Court issues arrest order against Mwananchi official

Former managing editor of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL), Mr Theophil Makunga. 

By  Rosina John  

 

In Summary

The accused are standing charged with sedition contrary to Section 72(1)(c) and 31(a) of the Newspaper Act Cap 229 of 2002.

Dar es Salaam. The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court has issued an order of arrest for the former managing editor of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL), Mr Theophil Makunga.

Resident Magistrate Warialwande Lema issued the order yesterday after Mr Makunga failed to appear in court when his case was mentioned.

In the case, Mr Makunga is charged along with the managing editor of Tanzania Daima, Mr Absalom Kibanda, and journalist Samson Mwigamba for printing and publishing a seditious article in a Kiswahili tabloid.

Earlier, prosecution led by State Attorney Lilian Itemba informed the court that the case was ready for mention but the third accused (Makunga) was absent.

Ms Itemba asked the court to issue an arrest warrant against him.

However, advocate Nyaronyo Kicheere, who is defending the accused, informed the court that his client was on the way but was delayed by traffic jams.

The accused are standing charged with sedition contrary to Section 72(1)(c) and 31(a) of the Newspaper Act Cap 229 of 2002.

It was alleged that, November 30 last year, the three accused - using their professional roles - published and printed a seditious publication through Tanzania Daima newspaper.

The article wrote by Mr Mwigamba titled ‘Waraka maalum kwa askari wote’(meaning a special letter to all security forces) and was read and approved by Mr Kibanda before being taken for printing.

The facts further stated that the third accused in the case, Mr Makunga, allegedly printed the article without considering that it covered a seditious publication aimed at urging security forces not to obey their leaders.