Dar es Salaam. Meru District Court on Wednesday postponed the criminal case facing the owners of the YouTube channel Wachokonozi, Jackson Kabalo and Joseph Mrindoko, after the prosecution failed to appear in court when it was brought for hearing.
The case will now resume on August 19, 2025, for a preliminary hearing.
The accused are facing two charges of publishing false information contrary to Section 16 of the Cybercrime Act of 2015, and publishing online content without a license, in violation of Section 116(3)(b) of the Electronic and Postal Communications Act, Chapter 306 of the 2020 Revised Edition.
On June 27, 2025, the YouTubers were first arraigned at the Arusha Resident Magistrate’s Court, where they denied both charges and were released on bail. The case was scheduled to proceed on July 21, 2025, but the prosecution requested more time to prepare preliminary arguments, leading the court to release the accused per the law.
Shortly after their release, they were rearrested and taken to the Meru District Court, where they appeared before a Resident Magistrate, and the same charges were read to them again. After hearing arguments from both sides, the magistrate ordered the prosecution to complete investigations by August 13, 2025, the scheduled hearing date.
However, on Wednesday, the case failed to proceed after the State Attorney reportedly had a funeral and was unable to appear in court. Magistrate Sodeyeka emphasised that if the prosecution is not ready on the next hearing date, the case will be dismissed.
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The accused remain out on bail after meeting the conditions of two sureties each, under a personal bond worth three million shillings.
They are being represented by lawyers Ally Mhyellah and Simon Mbwambo from the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC).
