By The Respondent Reporter
The Court of Appeal of Tanzania has dismissed an appeal filed by Mwananchi Communications Limited and the Editor of The Citizen newspaper, upholding the High Court’s March 3, 2023 decision in favor of Nehemia Kyando Mchechu.
A panel of three justices—Rehema Kerefu, Omar Othman Makungu, and Dr. Benhajj Masoud—ruled that the High Court had proper jurisdiction, that Mr. Mchechu provided sufficient evidence of defamation, and that the compensation awarded was justified under the law.
The appellants had challenged the High Court’s authority to hear the case, the validity of the defamation claims, and the appropriateness of the relief granted.
However, the Court of Appeal agreed with the respondent’s lawyer, Advocate Aliko Harry Mwamanenge, confirming that the original judgment followed proper legal procedures.
In the initial ruling, Mwananchi Communications Limited and the Editor of The Citizen were found liable for publishing defamatory content against Mr. Mchechu and were ordered to pay TZS 2.5 billion in damages along with legal costs.
The ruling finalizes the matter and requires Mwananchi Communications Limited to comply fully with the court’s orders.
