Judge Mwarija advocates for enhanced training in cybercrime

DAR ES SALAAM: Judge Augustine Mwarija of the Court of Appeal has urged judges, prosecutors and investigators to equip themselves with the skills necessary to navigate the complex landscape of digital crimes and the associated technical evidence.

He emphasized the importance of embracing training opportunities to combat the rise of cybercrime effectively.

Judge Mwarija made this statement while opening a three-day training session for judicial officers, prosecutors and investigators on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence, organised by the Institute of Judicial Administration (IJA) in Lushoto and held in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

In his remarks, Judge Mwarija noted that a strong understanding of both substantive and procedural cybercrime law is crucial for making informed decisions regarding the admissibility and relevance of electronic evidence.

He stated, “The judiciary plays a pivotal role in ensuring that cybercrime cases are adjudicated fairly and efficiently while upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights.”

He further highlighted the responsibilities of prosecutors, who must ensure that cybercriminals are brought to justice.

“Prosecutors must possess a solid understanding of cybercrime laws and the capacity to present complex digital evidence in a way that is comprehensible to the courts,” Judge Mwarija asserted.

Additionally, Judge Mwarija commended the efforts of investigators and the Tanzanian Police in adopting intelligence-led and prosecution-led investigations.

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He pointed out that Tanzania’s legal framework governing cybercrime and electronic evidence continues to evolve in response to the growing challenges posed by digital crimes.

“We are making strides in addressing cybercrime through legislative reforms, capacity-building initiatives, and partnerships with international organizations.

However, we must continue to build on these efforts to ensure that our legal and judicial systems are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the digital age,” he stated.

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The Head of Rule of Law at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Dr Elizabeth Machari commended the proactive measures Tanzania has taken to curtail cybercrime, notably the development of the 2022 Cyber Security Strategy and collective law enforcement efforts under INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation Against Cybercrime (AFJOC) initiative.

She also congratulated Tanzania for its recognition in the 2024 Global Cyber Security Index as a role model in the sector, setting an example for best practices across the continent.

The UK and Tanzania have long collaborated to tackle serious crime, and today’s training complements several ongoing areas of activity. Much of this crime is either cyber-enabled or relates to specific cyber offenses.