Nyundo et all hammered life sentence
DODOMA: THE Dodoma Magistrate’s Court has sentenced four men to life imprisonment after they were found guilty of gang rape and carnally knowing a 17-year girl from Yombo Dovya in Dar es Salaam against the order of nature.
In just one month the ruling was delivered yesterday in Criminal Case No. 23476 of 2024. Among the convicts are Clinton Damas alias ‘Nyundo’, a soldier with the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) and Praygod Mushi, a prison officer.
The other two convicts are Nickson Jackson also known as ‘Machuche’ and Amin Lema, alias ‘Kindamba.’
Additionally, the court ordered each of the defendants to pay 1m/- in compensation to the victim. Both the prison jail term and the fine are to be executed concurrently, the court ordered.
The court, presided over by Resident Magistrate Zabibu Mpangule made the decision in a landmark Criminal Case No. 23476 of 2024.
Additionally, the court has stated that either party, — the prosecution or defence, if dissatisfied, may appeal, as everything has proceeded as required.
According to resident magistrate Mpangule, the four men had an option to file an appeal to the high court if they are aggrieved by the court decision.
This case, whose proceedings have since elicited a heated debate in the social media, is among the cases that spent the shortest period before its final decision delivered yesterday.
They quartet were arraigned before Resident Magistrate in Charge, Zabibu Mpangule, on August 19, 2024, where they denied all charges related to the offences they committed between May 25 and 26, 2024, within the capital city of Dodoma.
Journalists were not allowed to attend the trial because it is being heard in camera in accordance with the law, the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA).
Speaking outside the courtroom at IJC premises, Assistant Director from the Director of Public Prosecutions Office Headquarters Dodoma, Renatus Mkude said: “The case has been heard and today (yesterday) it has reached a conclusion.
“We ask the public to remain calm. On the prosecution’s side, we had 18 witnesses who provided testimony, and 12 pieces of evidence were presented in court, with everything proceeding according to the law.
“The decision has been delivered after the court has satisfied itself with evidence adduced before this court by the prosecution side whereas all four convicts will have to serve a life sentence and pay a fine of 1m/- each which goes to the victim,’’ he said adding that they will run concurrently.
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“Indeed, justice has been done as per the procedures in our country. When such incidents occur, citizens are required to remain calm and allow the court to do its work. Among the witnesses was the victim, who had the opportunity to provide her testimony, and justice has been served,” he said.
Outside the Dodoma Resident Magistrate’s Court, the convicts defence lawyer, Godfrey Wasonga, said they were dissatisfied with the ruling, claiming that some legal provisions had been violated.
But several activists, celebrities and human rights defenders have praised the court’s judgment on social media.
The accused persons were arrested by the police on August 6, 2024, following a video clip that went viral on social media two days before, showing four people assaulting a girl after accusing her of having an affair with someone’s husband.
The case in question involves a brutal sexual assault that occurred in the Swaswa area of Dodoma city in May 2024. The incident gained significant attention after images of the assault began circulating on social media in early August, prompting calls for stronger action against the perpetrators.
