Court of Appeal of Tanzania

This is the highest level in the justice delivery system in Tanzania. The Court of Appeal draws its mandate from Article 117(1) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Court hears appeals  on both point of law and facts for cases originating from the High Court of Tanzania and Magistrates with extended jurisdiction in exercise of their original jurisdiction or appellate and revisional jurisdiction over matters originating in the District Land and Housing Tribunals, District Courts and Courts of Resident Magistrate. The Court also hears similar appeals  from quasi judicial bodies of status equivalent to that of the High Court. It  further hears appeals  on point of law against the decision of the High Court in  matters originating from Primary Courts. The Court of Appeal also exercises jurisdiction on appeals originating from the High Court of Zanzibar except for constitutional issues arising from the interpretation of the Constitution of Zanzibar and matters arising from the Kadhi Court.

Physical address
26 Kivukoni Road Building P.O. Box 9004, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
40 judgments

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40 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
March 2019
Respondents' failure to serve the applicant with the application for copies barred tolling; their notice of appeal was deemed withdrawn.
Civil procedure — Court of Appeal Rules, 2009 — Rule 90(1) time limit to institute appeal — proviso excluding time for applications for copies — Rule 90(2) requirement to serve written application on respondent — failure to prove service — Rule 91(a) deemed withdrawal of notice of appeal — costs awarded.
25 March 2019
Failure to serve the written application for High Court proceedings prevents reliance on the Rule 90(1) exception, so the notice of appeal is deemed withdrawn.
Appeal procedure — Rule 90(1) sixty-day limit — proviso for time excluded where copies sought — Rule 90(2) requirement to serve written application for copies — failure to prove service — Rule 91(a) deemed withdrawal — pending leave does not excuse non-compliance.
25 March 2019
Extension of time granted where counsel’s change of office justified failure to serve the notice of appeal.
Civil procedure – extension of time – good cause required to extend time to serve notice of appeal and lodge appeal; Service – failed service excused where advocate changed office and could not be traced; Omnibus applications – related prayers may be combined absent law prohibiting same; Appellate Jurisdiction – section 3A and focus on substantive justice.
21 March 2019
Award for loss of use set aside for lack of proof; counterclaim dismissed for failure to substantiate special damages.
Civil procedure — Change of trial judge — Order XVIII Rule 10 — Successor judge need not assign reasons where trial had not commenced (only mediation occurred). Evidence — Special (specific) damages — Must be specifically pleaded and strictly proved; award for loss of use set aside where unproven. Land law — Ownership disputes — Documentary proof (title, sale agreement, building permit, search report) essential to substantiate purchase and development claims. Appeals — Counterclaim dismissal upheld where appellant failed to produce requisite documentary evidence for special damages.
21 March 2019
Successor judge’s taking over was proper; respondent failed to prove Tshs.2,000,000/= special damages, appeal otherwise dismissed.
Civil procedure – Order XVIII Rule 10(1)-(2) – successor judge taking over before trial has begun – no requirement to assign reasons. Land law – ownership dispute – assessment of documentary and oral evidence to declare lawful owner and order vacant possession. Damages – special (specific) damages must be strictly pleaded and proved – award for loss of use struck down for lack of proof. Evidence – non-objection to exhibits is probative but not conclusive; weight assessed in context of all evidence. Proof of title/search – claimant must tender search report or documentary proof to rely on title/search findings.
21 March 2019
19 March 2019
Applicant's inconsistent evidence and failure to pursue available remedy meant no extension of time or revision was warranted.
Civil procedure — extension of time to appeal — condonation — sufficiency and credibility of reasons for delay — ex‑parte judgments — remedy to set aside ex‑parte decision vs. appeal — revision under s.4(3) AJA.
18 March 2019
An encumbered collateral in the respondent’s possession may suffice as security for a stay if its value adequately covers the decretal sum.
Court of Appeal — stay of execution — Rule 11(2)(d) Court of Appeal Rules — cumulative conditions: substantial loss, promptness, security — adequacy of security — encumbered collateral in respondent's possession may suffice if not subject to litigation and value covers decretal sum — form of security immaterial if adequate.
15 March 2019
An encumbered (mortgaged) property cannot serve as security for stay of execution; an independent bank guarantee is appropriate.
Stay of execution – rule 11(5)(c) Court of Appeal Rules – requirement to give security for due performance; Mortgaged/encumbered property cannot be good security; Need to disclose mortgage instrument terms and current valuation; Firm undertaking to procure independent security may suffice; Bank guarantee appropriate form of security.
15 March 2019
Applicant’s preliminary objection filed under wrong rule was incompetent and struck out; each party to bear own costs.
Court of Appeal rules – preliminary objection – applicant vs respondent – Rule 107(1) applicable only to respondents in appeals – Rule 4(2)(a) as enabling provision for applicants – wrong citation renders objection incompetent and liable to be struck out.
12 March 2019
Failure to serve the respondent with a written application for High Court copies precluded time exclusion under Rule 90 and the appeal was struck out.
Civil procedure – Appeal competency – Rule 90(1) & (2) Court of Appeal Rules 2009 – application for copies of High Court proceedings must be written and served on respondent – failure to serve precludes time exclusion – appeal struck out as time-barred.
12 March 2019
A single High Court judge lacked jurisdiction to determine an Industrial Court appeal; matter remitted to a full bench.
Industrial Court appeals — jurisdiction — requirement for High Court full bench to hear appeals from Industrial Court; Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act No.11 of 2003 — preliminary objections on time‑bar and notice — competence of appeal — remedy: quash and remit to full bench.
12 March 2019
The applicant must file witness statements within seven days after mediation; limited extension may be granted for good cause.
Commercial Court Rules r.49(1)-(2) – evidence-in-chief by witness statements – mandatory seven-day filing after failed mediation. Interpretation of Laws Act s.53(2) – "shall" denotes mandatory compliance. Extension of time – applicant must show good cause; awaiting framing of issues is not sufficient, distance may suffice on facts. Construction – no conflict between r.49(2) and rr.50(1) & 56; distinct procedural functions. Procedural fairness – trial judge should not proceed to merits while interlocutory application still pending.
11 March 2019
A signed letter of lien created a continuing, co‑extensive guarantee permitting the bank to uplift the guarantor’s renewed FDR without notice.
Banking law – letter of lien – continuing guarantee; guarantor’s liability co‑extensive with principal debtor; uplift of fixed deposit receipt as security; necessity (or not) of embedding lien in loan agreement; renewal/renumbering of FDR does not nullify lien where not discharged.
8 March 2019
A signed letter of lien created a continuing, co‑extensive guarantee permitting the bank to uplift the pledged fixed deposit.
Banking law – letter of lien – guarantee – continuing/co‑extensive liability of guarantor; right of bank to uplift pledged fixed deposit on default without prior notice; effect of renewal/re‑referencing of fixed deposit; requirement (or not) for lien to be in loan agreement or mortgage deed.
8 March 2019
Successor‑Judge s299(1) omission cured by lack of prejudice; assessors’ clarifications and clinical officer post‑mortem admissible; murder conviction upheld.
Criminal procedure — successor Judge duties under section 299(1) CPA — omission non‑fatal where no prejudice and accused represented; Evidence Act — assessors’ questions (s177) must be clarificatory, not cross‑examination (s155); Forensic evidence — clinical officer competent to conduct post‑mortem; Appellate review — substantive justice (s3A AJA) and evaluation of malice aforethought factors.
6 March 2019
Court upheld murder conviction and death sentence, finding procedural irregularities non‑prejudicial and evidence proved malice aforethought.
Criminal law — successor Judge’s duty under s.299 CPA; assessors’ questions vs. cross‑examination (s.177 Evidence Act); admissibility and competency of clinical officer’s post‑mortem evidence; proof of malice aforethought (Enock Kipela factors); substantive‑justice approach under s.3A AJA.
6 March 2019
Registrar’s delay in supplying full proceedings justified extension of time to the respondent to apply for revision.
Court of Appeal — reference under Rule 62(1)(b) — extension of time to apply for revision — discretion of single Judge — interference only where decision plainly wrong or misdirected; supply of proceedings by Registrar — delay and omission of drawn order can constitute good cause for condonation; issues not raised before single Judge cannot be raised on reference.
6 March 2019
Review dismissed where applicant failed to particularize manifest error, perjury or that the judgment was a nullity.
Review – Court of Appeal Rules, Rule 66(1) – requirements for review; manifest error on face of record; allegations of perjury/fraud must be particularized; review is not an appeal; dismissal for failure to state grounds.
5 March 2019
Court corrected omission on reliefs, ordered CMA monetary entitlements and limited quashing to disciplinary committee proceedings.
Labour law – unfair termination – right to be heard – remedies under s.40(1) ELRA (reinstatement, re‑engagement, compensation) – appellate review for errors apparent on face of the record – appropriateness of reinstatement after prolonged delay – quashing disciplinary proceedings only.
5 March 2019
Notice of appeal struck out where respondent failed to institute appeal within prescribed time; overriding objective cannot cure such default.
Appeal procedure — Rule 89(2) — striking out notice of appeal for failure to take essential step; Rule 90(1) and (2) — time limits for lodging record and exceptions; service of process — sufficiency of acknowledgment and rubber stamp; overriding objective (s.3A/3B AJA) cannot cure non-compliance with mandatory procedural rules.
5 March 2019
Notice of appeal struck out for failure to institute appeal within prescribed time; overriding objective cannot cure egregious default.
Appeals — striking out notice of appeal — Rule 89(2) — failure to take essential steps/timeliness. Appeals — Rule 90(1) & (2) — lodging record and memorandum of appeal; requesting and serving copy of proceedings. Civil procedure — service of documents — rubber stamp/signature as proof of service. Procedure — overriding objective cannot cure egregious default or circumvent mandatory rules.
5 March 2019
Appeal dismissed; charge error curable, police statements not mandatory, child witnesses competent, life sentence for offence against under-18 restored.
Criminal law – Unnatural offence – conviction based on child witness evidence and medical report – corroboration and production of police-recorded statements under s.166 Evidence Act. Criminal procedure – Medical report and accused’s right under s.240(3) Criminal Procedure Act – medical officer's oral testimony renders complaint moot. Criminal procedure – Competence of child witnesses – voire dire under s.127(2) Evidence Act. Sentencing – Offence against a person under eighteen – mandatory life imprisonment (Law of the Child Act amendment).
5 March 2019
A defective omission of the sentencing subsection is curable if particulars and evidence gave clear notice and no miscarriage occurred.
Criminal law – Rape of a child – Identification and corroboration – Evidence of victim, eyewitness and medical examiner; Criminal procedure – Charge particulars – omission of specific sentencing subsection (s.131(3) Penal Code) – curable defect under s.388 CPA where no prejudice; Appellate review – defects considered case‑by‑case; inadmissibility of raising issues not advanced on earlier appeal.
5 March 2019
The applicant obtained a stay of execution pending appeal, conditional on depositing a bank guarantee for the decretal sum.
Civil procedure — stay of execution pending appeal — requirements under Rule 11(3),(5) and (7) of the Court of Appeal Rules (substantial loss, no unreasonable delay, security). Security for stay — firm undertaking/bank guarantee may suffice; court may prescribe form and timeline. Appeal procedure — timeliness of stay application and conditional stays.
5 March 2019
Successor judge's omission under s299 CPA non‑fatal absent prejudice; assessors' clarifications harmless; clinical officer post‑mortem admissible; murder conviction upheld.
Criminal procedure – successor Judge’s duty under s299(1) CPA; Assessors’ questions – s177 TEA; Admissibility and competency of post‑mortem evidence by a clinical officer; Treatment of unsworn witness evidence; Proof of malice aforethought (weapons, force, wounds, location, multiplicity of blows).
4 March 2019
Court reduced attempted murder sentence from 15 to 10 years for failure to adequately weigh mitigating factors.
Criminal law – Attempted murder – Sentencing – Guilty plea and first offender status as mitigating factors – Remand custody credit – Extraneous considerations in sentencing – Appellate interference where sentence manifestly excessive.
4 March 2019
Appeal struck out because it was prosecuted against all original claimants, including those not determined by the tribunal.
Civil procedure – appeal competence – inclusion of parties not determined by the tribunal – improperly constituted appeal – striking out defective appeal; labour disputes – collective claims identification by CMA.
1 March 2019
High Court has discretion under section 362(1) CPA to proceed without prior typed proceedings; appeal dismissed and remitted.
Criminal procedure – Appeal – s.362(1) Criminal Procedure Act – requirement that petition be accompanied by proceedings/judgment – High Court discretion to order otherwise; 'shall' construed as permissive in context of s.388. Compliance with s.365(1) – notice and supply of proceedings. Right to fair hearing – adequate opportunity to be heard; no abuse of discretion. Preliminary objection – improper where it seeks to challenge legitimate judicial discretion.
1 March 2019
Acquittal upheld where prosecution evidence was contradictory, delayed and insufficient to prove rape beyond reasonable doubt.
Criminal law – Rape – proof beyond reasonable doubt – contradictions in witness statements and delayed reporting affecting credibility. Medical evidence (PF3) – probative value reduced where examination and completion are delayed. Appellate review – restraint in disturbing concurrent factual findings unless there is misapprehension of evidence.
1 March 2019
Acquittal upheld where contradictory testimony, delayed reporting and unreliable PF3 undermined prosecution's rape case.
Criminal law – Rape – proof beyond reasonable doubt – contradictions in witness statements and complainant's conduct undermining credibility. Criminal procedure – Second appeal – reluctance to disturb concurrent factual findings unless there is misapprehension of evidence. Evidence – PF3/medical report – delay in examination and late completion reduce evidential weight. Evidence – delay in reporting and inconsistencies among witnesses as factors to be resolved in favour of accused.
1 March 2019
Court upheld conviction, finding identification reliable and summing-up to assessors proper; appeal dismissed.
Criminal law – murder – visual identification – reliance only where mistaken identity reasonably excluded (Waziri Amani principles). Criminal procedure – summing up to assessors – required directions on identification and alibi; assessors need not be informed of preliminary hearing proceedings. Evidence – relatives as witnesses – admissible; weight depends on credibility, relevance and legal obtainment of evidence. Evidence Act, s.143 – no fixed number of witnesses required; credibility is determinative.
1 March 2019
An applicant must satisfy all three Rule 11(2)(d) conditions; delay and lack of security lead to dismissal.
Civil procedure – Stay of execution – Rule 11(2)(d) Court of Appeal Rules – Mandatory cumulative conditions: substantial loss, absence of unreasonable delay, and security – Delay and failure to furnish security justify dismissal.
1 March 2019
Court affirms registered title, upholds trespass finding, and dismisses counterclaim; appeal dismissed with costs.
Land law – ownership by registered Certificate of Title – validity of title after government re-survey and transfer; re-survey procedure – involvement of neighbours not mandatory; trespass – entitlement to general damages; no cause of action against local authority where re-survey conducted by other government bodies; counterclaim fails for lack of proof of ownership.
1 March 2019
Applicant’s prompt withdrawal of a defective review and indication of manifest error justified granting an extension to file review.
Court of Appeal — extension of time under Rule 10 — good cause requires promptness and adequate explanation; Rule 66(1) — review grounds must be indicated; manifest error on the face of the record (Rule 66(1)(a)); withdrawal of timely but defective review and prompt subsequent application supports extension; prisoner’s status and diligence relevant.
1 March 2019
Pre-defence judicial remark complied with s.293(2); voluntary intoxication did not negate intent—appeal dismissed.
Criminal procedure  s.293(2) CPA  requirement to inform accused of rights at close of prosecution and whether such remarks amount to pre-conviction. Criminal law  intoxication (s.14 Penal Code)  voluntary intoxication generally no defence; exceptions and incapacity. Murder  malice aforethought and causation  inference from words, weapon, conduct and autopsy findings. Right to fair trial  prejudice from judicial remarks and proper exercise of s.293(2) safeguards.
1 March 2019
Review application dismissed for failing to particularize Rule 66(1) grounds; re-assessment of evidence is not reviewable.
Review of Court of Appeal judgment – Rule 66(1) requirements – manifest error on face of record, nullity, perjury – need for particularisation – re-assessment of evidence is not a ground for review.
1 March 2019
Appellant's rape conviction quashed due to improperly admitted PF3 and material inconsistencies undermining the victim's evidence.
Criminal law – Rape – Victim’s testimony as central evidence – Need to prove penetration and lack of consent; Medical evidence (PF3) – admissibility and requirement to call doctor under s.240(3) Criminal Procedure Act – Improperly admitted PF3 to be expunged; Witness credibility – importance of coherence, consistency and demeanour – appellate assessment of contradictions; Conviction unsafe where crucial evidence is inconsistent or improperly admitted.
1 March 2019
Unexplained failure to call a material witness and lack of corroboration rendered the rape conviction unsafe.
Criminal law – Rape – unsworn child evidence requires corroboration; medical evidence expunged for non-compliance with s.240(3) CPA; prosecution's duty to call material witnesses – adverse inference where unexplained non-production; second appeal – disturbing concurrent findings where conviction is unsafe.
1 March 2019
1 March 2019