had given defendant one cow, of the
previously paid dowry of one cow and Shs. 200/-, and had taken her one-year-old
son with her. The Primary Court dissolved the marriage, ordering that the dower
should be returned in full. Finding that the child was in fact the child of
plaintiff on condition that they live at her home. She then made repeated
attempts to take the child to the home of her lover, and the court ordered the
child placed in the custody of defendant, to force plaintiff to live with her
son there, the son to be given to her husband if she refused. The District
Court held that the child had been born out of wedlock, and that there had been
a khula divorce, so that defendant and his son had no claim to her or to the
child. Defendant now argues, inter alia, that the khula divorce was not
effective because the dowry was not fully returned.
Held:
(1) Under Muslim law, a khula divorce is obtainable “at the initiative of the
wife.” The two parties, or their agents, speak or write appropriate words, the
wife offering and the husband accepting compensation out of her property for
the release of his marital rights. The “dissolution of the marriage is not
contingent on the payment of the consideration.” (2) Defendant “had throughout
been acting as (his son’s) agent and …..the divorce which was accomplished
through the intervention of the court” was a proper khula divorce. [Citing
Suddan v. Faiz Baksh, 1 Lahore 402; Bazul ul Raheem v. Luteefut con nissa, 8
M.L.A. 396; Fitzgerald, Mohamedan Law (1931) 78, 79; Tybji,Principles of
Mohamedan Law (2nd ed. 1919 s. 181; Wilson, Anglo-Mohamedan
Law(1930) s. 70]. The remaining dowry may be recovered from plaintiff or her
father as a civil debt. (3) According to the cited authorities, “a child born
after six lunar months from the date of the marriage is conclusively
legitimate.” The husband’s alleged impotence “might be grounds for a judicial
divorce, but could not rebut the presumption that the children born during …..
wedlock …… were his.” (4) The Primary Court’s order, as it relates to paternity
and custody, is restored. It comports with Muslim Law principles, under which
the mother should have custody of a male child under seven if that is
consistent with the “paramount consideration”, of the child’s welfare.
384. Azverali Karimjee & Others
v. City Council of Dar es Salaam, Civ. App. 4-D-68, 12/5/68, Georges C. J.
Defendant tenants in the Splendid Hotel
building had left the country, leaving an outstanding building bill for sewage
services with the
(1968)
H.C.D.
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Municipalities Ordinance, Cap. 105,
makes such charges recoverable by the Council from the owner of premises, in
accordance with section 46; this section makes all monies due “recoverable from
the owner and occupier jointly and severally … Provided that the owner shall …
be entitled to recover from the occupier ..” It also provides for proceedings
by the Council “jointly and severally against the owner and occupier” where six
weeks have elapsed since “written notice (has) been given by the Council to the
owner or occupier of his indebtedness …..”
Held:
(1) The proviso to section 46 merely prescribes that the owner should have
notice of his indebtedness before he is sued, in a situation in which he is not
normally held responsible for payment. (2) The Council’s normally held
responsible for payment. (2) The Council’s right to recover from the owner is
not dependent upon the owner’s ability to recoup from the occupier. Defendant’s
appeal dismissed.
385. Ottoman Bank v. Hanna Ghaui,
Civ. Case 63-D-60, 14/8/68, Georges C. J.
Defendant judgment-debter died after a
preliminary decree for the sale of mortgaged properties had been given by Court
of Appeal. Administratix was appointed two years later. Further details of
accounts referring to the mortgaged property were filed. 3 years after the
preliminary decree, an application was made to have the adminitrix’ name put on
the record. Defendant’s counsel objected on the ground that the limitation
period had run, and that the application was not maintainable under s. 95 of
the Civil Procedure Code. It was not disputed that the limitation period under
order XX11 Rule 4 was 3 months.
Held:
(1) Order XX11 Rule 4 only applies where a right to sue survives death. Once a
preliminary decree had been given, that crystallizes the rights of the parties
and it cannot be said that a right to sue survives. What survives is a right to
the enforcement of the decree. An application could not therefore be brought
under Rule 4. (2) Rule 9 sub-rule 2, giving power to set aside an abatement of
a suit, did not apply here as there had been no abatement under Rule 4, since
it had already been decided that Rule 4 did not apply. (3) The court therefore
invoked the inherent power conferred by s. 95 of the Civil Procedure Code to
make an order where no alternative remedy was available.
386. Kotak Ltd. v. Vallabdas
Kooverji, Civ. App. 15-D-68, 12/7/68, Georges C. J.
An order was made by consent granting
respondent landlords possession of premises occupied by appellant company,
conditioned upon payment of compensation. Before the order was carried out, the
Rent Restriction Act was amended, bringing the land under rent control
legislation for the first time. Under that legislation, an order for possession
could only be obtained if a number of specific grounds were established.
Section 19(5), as amended, gave power to the court to suspend or stay the
execution of any unexcuted order under certain conditions. Appellant company
claimed for rescission of the order for possession; this claim was for
rescission of the order for possession; this claim was dismissed by the
Resident Magistrate on the ground that
(1968)H.C.D.
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Section 19(5) was not retrospective. The
case was unsuccessfully appealed. The company then filed an identical claim
before a second Resident Magistrate which was dismissed.
Held:
(1) The second claim was res judicata. Even if the doctrine only applied where
there had been a ruling on the merits, a court’s decision that the law provides
no remedy is equivalent to deciding the merits of the case. (2) Section 19(5)
is retrospective in the sense that it gives the court power to review orders
made before the amendment; but successive applications can only be made where
the fact situation has changed, and that does not appear here.
387. Simon s/o Mkoma, Mark s/o
Masisila, Francis s/o Mwambe, Crim. App. 314, 327, 336-D-68; 9/8/68;
Georges, J.
One of the accused was convicted (inter
alia) of transferring a firearm and ammunition for the use of another person,
without permit, contrary to s. 16(1) of the arms and ammunition act, Cap. 223.
He had loaned his gun for hunting purposes to a person who did not posses a
licence to use or carry a firearm.
Held:
Accused was improperly charged and convicted. S. 16(1) merely enables an
authorized officer to issue a permit authorizing the transferring without such
a permit. S. 15, indeed, does forbid the transfer of arms or ammunition without
a permit. However the word “transfer” in this context indicates “ a transfer
analogous to a disposition in which property passes in the arms or ammunition,
and not merely possession” (citing Joakim Michel v. Republic (1963) E.A. 235),
and so does not cover a mere loan as in this case. It would seem that the
person to whom the gun was transferred would be guilty of holding without a
licence under s. 13(1), so that the accused could be convicted of aiding and
abetting the commission of this offence. However this is not he offence
contemplated in the charge, which must therefore be quashed.
388. Sarder Mohamed v. R., Crim.
App. 44-A-68, 19/6/68, Platt, J.
Accused was convicted of unlawful
possession of government trophies, contrary to sections 49 and 53 of the Fauna
Conservation Ordinance, Cap. 302. It was not disputed that accused was found in
possession of four ostrich egg shells and that he had no certificate of ownership.
The issue for determination was whether these egg shells were government
trophies.
Held:
(1) The ostrich egg shells were trophies within the definitions of “trophy” and
“animal” in section 2 of Cap.302, read together. (2) Section 47(1) and 47(2)
explain Government Trophies”. Particularly, Section 47(1)(b) requires that the
animal should be a “game animal” and, under section 2 of the Ordinance, “game”
and “game animal” mean “any animal specified in the First, Second and Third
Schedule of the Ordinance including the eggs and young thereof”. From Third
Schedule, an ostrich is a game animal; and therefore, from the definition, eggs
of an ostrich are “game animals”. (3) Under section 49(2), the onus of proving
lawful possession lies upon accused. Appeal dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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391. Kibwana Salehe v. R., Crim.
App. 255-D-68, 16/8/68, Georges C. J.
Accused were convicted of stealing by
agent. [P.C. ss. 273(b), 265]. There was evidence that they were employees of a
transporter and had stolen a consignment of cotton. One of the prosecution
witnesses had given a statement to the police in which he said he had given the
first accused a letter of authority to receive the consignment. In his
evidence-in-chief at the trial, he denied delivering such a letter. The
prosecution then obtained permission to cross-examine him, and he acknowledged
delivering the letter. The trial court relied on his testimony in arriving at
one of its findings
Held:
(1) “Whenever a witness is proved to have made a statement on oath inconsistent
with a statement previously made by him, the credibility of that witness is
completely destroyed, unless he can give an acceptable explanation for the
inconsistency.” The witness gave no such explanation, and neither his testimony
or previous statement should have been relied upon. (2) The other evidence was
sufficient to support the conviction. Appeal dismissed.
392. R. v. Balutunika s/o Mhozi,
Crim. App. 153-M-68, 15/5/68, Seaton,J.
Accused was charged and convicted of
causing grievous bodily harm. The word “unlawfully” was omitted from the
charge. Accused ’s reply to the charge was, “Yes, it is true I cut the
complainant by panga…..” This was entered as a plea guilty. Accused said that
he had been angry with the complainant for having ridiculed his wife and daughter
as they were mourning the death of a daughter.
Held:
(1) Accused ’s plea of guilty was not unequivocal, under section 225 of the
Penal Code. (2) The word “unlawfully” must be included in the charge. (3)
Accused ’s statements, that he was angry over complainant’s treatment of his
wife and daughter, might have gone some way to show that accused did not believe
that he was acting unlawfully, or that he did not intend to do so. Conviction
quashed; re-trial not ordered, in view of the fact that accused has already
spent some time in prison.
393. R. v. Otto s/o Miller, Crim.
Rev. 50-D-68, 17/7/68, Biron J.
Accused was charged with driving a motor
vehicle on the public road without due care and attention, thereby causing his
vehicle to run off the road. The magistrate found that there was no case to
answer and acquitted him. The magistrate then heard more witnesses, purporting
to act under section 175 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which allows the court
to order the complainant to pay the accused a reasonable sum for trouble and
expenses to which accused has been put by reason of a frivolous and vexatious
charge. It was the magistrate’s view that the accused had been forced off the
road by a prosecution witness, a rival bus company’s driver. The magistrate
thereupon ordered the witness’ employer to pay compensation to the accused for
his loss of profits and cost of spares.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
(1)Section 175 allows an order only against the complainant – here, the police
– and not against a witness, or his employer. (2) The order is to be for
compensation for trouble and expense arising from the charge, and not from
those acts – here, the accident – which result in a charge being brought. The
magistrate had no jurisdiction to make the order made here; it is ultra vires,
and is therefore set aside.
394. Saudi s/o Sefu v. R., Crim.
App. 185-M-68, 27/6/68, Seaton J.
Accused was charged on four counts under
the Traffic Ordinance, two of which were (i) causing death by reckless or dangerous
driving [ s. 44 (A)(1) of Act 41 of 1964 of the Laws] and (ii) using a motor
vehicle on the road with defective tyres [ss. 30(1)(i) and 69 of Cap. 168].
Accused was driving a Land-Rover to Nzega carrying twelve cases of empty Fanta
bottles and about fifteen passengers. On the way a rear left hand tyre burst
and this was replaced by another which apparently quite worn. The journey was
resumed and the passengers requested the accused to drive slowly because of
their overcrowded condition; also, the turn-boy warned accused that the
replaced tyre had a protruding piece of metal. The accused however neither
reduced his speed nor mended the replaced tyre. On the way, the replaced tyre
also burst on a slope of a hill, and the vehicle over-turned. Three passengers
were killed and the rest were injured. A question arose whether the charge was
defective, since it joined in one count the charge of causing the death of
three separate persons and the charge of causing the injuries of the rest.
Held:
(1) The joinder of the three deaths and injuries to the other persons was not
prejudicial to accused in the circumstances of the case. Accused was full aware
of the substance of the case he had to meet and the defective charge did not
occasion failure of justice and was curable under section 346 of the Cr. P. C.
(2) The duty of care owed by motor-drivers to users of the highway is not to
drive recklessly, not to drive at a dangerous speed and not to drive a vehicle
in a dangerous condition. This duty of care extends both to passengers and
other members of the public independently using the road. Appeal dismissed.
395. The Manager, Burhani Saw Mills,
Ltd. v. R. Crim. App. 292-D-68, 28/6/68, Georges C. J.
The accused Company was charged with six
offences under the Traffic Ordinance; permitting a motor vehicle to be driven
whilst steering was defective [ss. 43 and 70]; and without the appropriate
licence [ss. 6 and 70]; permitting an unlicensed person to use the vehicle [
ss. 14(2) and 70]; failing to affix identification marks on the vehicle [ss.
3(1)(k) and 69 of the Rule]; contravening rules relating to driver’s
accommodation in a commercial vehicle by failing to provide a barrier; and
contravening the conditions of the use of the motor vehicle by having defective
springs. A motor vehicle inspector on examining the vehicle found all these
defects. The manager of the company testified that he had “refused” to let the
driver take the vehicle and that the driver had used it for his own purposes contrary
to the instructions.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
(1) Once the word “permit” is used, mens rea is required. [Citing Alli s/o Mzee
v. R. [1960] E.A. 404]. This does not require an active grant of consent but
may involve an inattention to duty. (2) There was evidence that the driver
disobeyed his instructions from the manager and, in the circumstances, the company
did not permit the act.(3) Where the offence is using a vehicle in a defective
state, as apart from permitting its use, no mens rea need be proved, provided always
that the servant is driving on his master’s business. [Citing James & Son
Ltd. v. Smee [1954] All E. R. 273 at p. 277.] This was not proven to be the case here. Appeal allowed.
396. R. v. Athumani Hatibu, Crim.
Rev. 96-D-68, 26/8/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of theft by public
servant and sentenced to two years imprisonment and twenty four strokes of
corporal punishment under the Minimum Sentences Act. The Court, relying on a
statement of accused, gave his age as 43 years. After the trial was completed,
the Prison Medical Officer gave the opinion that accused was 47 years of age
but subsequently wrote the court stating that he deferred to the finding of the
trial court.
Held:
(1) The Prison Medical Officer must give his independent opinion as to the age
of accused. “if the medical officer finds that the convicted man is not fit for
corporal punishment, either by reason of some physical defect or by reason of
age it is his duty to say so, and it is immaterial that others may have reached
an earlier and different conclusion. He is in the position of an expert on
which both the court and the prison authorities must finally rely.” (2) Doubt
as to the accused ’s age should be resolved in favour of the accused. Corporal
punishment set aside.
397. Wilfred Asasiana v. R.,
Crim. App. 64-A-68, 3/7/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
servant from a school, and sentenced to two years and twenty-four strokes under
the Minimum Sentences Act. Accused had stolen a cheque for Shs. 182/50 from a
fellow employee of the school. However, payment on the cheque was stopped, and
although accused received goods and money to a total of Shs. 182/50 from a
shopkeeper to whom he negotiated the cheque, the question arose whether accused
he negotiated the cheque, the question arose whether accused had in fact stolen
anything more than the value of the cheque from his employer.
Held:
At the time the cheque was stolen, it was intended to have the value was recognised
by the shopkeeper to whom it was negotiated. “The value of the stolen property
was equivalent to money for the sum drawn on the cheque.” [Citing Mensour Ahmed
v. R., (1957) E.A. 386]. Conviction and sentence confirmed.
398. Mussa s/o Kandege v. R.,
(PC) Crim. App. 150-D-68, 18/7/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused was convicted of cattle-stealing
in Primary Court. There, and in the District Court on appeal, he argued that he
attempted to recover a bull and four cows in an effort to recover dowry paid in
respect of a marriage which had
(1968)H.C.D.
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Come to an end. Both courts evidently
paid slight attention to the argument.
Held:
To convict for theft, a court must be satisfied that the taking was not done
under a “claim of right” [citing P.C. s. 258(1)]. “It matters not ….. whether
such claim can in fact be substantiated in law; the question …. Is whether the
accused person, at the time of the commission of the act complained of,
considered that he had any right to act so. Even if in law he had no such
right, but considered that the taking was justifiable, then a conviction cannot
be had.” Conviction quashed.
399. Jayantilal Narbheram Gandesha v.
Killingi Coffe Estate Ltd. & Panyiotis Preketss, Civ. Rev. 1-A-68,
9/9/68, Platt J.
The suit proper involves a dispute over
a contract between the parties for the sale of a farm. Plaintiff’s advocate,
who had acted for both parties during the negotiation of the contract, was
called by defendant as a witness. Plaintiff objected that to allow this would
amount to an abuse of the process of the court. The court permitted the summons
to issue, and in addition ruled that, in view of his role as a witness,
plaintiff’s advocate should relinquish his retainer. [Citing Safi Seed Ltd. v.
ECTA (Kenya) Ltd., Civ. Rev. 1-A-67, Seaton J., (unreported)]. This partition
for revision is concerned only with these ruling (Indeed, the case has
progressed no further).
Held:
(1) This petition for revision was brought under section 79(1) of the Civil
Procedure Code, 1966. The High Court observed that it could have been brought
under the Magistrates’ Courts Act, Cap. 537, ss. 38, 39, as provided by sec.
79(2) of the Civil Procedure Code, which gives the High Court wider revisional
powers than 79(1). As plaintiff petition did not refer to the latter
provisions, however, the Court limited itself to sec. 79(1). (2) Sec. 79(1)
provides for revisional jurisdiction
over decided cases. Whether an interlocutory decree may come within the meaning
of “case” is a thorny question on which the authorities diverge.[Citing Hassan
Karim & Co. Ltd. v. Africa Import and Export Central Corp. Ltd., (1960) E.
A. 396; Muhinga Mukono v. Rushwa Native Farmers Co-operative Society Ltd.
(1959) E.A. 595]. The present situation cannot qualify as a decided case under
any reasonable definition. “It was an interlocutory matter, unconcerned with
the final decision or that of any of the issues before the Court and was
concerned entirely with a step in the procedure.” (3) Even if this view were
wrong, the ruling of the learned magistrate could be upset on revision (as
opposed to appeal) only if the magistrate did not have the jurisdiction to make
the order in question, or if he exercised his jurisdiction illegally or with
material irregularity. As neither of these are present here, plaintiff has no
claim on the merits to relief by way of revision. (Citing Mulla’s Commentary to
sec. 115 of the Indian Code of Civil Procedure which is in the same terms as
sec. 79(1) of the Tanzania code). (4) “It is well established … that it is
irregular, save in exceptional cases for an advocate both to appear as counsel
and to give evidence as a witness.” An advocate is an officer of the court, and
if the court deems it unwise for him to act in such a dual capacity, he should
comply. [Citing Halsbury’s Laws of England, vol. 3, para. 102; Safi’s case,
supra] (5) “It was also argued that if the
(1968)H.C.D.
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Application was allowed it would lead to
a convenient method of putting counsel out of the case. As I understand it
advocates in this country are apparently accustomed to dealing with matters such
as these for both sides. That may be, but if a dispute arises which leads to a
conflict of interest, and one party wishes to call the advocate as a witness,
it seems that the proper course would be for him to act as a witness rather
than as counsel for the other side. If this is maintained, then while the
present advocate may have to step down in this case, on other occasions other
advocates may similarly have to step down, with the result that what is fair to
one will be fair to all. Petition dismissed.
400. Ignatius Balamuzi v. Jeremiah
Peter, (PC) Civ. App. 38-M-68, 8/8/68, Seaton J.
An order was made in the Karabagaine
primary court attaching a shamba, said to belong to Thadeo, in satisfaction of
a judgment debt. Thadeo’s son claimed the shamba belonged to him and sought an
order releasing the property. The primary court found that the son had
established his claim and cancelled the attachment order. The district court of
Bukoba reversed the decision of the primary court on the ground that Thadeo and
his son had conspired to transfer the property from Thadeo to a third party was
present at either transaction.
Held:
(1) Under s. 16 of the Magistrates Courts Act Cap. 537 there is no restriction
on the right to appeal against orders of the primary court, including orders
attaching property, and therefore the district court had jurisdiction. (2)
Under s. 70 of Magistrates Courts (Civil Procedure in Primary Courts) Rules
1964 in order for the primary court to make an order releasing the property
from the attachment it must be satisfied that the property does not belong to
the judgment-debtor. (3) The decision of the district court on the question
whether the property belonged to the judgment-debtor was more consistent with
the evidence than that of the primary court Since s. 32(2) of the Magistrates’
Courts Act provides that decisions should not be reversed on appeal unless a
failure of justice would occur, the court would uphold the district court.
401. Mohamedali Virji Walji v.
Shinyanga African Trading Company, Limited (hc) Civ. Case 18-D-68, Biron,
J.
Plaintiff sued a limited company of
which he was formally the managing director for unpaid salary, repayment of
advances, and the price of goods sold by him to the Company. The defendant
company had been formed by plaintiff and another group to distribute beer,
plaintiff having already been engaged in the beer distribution business in a
different region. After disputes arose between plaintiff and other group, all
the directors agreed to authorize a firm of accountants to audit the books and
records of the company to ascertain the amounts due to plaintiff and his
controlled companies by defendant. The accounting firm found that Shs.23, 695.
25 was owed to plaintiff and plaintiff sought to recover this amount. Defendant
defended and counterclaimed on the grounds (1) it had authorized
(1968)H.C.D.
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An account to be stated by the
accounting firm at a time when it did not know of facts constituting fraud by
plaintiff and therefore the account stated was not binding; (2) plaintiff could
not recover any loans made to the company after incorporation; (3) plaintiff
could not recover any sums advanced prior to the incorporation of defendant;
and (4) plaintiff had defrauded defendant by causing defendant to purchase beer
from plaintiff’s controlled companies.
Held:
(1) At the time plaintiff caused beer to be purchased by defendant from
companies in which plaintiff was interested, defendant was unable to purchase
beer directly from its supplier brewery because of shortages. The price paid by
defendant was reasonable, and in fact was the price fixed by the brewery for resale’s
by plaintiff’s companies. At the time of the purchase defendant’s other
directors were aware that the purchases were being made and approved of them.
The court noted that the Defendant’s Memorandum of Association authorized
defendant to deal with interested directors as long as such interest was disclosed
to the Board. Therefore it held that no fraud was committed. (2) As to the
loans made after incorporation, the Court held that the defendant’s Memorandum
and Articles authorized borrowing, and the original agreement between plaintiff
and other group required plaintiff to make loans to defendant when it was
formed. (3) With respect to the money advanced before incorporation (which was
used to purchase a vehicle) the Court did not pass on the question whether the
use of the vehicle constituted a new agreement to pay by the plaintiff, but
held that, since defendant had entered into a new agreement to have the
accounting firm resolve the disputes between plaintiff and defendant, defendant
became liable for the resulting balance found to be due, even though in
computing the balance, the accounting firm could take into account a debt which
might not otherwise be separately enforceable. (4) Consideration for the
agreement to submit the dispute to the accounting firm was supplied by the
mutual and reciprocal promises by each party to forego their claims and accept
the account to be stated, citing the Contract Ordinance (Cap. 433) Section
2(1). (5) Since no fraud was proved against plaintiff the court did not have to
reach the question whether there was a unilateral mistake of fact sufficient to
avoid the contractual obligation to submit the dispute to the accounting firm.
(6) Judgment was awarded to plaintiff with interest at 9% per annum the court
noting some dissatisfaction with interest at this high rate in an action for a
liquidated amount, but stating that it was the general practice to award
interest at this rate and that it was not excessive in light of prevailing
economic conditions.
402. Khetram v. The New India
Assurance Co. Ltd. Civ. Case 23-A-67, 16/9/68, Platt, J.
An insurance contract contined a clause
requiring all disputes under the policy to be submitted to arbitration and
making an arbitration award a condition precedent to a right of action against
the insurer. In an action on the policy by the insured who had not first
obtained an arbitration award, the insurer pleaded the arbitration provision
and asked for dismissal. In argument, but not in its pleadings, insured
claimed: (1) that the condition precedent of an arbitration award had been
waived; and (2) that the insurer should have applied for a stay of proceedings
and not pleaded that no right of action had arisen.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
Obtaining an arbitration award can properly be made a precedent to right of action. Scott v. Avery (1843-60) All
E.R. Rep. 1. Waiver of a condition precedent must be pleaded and it was not in
this case. Shah v. South British Ins. Co., (1962) E.A. 131. Section 6 of the
Arbitration Ordinance (cap. 15) permits the defendant to apply for a stay of
proceedings and a referral to arbitration but it does not require such action.
The defendant retains his right to request dismissal for failure to comply with
the condition precedent that an arbitration award be obtained. Suit dismissed.
403. Lalji Naran v. United
Construction Co. Ltd. Civ. App. 28-D-67; 6/9/68; Saudi J.
Appellant (original plaintiff) sued his
former employer for; (1) Shs. 2,560/- for work done on Sundays and public
holidays, and Shs. 936/- for overtime work; (2) Shs. 1,200/- salary for one
month in which appellant had been in the Hospital; (3) return of Shs. 1,000/-
deposit made by appellant to respondent for a security bond from Immigration
office during term of employment; and (4) Shs. 750/- in lieu of local leave.
District Court ruled for the respondent on all issues holding; (1) the
employment contract made no reference to additional services, and the Employment
Ordinance was inapplicable because appellant’s salary was too high; (2) the
employment contract was silent on the issue of payment during illness not
connected with employment. No district court holding on claims (3) and (4) is reported.
Held:
(1) Although the Employment Ordinance is inapplicable, appellant is entitled to
remedies under the general law of contract, and Sec. 70 of the Contract
Ordinance (Cap. 433) clearly entitles appellant to payment for overtime if the
employment contract is silent. However, appellant has burden of proof that
overtime work was actually performed and he failed to sustain the burden. (2)
Where the contract of employment is silent on payment during period of illness
not connected with employment, the common law provides that the employee is
entitled to wages during the period of incapacity providing that his employment
contract has not been terminated. (3) Respondent’s defence that appellant had
done nothing to release respondent from its bond with Immigration office is not
supported by facts, the evidence indicating that respondent had been released
from its bond. Appellant therefore is entitled to return of deposit (4)
Respondent’s defence was that at one point during the period of employment he
had terminated appellant’s employment and then rehired him a week later, so
that appellant had never worked for an entire one year period and therefore was
not entitled to leave. Held that by rehiring appellant at an increase in
salary, respondent had waived right to dismiss appellant (which originally
existed), so that the employment should therefore be considered continuous and
appellant is entitled to leave. Appeal allowed. Lalji Marn v. United Construction Co. Ltd. Civ.
App. 28-D-67; 6/9/68; Saudi J.
404. Ezekiel s/o Luka v. Kijana s/o
Mlinda (PC) Civ. App. 115-M-68, 26/7/68, Seaton J.
Respondent sued that village headman for
damages for refusing to allow him to sell pombe. He claimed that he had
suffered a loss of Shs. 600/-, including the profit he might have made on the
sale.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
(1) Under s. 14 of Magistrate’s Courts Act, Cap. 537, respondent had to
establish not only that he had suffered loss through the appellant’s act, but
also that it was the kind of loss for which customary law provides a remedy.
There is no evidence of such a remedy under customary law. See s. 32(3) of
Magistrates Courts Act and s. 9 of Judicature and Application Ordinance 1961.
(2) There does not seem to be any recorded opinion or statement regarding the
headman’s liability under customary law. There was ample evidence that prior to
selling the pombe, respondent had twice been refused the right to sell at the
place in question. Therefore the headman’s acts when he saw respondent selling
the pombe must be considered to have been within the scope of his duties to see
that laws and orders regarding pombe are carried out.
405. Adam Kharid v. Amina Rajabu,
(Pc) Civ. App. 95-D-67, 28/8/68; Saidi
J.
The parties had lived together as
husband and wife for eight years, although no bride price had been paid. The
father was now claiming custody of the children born as a result of this union.
It was admitted that among the Haya people there existed a form of marriage
called “Kulehya” which was preceded by elopement. (Hans Cory and Hartnoll).
Held:
Non-payment of brideprice would not necessarily invalidate the marriage, nor
would the absence of a marriage certificate (para. 86, Declaration of
Marriage). The parties were married according to Haya customary law. Alternatively,
there was a case of reputed marriage and so the children were legitimate.
(Kiangi Sekanyonge v. Mnyika Msingi (Local Court Digest No. 202) and Langeni
Yonaza v. Haika d/o Asakari (Local Courts Digest No. 202) and Langeni Yonaza v.
Haika d/o Asakari (Local Courts Digest No. 204). Although appellant was the
lawful father of the children, their welfare demand that they remain with the
mother.
406. Omari s/o Kanyonge v. Oure
Oruchi (PC) Civ. App. 128-M-68, 23/7/68, Seaton J.
Respondent sued appellant in the primary
court for Shs. 600/- compensation for adultery. Appellant claimed in defence
that he was married to the woman, and produced evidence that he had paid the
bride-wealth, with the result that respondent’s claim failed. On appeal to the
district court, the claim succeeded, mainly on the evidence of the woman
involved who testified that she was married to respondent, and never to
appellant and that her father forced her to stay with appellant because he had
promised to pay more cattle.
Held:
(1) Since the parties are Luo and resident within the jurisdiction of the North
Mara District Council, the Luo law of persons were to be construed strictly,
there could be no customary marriage
without a marriage certificate. However a footnote to the chapter states that
it is not intended to abolish any custom of contracting marriage. There is
sufficient evidence that appellant was married to the woman by Luo Custom.
Therefore no question of compensation arises. Appeal allowed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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407. Ruzebe Sweya v. Jacobo Kitale
(PC) Civ. App. 116-M-68, 19/8/68.
The plaintiff claimed that the
respondent’s cattle had grazed on his shamba, damaging cassava. Witnesses
testified that they saw the cattle on the shamba and that they were driven off
by the defendant’s children.
Held:
(1) The primary court has jurisdiction in this type of tortuous liability since
it comes within the phrase ‘customary law’ under s. 14 Magistrates Courts Act
Cap. 537. [Citing Alli Kindoli v. Tuzihirwe Pendaamani No 220 Vo. IX Digest of
Appeals from Local Courts (1962) p. 7. a case of compensation for damage to
crops, and Civil case. No. 27 of 1968 in the Nyamwigura Court (P.C Civil Appeal
No. 148 of 1968 unreported) in which Mustafa J. upheld an award of compensation
for destruction of crops and plants under customary law of North Mara District].
(2) The Magistrate misdirected himself in saying that the burden was on the
defendant to prove there were no cassavas. Under Rule 12 ) of Jurisdiction of
Courts (Rules of Evidence in Primary Courts ) Regulations 1964 the burden is on
the person who claims unless the claim is admitted by the other party. (3) Decisions
of the primary and district courts upheld. Defendant entitled to damages.
408. Nyamhanga Wansaga v. Mkami Bange,
(PC) Civ. App. 120-M-68, 20/7/68, Mustafa J.
Mkami claimed that he married the sister
of Nyamhanga, and had paid 41 head of cattle as bride-wealth. Mkami was later
convicted of cattle theft, and Nyamhanga paid 5 head of cattle as compensation.
When Mkami came out of prison he said he could not pay 5 head of cattle. As a
result Nyamhanga took away his sister (wife of Mkami). Mkami claimed that the
marriage was dissolved and that he was entitled to recover the whole of the
bridewealth.
Held:
Nyamhanga had intended to dissolve the marriage by taking away his sister. Only
37 head of cattle were paid as bride-wealth and 13 head of cattle were paid as
bride-wealth and 13 head of cattle were paid as compensation, leaving a balance
of 24. Since the parties were married for six to seven years, Nyamhanga should
only return 14 head of cattle.
409. Nyagobro Ginonge v. Chagha
Gasaya, (PC) Civ. App. 151-D-67; 19/9/68, Hamlyn J.
Appellant claimed the disputed plot of
land as owner thereof. It was established that about ten years before the
re-allocation she had left the disputed land and had gone to live in another
area at a considerable distance there from, though she had left standing on the
land a hut “of no great value”. There was no evidence that during the period of
absence the land was worked or developed by her. The Village Committee allotted
the land to respondent as result of which appellant instituted these
proceedings alleging that the land was hers and that respondent was a
trespasser upon it. The Primary Court, Nyamawaga, gave judgment in her favour;
this judgment was reversed by the District Court, North Mara.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
Appellant’s claim dismissed (1) It would be neither good law nor in accordance
with public policy to allow a plot holder to depart from the land for such a
number of years with the result that the land may lie fallow or revert to bush.
(2) Once it becomes established (as in the instant case) that there has been no
real animus revertendi, even though a hut remains thereon, the land merges in
the common public seeking property to develop.
410. Laurean Baitu v. Stanslaus
Tibenda, (PC) Civ. App. 168-M-68, 19/9.68, Mustafa J.
Plaintiff brought an action to redeem
clan shamba sold by his full brother for Shs. 350/- to defendant. It was established
that defendant is a clan member, and that the sale was made in the presence of
three witnesses and that when plaintiff was asked to be present at the time of
the sale, he refused.
Held:
Affirming the judgments of the courts below, “[Plaintiff] has no right to
redeem the clan shamba when it was sold to another clan member. I refer to case
No. 84 in the Digest of Appeals From Local Courts, being Appeal No. 18 of 1955
from the Bukoba area where the court disallowed the attempted redemption of a
sale of clan lands within the clan; i.e. both the vendor and the purchaser belonging
to the same clan. In fact, the district magistrate referred to this appeal in
his judgment when dismissing [Plaintiff’s]first appeal.”
411. Pancras Elias v. Gretian Pancras
and another (PC) Civ. App. 99-M-68, 13/8/68, Seaton J.
The shamba in question is divided into
two parts, “A” and “B”. ‘A’ was bought by Pancras from a third pary. Part ‘B’
was inherited by Gretian, the son of Pancras, from his grand father. Pancras
gave Part A to Gretian since ‘B’ was not enough for his needs. Later, Gretian
sold both parts. Pancras claimed that they were clan shambas and that he had
the right to redeem them.
Held:
(following Garasiani Kabena Murefu and another v. Bushaija Luhirwa Vol. 4 Digest
of Appeals from Local Courts p.3) (1) The court should demand strict proof of
all the conditions under which a relative could redeem clan land since
otherwise it would stultify the initiative and enterprise of purchasers of clan
land. (2) Land bought from a third party is not clan land therefore there was
no right to redeem Part A. (3) Proceedings to nullify a sale had to be started
within 3 months from the time the relative first heard of the sale. There was
no evidence as to whether the time limit had been exceeded or not in relation
to part B and the case on that question was remitted to the primary court. (4)
If the primary court finds that the time limit was exceeded, Pancras is
entitled to receive from Gretian value of banana and coffee trees on Part B.
412. Evarister Martin v. Tefumwa
Tibishubwamu & Another (PC) Civ. App. 171-M-68, 30/8 Mustafa J.
The appellant claims to redeem a clan
shamba sold by the respondent to a third party for 350/-. The sale was
witnessed by the appellant’s father and other clan members. The district court,
upholding the decision of the primary court, held that the period of limitation
was stated in Cory
(1968)H.C.D
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& Hartnoll’s book to be 3 months
from the time the appellant became aware of the sale. The appellant had not
brought the action within that period and the action failed.
Held:
(1) The period of limitation was now laid down by the Customary Law (Limitation
of Proceedings) Rules, 1963, Government Notice 311/1964 made under Magistrates
Courts Act 1967. And under that provision, by Item 6 of the schedule,
proceeding to recover land must be brought within 12 years. Cited;- Evarista
Makono v. Mashomelo Muhuba Mwanza P. C. Civil Appeal 37/1965 and Constantine
Kaiza v. Bi Mukalegililwa Kampanju Mwanza P.C. Civil Appeal 85/1968 (2) The
appellant is therefore allowed to redeem the shamba. (3) He must pay the third
party the 350/- purchase price and the value of any improvements made by the
third party since the date of purchase. (4) The case is remitted to the primary
court to assess the value of those improvements (5) A period of 6 months is
allowed within which the appellant may redeem since this will enable the
primary court to assess the improvements. (6) If the appellant does not redeem
within the 6 months, the sale will become irrevocable.
413. Noorally Hasham Rawjee v. Julius
Kerenge, Civ. App. 2-M-68, Seaton J.
Defendant leased certain premises from
plaintiff at a rent of Shs. 600/- per month. A few months after the lease was
entered into, the parties orally agreed that the defendant should made and pay
for certain repairs, for which he would be recompensed by deducting hald the
rent every month until he had recovered the cost of the repairs. It is clear
that defendant fell into arrears in the payment of rent, though the amount was
hotly disputed in two different law suits, which have been consolidated for the
purposes of this appeal. A dispute developed as to payment for the repairs.
Defendant then stopped paying rent, whereupon the plaintiff ordered him to quit
the premises, and cut off the utilities when defendant failed to do so. Both
parties concede that defendant became a statutory tenant by virtue of the Rent
Restriction Act, Cap. 479, before plaintiff served him with notice to quit the
premises.
Held:
(1)”It is clear … that the court, before making an order for possession, even
when there are arrears of rent due, must take into consideration the question
of whether it is reasonable to make an order.” Cap. 479, sec. 19(2). Citing
Bhimjani v. R. M. Patel (1957) E.A.L. R. 149]. The failure of the court below
to consider this issue “must be considered to have been a misdirection.” (2)
The Court then itself considered the reasonableness of eviction, noting that
while the rent payments clearly were in arrears, “the purpose of the Rent
Restriction Act is to provide a degree of security for tenants.” It was ordered
that if the defendant paid the rent in arrears within 21 days, and if he filed
in the District Court an undertaking to pay future rent as due, he could maintain
possession. Also, plaintiff “shall be at liberty to apply to the District Court
for an order for possession in the event of any breach by the appellant of his
undertaking to pay the future rent of the premises ….”
(1968)H.C.D.
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162 –
414. Fatehali Ali Peera v. Onorato
Della Santa. Misc. Civ. App. 10-D-68, 29/8/68, Georges C. J.
On 1st April, 1966, the
lessor and lessee signed a three year lease covering the suit premises, at a
monthly rental of Shs. 5,500/- per month. At the time of signing the premises,
being business premises, were not controlled; the passing of the Rent
Restriction (Amendment) (No. 2 ) Act, 1966 brought business premises under rent
control as of 1st January, 1967. The date prescribed for
ascertaining the standard rent of existing premises was 1st January,
1965. At that time the premises here involved were leased to another tenant for
Shs. 5,450/- per month. The lessee initiated this action before the Rent
Tribunal of Dar es Salaam, alleging that the before the Rent Tribunal of Dar es
Salaam, alleging that the rent he was paying was “ extortionate” and requesting
that it be “scaled down to conform with that of adjacent properties so as to
reflect a just return on the purchase price thereof.” The Tribunal found that
the rent on the suit premises was far higher than that for comparable buildings
(though it did not inform the parties on what basis it came to that conclusion,
which fact constituted a special circumstance entitling the Tribunal to
disregard the rental price on 1st
January, 1965 in setting the standard rent for these premises. It then set the
standard rent at Shs. 2,500/- per month, effective as of the date the lease was
entered into. The lessor challenged the authority of the Rent Tribunal to set
the standard rent in the manner which it did.
Held:
(1) The standard rent for building constructed before the Act went into effect
shall be that rent at which they were let as of 1st January, 1965.
Section 4(2)(a) provides an exception to this rule “in the case of any premise
in regard to which a Tribunal is satisfied that in the special circumstances of
the case it would be fair and reasonable to alter … the standard rent …(to)
such figure as the Tribunal shall in all the circumstances of the case consider
reasonable.” The crucial question in this case is whether a rent higher than
others in an area constitutes a special circumstance, so as to allow the Tribunal
to ignore it in setting the standard rent. In two places in the Act the
yardstick of rents for comparable buildings is used – where a building can only
be used part of the year, and where a building in existence was not rented on
the effective date. It will be noted that in both of these situations the
yardstick of the rental price as of 1st January, 1965 could not fairly
be used in one case, and not used at all in the other. Had the Legislature
intended to use the rental price of comparable buildings as a basis for setting
the standard rent it surely would have said so. Otherwise the Tribunal would
have to consider and set the standard rent for every covered building; if the
Legislature had wanted such a gargantuan task to be under Instead, the standard
rent is defined as “….. the rent at which the premises were let at the
prescribed date.” [Sec. 4(1)(a)]. (2) “(T)he purposes underlying the Rent
Restriction Act and its amendments is the stabilizing of rents at the level
existing on a certain prescribed date … (T)herefore … the alleged disparity in
the rent between the suit premises and neighboring premises cannot be held to
be a special circumstance within the meaning of section 4(2).” Accordingly, the
appeal was allowed with costs, and the standard rent set at Shs. 5,450/- per
month, Shs. 50/- per month below the contract price, and the rental which was
in effect on 1st January, 1965. (3) The Tribunal may not base its
decision on information gained through its regular work
(1968)H.C.D.
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163 –
Or expertise, unless it is put before
the parties for rebuttal or modification should they desire (and be able) to do
so. “It is against natural justice to decided a case on a point noted by the
Board as a result of its own efforts and not specifically communicated to the
parties so as to allow them an opportunity, if they wish, for contradicting it.
[Citing Sharif Marfudh v. Joseph Austin Merulo, Misc. Civ. App. No. 3 of 1967;
R. v. Paddington and St. Marylebone Rent Tribunal, Ex Parte Bell London and
Provincial Properties Ltd., (1949) 1 All E. R.720]. (4)”It is noticed that the
Board made its finding retroactive to the 1st April, 1966. This
cannot be right. The Board does have power to fix a standard rent
retroactively, but the fact of the matter is that the premises were not
controlled on the 1st April, 1966. It was not possible to make the
rent retroactive beyond the date on which the Rent Restriction Act came into
force, which was the 1st January, 1967.
415. Mussa s/o Abdallah v. R.,
Crim. Rev. -/D/68, 30/7/68. Biron J.
Accused was convicted of being in
possession of an unlicensed firearm [see cap. 223 s. 13(1) and (2) and was fined
Shs. 450/- or seven months imprisonment in default. In sentencing the accused,
the trial magistrate was of the opinion that the penalty laid down under
section 31(2) of Cap. 223 did over ride section 29(IV) of the Penal Code.
Held:
Section 31(2) of cap. 223 and Section 29(Iv) of the Penal Code are “not
mutually exclusive but complementary”. Thus “where a fine is awarded and a term
of imprisonment is imposed in default of the payment of the fine, such term
cannot exceed six months as laid down in section 29(IV) of the Penal Code.”
Sentence of imprisonment reduced to six months.
416. In re R. v. Georges Tumpes,
misc. Civ. Cause 2-A-68, 17/9/68, Platt J.
Accused was charged in District Court at
Monduli with theft by public servant. Bail was granted after two persons had
agreed to act as sureties. In addition, accused was ordered not to leave
Monduli settlement and to report to the police later. Later, a dispute arose as
to whether accused had reported to the police. The District Magistrate, after
referring to a report made to him in chambers by the auditors investigating the
case, cancelled the bail and remanded accused in custody. Accused than applied
to the High Court for bail to be reinstated and for a change of venue for the
trial.
Held:
(1) The Court has stated that the purpose of bail is to place the accused in
the recognisance of sureties who are responsible for ensuring his appearance in
court and who may reseize him if they have reason to believe he is about to
flee. “If that be the purpose of bail, then there can be little ground for attaching
special conditions, such as that the accused must report at certain times to
the Police Station.” (2) “(T)he proper test in considering a change of venue,
is not whether the Magistrate … is actually prejudiced against the accused, but
whether there exists in the mind of the accused a reasonable apprehension that he will not have
a fair and
(1968)H.C.D.
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164 –
Unprejudiced trial … In deciding what is
a reasonable apprehension .. regard must be had not to abstract standards of
reasonableness but to the standard of honesty and the impartiality of the
accused himself and his degree of education and intelligence.” [Citing Bhag
Singh v. R., 1 T. L. R. (R) 133]. In view of the interview of the magistrate
with the auditors and accused ’s education and character, his fear of prejudice
is reasonable. Bail reinstated and venue transferred to the Arusha Resident
Magistrates Courts.
417. Morrison s/o Shem v. R.,
Crim. App. 436-D-68, 27/9/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of stealing for
which he was sentenced to imprisonment and 24 strokes. The magistrate directed
himself that accused had not succeeded in establishing his alibi, and accepted
the evidence of two witnesses which contradicted the proffered alibi. On the same
day, in a different case, accused was convicted
of another offence for which he also was sentenced to imprisonment and
24 strokes, making a total of 48 strokes between the two convictions.
Held:
(1) The magistrate’s direction in respect of the alibi was wrong in law.
“(W)here an accused sets up an alibi in defence, it is not on him to establish
it, but it is sufficient if it succeeds in raising a reasonable doubt as to
whether it was the accused who committed the offence with which he is charged.”
Because the misdirection by the magistrate in no way prejudiced the accused,
and the conviction was fully supported by the evidence, the appeal on the
merits was dismissed. (2) “However, an award of 48 strokes corporal punishment
on the same day cannot but be regarded as excessive, part curly as both
offences could have been tried together, in which case the court would not have
awarded more than the statutory 24 strokes….” (3)”It is by no means irrelevant
to not that there is a Bill before Parliament entitled the Written Laws
(Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 1968, amending the Minimum Sentences Act, 1963
(to preclude double impositions of strokes in situations such as the present
one) …. Although I may be accused of anticipating legislation, at least
applying the spirit, if not he letter, of the law as it now stands, and, as
remarked, as the two cases could have been taken together, when only one
award of corporal punishment could have
been made, I consider that the award of corporal punishment in the instant case
should be set aside.” It was so ordered.
418. Rashidi s/o Omari v. R.,
Crim. App. 377-D-68; -/8/68; Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted of burglary and
stealing and of escape from lawful custody. At his trial, his wife testified
for the prosecution. There was nothing in the record to show that the accused
was asked whether he agreed to this.
Held:
In the absence of any statement by the accused on the record, it must be
assumed that he was not informed of his rights under s. 155(2) of the Criminal
Procedure Code. Thus her testimony was improperly admitted. It was, however, of
little import in the case. Conviction affirmed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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165 –
419. R. v. Maneno s/o Salum,
Crim. Rev. 109-D-68, 16/9/68, Biron J.
Accused was charged with the defilement
of a girl of five years of age. The girl was found to be not capable of
understanding the nature of an oath and gave her evidence not on oath. A psychiatric
report was submitted concerning accused and on the basis of this report the
magistrate found accused to be “guilty but insane.” He was therefore acquitted
and apparently discharged.
Held:
(1) Section 127(2) of the Evidence given not on oath is insufficient to support
a conviction. (2) Section 168(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code provides that
in cases such as the present on, the court shall make a special finding that
the accused did the act or made the omission charged but is not guilty by
reason of insanity. The verdict of “guilty but insane” is unknown in law. (3)
After finding accused not guilty by reason of insanity, the court should have
submitted a record of the proceedings to the Minister and ordered accused kept
in custody as a criminal lunatic pursuant to section 168(1) of the Criminal
Procedure Code. Proceedings declared a nullity and accused ordered to be
charged and tried de novo.
420. R. v. Matenyanu s/o Nzagula,
Crim. Rev/ 112-D-68, 20/9/68, Saidi J.
Accused was charged with unlawful
wounding. The trial magistrate found that accused was of unsound mind after
hearing the evidence of the district medical officer. He therefore postponed
the proceedings, order accused remanded to prison and referred the matter to
the Minister of Justice.
Held:
(1) The magistrate did not apply the proper procedure as specified by section
164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Under that procedure, the magistrate must
first determine whether a case has been made out against accused. If a case has
been made out an order should be made that accused be detained in a mental
hospital for observation. If the report of the medical hospital for that
accused is incapable of making his
defence, the case can be postponed and accused detained (usually in the mental
hospital) and the matter referred to the Minister in charge of legal affairs.
(2) The High Court may make the appropriate orders in the present case. Case
postponed and appropriate orders made.
421. C. R. Chipanda v. R., Crim.
App. 63-D-68; 6/4/68; Duff, J.
Appellant was convicted of failure to
pay the statutory minimum wage contrary to Section 12(1) of the Regulation of
Wages and Terms of Employment Ord. Cap. 300; failure to maintain a written
record of an oral contract contrary to section 35 of the Employment Ord., cap.
388; and failure to insure an employee contrary to section 25(1) and (4) of the
Workmen’s Compensation Ord., cap. 263.
Held:
In view of appellant’s testimony that the alleged employee had come to his
house seeking assistance in finding employment and that appellant had agreed to
house him and provide pocket money until he could get a job, with the alleged
employee is turn helping in the house, there was insufficient
(1968)H.C.D.
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166 -
Evidence to establish the existence of a
contract of service. Appeal allowed.
422. Mahende Isanchu v. R., Crim.
App. 269-M-68; 23/9/68; Seaton, J.
Accused was convicted of unlawful
possession of “moshi” contrary to s. 36(1)(2) of the Local Liquor Ordinance,
Cap. 77. None of the prosecution witnesses were expert in identifying moshi nor
did they describe in detail the appearance of the liquid allegedly found in
accused ’s home. However the accused stated: “The moshi is not mine and was
found in a house which has no owner which is not mine. I saw the moshi. I admit
that it is moshi.”
Held:
Conviction quashed. The accused “was not apparently more qualified than any one
else to testify what was the nature of the liquid …… His “admission” cannot,
therefore, be taken to supply the defect or gap in the prosecution case.
423. Halid s/o Twalibu v. R.,
Crim. App. 351-D-68, 23/8/68, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted of one count of throwing
or introducing prohibited articles into a prison and of a second count of
possession of bhang. The first count was laid under section 119(1) of the
Prisons Ordinance, Cap. 58 which had been repealed and had been replaced by
section 85(1) of the Prisons Act, 1967. The second count was added by amendment
during the trial. After the amendment accused requested that the first
prosecution witness be recalled for cross-examination, but this request was
refused.
Held:
(1) The trial court had the power under section 209(1) of the Criminal
Procedure Code to amend the charge by substituting the section of the new Act
for that of the repealed Ordinance, and the High Court has power under section
319(1), 329(1) and 346 to do what the trial court ought to have done. Such an
amendment can be made provided that no failure of justice would result and
provided that the offence under the old and the new statutes is in every
essential the same. [Citing R. v. Indo Parsad Jamictram Dave, Crim. Rev. 40 of
1963; Abdulrasul G. Sabur v. R., (1958) E.A. 126]. (2) In the present case, the
ingredients of the offence in section 119(1) of the Prisons Ordinance and
section 85(1) of the Prisons Act, 1967, are essentially the same, and no
injustice would result from the substitution of the latter. (3) After the
amendment adding the second count accused should have been given the
opportunity to cross-examine prosecution witnesses who had previously testified
and it cannot be said positively in this case that accused was not prejudiced by
the failure to do so. Conviction on first count amended to specify the new statute;
conviction on second count quashed.
424. Selemani Athumani v. R., Cr.
App. 373-D-68, 23/8/68, Saidi J.
Accused was convicted of two counts of
burglary and two counts of stealing. Evidence showed that accused broke into a
certain house and stole articles of two complainants who apparently occupied
two different rooms in that house.
(1968)H.C.D.
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167 –
Originally the accused was charged with
one count of burglary and one count of burglary and one count of stealing to
which he pleaded not guilty. On a later date, the charge was amended by adding
on count of burglary and one count of stealing but the accused was not asked to
plead to these new charges. There was, however, ample evidence to warrant
conviction on all four counts.
Held:
Conviction on the third and fourth counts a nullity since the accused was not
asked to plead from the beginning. [Applying Akberali Walimohamed v. Regina, 2
T.L.R. (R) --.]
425. John Joseph v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 13-A-68, 16/9/68, Platt J.
Accused was charged with stealing. When the
trial commenced the prosecutor entered two additional counts; accused did not
plead to these new charges. Accused had answered the original count, and his
conviction thereon was affirmed.
Held:
(1) The Primary Court Magistrate acted properly in admitting the additional
charges at the commencement of the trial. [Primary Court Criminal Procedure
Code (Third Schedule to the Magistrates’ Courts Act), para. 21. This paragraph
permits but does not require a magistrate to allow the entering of additional
charges]. (2) As the appellant was not arraigned on (i.e., required to plead
to) the two new counts, the trial in respect of them was “null and
void.[Primary Court Criminal Procedure Code, para 27].
426. Paulo Kemigani v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 233-M-68, 23/8/68, Seaton J.
Accused were convicted in Primary Court
of malicious damage to property. The charge was not explained to the accused
and they were given no opportunity to plead to it. Also the charge initially
did not specify the date on which the offence took place.
Held:
(1) Sections 27 and 28 of the Primary Courts Criminal Procedure Code [Magistrates’
Courts Act, Cap. 537, Third Sch.] provides that the court shall read and if
necessary explain the charge to the accused and shall either itself state the
facts on which the charge is founded or require the complainant to do so. (2)
In the particular facts of this case, the date of the offence was very important
and the late amendment specifying the date prejudiced the accused. (3) Because
of the failure to take a plea, the trial was a nullity, and the error is not curable.
[Citing Walli Mohamed Damji v. Reg. (1956) w. T.L.R. (R) 137]. Convictions
quashed.
427. Asumani s/o Mataka v. R.,
Crim. App. 422-D-68, -/9/68, Saudi J.
Accused was convicted of assault causing
bodily harm and malicious damage to property. When asked to plead to the charge
he stated, “It is true”. However, he was given no opportunity to state whether
he agreed or disagreed with the facts as outlined by the prosecutor. After the
plea on each count he was found guilty on
(1968)H.C.D.
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That count by the magistrate.
Thereafter, it was alleged that accused had a previous conviction, but he was
given no opportunity to admit or deny the conviction.
Held:
(1) An accused must be given the opportunity to agree or disagree with the
facts alleged in the charge. A plea of guilty should not be entered until he
has agreed to the facts or the prosecution has modified the alleged acts so as
to conform with accused ’s version. The prosecution may wish to modify the
facts where the accused dis-agrees only with non-material details. [Citing Reg.
v. Waziri s/o Musa, 2 T.L.R.(R) 30, 31; R. v. Azizi Mrimbi, Crim. Rev. 34 of
1964, High Court Bulletin No. 14, Case No. 204]. (2) Accused must be given the
opportunity to admit or deny previous convictions, and evidence of the
conviction must be adduced unless the conviction is admitted. Conviction must
be adduced unless the conviction is admitted. Conviction quashed.
428. William Stephano and Bilauli
Zalula v. R., Crim. App. 448, 449-M-68, 28/8/68, Mustafa, J.
The two accused were jointly charged
with 2 counts (1) of burglary contrary to s. 294(1) of the Penal Code and (2)
of assault with intent to steal contrary to s. 288 of the Penal Code. They were
convicted instead of (1) malicious damage of property contrary to s. 326 of the
Penal Code and (2) assault causing actual bodily harm contrary to s. 241 of the
Penal Code. The court purported to do this under s. 181 of the Criminal
Procedure Code which allows an accused to be convicted of an offence with which
he is not charged, if it is included in the offence charged.
Held:
(1) The conviction for assault charged, bodily harm must be quashed, since it
cannot be substituted for a conviction for assault with intent to steal under
s. 181 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The former offence attracts a sentence
of 5 years imprisonment, whereas the latter only attracts 3 years imprisonment,
(2) The substituted conviction for malicious damage to property was, however
proper.
429. Hassan s/o Mohamed v. R.,
Crim. Rev. 106-D-68, 7/9/68, Duff, J.
Accused was convicted on his own plea of
two traffic offences. When asked if he wished to say anything in mitigation,
accused appeared to retract his original pleas. The court considered that,
having already convicted the accused, it had no power to set aside the
convictions. Record forwarded for revision.
Held:
“It is quite clear that a plea of guilty may be withdrawn with the leave of the
court before sentence and this is entirely a matter for the discretion of the
court….[O]nce the accused appeared to be disputing the facts given by the prosecution
even when making a plea in mitigation, a plea of not guilty should have been
entered and the charge or charges tried.” Convictions set aside and accused to
be re-tried.
430. Alli s/o Ramadhani v. R.
Crim. App. 352-D-68; Georges, C. J.
Accused was convicted of retaining
stolen property contrary to s. 311(1) of the Penal Code. He had at first been
charged with being in possession of property suspected to have been stolen,
contrary to s. 312 of the
(196)H.C.D.
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169 –
Penal Code, but this charge was altered.
Accused had been found in possession of a number of bicycle parts, some of
which were usable. The serial numbers on a few of them appeared to have been
erased. There was no evidence that the property was concealed. The accused ’s
explanation was that he was a bicycle repairer and that various customers would
leave parts with him after repairs had been effected. There was no evidence
that accused was not a bicycle repairer.
Held:
Conviction quashed. (1) Accused clearly could not have been convicted under s.
312, as originally charged. The pre-requisites for a conviction under this
section are; (a) that the accused was detained in exercise of the powers under
s. 24 of the Criminal Procedure Code; (b) that he was detained while in the
course of a journey, whether or not in a street, in private land or in a building;
(c) that he had in his possession, when detained, a particular thing; (d)that
the thing might reasonably be suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully
obtained, from its nature or from the circumstances; (e) that the accused
refused to give an account to the court of how he came by the thing, or gave an
account which was so improbable as to be unreasonable or which was rebutted by
the prosecution (Kiondo Hamisi v. R., (1963) E.A. 209). But there was no
evidence that either pre-requisites (a) or (b) were satisfied here. Therefore
accused could not have been convicted under s. 312. (2) Accused was wrongly
convicted under s. 311(1). “Whereas under section 312 all that needs to be done
is to lead evidence to show that there was a reasonable suspicion that the
property was stolen, under section 311(1) there must be satisfactory evidence
that the property was in fact stolen or unlawfully obtained and that the
appellant knew or had reason to believe that this was the case. This does not
necessarily mean that the owner of the property should be identified , or that
there should be direct evidence of theft.” The circumstances under which an
accused received or possessed the goods may prove that they were stolen and
that the accused knew this. (Idi s/o Waziri v. R., (1961) E. A. 146). However
here, the evidence was not sufficient to establish the theft of the goods.
431. Hamadi Sadiki v. R., Crim.
App. 395-D-68, 19/8/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of causing death
by dangerous driving [Traffic Ordinance (Amendment) Act, No. 41 of 1964, sec.
44A(1)(a)] for which he, inter alia, was disqualified from holding a driving
licence for 12 months. He now appeals against this disqualification on the
ground that he is a driver by profession and that he will lose his job if he
loses his licence, causing hardship to his family and dependents whom he will
be unable to support.
Held:
The 12 months disqualification is mandatory for the offence involved here,
unless the court finds “special reasons”. It has been held in “a long unbroken
line of authority” that special reasons means only those special to the offence,
and not those special to the offender. “(H)owever much hardship an order of
disqualification may cause, that cannot be taken into consideration.” Appeal
dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D.
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170 –
432. John Wayaga Nyamahende v. R.
Crim. App. 550-M-68, 16/9/68, Mustafa J.
Appellant, who was a conductor of a bus,
was convicted on his own pleas of guilty of failing to comply with conditions
attached to a road service licence. It was alleged that appellant failed to
comply with the conditions of the time-table by arriving late and having left
late contrary to sections 23(3) and 26(1) of the Traffic Ordinance Cap. 373 of
the Laws. It was not established that appellant was the holder of the licence
or the owner of the bus.
Held;
Appellant was the wrong person charged since Section 26(1) of Cap. 373 only applies
to the holder of licence and it was not proved that he was the holder of the
licence. Appeal allowed. The Court approved the obiter in Hamed Abdallah v.
Republic [1964] E.A. 270 at page 272 to the effect that only a licence holder
can be charged under section 26(1) of Cap. 373 and not a driver nor a conductor
of a vehicle though he may be responsible for the offence committed.
433. Malika s/o Kabendera v. R.,
Crim. App. 303-D-68, 30/8/68, Georges, C. J.
Accused was convicted of driving, on a
road, a motor vehicle which had a number of defects. The complainant had
testified that he was on the “Kilombero Estate road” when he saw the vehicle.
“going along Msorwa Estate”, carrying a load of cane. There was no other
evidence as to the nature of the road on which the vehicle was traveling.
Held:
Conviction quashed: (1) The prosecution has not led enough evidence to show
that the vehicle was being driven along a “road” within the meaning of the
Traffic Ordinance. “If it was an estate road, then it may well not have been a
road within that definition.” (2) There is some uncertainty as to the meaning
of the word “road” as used in the Traffic Ordinance. It was originally defined
in the Traffic Ordinance, Cap. 168, s. 2. However the Traffic Ordinance (Amendment)
Act, 1964, supplied a new and more restricted definition of “road”, without
repealing the old definition. The uncertainty is as to which definition
applies.
434. Stephen Kagatula v. R.,
Crim. App. 553-M-68, 15/8/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of using language
and common assault and received concurrent sentence of 4 and 3 months
respectively. He had become abusive while at a beer-shop, insulting the Village
Executive Officer, T.A.N.U. and the President When some by-standers
remonstrated with him, he pushed one of them down and later followed him and
seized him by the shirt.
Held:
The sentence were excessive. “It appears from the evidence that the appellant
was drunk. This would not excuse his crime. But one does not regard the words
of a man in his cups as seriously as those of one who is cold sober. The
appellant is a first offender and has nine dependants. His occupation prior to
this offence was that of a primary court clerk. It is possible he may now lose
that position which itself would be a heavy penalty.” Sentences reduced to 2
months on each count to run concurrently, of which accused had already served 1.5
months.
(1968)H.C.D.
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171 –
435. R. v. Joseph s/o Michael,
Crim. Rev. (-)-D-68, 23/8/68, Duff, J.
Accused was convicted of stealing by
servant contrary to ss. 271 and 265 of the Penal Code. He stole a cow belonging
to the National Development Corporation. He was sentenced to 3 years’
imprisonment and 24 strokes, the court considering that the National
Development Corporation was a body to which the Minimum Sentences Act, Cap.
526, applies.
Held:
The sentence imposed was illegal. The National Development Corporation must be
regarded as an ordinary employer and not one to which Part (1) of the Schedule
to the Minimum Sentences Act applied [i.e. Stealing by a person in the public
service]. Sentence set aside and 9 months imprisonment substituted.
436. Rasimni s/o Yasini v. R.,
Crim. App. 357-D-68, 23/8/68, Said, J.
Accused was convicted of shop breaking
and stealing and was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment with 24 strokes. At the
trial, the prosecution alleged that the accused had been previously convicted
of a number of offences. The accused denied this, but the court took it into
account in assessing sentence without requiring the prosecution to prove the
allegation.
Held:
The court erred in considering these alleged previous convictions in passing sentence,
since the accused had denied them and the prosecution had not proved them. The
sentence itself, however, is not severe in the circumstances of the case.
Appeal dismissed.
437. Jumanne Dummwala v. R.,
Crim. App. 399-D-68, 6/9/68, Duff J. Accused was convicted of several counts of
theft by public servant, an offence covered by the Minimum Sentences Act,
whereupon he received the minimum sentence of two years imprisonment and 24
strokes. He stole from his employer, the National Development Credit Agency.
The appeal was dismissed on the merits, leaving only the question of whether
the offence was covered by the Act.
Held:
The Agency is a parastatal body independent of the Tanzania Government, and
thus the Minimum Sentences Act is inapplicable. A conviction of theft by servant
[P. C. ss. 265, 271] was substituted, and sentence reduced to nine months
imprisonment.
438. Edward Mponzi v. R., Crim.
App. 78-A-68, 3/8/68, Platt J.
Accused was convicted on twenty-four
counts of forgery and one count of theft by public servant [P.C. ss. 337, 270,
265]. As a counter clerk in charge of overseas telegrams for the East African
Posts and Telecommunications Administration in Arusha, he allegedly failed to
properly charged or properly account for a number of telegrams. In some cases,
he had altered duplicate receipts, so that they showed a lesser charge than
that shown in the original; in others, he had made false entries in summary
sheets to indicate that he had received less money than he had actually received.
During the trial, the Postmaster identified the accused ’s handwriting on
various documents, although there was no
(1968)H.C.D.
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Direct showing that he knew the accused ’s
handwriting, but it was not clearly indicated in his judgment what
corroboration, if any, he had relied upon to support his comparisons of the
available samples.
Held:
(1) Under the East African Posts and Telecommunications Act of 1951, section
104(4), officers of the Administration are deemed, for purposes of the Penal
Codes of the “territories”, to be employed in the public service thereof. The
charge of theft by public servant was therefore proper. (2) “(M)erely to tell a
lie in writing is not forgery. The writing must tell a lie about itself, (must
purport) to be something which it is not.” The alteration of duplicate receipts
was forgery, for “these duplicates purported to show that a different
transaction had taken place than really had in fact.” However, the making of
false entries in the summary sheets, purporting to show that accused had received
less money than he had actually received, was not forgery as defined in section
333 of the Penal Code, but fraudulent false accounting contrary to section 317.
(3) Under section 49 of the Evidence Act, 1967, the magistrate would have been
entitled to accept the opinion of the Postmaster as to the handwriting, had the
Postmaster testified that he had seen the accused write, or that he had
received documents purportedly written by accused in answer to documents
written by himself, or that in the ordinary course of business documents
purportedly written by accused had been “habitually” submitted to him. None of
these conditions was fulfilled. (4) In forming his own opinion, the magistrate
is obliged to rely upon some corroboration elsewhere in the evidence; it is not
clear that this was done here. However, the convictions could be upheld on
counts where the offence was established by testimony of customers, as to
transactions where the accused ’s handwriting was not in issue.
439. Doto s/o Luhende v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 625-M-68; 5/9/68; Mustafa, J.
Accused was convicted of cattle theft
contrary to ss. 265, 268 of the Penal code. Complainant had left a bull in a
market place while searching for another animal which had fled. On returning,
he found the bull missing. He later discovered it among some people who told
him that accused (who was absent) had claimed ownership of the bull. When
accused appeared, he claimed, in the presence of complainant, that the bull was
his. Complainant called in the police.
Held:
The conviction is quashed. The evidence merely indicates that accused falsely
claimed ownership of the bull. There is no evidence that he “took” the bull, as
required by the definition of theft in s. 258(1) of the Penal Code. The word
“takes” connotes asportation. But accused is not alleged to have moved or
caused to be moved the bull from one place to another.
440. Aloys Ignas v. Simeo s/o
Mulokozi, Civ. App. 5-D-68, 5/11/68, Saidi J.
Defendants had tried to enter a room
near one occupied by their father, plaintiff’s tenant. Plaintiff asked them to
leave, and they threw him down and beat him. Plaintiff was only slightly
injured. Defendants were convicted of
(1968)H.C.D.
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Assault, the Primary Court magistrate
fining them and, noting that they were liable for damages as well, directing
plaintiff to begin civil proceedings. Plaintiff did so, losing in Primary Court
on the grounds that it was necessary to prove serious injury or material loss.
The District Court reversed, awarding damages of Shs. 100/- on his claim for
Shs. 600/-.
Held:
(1)An assault victim may claim at least nominal damages for distress, and need
not prove material loss or serious
personal injury. Citing Clerk & Lindsell on Torts, 12th
ed., par. 619. (2) The Primary Court should have awarded compensation of Shs.
100/- which seems a reasonable sum on the facts, in the criminal proceedings,
under Primary Courts Criminal Procedure Code, Paragraph 5; had it done so, the
case would not have taken two years to be settled, as ultimately happened.
441. Edmond Van Tongeren v.
Tanganyika Tegry Plastics Limited (H.C.) Civ. Case 44-D-68, 7/10/68,
Hamlyn, J.
Plaintiff sued defendant, a limited
company for additional remuneration which was agreed upon in a letter written
on defendant’s ordinary business stationery and signed by its managing
director. Defendant claimed inter alia that the managing director had exceeded
his authority.
Held:
The Article of the company authorized the board of directors to appoint a
managing direct who would be entitled to exercise the powers of the board. Therefore the managing
director was the actual agent of the company, acting within the scope of his
authority. The Court also indicated that the managing director was the
ostensible agent of the company, having held himself out as authorized to act
for it. Since plaintiff had relied on the agreement, and had performed extra
work on the promise of the additional compensation, the Court indicated that if
necessary it would have held the defendant estopped from denying the authority
of the managing director, but such holding was not necessary in light of the finding of actual authority.
442. In the Matter of Air Safaris
(Tim Air ) Ltd., Misc. Civ. Cause 4-A-65, 3/10/68, Platt, J.
Petitioner was a principal shareholder of
a company which was being wound-up and had asserted a claim for monies she was
alleged to have advanced to the company as loans. The liquidator had rejected
her claim, on the ground that s. 158(1) (g), Companies Act required that the
claim e deferred to unsecured creditors. That section provides that a sum due
to any member “in his character of member” is deferred to the claims of other
creditors.
Held:
The Court first stated the fundamental proposition that a director or member
may loan money to company, so long as the company has power to borrow, which
the company, so long as the company has power to borrow, which the company in
question did. Furthermore the reference in s. 158(1) (g) didn’t apply since
petitioner did not advance monies in her capacity as a member but rather as a
creditor; the statute was only designed to defer payments receivable by a
member as such, like dividends and profits.
The
liquidator challenged petitioner’s contentions that the advances were made as
loans since there was no evidence of the indebtedness and the company did not
reflect the advances in a loan account but rather in a capital account.
(1968)H.C.D.
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The Court noted that the company’s
account were in disorder, but that the share capital of the company had never
been increased. Nor had more shares ever been issued to the petitioner. Even if
the advances were intended to be added to “circulating capital” they were not
equivalent to capital paid in to the company. The Court pointed out that the
petitioner could not claim dividends on the advances, which did not lose their
identity as loans. The court rejected the liquidator’s argument that it was
unfair to other creditors to allow the petitioner to claim repayment of her
advances, particularly since the accounts of the company were not properly
drawn up. The Court noted that the creditors could have found out from the
Registry that no accounts were filed, and it was not clear what the effect
would have been if they knew that petitioner was lending money to the company
on an unsecured basis. The court found no basis to charge petitioner with fraudulent
trading or misfeasance; nor did it find that petitioner would make any gain at
all, let alone an improper gain. Therefore, her claim was admitted to proof.
443. Patel v. Internation Motor Mart
Ltd. 13-A-67; 19/9/68; Platt, J.
Plaintiff hired defendant on a
probationary bases for a period of 6 months as an accountant at a salary of
Shs. 1,500/- paid monthly. The contract was not subject to the Employment
Ordinance. Three days after beginning work, defendant terminated his employment
without notice. As a result, plaintiff was unavoidably without the services of
an accountant for the period 1.5 months. Plaintiff sued for damages for
defendant’s breach and the trial court awarded plaintiff Shs. 1,500/-, the
equivalent of 1 month’s salary. Defendant appeals.
Held:
(1) The trial court rightly rejected the defence that plaintiff breached the
contract first, by requiring defendant to perform the duties of a cashier and
to handle insurance matters. The duties of an accountant in a small firm with
only one accountant are necessarily flexible, and defendant knew this since he
interviewed for the job. (2) Even though the employment was for a probationary
period, in the absence of a stipulation to the contrary, neither party had a
right to terminate the contrary, neither party had a right to terminate the
contract neither party had a right to terminate the contract without reasonable
notice, which in this case was 1 month.(3) Although plaintiff was unable to
prove any special loss resulting from the breach, plaintiff is entitled to substantial
damages because of the considerable inconvenience to which he was put by the
breach. In deciding whether to award nominal or substantial damages in cases
where no specific loss can be proved, each case must be examined on its own
merits. (Nitin Coffee Estates Ltd. v. Noran Mistry, Tanz. H. Court Digest, Vol.
1, Case No. 117, distinguished on this basis). In this case, however, Shs.
1,500/- is too much; damages will be assessed at Shs. 750/- Judgment modified
and appeal dismissed.
444. Tanzania Exhibitors Ltd. v.
Karimbhai Hassanali Adamji Jiriwalla, Civ. Case 22-D-68, 31/8/68, Duff J.
Plaintiff sought the transfer of title
to building he purchased from defendant. About 75% of the purchase price was to
be paid directly to defendant, and 25% to a third party. A
(1968)H.C.D
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Clause in the contract specifically
provided that after the 75% had been paid to defendant, he would transfer the
title to the plaintiff. The 75% had been paid but defendant refused to transfer
title because not all of the 25% had been paid to the third party, and certain
tax payments were in arrears. Because of this, defendant argued that
plaintiff’s prayer for specific performance of the contract should be rejected.
Defendant also filed a counterclaim relating to another contract between the
parties.
Held:
(1) To obtain an order for specific performance the moving party must show that
he has performed his obligations under the contract. Whether plaintiff has done
so here turns on what the parties intended when they signed the contract. Since
clause 2 (h) specifies that title shall pass not on payment of the whole
contract price, but upon the payment of 75% of the price to defendant, the
failure to pay the other 25% as yet cannot amount to a breach. Specific performance
granted. (2)Defendant’s counterclaim could be excluded by the Court if it
deemed such a course to be expedient. As the counterclaim raised several
substantive issues, and was concerned with a different contract covering a
different piece of property, it was excluded, without prejudice to any further
action defendant might want to take.
445. Hassan s/o Sefu v. Muru s/o
Mohamed. (PC) Civ. App. 43-A-68, 30/8/68, Platt J.
In May, 1967 defendant contracted to
purchase plaintiff’s house for Shs. 8,00/-. Shs. 3,000/- was paid at that time
and it was agreed that the balance would be paid in July, 1967. The house was
kept in plaintiff’s name, and it was agreed that defendant would take
possession immediately but would surrender possession if the balance was not
paid. Defendant failed to pay and plaintiff filed this action in Primary Court
for recession of the contract and the return of the house upon repayment of the
Shs. 3,000/- which had been paid. Plaintiff is an Asian and defendant is an
African but is not the member of any tribe.
Held:
(1) The provisions of s. 14, Magistrates’ Courts Act, control the provisions of
s. 57 of that Act. Thus, an action must be filed in Primary Court under s. 57
only if it has been determined that the Primary Court has jurisdiction under s.
14 to hear the case. [Citing Mohamedi Ngownyani v. Tumwa Dodo, (PC) Civ. App.
34-67]. (2)Customary law can govern contracts for the sale of a house even
though the transaction does not involve special forms of tribal organization
such as clan ownership of land. [Citing Andrea Rafael v. Antonia Masakuya, (PC)
Civ. App. 57-66]. Paragraph 3 of the Fourth Schedule of the Magistrates’ Courts
Act suggests a wide definition of the scope of customary law in reference to contracts.
(3) The Primary Court had jurisdiction to try this matter if the parties were
subject to customary law. (4) s. 9(1) (a), Judication and Application of Laws Ordinance,
Cap. 453, provides that customary law shall apply to civil matters “between a
member of one community and a member of another community if the rules of
customary law of both communities make similar provision for the matter.” The
Primary Courts lack jurisdiction where there is no such common ground of legal
procedure and jurisprudence. [Citing dicta in
(1968)H.C.D.
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177 –
Report made in 1953 was held relevant
but the court found that any inference of partnership was adequately rebutted
by (1) the fact that the alleged partnership had never been registered under s.
4, Business Names (Registration) Ordinance, Cap. 213, which would have been
required if there had been a partnership, but not if there had been joint
ownership only, and (2)plaintiff had never explained the interest of the
bankrupt’s daughter, who owned a share of the farm. The Court concluded that
the sharing of profits did not necessarily made the parties partners, relying
on s..191 (2)(a) and (b), Contracts Ordinance, Cap. 433, which provide, in
substance that joint ownership is not necessarily a partnership even if there
is a sharing of profits or gross returns. The Court held that s. 191(2)(c) of
the Ordinance, which provides that, in certain circumstances, sharing of
profits of a business is prima facie evidence of a partnership in that
business, was not relevant, since plaintiff had not demonstrated there was any
“business” rather than merely the affairs of co-owners.
448.Leo Mkasu v. Salim Mohamed El
Shukery, Civ. Case 71-D-67, 10/10/68, Biron J.
Plaintiff filed this suit claiming
damages for injuries sustained when he was allegedly pushed off a bus. When the
case was first set down for hearing on 21 February, 1968 defendants appeared
with their witnesses but plaintiff failed to appear and gave no explanation to
the court or his advocate for his failure. The case was adjourned. Plaintiff
again failed without explanation to appear when the case again came up for
hearing on 10 October. Plaintiff’s advocate moved for another adjournment, and
this motion was opposed by defendants’ advocate who referred to the expense of
bringing the defendants and the witnesses from distant areas of Tanzania.
Held;
Courts are extremely reluctant to dismiss a case on account of the failure of a
party to appear. Adjournments are freely granted on the theory that expenses
can be cured by costs. However, in the facts of the present case, it appears
that plaintiff is impecunious and could not pay such costs, and conditions
should be placed on the granting of an adjournment. Adjournment granted on
condition that the case not be heard until security is posted for defendants’
costs n attending the two adjourned hearings, Costs of appearing at the
adjourned hearings awarded to defendants in any event.
449. Valentine Makwaba v. Maxmillian
Mgingurwa (pc) Civ. App. 27-D-68, 5/10/68, Hamlyn J.
The testator died without issue.
Appellant claimed the property because he alleged that the testator gave him
the land for the service he rendered to the testator when there was litigation
between the testator and a woman who claimed the shamba. Respondent is brother
of the testator and apparently his natural heir. At the original trial a number
of documents purporting to be wills of the testator were produced, some alleged
to have been signed or thumb-printed by the testator and a number of other
signatories to the documents. The trial
magistrate found as a fact that the documents were missing the required
witnesses’ signatures.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
(1) “For a court to interfere with the natural ‘run’ of inheritance would
require very explicit and incontrovertible evidence, for the claims of
consanguinity cannot lightly or easily be disregarded.” (2) Clause 34 of
Government Notice 436 of 1963 requires that the testator must declare
specifically in writing his intentions and reasons for disinheriting his
heir-at-law. Appeal dismissed.
450. Zamberi Muga v. Wanzira Muga
(P.C) Civ. App. 18-D-68, 7/10/68, Biron J.
Respondent, full sister of deceased who
had died childless leaving no full brother nor wife, claimed 18 head of cattle
in possession of appellant who was deceased’s half brother. In the lower courts
there was dispute as to the quantum of the estate but it was found that the
estate was comprised of 18 head of
cattle. Appellant admitted at the trial court that a half-brother is not
entitled to inherit but the heir was his father, to whom deceased was like a
son.
Held:
Both under Zanaki Customary Law and General Laws of Inheritance, section 44 of
Government Notice 436 of 1963, where a person dies leaving neither children,
full brothers, nor a wife, his full sister is entitled to inherit. Appeal
dismissed.
451. Thimotheo Jimanyika v. Hassani
Jimanyika, (PC) Civ. App. 200-D-67, Biron J.
This case concerned (1) a dispute
between plaintiff and defendant over the succession to a coffee plantation left
by their paternal uncle who die childless at a ripe age of 70 years; and (2)
the effect of a sale of the entire plantation by the defendant to the
co-defendant for Shs. 4,500/-. Both plaintiff and defendant claimed to have
inherited the land through oral wills made by the deceased. The Primary Court
disbelieved the evidence of the witnesses called by both parties and decided
that the first defendant had inherited the land because he had been left in possession
there of at the date of the deceased’s death and the plaintiff had failed to
establish that the property was bequeathed to him. The District Court
Magistrate ordered that the land should be divided between the plaintiff and defendant,
but two-thirds was to be given to the plaintiff because he had used his money
to enfranchise the property from nyarubanja tenure and had redeemed it when it
was pledged by the deceased.
Held:
(1) Both plaintiff and defendant were entitled to inherit the land equally on
the deceased’s death intestate. (2) As the defendant had sold the land to the
second defendant and received Shs. 4,500/- in respect of such sale, the former
was to hand over to the plaintiff Shs. 2,250/- who was then to be allowed to
redeem half of the shamba with the money so received if he wished. (3) Should
the plaintiff wish to avail himself of the opportunity to redeem half or the
land, the division should be made by the clan elders together with the
magistrate of the Primary Court.
452. Bi. Mary w/o Bilauri v. Calist
s/o Bilauri (PC) Civ. App. 30-D-68, 15/10/68, Hamlyn J.
At issue is the validity of a will which
is purported to have been executed by the testator. The testator before his
death was apparently sick and in great paid and sought the
(1968)H.C.D.
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Services of a scribe who wrote a will
for the testator who signed it and a number of witnesses as well. It was
established that the witnesses signed the will sometime after the death of the
testator and not at the same time the will was executed.
Held:
The Laws of inheritance (Government notice No. 436 of 1963) provides in clause
3. “A will should be attested by proper witnesses who must be present at the
same time.” The court stated; “I presume that this slightly ambiguous wording
sets out the normal requirement that both testator and witnesses shall be
present and shall sign this requirement was not followed, the will is invalid.
Appeal dismissed.
453. Abdulaziz Velji Ratansi v. Sheri
Singh, Civ. Case 14-A-67, 27/9/68, Platt J.
Plaintiff’s car, which he hired out, was
virtually destroyed due to the negligence of the two defendants. The
plaintiff’s car had recently been in another accident, damaging the car to the
extent of Shs. 1,600/-, which the person hiring the car had paid. Plaintiff
made a claim for damages under two heads; Shs. 14,000/- being the pre-accident
value of the car, and Shs. 11,095/- being Shs. 35/- per day times 25 working
days per month, for a little over one year, the profit plaintiff lost due to
the destruction of his vehicle.
Held:
(1) The damages for destruction of the vehicle were Shs. 10,900/-, plus
interest. The Shs. 14,000/- valuation not disputed, but from that figure was
subtracted 1,600/- since the car was in a damaged state at the time of the accident
in question, and Shs. 1,500/-, the salvage value of the car. (2) A claim for
loss of profits was in principle justifiable, in addition to the loss of the
car. [Citing Jones v. London Authority, Lloyds Rep. 489; Pick fords Ltd. V.
Perma Products Ltd. (1947) 80 Li. L. R. 513]. In shipping cases, recovery of
profits is permitted for the voyage she was undertaking at the time of the
accident, plus that for other voyages she was under charter to perform. [Citing
The Philadelphia (1917)]. The main dispute was not over the principle of
recovery for lost profits being allowed, but for how long the period would run.
Plaintiff argued that he had no duty to mitigate damages. (Citing Southern
Highlands Tobacco Ltd. v. Mc Queen (1960) E. A. 490, 494, a case involving an employment
contract.) Defendant replied that plaintiff was entitled to recover damages
only over such period of time until he could reasonably have obtained another
vehicle. [Citing The Liesbosch (1963) A.C. 489]. The measure of damages and the
duty to minimize damages are two separate things. The aim is to put plaintiff,
as far as possible, in as good a position as he was before the collision, the
principle sometimes being referred to as restitutio in integrum. To do
this it must be contemplated that plaintiff would replace the destroyed taxi. ”Therefore,
the measure of his damage is the value of his vehicle and the loss of profits
from the date of the accident to the date when a further similar vehicle could
reasonably be acquired to replace the damaged vehicle.” Shs. 900/- was allowed
for loss of profits, plus 7% interest, running from the date of the accident,
on the value of the car (Shs. 10,900/-, but apparently not on the Shs. 900/-
lost profits. (3) Plaintiff argued that he should be awarded costs since his
(1968)H.C.D.
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Claim succeeded on the main point he had
to prove – defendant’s negligence – and a although he received less than he
claimed, the part he lost on only entitled brief argument before the court. In
short, he won on the substantive claim, though he was awarded less than he had
requested. Defendant argued that as plaintiff had recovered only Shs. 11,800/-
out of a claim of Shs. 25,095/-, plaintiff should not be allowed costs. As
plaintiff was required to bring this law suit only because the two defendants
could not decide how to apportion liability among themselves, and plaintiff had
succeeded on the substantive issue under both heads of damage claimed,
plaintiff was awarded costs.
454. Sanga v. Sanga, Civ. Case
48-D-67, 31/10/67, Biron J.
Plaintiff brought a claim for damages
arising out of the crash of defendant’s motor car, in which plaintiff was
traveling on the road from Iringa to Njombe. Plaintiff was about 28 years old,
educated to standard ten and though at the time unemployed, had last been
employed at Shs. 1,800/- per month. He testified that he was going abroad to
take a university degree, but there was evidence to indicate that he was
proceeding to Njombe to open a branch of his brother’s business. Liability for
the driver’s negligence was admitted and the only issues before the court
concerned damages. Plaintiff sought to recover special damages for the loss of
cash and personal effects which were apparently stolen as he lay unconscious
immediately after the accident. He also sought general damages for pain and
suffering, loss of amenities and loss of earning capacity.
Held:
(1) Plaintiff is entitled to recover the value of the cash and personal effect
stolen from him. The court said “In my judgment, bearing in mind the state of
the roads in Tanzania, the volume of traffic on them, and the lonely tracts of
country through which they run, damage this instant case, is not too remote to
be claimed in negligence.” (2) As to the assessment of general damages, the
court said “It is, to my mind, next to, if not altogether, impossible to
establish to the degree of certainty I would wish, the actual injuries and
damage the plaintiff has sustained, or is likely to sustain should his
condition deteriorate …. All I can hope to achieve is to arrive at a reasonable
approximation as to the quantum of damages the plaintiff is entitled to.” The
court then assessed the mass of medical testimony and concluded that as a
result mainly of a brain injury plaintiff had suffered fifty per cent permanent
incapacity in relation to future earnings, plus considerable pain and suffering
and loss of amenities. The court found it “well nigh impossible to determine
with any degree of certainty any precise figure to which the plaintiff’s loss
of earning capacity can be related.” The court then stated “I do not propose to
make assessments or estimates of damage under specific heads, but to attempt to
assess in a single figure the comprehensive quantum of compensation. (Citing
Waldon v. The War Office (1956) 1 All E.R. 108). “(T)here is no case to the
point in this part of the World, which could be of any guidance to the court in
assessing the quantum of damages. In fact ….. no two cases are alike. Learned
counsel have each, however, cited English cases …. As being analogous …
(A)nalogous cases re certainly
(1968)H.C.D.
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Of assistance to a Court in trying to
arrive at what may be considered a reasonable assessment in compensation …
Although some guidance may be obtained from analogous cases, no real standard
can be derived from such cases, let alone a yardstick by which to measure
damages….. However, cases are of assistance in that they give some indication
as to what is considered reasonable to award as compensation, which, as
constantly reiterated, does not mean translating into shillings and pence, or
cents, the injuries, that is the physical damage, loss, and pair and suffering
etc. sustained by the plaintiff, but a determination as to what is reasonable
compensation for such injuries.” On the basis of plaintiff’s injuries, the most
serious being traumatic epilepsy, impairment of vision and the use of right
arm, the likely loss of future earnings and amenities, the court awarded
plaintiff Shs. 100,000/-.
455. Ndaruvyariye s/o Burankusiye v.
Yusufu Barakabitse, (PC) Civ. App. 46-D-68, 24/10/68. Duff J.
Plaintiff was beaten by the three
defendants. In an earlier criminal proceeding the court, pursuant to s.176
Crim. Proc. Code ordered each defendant (they were accused in the other case)
to pay Shs. 22/35 to plaintiff. Unsatisfied with this award, plaintiff
instituted the present civil action seeking further damages. The district court
ordered each defendant to pay Shs. 350/- for a total of Shs. 1,050/-.
Held:
The award of compensation under s. 176 is not a ban to a subsequent civil
action. In such a subsequent action the court shall take into account the
amount awarded in the earlier case. (s. 178(3), Crim. Proce. Code). As the
Court did not find the sums awarded excessive in light of injuries inflicted on
plaintiff, the appeal was dismissed.
456. Aloice Matanda v. Samanya
Ngapanyi, (PC) Civ. App. 91-A-66, 7/9/68, Platt J.
Plaintiff sued defendant in Primary
Court for damages resulting when defendant’s cattle trespassed on plaintiff’s
cultivated land. In addition to damages for the destruction of his crops,
plaintiff was awarded Shs. 190/- for keeping one of the cows for 190 days.
Held:
(1) The Primary Court has referred to no customary law on the matter and it
seems that general law is applicable. (2) Under s. 8, Animals (Pounds)
Ordinance, Cap. 154, a land owner or occupier may seize a poundable animal,
such as a cow, which has trespassed on cultivated land, but the animal must be
delivered to the pound within four days or be returned to its owner. Thus,
plaintiff not only cannot recover for keeping the animal but laid himself open
to criminal liability under s. 15. (3) The Primary Court did not have
jurisdiction to hear the claim for the cost of keeping the cow since customary
laws was not applied. The Court stated, obiter, that even if customary law on
this matter had existed, it may have been superseded by the Ordinance. [Citing
ss. 9(3), 4 Judicature and Application of Laws Ordinance, Cap. 453].
457. Hassani s/o Mohamed v. R.,
Crim. App. 600-D-68, 30/10/68, Biron J.
Accused have a firearm to another person
to deliver it for repairs. He pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully
transferring a firearm c/ss. 15 and 31, Arms and Ammunition Ordinance,
(1968)H.C.D.
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Cap. 223. Before sentence, accused
stated in mitigation; “The firearm was defective. It was to be sent for
repair.” s. 15 makes it an offence for a person to “sell or transfer or buy or
accept any arms and ammunition either by way of gift or for any consideration
except in accordance with a permit
signed by an authorized officer.”
Held:
(1) For the transfer of a firearm to constitute an offence c/o 15, such
transfer must be ejusdem generic – that is, of a similar type, kind or nature –
with a sale, purchase, or gift. (2) “(Accused ’s) answer to the charge, taken
in conjunction with his plea in mitigation …. To the effect that he had handed
over his firearm … with the object of having it sent for repair, cannot be regarded
as an unequivocal plea of guilty to the charge …. “ Conviction quashed.
458. Halimoja Kavira v. R., Crim.
App. 460-D-68, 4/10/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of possessing a
Government trophy without an ownership certificate and of failing to report his
possession of that trophy to the Game Division, c/ss 41(2), 49(1) and 48 Fauna
Conservation Ordinance, Cap. 502. The item was a wildebeest tail, which accused
had brought to a wedding feast for his son, such tails being used by female
celebrants during dances which were part of the traditional ceremonies. Accused
claimed that he had inherited the tail from his father 1940, and there was no
evidence to the contrary. The Ordinance was enacted in 1964.
Held:
(1) A wildebeest tail is not a Government trophy as that term is defined in s.
47 of the Ordinance, (2) “Like any other penal statute, the Ordinance has no
retrospective effect, therefore, even if the wild beast tail had been a Government
trophy, there was no obligation on the appellant to report when it came into
his possession.”
459. Ntibabara s/o Mwaloha v. R.,
Crim. App. 504-M-68, 16/9/68, Mustafa J.
Accused, being charged with common
assault, failed to appear on the date fixed. A bench warrant was issued for his
arrest; when two policement met him and attempted to arrest him, he felled one
of them with a spear. The record showed no finding as to his age, which he gave
as 60 years and which the charge sheet alleges to be 45 years. For failing to
appear, accused was convicted of contempt of court c/s 114(1)(b), Penal Code;
for resisting arrest, he was convicted under s. 243(a), Penal Code, and
sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment. He was also convicted on the common assault
charge, and sentenced to 6 month’s imprisonment. Accused was a first offender.
Held:
(1) s. 114(1)(b), applied to persons “having been called upon to give evidence
in a judicial proceeding ….. “ i.e., to witnesses, and does not apply to a
failure to appear by the accused himself. Conviction for contempt quashed. (2)
A sentence of 3 years’ imprisonment for an “elderly” first offender, for the
offence charged here, was “manifestly excessive.” Sentence reduced to 15
months. (3) For the same reason, the assault sentence was reduced to 3 months,
to run concurrently.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Accused was charged with contempt of
court c/s 114, Penal Code, for showing disrespect to the court by laughing
during the course of a trial in which he was involved. Accused said that a fly
had entered his nose, which was the cause of the ensuing noise that he made. He
was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment.
Held:
(1) “It is to be presumed that an offence under s. 114(1) (a) of the Penal Code
requires mens rea. The offender must intend to show disrespect to the officer
administering justice or to the proceeding, in which he is engaged.” The record
did not contain such a showing. (2) The proper procedures for a court to follow
in summarily dealing with contempt of court was set out by the Court of Appeal
in Joseph Odhengo s/o Ogongo v. R. [(1954) 21 E.A.C.A. 302, a case involving
the equivalent section of the Kenya Penal Code.]. These were not followed here.
(3) The maximum sentence of imprisonment permitted under s. 114 (2)is one
month. (A fine can also be imposed). Thus the court erred in passing a sentence
of eight months imprisonment . (4) “(A) good principle to bear in mind when
dealing with contempt of court cases is that trivial incidents ought not to be
magnified into offences.” Conviction quashed.
461. R. v. Mzee Lewanga Cr. Rev.
42-A-68, 21/8/68, Platt J.
Accused was charged and convicted giving
false information to a police officer c/s 122(1), penal code. Accused failed to
take part in a self-help scheme and the local elders took his goat in default
and killed it. The accused reported to the police that his goat had been
stolen. There had been a public meeting in which it was agreed that forfeits
should be exacted for not taking part in the scheme. The accused did not
disagree with that in principle, but claimed that although a goat might be
taken, it should not have been killed, but kept until he paid 10/- as forfeit.
It was found as fact that the meeting agreed that a goat should be forfeit
without redemption and the proceeds applied to a community project.
Held:
(1) Although there is no penalty in law for not taking part in a self-help scheme,
if a community generally agrees that a forfeit should be paid for not taking
part, then the forfeit exacted is not theft. (2) Accused should not therefore
have brought the charge and his conviction is upheld.
462. R. v. Japhet Fungameza, Crim. Sass.
163 BUKOBA-67, 3/10/68, Bramble J.
Accused and three other Field Force Unit
members were on duty at Murongo Ferry, each armed with a rifle. On the night in
question they all talked around the camp-fire before returning to their tent.
The accused testified that on of them, Elias, had brought the pombe, “Moshi”,
to drink. A series of quarrels broke out between accused and Elias. In the
first of these, accused called Elias a “Muha”, and Elias replied that accused
“had a cut finger,” after which there was some mutual pushing, broken
(1968)H.C.D.
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Up by brother constable. The quarreling
continued in the tent with Elias allegedly saying to accused “the vagina of
your mother”. Later, Elias tried to snatch from accused a hurricane lamp in
whose light accused was writing a letter. Accused was ordered to take the lamp
outside the tent, which he did. After a while the accused was heard to
challenge anyone inside the tent, who was brave, to come out. When one of the
constables left the tent, accused began shooting. Two of the constables,
including Elias, escaped, but the third was killed. Accused was charged with
murder.
Held:
Accused is guilty of murder. The pushing and the swear-words used during the
quarrel and the snatching of the lamp were not sufficient provocation to “bring
it within the definition so as to reduce the charge of murder to manslaughter”.
If any provocation existed “It was not such as to warrant the accused using a
lethal weapon like a gun nor was it such as to arouse the passion of an
ordinary man. The accused himself being a policeman would be expected to act
with more discretion than any citizen can be expected.
463. Oscar Jonas Mwambola v. R.,
Crim. App. 320-A-68, 21/10/68, Seaton J.
The accused was convicted of
communicating to an unauthorised person the contents of an official secret
document c/s 5(1)(a) and 15, Official Secrets Ordinance Cap. 45, and was
sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. On 2nd September, 1967, the
security officer for Nzega district arrested and detained the Hon.Kasela-Bantu,
then M.P. from Nzega. That evening the security officer wrote a letter to His
Excellency the President, explaining why the Hon. M.P. had been detained. This
letter was marked “SECRET” and sent to H.E. the President. Accused then Area
Commissioner for Nzega, received a copy of the letter, On 6th
September, 1967, Kasela-Bantu was released from detention by H.E. the President.
On 7th September, accused, who by this time had been dismissed as
Area Commissioner, read out the contents of the secret letter in the presence
of Kasela-Bantu and two others, to prove that he had not been the person responsible
for the detention. The transmission of the information in the letter is the letter
is the solve violation charged.
Held:
(1) s. 5(1) refers, inter alia, to “any sketch, plan, model, article, note, document,
or information which relates to or is used in a prohibited place or anything
in such a place, or which has been made or obtained in contravention of
this ordinance or which has been entrusted in confidence to him by any person
holding office under the Republic or which he had obtained or to which he had
access owing to his position as a person who holds or has held a contract made
on behalf of the Republic, or as a person who is or has been employed under a
person who holds or has held such office or contract …..” (underlining added).
The accused has submitted that the word “document” must be construed as being
qualified by the words “which relates to or is used in a prohibited place or anything
in any such place”, and that since it has not been proved that document in
question fulfills this qualification, the conviction cannot be supported.
However there is no reason to put such a narrow interpretation on the word
“document”. It would appear that the words “which
(1968)H.C.D.
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Relates to or is used in a prohibited
place or anything in such place” are restricted to the word “information” which
immediately precedes the word “information” which immediately precedes the
words quoted and that the word “document” is qualified b the words” or which
has been made or obtained” and following. (Citing Rex v. Simington (1921) 1 K.
B. 451, similarly interpreting the analogous
section of the English Official Secrets Act.) The maximum term of imprisonment
for minor offence under the Act is two years; accused her received 18 months.
“The court …..was influenced in giving the sentence it did by the need to
protect the security of Tanzania, ‘a revolutionary progressive country having
enemies not so far away to the South of its borders and others no doubt within
the country.’ The learned magistrate concluded that he would be failing in his
duty if he did not underline the necessity for everyone to be security
conscious especially those who are in a position to know official secrets.
Although the High Court considered the sentence severe, it was not “so
excessive as to warrant interference severe, it was not “so excessive as to
warrant interference” by it. Conviction and sentence confirmed.
464. N. R. Ladak & Sons v.
Republic Crim. App. 637-M-68, 15/10/68, Seaton, J.
A partnership appealed from a conviction
upon a charge of failing to pay a particular employee the required minimum wage
under the Employment Ordinance. The defendant pleaded autrefois acquit on the
ground that he had been acquitted in an earlier case involving the same charge.
The magistrate held that the earlier case was against one of the partners only,
and that the partner was a different person in law than the partnership. He
also found that in the earlier case the named partner had not appeared, but his
did. On appeal the State Attorney conceded that the defendant intended to be
charged in each of the cases was the employer of the particular employee
involved.
Held;
The first case was s nullity since it was erroneous to dispense with the
presence of the accused. Under s. 99, Criminal Procedure Code, such presence
may be dispensed with only if the accused submits a written plea of guilty or
appears by an advocate. Therefore the plea of autrefois acquit under s. 139,
Criminal Procedure Code, failed. But the Court also held that it was error to
charge, convict, or sentence a unincorporated body in its firm name rather than
in the name of the individuals, citing Nterekeiyna Bus Service v. R. (1966)
E.A.C.A. 333. The conviction was therefore quashed.
465. Simon s/o Gadeu v. R., (PC)
Crim. App. 164, 165-D-68, 19/8/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused were convicted in Primary Court
of assault causing bodily harm and robber c/ss 241 and 286, Penal Code. The
District Court, hearing the case on confirmation, altered the convictions to
robbery with violence and increased the sentences which the trial court had
imposed without regard to the Minimum Sentences Act to severer sentences in
accordance with the act. The High Court agreed that the original charges had
been drawn incorrectly.
Held:
Nowhere in the statutes are the courts empowered to convict persons of offences
more serious than those charged-
(1968)H.C.D.
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186 –
Robbery with violence, being punishable
with life imprisonment, is more serious than simple robbery, albeit that the
robbery charge is combined with on of assault. Convictions of robbery substituted;
accused sentenced to two years and twenty – four strokes.
466. Simon Joseph s/o Magangira v. R.,
Crim. App. 498-M-68, 1/11/68, Seaton J.
Accused pleaded guilty to corrupt
solicitation of money c/s 3(1), Prevention of corruption Ordinance, Cap. 400.
Thereupon a statement of facts setting out the particulars of the charge was
read, and the accused admitted to the facts as outlined.
Held:
The Court found that the statement of facts read out to the accused was “either
meaningless or indicates a set of circumstances that do not support the is not
a statutory requirement but it is the “invariable practice” that such a
statement is read to the accused. If accused denies the truth of the statement
of facts, or makes an ambiguous reply, a plea of not guilty should be entered
and the case should proceed to trial. [Citing Rex v. Mwasambanga s/o Lyakumba,
1 T.L.R. 82] Because of the confusion in the statement of facts here, accused
could not with comprehension have pleaded guilty to them. The trial court
should consequently have entered a plea of not guilty and proceeded to hear the
case. Conviction quashed.
467. R. v. Dani s/o Timoth, Crim.
Rev. 56-M-68, 1/10/68, Mustafa J.
Accused was charged with assault causing
actual bodily harm. After his plea was taken and before the trial commenced,
the trial magistrate ordered accused to be medically examined and on the basis
of the medical report found him to be of unsound mind and ordered him detained
as a criminal Lunatic.
Held:
S. 164(1), Criminal Procedure Code, as amended by Act. 1966 No, 35, provides
that if the court has reason to believe that the accused is of unsound mind, it
shall call upon the prosecution to adduce evidence in support of the charge
before enquiring into the issue of whether the accused unsoundness of mind
shall proceed only if the court finds that a case has been made out against
accused. Trial magistrate’s order set aside and case returned to the trial
court for the taking of the prosecution’s evidence.
468. Aloys Kamuzora v. R., Crim.
App. 527-M-68; 18/10/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of driving a motor
vehicle without an insurance policy c/ss 4(1) and 4(1), Motor Vehicles
Ordinance, Cap. 169, and was fined Shs. 60/- and disqualified from holding a
driving licence for 12 months. The accused argued, before sentence, that
special reasons existed for not imposing a disqualification, in that the
vehicle had been purchased on hire purchase and was in joint ownership with
B.C.D. The insurance was kept with B.C.D. and so accused did not know that it
had expired at the time of the offence. The court held, however, that the accused
had a duty to check when his insurance ceased to operate although the policy
was kept by a joint owner, and so his neglect to check could not constitute
special reasons.
(1968)H.C.D.
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Held:
A “special reason” for not ordering a disqualification is one which is special
to the facts which constitute of offences, and not one which is special to the
offender as distinguished from the offence. Moreover the reason must be
“special”, (1946) 2 All E.R. 552). In this case, it has been pointed out that
more than held of all motor vehicles in use in this country are purchased under
some sort of hire purchase arrangement and insurance policies are not kept by
the person in charge of the vehicle. In view of this, the accused cannot
succeed in his claim that special reasons exist, since his failure to have an
insurance policy “was due to mere forgetfulness or carelessness” on his part in
not checking the expiry date.
469. Hamisi Juma v. R., Crim.
App. 512-M-68, 27/7/68, Seaton J.
Accused, 19, was seen by a police
inspector at a settlement and asked about his residence. Failing to show one,
he was charged and convicted on his own plea – to a charge of “loitering “ and
failing to show “means of subsistence” or “give a good account of himself”
- of being a rogue and vagabond c/s
1777(3), Penal Code.
Held:
(1)”Loitering” would be an offence under s. 176 (1), Penal Code, if accused
were shown to have been a common prostitute. (2)Under s. 177(3), the accused
must be “a suspected person” or “reputed thief”; and he must fail to give an
account for himself “in such circumstances that the suspicion that he was sustaining
himself dishonestly would attach to him”. On the strength of Tanzania authorities
discussing the charged offence, “I would take the view that mere homelessness
does not constitute roguishness”. [Citing R. v. Mtambara bin Selemani (1935) 1
T.L.R. 29; Omari Ramadhani and Abdallah Earagi v. R. (1955)2 T.L.R. 118].
Conviction quashed.
470. R. v. Fitina s/o Nchumba,
Crim. Case 23-M-68, 14/10/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of stealing from
the person c/o 269 (1), Penal Code. The trial court found him to be over 16
years of age and sentenced him to 8 strokes.
Inspection
Note; “It is appreciated that the learned magistrate’s motive was to spare
the accused the more severe and degrading punishment of imprisonment. Nevertheless,
insofar as corporal punishment is concerned, a person of the age of 16 years or
over is an adult, upon whom the award of corporal punishment is prohibited save
for one of the offences mentioned in the schedule to the Corporal Punishment Ordinance,
Cap. 17”.
471. R. v. Msingwa s/o Mnyelele.
Dist Ct. Crim. Case 216-Geita – 68, 14/10.68, Inspection Note by Seaton J.
Accused was convicted of assault causing
actual bodily harm c/s 241, Penal Code, and was sentenced to 6 months
imprisonment and 10 strokes.
Noted:
“The accused must have already received the 10 strokes … nevertheless, it is
pertinent to point out that corporal punishment should only be awarded for such
offences when there exist aggravating circumstances such as the use of exceptional
violence or the fact that the victim is a woman or a child.”
(1968)H.C.D.
-
188 –
472. Govindram Isherdas v. R.,
Crim. App. 688-M-68, 17/10/68, Bramble J.
Accused was convicted of hunting a lion
in a prohibited area without the written permission of the Minister of
Agriculture and Co-operatives c/s 24(3) and 53, Fauna Conservation Ordinance,
and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.
Held:
“In directing his mind to sentence the trial magistrate noted that the
appellant was first offender; that he showed no repentance and that it was the
duty of the court to deter the commission of such offences, which were frequent
in the district, and detrimental to the country. The circumstances of the
offence do not suggest a deliberate attempt to break the law since there were
police officers present – unless they were parties to the offence and I do not
believe this. It was borne of impatience, sudden temptation and a consequence
of recklessness as to the act, after a long period of travel. These
circumstances ought to have been considered in determining punishment and I
consider this sentence manifestly severe.” Appeal allowed in part and sentence
varied to a fine of Shs. 3,000/- or 6 months imprisonment in default.
473. Juma Masumbuko v. R., Crim.
App. 11-D-68, 2/10/68, Hamlyn J.
Accused, an employee of the East African
Community, stole money from the community and was convicted of stealing by a
person in the public service c/ss 270 and 265, Penal Code. The trial court
held, however, that accused was not employed in the public service within the
meaning of the Minimum Sentences Act, and so was sentenced to only 18 months
imprisonment.
Held:
An employee of the East African Community is clearly a person employed in the
public service within the meaning of the Minimum Sentences Act. Sentences
enhanced to 2 years imprisonment with 24 strokes.
474. Shah Ali v. R. Crim. App.
461-D-68, 4/10/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of receiving
stolen property c/s 311, Penal code, on the basis of a statement made to a
police witness, and considerable other evidence. He was sentenced to 2 years
and 24 strokes under the Minimum Sentences Act.
Held:
(1) The evidence of the police witness as to accused ’s statements to him was inadmissible
because it amounted to a confession within the meaning of s. 27, Evidence Act,
1967. (2) “Even disregarding the inadmissible evidence in toto, the
conviction for receiving is fully supported and justified by the evidence. The admission of the
inadmissible evidence has not occasioned
any miscarriage of justice ….” Conviction affirmed. (3) There was no evidence
to indicate that accused knew or had reason to believe that the property was
stolen in the course of a burglary. However receiving property stolen in the
commission of a scheduled offence under the Minimum Sentences Act in itself
constitutes a scheduled offence, notwithstanding that the receiver neither knew
nor had reason to believe that the goods were taken in the commission of a
scheduled offence. (4) The lack of such knowledge does, however, constitute a
special circumstance
(1968)H.C.D.
-
189 –
Within the meaning of s. 5(2), Minimum
Sentences Act and when combined with the fact that accused was a first offender
and the amount involved did not exceed Shs. 100/-, allowed the Court to reduce
sentence.
475. R. v. Kahema s/o Mkwe, (PC)
Crim. Rev. 2-A-68, 23/9/68, Platt J.
Accused were convicted in Primary Court
of simple theft c/s 265, Penal Code and sentenced to 1 year and 12 strokes. On
appeal the District Court, without making any record of having heard accused,
not noting only that the “memorandum of appeal” had been “read incorporated”,
substituted a conviction for robbery c/s 186, Penal Code, and imposed a
sentence of 2 months and 12 strokes, purportedly under the Minimum Sentences Act,
accused, having by that time received their corporal punishment, were soon
released. The Supervisory Magistrate noting the errors in both proceedings
below, sent the records of the cases to the High Court for revision, under s.
26(2)(a), Magistrates Courts Act.
Held:
(1) The Primary Court’s order for corporal punishment was ultra vires, since
simple theft is not among the offences scheduled in the Minimum Sentences Act.
(2) The District Court erred in substituting a conviction “for a more serious
offence” without giving the accused an opportunity of being heard on appeal in
person. (3) The Primary Court conviction for simple theft is upheld. To
compensate the accused for the illegal corporal
punishment, and as they have suffered some imprisonment and have now
been at large for some time, the sentences are reduced “to such term of
imprisonment which would accord with the periods of imprisonment they have
served together with normal remission.” The Court stated, obiter; had the
robbery conviction been proper, the Magistrate would have been bound to apply
the Minimum Sentences Act, ordering two years’ imprisonment and twenty-four
strokes..
476. Paulo s/o Vincent Crim. App.
454-D-68. 25/11/68, Duff J.
Accused was convicted of housebreaking
and theft C/ss 294(1) and 265, Penal Code, and was sentenced to 2 years
imprisonment and 24 strokes under the Minimum Sentences Act. He had pawned his
radio to complainant for Shs. 80/- and later, lacking the money necessary to
redeem the radio, broke into complainant’s residence and stole it.
Held:
Accused is 17 years old and a first offender. The value of the radio does not exceed
Shs. 100/-. He originally pawned his radio to obtain money to help in the education of a younger brother. “He has
expressed his contributing to this court for his offences and … all these facts
constitute special circumstances and entitles a court to exercise its
discretion under the provisions of section 5 (2) of he Minimum Sentences Act,
Cap. 526. Prior to his arrest, the accused … was learning to be a typist. He
has been in custody over three months already and with a view to helping him
continue his studies and to occupy a useful position in society, the sentences
imposed are reduced to such term as well result in his immediate release. This is
a case which calls out for sympathy…. “
(1968)H.C.D.
-
190 –
477. R. v. Petro Masani Amsi,
Crim. Revs. 44, 49-A-68, 13/9/68, Platt J.
Accused, both 18 years of age, were
convicted in separate cases of defilement of girls under 12 years of age c/s
136 (1), Penal Code, and sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes
corporal punishment. In the case of the first penetration; the second accused ’s
victim suffered greater injuries, but the Court noted that she contracted no
disease.
Held:
Although these offences were serious, “it is not generally desirable to impose
a long term of imprisonment” where corporal punishment has been imposed and
where the accused is a youthful first offender, because of “the undesirable
side effects” of imprisonment on such persons. First accused sentenced to 18
months and 12 strokes; second accused sentenced to 2 years and 12 strokes.
478. R. v. Lwalanda Banene, Dist.
Ct. Crim. Case. 225-Geita-68; 14/10/68, Inspection Note by Seaton, J.
Accused was convicted of attempted suicide
c/s 217, penal Code and sentenced to 5 strokes. He was boy of 11 years of age,
whose attempt at suicide was caused by his father stopping him from going to
school and ordering him to work in the shamba.
Noted:
“The offence of attempted suicide … is a difficult one to deter by punishment.
Hence, courts usually deal with it by placing the offender on probation or in
some other manner which while indicating society’s disapproval, nevertheless,
holds out the hope of reform and re-kindling of the desire to live ….. although
5 strokes of the case is not a very severe punishment, in circumstances such as
these, a sentence might have been spared and the offender let off with an
admonition.”
479. R. v. Musa s/o Thomas, Crim.
Rev. 117-D-68, 9/10/68, Duff J.
Accused was convicted of attempted
suicide c/s 217, Penal Code and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.
Held:
“It has been repeatedly stated in these courts that, normally, sentences of
imprisonment should not be imposed in cases where attempted suicide is
involved. No reasons were disclosed as to what prompted the accused to act as
he did, but it is clear that in cases of this nature an accused person is
usually deserving of sympathy and not punishment.” Sentences reduced to such
term as will result in the immediate release of accused.
480. Hassani Mirambo v. R., Crim.
App. 476-D-68, 4/10/68, Bion J.
Accused was convicted of attempting to
steal from a motor vehicle, on evidence which established that he pushed a
sorewdriver through the ventilation window of a parked motor car. As a result,
the car was slightly scratched, but the accused did not gain entry. Since nothing
was actually taken, the magistrate conceded that the offence was “of a minor
nature” He said, however, that the accused ’s previous record of four
convictions “shows that he would have stolen from the car had he not been
apprehended in time,” and he therefore sentenced the accused to 12 months in
prison.
(1968)H.C.D.
-
191 –
Held:
(1) The attempted theft conviction is clearly based on the accused ’s intention
to steal as revealed, not by his acts in the incident being considered, but by
his previous record. Since prior convictions may be considered in sentencing,
but not in determining guilt of the offence charged, the conviction cannot be
sustained. (2) The facts as proven might support a charge of causing malicious
damage. However, a conviction for that offence cannot be substituted under s.
319, Criminal Procedure Code; that section gives an appellate tribunal a wide
discretion as to varying a conviction (but) it does not … give an unlimited and
unbounded discretion to vary a conviction found to any other which the court
may consider is supported by the evidence. The power to vary a conviction is governed
by, and corresponds with, the power the convicting court had, that is, in
convicting for an offence other than that with which the accused before it is
charged. The powers of returning a conviction for an offence other than that
charged are expressly laid down in sections 181 to 188 of the Criminal
Procedure Code, which certainly fo not embrace a power to substitute a
conviction for causing malicious damage for one of attempting to steal, the
offences not even being cognate.”
481. Omari s/o Juma Mkindo v. R.,
Crim. App. 289-D-68, 14/9/68, Duff J.
Accused was convicted on several counts
of fraudulent false accounting c/s 317 (c), Penal Code. In each count, however,
the words “with intent to defraud” were omitted from the particulars.
Held:
A charge of false accounting which does not specifically aver an intent to
defraud “discloses no offence at law, and is not merely an irregular or defective
charge which can be put right by the application of section 346 of the Criminal
Procedure Code.” (Citing Terrah Mukindia v. R. (1966) E.A. 425, 429; Matu
Gichumu v. R. (1951) E.A. 311) Convictions quashed.
482. Martin s/o Kamau v. R., Crim.
App. 525-D-68, 6/11/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of conveying
property reasonably suspected to have been stolen from his employer, c/s 312,
Penal Code. The magistrate rejected his claim of right based on a written
authorisation by his superintendent. The magistrate believed the superintendent’s
testimony that the authorisation did not cover the items found in accused ’s
possession, and did not cover the items found in accused ’s possession, and did
not cover the day on which accused was arrested. The High Court, finding that
the authorisation was ambiguous enough that the accused might have read it
otherwise, and might therefore have been conveying the property under bona fide
claim of right, reversed the conviction on that grounds.
Held:
The Court stated, obiter; The magistrate expressly found that accused had
stolen the items from his employers. “It is well settle law … that where the
evidence establishes that a person has in fact stolen the property ….. he
cannot be reasonably suspected of having been stolen.” Also, although such a
conviction may be returned upon a charge for theft, a theft conviction cannot
be returned on a charge under s. 312, Penal Code.
(1968)H.C.D.
-
192 –
483. Gaspare s/o Jovin v. R.,
Crim. App. 583-M-68, 30/10/68, Bramble J.
On 27th September, 1967
accused and several others were at a house where a watch was later discovered
to be missing. On 7th March, 1968, the watch was found in accused ’s
possession, and he was convicted of stealing c/s 265, Penal Code.
Held:
(1) Accused ’s presence at the house where the watch was lost does not “point irresistibly
to his stealing it at the particular time.” (2) Four months is too long a
period to be considered “recent” in order to raise the presumption that the
accused was the thief or the knowing receiver. “There is no general rule as to
what time is close enough ….It is generally accepted that a period of two
months …. Will be too long to raise the presumption in the case of articles that pass readily from hand
to hand.” Conviction quashed.
484. Joseph Selemani v. R., Crim.
App. 413-D-68, 5/10/68; Hamlyn J.
Accused, the headmaster of a Primary
School, received school fees from parents and kept the money for himself.
Although he was employed by the Town Council which operated the school, he was
not authorized to receive the fees, this being done at the Council’s office by
its Treasurer. The prosecution initially charged the accused with stealing by
public servant c/s 270, Penal Code, on the theory that he came to possess the
money “by virtue of his employment,” at an early stage, however, they withdrew
this charge and substituted one of stealing by servant c/s 271, Pena Code i.e.,
of stealing funds held “on account of his employer.” Nonetheless, the
magistrate convicted him under s. 270.
Held:
(1) A conviction for stealing by public servant cannot be had upon a charge of
stealing by servant. (2) As the magistrate noted, the evidence shows that at
the time the accused received the money, it was “still the property of those
who handed it to him – the money had not become the property of the Council –
so the accused cannot be said to have stolen the property of the Council.” Conviction
for simple theft substituted, under s. 181, Criminal Procedure Code. The court
stated, obiter; “I would have thought that the circumstances shown by the
evidence in the case would have made a charge under section 273 (b) the more
appropriate – the offence known to English law as ‘fraudulent conversion’, on
the grounds that the appellant had held himself out to be a person with
authority to receive the fees.”
485. National Bank of Commerce v.
Yusuf Hussein Allidina, Civ. Case 48-D-68, 4/10/68, Georges C. J.
The plaintiff, as a holder in due
course, sued on a promissory not made by the defendant. The note was endorsed
to the plaintiff and was dishonored when presented for payment. The plaintiff
admitted that at the time of the endorsement the place of payment was blank. I
had been filled in later without the consent of the defendant.
Held:
(1) The case did not fall within the material alterations specified in s.
64(2), Bills of Exchange Act, Cap. 215. It was not an “alteration of the place
of payment” but an addition. (2) The second part of s. 64(2). Referring
(1968)H.C.D.
-
193 –
To additions of places of payment,
applies only to bills accepted generally. S. 90(3)(b) makes provisions as to
acceptance inapplicable to promissory notes. (3) The list of material
alterations in s. 64(2) is not exhaustive. (4) Although at common law, the
alteration of a bill of exchange by adding the place of payment was a material
alteration (Macintosh v. Hayden (1826) Ry & Mood. 362) there was a
distinction made between bills and promissory notes, whose use in commerce and
freedom of circulation was more restricted. The nature of the contract entered
into by the maker is not changed, since if the addition had not been made,
presentation would not have been needed to render the maker liable. (5)
(obiter) Addition of a place of payment to a promissory not as between
endorsees, was material alteration. Under s. 88(2) of the Act, presentation for
payment is necessary to render an endorsee liable. (6) (obiter) s. 45 provides
that where in a bill there is no place of payment specified, but the address of
the drawee or an acceptor is given on the bill, the bill is properly presented
there. That section also applies to promissory notes.
486. R. F. Mboya v. Mewa Singh Mangat,
Civ. App. 18-A-67, 26/10/68, Platt J.
Defendants in 1964 entered into an
agreement to purchase a motor vehicle from plaintiff. As the agreement predated
the Tanzania Hire Purchase Act, 1966, which act would cover this transaction
were it to occur today, the relevant law was found in the Contract Ordinance,
Cap. 433, the Sale of Goods Ordinance, Cap. 214, and the common law. The
vehicle was delivered in late 1964. Despite the fact that the vehicle failed an
inspection, defendants kept possession of the vehicle until August, 1965, at
which time plaintiff repossessed it because defendants had not kept up their
payments. Plaintiff in this action sought arrears for 9 unpaid monthly installments.
Defendants refused to pay because they had expected a roadworthy vehicle. The
contract contained a clause specifically waiving all warranties, both express
and implied.
Held:
(1) A disclaimer of warranties, no matter how widely expressed is “only
available to a party where he is carrying out his contract in its essential respects…..They
do not avail him when he is guilty of a breach which goes to the root of the
contract.” (Quoting Karsales (Harrow) Ltd. v. Wallis (1956)2 All E.R. 866, at
868.) This case also involved the delivery of a faulty vehicle. It was held
there that defendant did not have to accept the wrecked vehicle which plaintiff
tendered, notwithstanding that warranties of roadworthiness of the vehicle
specifically disclaimed. This was because a car that is an undrivable wreck is
so fundamentally different from a sound vehicle, that its delivery does not
satisfy the terms of the contract any more than delivery of 100 1bs. Of oranges
would have sufficed. Thus it was in breach.) (2) Assuming arguendo that the failure
to deliver a workable vehicle constituted a breach going to the root of the
contract, for the defendants to rely on that breach as a justification for
their own nonperformance, they should have refused delivery of the vehicle or
returned the vehicle to the plaintiff upon learning of the breach. Having
retained the vehicle, the defendants have converted what might have been a
breach of a condition to a breach of a warranty, and their only remedy is by
way of damages caused by the unsatisfactory state of the vehicle.
(1968)H.C.D.
-
194 –
(Citing National Cash Register Ltd. v.
Stanley (1921) 3 K.B. 292) Judgment was entered for plaintiff for Shs. 5760/-.
(3) If the facts do not appear quite clearly that is a reflection on the
record. The judge observed: “I cannot help reflecting that a great deal more
went on behind the scenes that appeared on the face of the record.”
487. Mohamed Yusufu v. Tunda Kassim,
(PC) Civ. App. 182-D-67, -/2/68, Georges C. J.
The respondent claimed that the deceased
had given a house to her before her death. She produced a transfer of a right
of occupancy thumb printed by the deceased in the presence of the Area
Commissioner. In fact, no right of occupancy had been granted to the deceased
at the time of the ‘transfer’. She said the deceased had been offered a right
of occupancy, but did not take it up. The offer was accepted by the respondent
as the done of the land and the land was then registered under the Land
Registration Ordinance. This was done after he suit was filed in the primary
court, but before that court gave judgment. The appellant, widower of the deceased,
disputed the gift.
Held:
(1) The document executed by the deceased was ineffective to pass title to the
respondent. (2) The Magistrates’ Courts Act Cap. 537 s. 14(1) inter alia
provides that: “No primary court shall have jurisdiction in any proceedings
affecting the title to or any interest in land registered under the Land
Regulation Ordinance”. Once the land is registered, the primary court has no
jurisdiction, and advise her to pursue her remedy in the District Court or the
High Court, depending on the value of the property involved, - in this case the
District Court. (3) (obiter) The appropriate law to be applied in the District
Court will be Islamic Law if that appears to be the law by which the parties
consider themselves to be governed. The question of fact to be decided then,
would be (a) whether the gift inter vivos (if that is what it was) had been
perfected by delivery or, (b) if it was a donation mortise cause (death bed
gift), whether the donor had the legal capacity to make it in the absence of
the consent of his heirs. (4) Appeal allowed.
488. Didas s/o Paul v. Christina d/o
Leiya, (PC) Civ. App. 122-A-66, 7/9/68, Platt J.
The appellant was sued in the Primary
court by the respondent for expenses connected with the pregnancy and birth of
a child. There was evidence, as found by the Primary court, that the respondent
was living as the appellant’s mistress. Nonetheless the Primary Court held that
there was not sufficient evidence of affiliation and dismissed the case.
Held:
As far as the law is concerned the provisions of paragraphs 183 to 189 in
Chapter 4 of the Law of Persons, Govt. Notice 279 of 1963, are pertinent. “The
combined effect of those paragraphs is that where a woman names a man as being
the father of her child, he may not dany paternity unless he proves that he had
no intercourse with the woman. This rule still holds good even if the woman had
more than one lover. But if the man can produce evidence that he never had
sexual intercourse with the woman,
(1968)H.C.D.
-
195-
then the burden falls on the woman of
proving her assertion by adducing detailed evidence. Once the man has been
found to be responsible for the pregnancy, he is liable to pay for the expenses
connected with the pregnancy, and childbirth.” On this case, since it appears
that the respondent was appellant’s mistress, he could not deny having sexual
intercourse with her. He has been named by the respondent as father and so is
held responsible for the pregnancy. Claim for expenses allowed.
489. Pius M. Mkonyo v. Julias Brashi,
(PC) Civ. App. 34-M-68, 9/10/68, Mustafa J.
Pius Mkonyo was allocated land by the
village development committee. During his temporary absence, Julias Brashi
approached the district executive officer and persuaded him to coerce the
village development committee into allocating a part of Pius’ land to him.
After this was done, Julias built a house on the land. Pius claimed damages
from Julias.
Held:
(1)As far as the court was aware, the allocation of land was the sole privilege
and responsibility of the village development committee. (2) It was quite wrong
for the district executive officer to interfere in the allocation of land by
the village development committee. (3) Nevertheless, once the land had been allocated
to Julias, he had a right to it. (4) Although it was not clear whether Pius’
claim was in respect of Julias’ action in building the house or for the value
of the plot allocated to him, neither claim could be upheld for the above
reasons.
490. Masera Mwita v. Matiko Muhabe,
(PC) Civ. App. 166-M-68, 14/10/68, Seaton J.
The respondent ran off with the
appellant’s daughter without paying brideprice. The appellant later seized 7
head of cattle in the possession of the respondent, who now claims their
return.
Held:
The father of a bride is not entitled to seize cattle when the brideprice has
not been paid, if there has been no agreement as to the amount of the
brideprice. The cattle may in any case, be the property of other owners.
491. Nziku d/o Nalimu v. Mayila
Kamanda, (PC). Civ. App. 21-D-68, 5/10/68, Biron , J.
The appellant’s wife petitioned for
divorce on the grounds of desertion. There were some quarrels, but every time
the wife left the husband, he persuaded her to come back. Later on it appeared
that the wife left the matrimonial home and went to live with be parents,
alleging that the husband did not provide her with sufficient food. The
husband’s case was that the wife had deserted him for two years, that he had
made attempts to persuade her to return but she always gave excuses. Once she
returned but again left him. The Primary Court held that the onus was on the
husband to persuade his wife to return, and this the respondent failed to do.
Divorce granted to the wife. On appeal to the District Court, the judgment was
reversed.
Held:
It is not disputed that the wife physically left the matrimonial home. The
desertion on which she based her petition could only be constructive desertion. It may be true that the marriage has broken
down, but that
(1968)H.C.D.
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196 –
In itself is not sufficient. The issue
as to who divorces whom is determined by the fact as to whom was at fault. It
has been fully established that the husband had made genuine efforts to
persuade his wife to return. Therefore “it has by no means been established
that it was the husband who was in desertion not the wife”. Appeal dismissed.
492. Paulo Nzuri v. Pius Koroso,
(PC). Civ. App. 145-M-68, 17/10/68, Seaton J.
The appellant sued for 15 head of cattle
which he claimed to be the balance of dowry payable by the respondent on his
marriage with the appellant’s sister, which had taken place about 1920.
Held:
The claim was time-barred under the Customary Law (Limitation of Proceedings) Rules,
G. N. No. 311 of 1963, as the wedding had taken place about 1920, almost half a
century ago. Judgment of the District court upheld;
493. Mutesiga Mpohi v. Felician
Rashabo Barthazal, (PC) Civ. App. 143-M-68, 10/10/68, Seaton J.
The appellant claimed damages for reeds
which he claimed had been cut and taken from his land by the respondent. He
succeeded in the Primary Court but the District Court, while upholding the
order for payment of compensation, stated that the land belonged to the
respondent although the t appellant had an interest in the reeds for his life.
Held:
(1) The District Magistrate had said that reeds were invaluable in Buhaya for
such purposes as building huts and as firewood, and could be inherited by a
different person from he who inherited the land. Whether or not this was
correct as to the ownership of reeds in Buhaya, there was no evidence of separate
ownership here. The evidence was that the land and reeds belonged to the
appellant. (2) Appeal allowed.
494. Duncan Mberelie v. Gibson Mawalla,
Civ. App. 1-A-68, 26/10/68, Platt J.
This was essentially a family dispute,
growing out of a partnership agreement. The parties are disputing who has
failed to perform certain duties under the agreement, whereupon plaintiff
brought this suit claiming certain moneys. His action was dismissed, because he
failed to present documentary proof of his claim, in that he did not tender in
to court receipts for payments he allegedly made. It is claimed by plaintiff on
appeal that even if he failed for lack of receipts, he should have been allowed
recovery because defendant had at the trial admitted full liability – and
admissions against pecuniary interest are admissible under 20(3) (a), Evidence Act, Act no. 6 of 1967.
Plaintiff’s claim was rejected by the trial court solely because of his failure
to present the requisite documentary evidence; the alleged admission by
defendant was not considered relevant by the magistrate.
Held:
(1) Plaintiff sought to bring fresh evidence – the receipts – before the High
Court. Permission to present such further evidence was denied. [Citing Civil
Procedure Rules, Order 39, rule 27; R. Tarmohamedi v. Lakhani (1958) E. A. 567,
at 584]. “This is not a case of fraud or surprise, and from the nature of the
application it is plain that the documentary evidence could have been adduced
at the trial.
(1968)H.C.D.
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197 –
The plaintiff was represented by counsel
…. and therefore I cannot think why fresh evidence should be admitted.” (2) The
failure by the trial magistrate to consider defendant’s admissions constituted
error. Feeling unable to decide the case on the bases of the record, the High
Court remanded the case for a new trial. At the same time it observed that “it
is not a light matter to order a fresh trial owing to undesirable features in
that course of action.” [Citing Harharrshen Rhemarey v. Lachbai Murlidhar
(1960) E.A.1]. New trial ordered.
495. New India Insurance Co. Ltd. v.
Ali Saleh Foto. Civ. App. 29-D-67, 19/10/68, Duff, J.
The respondent’s motor cycle was
involved in an accident. At the time, it was being driven by the holder of a
provisional licence who had been given permission to drive the motor-cycle.
There was a passenger on the pillion seat. The respondent claimed damages from
the appellant insurance company repudiated liability claiming that the vehicle
was not being driven by an “authorized person” within the meaning of clause in
the insurance policy. “Authorized person” included a person driving with the
insured’s permission, but only if he was permitted to do so by law.
Held:
(1) s. 20 (d), Traffic Ordinance, Cap. 168, the holder of a provisional licence
was not permitted to drive a motor cycle carrying a passenger. The driver was
therefore not an “authorized person” within the clause, and the policy was
avoided as against the insured. (2) (obiter) a restriction on the user of a
motor cycle in an insurance policy would not entitle the insurer to avoid the
policy as against a third party such as the passenger. (Cited: New Insurance
Co. Of
496. Mohamedi s/o Salum v. Salehe
Mtakata, (PC) Civ. App. 128-D-68, 30/9/68, Georges, C. J.
The respondent, the husband, divorced
his wife by pronouncing on talak. The wife went back to her parents, the
appellants. Before the period of eda had expired, the respondent called at the
appellants house with two witnesses, intending to exercise his right of recall.
Neither the appellant nor the wife was home. He then left telling the witnesses
that he had gone to recall his wife. Respondent relied on a certain section of
the ‘Nikahi’ “It is not essential for recall for the wife to know of it or
consent to it nor for her walli to do so.
Held:
This only means that the wife need not know or consent, nor need the walli consent.
But some form of communication is necessary, not to the wife, but certainly to
her walli. Since there was to communication the recall was not effective.
497. Amiri Ludongo v. Hija Gamba,
(PC) Civ. App. 86-D-68, 19/11/68, Hamlyn J.
The appellant and respondent occupied contiguous
shambas on a mountain slope. The lower boundaries of their shambas were marked
by the bank of the Ruvu River. At a recent date,
(1968)H.C.D.
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198 –
The river shifted its channel so that it
flowed further down the slope, forming a strip of newly uncovered land
contiguous to the existing shambas of the two parties. Both parties claimed
that whole strip belonged to them.
Held:
(upholding District Court) (1) The new land did not accrue to either party. (2)
The parties, or anybody else were at liberty to apply to the appropriate
authorities to obtain the new land and their application would presumably be
considered as a normal administrative decision. (Note; It does not appear from
the facts whether the land in question was held for a right of occupancy or
under the customary law of the Morogoro area).
498. Kidele s/o Juma v. Thomas s/o
Shenkunde, (PC) Civ. App. 103-D-68, 10/10/68, Duff J.
Appellant, the niece of respondent, had
been in possession of a piece of land for over 30 years. It had been given to
her by her grandfather. Respondent claimed it was given only for cultivation,
and that he had inherited it, when his father, the appellant’s grandfather,
died. He claimed he now needed it for his son.
Held:
(1) (reversing both lower courts) The burden of establishing that the gift was
not absolute lay on the respondent since it was he who was claiming the land.
(2) The delay of 30 years in bringing the claim could not be excused merely on
the ground that the respondent needed it for his son. (3) Although the assessors
doubted the ability of a woman to inherit under Sambaa Law, that issue was not
raised by the respondent. Appeal allowed.
499. Bi Verdiana Kyabuje & Others
v. Gregory Kyabuje, (PC) Civ. App. 29-D-68, 12/10/68, Hamlyn J.
The will of deceased having been held
void, the Primary Court divided the estate, according to Haya Law, amongst the
surviving heirs. The appellants, female relatives of the deceased, claimed they
were entitled to ownership of a share of the clan land in the possession of the
deceased at his death.
Held:
(1) Although the court sympathized with the appellant’s argument that a
distinction between males and equal standing with men, the court had no power
to over rule customary law or reject it as inappropriate to modern conditions.
Customary law could only be changed by the community itself adopting new
customs. (2) The Law applicable was summarized in Government Notice No. 436 of
1963. Paragraph 20 of that notice provided that woman could only receive a
usufruct of clan land, unless there were no males of the clan alive. (3) It was
not in dispute that the appellant’s brother was alive, and therefore they were
only entitled to usufruct of the clan land.
500. Petro Kinani v. Bi. Dariagnes,
(PC) Civ. App. 19-D-67, -/-/68, Duff J.
After the deceased died, the appellant
was installed as caretaker of the land in the possession of the deceased at his
death. The appellant was later expelled from the property by the respondent and
her sisters. He claimed to be entitled to a share of the estate.
Held:
The appellant was not entitled to any share of the land, his sole function
being to look after it and manage it.
(1968)H.C.D.
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199 –
501. Transgem Trust v. Tanzania
Zoisite Corp. Ltd. (HC) Civ. Case 33-A-68, 9/9/68, Platt J.
Plaintiffs sued for a declaration that
the defendant’s termination of their contract was null and avoid and for an
order of specific performance directing defendants to perform the contract. Under
the contract, the defendants agreed to sell all of a certain mineral (zoisite)
coming into their possession by virtue of certain mining conditions to the
plaintiffs and that the plaintiffs would loan the defendants specified sums for
purposed of mining operations. Disputes arose between the parties, the
plaintiffs claiming that the defendants were sending minerals of an inferior
quality and that somehow better quality minerals were being delivered to plaintiffs’
competitors and the defendants claiming that the plaintiffs’ competitors and
the defendants claiming that the plaintiffs were not paying for the shipments
made with sufficient promptness. In August, 1968, the parties met and an oral
agreement was made that the plaintiffs would pay for shipments already delivered
and that the defendants would make up for deficient quality of earlier
shipments by including higher quality minerals in subsequent shipments. The defendants
were late in making the next shipments and the plaintiffs did not pay for the
earlier shipments by the date that the defendants expected. The defendants then
terminated the contract citing plaintiffs’ failure to make the payments and
also an alleged failure to advance certain sums promised under the contract.
The case came up for hearing on plaintiffs’ application for a temporary
injunction pending final decision in the case restraining the defendant form
disposing of any minerals in their possession other than to the plaintiffs.
Held:
(1) The plaintiffs have not signed the plaint, but have given an undertaking to
sign the complaint later. Signing of the plaint is a matter of procedure and
this defect does not affect the merits of the case or the jurisdiction of the
court. (2) In dicta, the court noted that under Order 37 of the Civil Procedure
Code it is not possible to file for a temporary injunction before the suit is
filed, and that it might be desirable to amend the Order to allow for that
possibility. In this case, however, the suit had been filed. (3) Plaintiffs’
action is based in part on the theory that the contract contained an
arbitration clause which the defendant did not respect in terminating the
contract unilaterally, and that the court should therefore enter an order of
specific performance requiring defendants to submit their complaints to
arbitration. However, the contract did not make an arbitration award as a
condition precedent to a cause of action, and it is well settled that an
arbitration clause of this type will not be enforced by specific performance.
[Doleman & Sons v. Ossett Corp., (1912) 3 K.B. 257, 296]. (4) It is clear
that the plaintiffs will suffer irreparable loss if the defendants sell
minerals to other buyers as they plan, because plaintiffs have invested considerable
resources in building up a market for this minerals, which is a new type of
jewel. (5) The plaintiffs must also show that there is a fair chance that they
will succeed ultimately on the merits of the lawsuit. Although the fact are
complicated, and not all the evidence is before the court, there appears to be
reasonable possibility that the plaintiffs will be found not to be in breach at
all, or if they are in breach that the breach was not so serious as to entitled
defendants to terminate the contract under
(1968)H.C.D.
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200 –
s. 31(2), English Sale of Goods Act,
which is made applicable by an express term of the contract. (6) The balance of
conveniences must also be considered, and become very important in a case which
the outcome of the suit on the merits is in doubt. It does not appear the
injunction will cause the defendants undue inconvenience providing it is
conditioned on the plaintiffs paying the defendants the amount owing for
shipments already made and upon placing a deposit in court sufficient to cover
the defendants’ possible damages if they succeed on the merits. Temporary
injunction issued.
502. M. C. Pardhan v. Ali Mohamed
Osman Civ. Ref. 1-D-68, 22/12/68, Hamlyn, J.
A successful respondent had submitted a
claim for an Instruction fee of Shs. 7,500/- of which has been allowed by the
Deputy Registrar as taxing officer. The appellant/applicant maintained that
such sum was excessive and that the taxing officer should not have allowed more
than Shs. 200/- per diem. The applicant also claimed that since more than
one-sixth of total bill of costs had been disallowed, respondent should not be
entitled to the costs of taxation.
Held:
(1) The Court noted that judges “will not interfere with the quantum allowed as
an instruction fee upon taxation unless it is manifestly so high or so low that
it calls for interference by reason of some misdirection having occurred or
some wrong principle having been adopted.” The Court stated that an instruction
fee includes both solicitor’s and barrister’s work and includes both attendances
for taking instruction as well as all other work necessary for preparing the
case for trial. In the present case, the taxing officer did not set forth any
reasons for the reduction, and did not use any “mathematical manipulation.” The
Court held that there was no “magic formula” and that “every case must be
adjudged on its own merits and on its particular circumstances.” The use of
mathematical per diem figure is of assistance, stated the court, but other
matters should be considered by the taxing officer, including the prolixity of
the preparation of a case and any peculiar complications in its presentation to
court. The subject matter involved may also have a bearing in some, but not
all, cases. Since the taxing officer did not set out in his ruling any
statement of a wrong principle, the Court declined to interfere with the
discretion of the taxing officer. (2) The Court also held that, under Rule 41
of Part 111 of the Advocates Remuneration and Taxation of Costs Rules, the
taxing officer had discretion, in applying the “one-sixth rule” to ignore the
instruction fee he must so indicate. But the court held that the Rule does not
require the taxing officer to record that he has so exercised his discretion
and the reasons for doing so, and if there is nothing to show that the
discretion was improperly exercised or the Rule
not followed, the taxing officer was entitled to ignore the “one-sixth
rule”. Application dismissed.
503. Kantibhai C. Patel v.
Gulamhusein Brothers, Civ. App. 12-D-68, -/8/68, Hamlyn J.
By the consent of the parties involved,
the Rent Tribunal made an order which the appellant sought to set in the
District Court as a nullity and incompetent because it was,
(1968)H.C.D.
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201 –
He alleged, incapable of execution. The
District Court refused to vary or discharge the order.
Held:
The questioning of the validity of a decree by an executing court is against
public policy. But if some good cause is shown, which must be a change of
circumstances which could not have been envisaged by the parties at the time
the original order was made, a consent order can be varied by a court a called
upon to execute it. As the appellant raised no arguments to show change of the
terms of the original order work a hardship upon him, the refusal of the District
Court to vary the order was justified. Appeal dismissed with costs.
504. Tulsidas Khimji v. Yusufali
Gulamhussein Essaji & Another, Civ. App. 24-D-68, 3/12/68, Georges C.
J.
The landlords claimed vacant possession
of premises which later became controlled as a result of an amendment to the
Rent Restriction Act. On 7 June 1967 judgment for the landlords was recorded by
consent. The tenant was ordered to deliver vacant possession by 31 March 1968.
The tenant failed to pay the rent as stipulated in the order until on month
after the possession was due, On 1st April 1968 the tenant lodged an
application to set aside the consent order on the grounds that the landlords
did not need the premises as they had other business premises in the town. The
land lords claimed that their existing premises were inadequate and that the
tenant had been consistently in arrears in payment of his rent.
The
Resident Magistrate ruled that the application was made solely on humanitarian
grounds – the hardship which would be suffered by the tenant because he would
not obtain alternative accommodation. He pointed out that the tenant should not
go back on his undertaking in the consent order.
Held:
(1) An order made by consent should rarely be received or varied where both
parties are represented by counsel at the hearing. (2) If a tenant agrees to
give vacant possession having himself no idea where he intends to move, but
merely hoping to find somewhere, he can hardly be heard to plead absence of
alternative accommodation as a ground for recission. (Citing Khantibhai Patel
v. Gulamhussein Bros., Civ. App. 12-D-68, High Court Digest, n. 503, December,
1968, where Hamlyn J. observed that there must be “a change of circumstances
which could not have been envisaged at the time of the making of the original
order”.) (3)(Obiter) If a magistrate directed himself that an order, since it
was made by consent, could not be varied, he would be wrong. The fact that a
consent order is, by definition, voluntarily agreed to by the parties, does not
of itself prevent it from being varied. (4) (Obiter) Magistrates should not
record consent orders for possession under the ground set out in the Act has
been made out, and if so, that it is reasonable to make the order. Evidence of
this need not be taken. A tenant may admit the existence of the ground, and the
fact, which show that the order was reasonable. (5) The magistrate exercised
his discretion properly. Appeal dismissed.
(1968)H.C.D
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202 –
505. Dimishky v. Sergio Mauritizi
Misc. Civ. App. 12-D-68, 1/11/68, Biron J.
This was an appeal in connection with an
application by a landlord to the Rent Tribunal for registration of a lease of
residential furnished premises to a tenant apparently in accordance with s.
11(a), Rent Restriction Act, 1962, as amended by the Rent Restriction
(Amendment) Act, 1962, so as to recover possession at the expiry of the lease
as provided by s. 19(j)(i) of the Act. The ground of the appeal was that the
tribunal did not deal with the question of the registration of the lease but
proceeded to determine the standard rent. Appellant (original applicant)
contended that such determination was not in accordance with the law.
Held:
(1) The Tribunal had no jurisdiction to register the lease. Such jurisdiction
is reserved to the court. (2) The tribunal had the power to determine or assess
from time to time the standard rent of any premises. In exercising this power,
however the tribunal should have heard evidence as to the amount of the rent on
the prescribed date. (3) The tribunal must act according to law and must
determine the standard rent as provided in the Act. Appeal allowed. Determination
of standard rent by the tribunal set aside and the proceedings remitted to the
tribunal with a direction to hear the parties and determine standard rent according
to law.
506. Mwantanga binti Selemani v.
Douglas Jay Meeleck, Misc. Civ. App. 8-D-68, Duff J.
This is an appeal by a landlord against
the decision of the Rent Tribunal by which rents in respect of rooms in a
dwelling house situate in Dar es Salaam were fixed on the application of the
tenants. Appellant contended that no standard rents were fixed and that, before
the tribunal could alter the amount of the standard rent, a finding had to be
made as to what constituted the standard rent.
Held:
(1) Where the evidence for ascertaining the standard rent is insufficient, a
figure ought to be determined based on the standard rent of similar premises in
the neighborhood. (2) The discretionary power to alter the amount of the
standard rent must be exercised judicially. This discretion cannot be exercised
until the amount of the standard rent has been ascertained in accordance with
the provisions of s. $(1), Rent Restriction Act. (Citing Hammond v. Wales, 19
E.A.C.A. 209 and Blandina v. Patel, (1963) E.A. 485). Appeal allowed. No order
made as to repairs.
507. Wanyang’ura s/o Matuja v. R.,
Crim. App. 760-M-68, 29/10/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted on his own plea of
cattle theft, and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment and 24 strokes under the
Minimum Sentences Act. The court also made an order for compensation in the
following terms: “Two heads of cattle recovered to be returned to the
complainant and the accused must compensate the complainant six heads of cattle
after release from prison.”
(1968)H.C.D.
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203 –
Held:
“It is to be observed that the order for compensation is bad for vagueness.
Individual cattle may so vary in size and condition that the value of six head
of cattle may be Shs. 600/- or Shs. 1,200/. The object of section 6(1) of the
Minimum Sentences Act is to ensure that the convicted person receives no material
benefit from his crime. Therefore, the trial court is required to assess the
value of the property the convicted person had obtained as a result of the commission
of the offence and to order the convict to pay to the owner of the property
compensation equal to its value. It follows that the trial court should have assessed
the value of the 8 head of cattle stolen.” Order for compensation set aside,
and order substituted to pay complainant Shs. 600/-.
508. R. v. Mussa s/o Gungachuma Panga
Masasi, Crim. Sass. 159-D-68, 21/10/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was charged with murder and he
pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which plea was accepted. Returning from a pombe
party one night, the accused met on the path his elder brother, with whom he
was on bad terms. The brother apparently abused him, using the word “nyoka”,
and attacked him with an axe. The accused snatched the axe away from him, and
following him, beat him with a billhook. The brother died from the blows.
Held:
Accused was convicted on his own plea and sentenced to 6 years imprisonment.
The court stated before sentencing; “I do not think in this case you were
defending yourself at all. If a man throws an axe at you and runs away, then
you can let him go, because he is running away, and he no longer has an axe, so
he is incapable of any longer launching an attack on you. And I find it
difficult to see how one can hope to hit another human being with a billhook
and not run the risk of seriously injuring him or killing him. It is a deadly
instrument … The only reason why I can accept a plea of guilty to manslaughter
in this case is the fact that in throwing an axe at you and lying in wait for
you, he was acting in a provocative manner, especially in circumstances where
you must have had a considerable amount of drink.”
509. Kinou s/o Msengi, Crim. App.
565-D-68, 30/10/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted of causing
grievous harm c/s 225, Penal Code, and was sentenced to 2 years. The
complainant was a self-proclaimed witch who had been requested to create a sick
child in the accused ’s family. She warned the family that if they took to
child to hospital, the child would die. The child was nevertheless taken to
hospital where it died. When the accused and others returned with the body of
the child, the woman remarked that now they should appreciate that “she was a
qualified witch”, apparently implying that she had caused the child’s death. Accused
and 2 others then assaulted her, hitting her with their firsts and a stick, and
kicking her. Accused alone was charged and convicted. Appeal from sentence.
Held:
Appeal allowed and sentence reduced so as to result in the immediate discharge
of the accused. 1) “Although the complainant’s remarks obviously enraged the
child’s relations, and certainly constituted provocation, such provocation is not only no defence in law but really does not
excuse the assault on her. The provocation however is a mitigating factor.” (2)
It was “unfortunate that the appellant alone was charged with this defence in
the commission
(1968)H.C.D.
-
204 –
Of which he was the sole participant ..
It is much less than fair that the appellant alone should be punished so
severely whilst the others who participated in the offence get off seot-free.
510. Francis Chilemba, v. R., Crim.
App. 503-D-68, 30/10/68, Biron J.
Accused was convicted on 4 counts of
stealing by public servant c/ss 270 and 265, Penal Code, and sentenced under
the Minimum Sentences Act to 2 years imprisonment on each count, to run
concurrently, and 24 strokes. Three months previously, he had been convicted on
a similar charge, but as the sum was less than Shs. 100/- and he was a first
offender, he received a sentence of 9 months. The sentence imposed in the
instant case was to commence on the expiry of the sentence imposed in the
previous case. Accused appealed from sentence, submitting that the sentence
imposed in the instant case should be made to run concurrently with the
previous sentence.
Held:
Appeal allowed. The sentences imposed in this case are ordered to run
concurrently with the sentence imposed in the previous case, as from the date
the previous sentence itself was imposed. (1) It was to the accused ’s credit
that he pleaded guilty to the charges. “It is generally, if not universally,
recognized that an accused pleading guilty to an offence with which he is
charged, qualifies him for the exercise of mercy from the court. The reason is,
I think, obvious, in that one of the main objects of punishment is the
reformation of the offender. Contrition is the first step towards reformation,
and a confession of a crime, as opposed to brazening it out, is and indication
of contrition. Therefore, in such a case, a court can and does impose a milder
sentence than it would otherwise have done. “ (2) “By section 295 of the
Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, 1963(by the addition of the words “or
in the Penal code” at the end thereof):- “….Every sentence shall be deemed to
commence from and to included, the whole of the day of the date on which it was
pronounced, except where otherwise provided in this Code or in the Penal Code.”
It is evident from the respective provisions of the Penal Code [s36] and the
Criminal Procedure Code, before that in the latter was amended by the addition
of the words “in the Penal Code,” the power of a court to order a sentence of
imprisonment to run concurrently with a previous one imposed was limited to
ordering it to run concurrently with only the unexpired portion of such
previous sentence, as there is no provision in the Criminal Procedure Code
which permits a court to order a sentence to run earlier than the day on which
it is pronounced. On my construction [of s. 295, Criminal Procedure Code as
amended, and s. 36, Penal Code] read together…… a court is empowered to order a
sentence to run concurrently with a previous sentence as from the date the
previous sentence itself commenced to run.”
511. R. v. Mwanaiba d/o Ramadhani,
Crim. Sass. 139-D-68, 24/10/68, Georges C. J.
Accused was charged with murder and
pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which plea was accepted by the prosecution. The
deceased woman came to the accused ‘s house and after a brief conversation hit
her on the arm with a stick she was
carrying. Accused seized the stick and hit deceased
(1968)H.C.D.
-
205 –
Once or twice with it on the buttocks,
apparently causing deceased to fall. Deceased later became unconscious and died
in hospital of a ruptured spleen.
Held:
Accused was convicted of manslaughter on her own plea. The court, in passing
sentence, stated; “this is not a particularly bad case …. [N]o sharp cutting
instrument was used, and it can be said that it was unfortunate that the spleen
was ruptured, causing death in the circumstance. I will take into account that
she did plead guilty, indicating a certain amount of contrition, that she has
no previous conviction, that she has spent 5 months in custody, and sentence
her to three months imprisonment.
512. Mohamed s/o Saidi v. R. (PC)
Crim. App.184-D-68, 19/11/68, Hamlyn, J.
Accused was convicted (inter alia) of
burglary c/s 294 (1), Penal Code, and was sentenced to 2 years and 24 strokes
under the Minimum Sentences Act. The amount of property stolen was Shs. 109/50
but the amount recovered from the accused was only shs. 39/50. Accused appealed
from sentence arguing that since he was a first offender and found with stolen
property valuing less than Shs. 100/-, he should be given the opportunity to
show “special circumstances” under s. 5(2), Minimum Sentences Act.
Held:
Appeal dismissed. “In the present case, the appellant has admitted stealing
goods in the course of the burglary to a value of over one hundred shillings ….
And it is quite immaterial as to what value the recovered property amounted to
…. It would clearly defeat the object of the Act if an offender could conceal
the major part of the proceeds of his theft, where the offence is a scheduled
one, and escape from the rig ours of the sentence imposed by the Act …..”
513. Joha d/o Juma v. R., Crim.
App. 699-M-68, 2/11/68, Seaton J.
Accused was convicted on her own plea of
unlawful wounding c/s 228 (1), Penal Code, and was sentenced o 30 months
imprisonment, the maximum sentence being 3 years. Accused had slashed her
husband thrice during a quarrel, after, she alleged, he had stripped her naked,
assaulted her with his fists and threatened to kill her.
Held:
The sentence is manifestly excessive. The actions of the complainant, though
not justifying the assault, nevertheless “constitute provocation sufficient to
cause any reasonable “constitute provocation sufficient to cause any reasonable
woman to react violently.” Sentence reduced to 9 months.
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