Tort Case of Defamation

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF TANZANIA
IN THE DISTRICT REGISTRY
AT MWANZA
HC CIVIL APPEAL No.35 OF 2018
(Original Civil case No.06 of 2018 of the District Court of

Sengerema at Sengerema)
BORA JUMA APPELLANT
VERSUS
THEREZA NDAGAJA & 2 OTHERS RESPONDENT
JUDGMENT
05" March, & 13° July, 2020.
TIGANGA, J.
The above named appellant Bora Juma sued the respondents

namely Thereza Ndagaja, Aman Mussa and Likulu Mussa before the
District Court of Sengerema for the claim of;
(i) the payment of Tshs. 31,000,000/= as the general

damages for defamation
(ii) payment of Tshs. 17,514,000/= as compensation for the
destroyed properties
(iii) 20% per annual being commercial rate
1
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(iv) Payment of 12% on decretal sum from the date of

judgment until finalization of payment
(v) Costs of the suit to be granted
(vi) Any other relief as the honourable court may deem fit and
just to grant.
The claim based on the fact that, on 03/07/2014, the respondents

invaded the house of the appellant and started to destroy the house of
the appellant thereby damaging her properties thereto which are one
toilet, bathroom and one residential room. According to the evidence
before the trial court, when they were committing the offence, they
were insulting her by saying that "Tapeli mkubwa unajimilikisha ardhi."
That matter was reported to police station, where the accused

persons who are now the respondents were arrested, charged, and
convicted of the offence of malicious damage to property contrary to
section 326 (1) of the Penal Code [Cap 16 R.E.2002] [now RE.2019].
Following that conviction, they were sentenced to a conditional
discharge and ordered to pay compensation of the property damaged to
the tune of Tsh. 615,000/= as per the charge sheet filed.
It was after those criminal proceedings have ended, when the

appellant sued the respondents in this appeal, the proceedings under
which this appeal originates. After full trial before the trial District Court
which was conducted exparte following the failure of the respondents to
appear, and file their written statement of defence, it was adjudged for
the respondents after the court found that the claim was not proved at
the required standard.
7.1
Aggrieved by the decision, the appellant appealed before this court
against the decision. In such effort he filed this appeal against the
decision of the District Court of Sengerema advancing four grounds of
appeal as follows;
1. That the trial magistrate erred in law and fact by failure to
appraise, analyse the evidence of the case at hand and decide

upon it.
2. That the trial magistrate erred in law and fact to demand receipt
and other documents to prove the costs, while the respondent

demolished the appellant's toilet, bathroom and one residential
room and her restaurant.
3. That the trial magistrate erred in law and fact by failure to
consider exhibit Pl that the appellant suffered loss caused by the

respondents.
4. That the trial magistrate erred in law and fact to overlook a fact
that evidence by the appellant's side proved general damages on
the part of the respondents.
The respondents were physically served but they did not appear.
However this court made an order that they be served by publication in
Mwananchi News Paper of 15/01/2020 yet still they did not appear,
consequently the appeal was ordered to be heard ex parte.
By the order of this court, the appeal was argued by way of

written submissions. In support of the first ground of appeal, Mr.
Samwel Mahuma, Advocate for the appellant submitted that section 43A
of the Evidence Act [Cap 6 R.E 2002] which provides that, any judgment
in criminal proceedings, shall be conclusive evidence that the person
3
convicted committed the offence. According to him, as the respondents
® were found guilty and convicted that is a conclusive proof that they were
responsible for the allegation.
That the appellant was seeking for damages for defamation of the
word uttered that "tapeli mkubwa anajimilikisha ardhi" the statement
which was not true and lowered the reputation of the appellant.
In relation to the second ground of appeal, he submitted that the

trial magistrate erred to demand receipt of the amount of the
demolished structures like restaurant, toilets and bathroom, as there is
no doubt that the respondent demolished the said structures of the
appellant the facts that entitles the appellant with compensation on
specific damage, exemplary damages and general damages. He
submitted that the trial magistrate seems to have looking for specific
damages only and did not touch anything on defamation. He cited the
case of Haji Associates Company (T) Ltd & another vs John
Mlundwa, [1986] T.L.R 107 HC in which it was held that general
damages are compensatory in nature, as they intend to take care of the
plaintiff reputation as well as a solatium compensation for mental pain
and suffering.
He submitted that in the alternative of the receipt, it does not

mean that the appellant should not be compensated. The court should
assess damages regarding the fact that the appellant is a lay person and
was not represented in the District court. To support his argument he
cited the case of Rugarabamu Archard Mwombeki vs Charles
Kizigha & three others, [1985] T.L.R 59 HC in which although the
plaintiff did not show the extent his business was affected by the
4
defamatory words of the defendant, yet still the court assessed damages
for the plaintiff.
Arguing the third ground of appeal, it is his humble submission

that, the learned trial magistrate would have considered exhibit Pl (a
judgment in criminal case) which was tendered by the appellant proving
her claim against the respondents. He submitted that the said judgment
proves that there was a criminal case against the respondents in which
they were found guilty which criminal case was not a bar to a civil case.
In buttress his arguments, he referred to section 43A of the

Evidence Act, (supra) proves that a criminal conviction after a lapse of
time proves that the convict committed the offence.
In the fourth ground of appeal, he submitted that the appellant

proved general damages on the part of the respondents, he submitted
further that the defendant was not only supposed to compensate the
plaintiff for only actual loss, but also for general damages and punitive
damages. He cited the case of Angela Mpanduji vs Ancilla Kilinda
[1985] T.L.R (HC) in which it was held inter alia that, punitive damages
are awarded not only to compensate the plaintiff for actual loss suffered
but also as a punishment to the defendant so that the defendant will not
repeat his act. It was submitted in conclusion that the appellant was
not compensated at all, but she was paid only 615,000/=
In the end it was prayed for the following orders, as follows;
(a) that, the judgment and decree of the trial court be quashed
and set aside
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(b) that, the appellant to be compensated for loss caused by the
® respondents.
( c) that, the respondents be ordered to pay costs of this appeal,

and that of the trial court.
(d) Any other reliefs that this honourable court deems fit and
just to grant.
Upon a thorough consideration of the grounds of appeal,

appellant's submissions in support of appeal, and going through the
lower courts records, I will go straight to the first ground of appeal in
which the appellant's concern is the error in law and fact allegedly
committed by the trial magistrate by her failure to appraise and analyse
the evidence, of the case at hand and decide upon it.
As earlier on pointed out the counsel for the appellant supported

this ground by complaining that the trial magistrate failed to consider
and be guided by section 43A of the Evidence Act [Cap 6 R.E 2019]
which provides that, any judgment in criminal proceedings, shall be
conclusive evidence that the person convicted committed the offence. As
the respondents were found guilty and convicted that was a conclusive
proof that they were responsible for the allegation. Further to that, he
said there is no dispute that the respondents defamed the appellant by
uttering words that "tapeli mkubwa anajimilikisha ardhi" the statement
which was not true and lowered the reputation of the appellant.
I entirely agree with the counsel for the appellant that the
provision of section 43A of the Evidence Act (supra) provides that;
6
"A final judgement of a court in any criminal proceedings shall,
after the expiry of the time limit for an appeal against that
judgement or after the date of the decision of an appeal in
those proceedings, whichever is the later, be taken as
conclusive evidence that the person convicted or acquitted was
guilty or innocent of the offence to which the judgement
relates."
It is therefore true that the presence of the judgment against the

respondents in Criminal Case No. 57 of 2016 is a conclusive proof that
the respondents committed the offence of malicious damage to property
as charged in that case. However the relevance of that judgment is in
that criminal case and to the extent of the value of the property ascribed
to them in the charge sheet. Looking at the judgment in criminal case
which was tendered as exhibit in the case at trial, the property alleged
to be maliciously damaged were cumulatively valued Tshs. 615,000/=
and it was that amount which the court ordered as compensation in
criminal case, that being the evidence on record, it was hard then, for
the same person to come to the same court in the civil case and claim
the payment of Tshs. 17,514,000/= as compensation for the destroyed
properties and expect to be believed.
The obvious question which everyone would ask, when did these
properties appreciate the value from hundredth thousands to tenth
millions. Obviously coming to court in the circumstances one need to
have strong evidence which would controvert the evidence already on
record, which in this case at trial there was no such evidence. That
means the trial magistrate rightly so found when she held that the
appellant failed to prove the claim in compensation.
7
That takes me to the second ground of appeal, which complains of
® the trial magistrate's demand of receipt and other documents to prove
the costs, while the respondents demolished the appellant's toilet,
bathroom and one residential room and her restaurant. From the
findings in the first ground of appeal, any one adjudicating matters of
this nature, would ask the plaintiff if he had any extra evidence like the
receipt or any other documents proving the great value other than that
one proved in the criminal case. In the circumstance therefore, it was
proper for the trial magistrates to ask for such a proof. That being the
case then the second ground of appeal also fails for the reasons given
herein after.
Regarding the third ground of appeal, that the trial magistrates

erred in law and fact by failure to consider exhibit Pl that the appellant
suffered loss caused by the respondents. Arguing in support of the third
ground of appeal, he submitted that, exhibit Pl (a judgment in criminal
case) which was tendered by the appellant proved her claim against the
respondents. He submitted that the said judgment proves that there was
a criminal case against the respondents in which they were found guilty
which criminal case was not a bar to a civil case.
I agree that the exhibit Pl proved the criminal offence and that is
not a bar to civil suit, however, as held in respect of the first and second
ground of appeal, the trial magistrate rightly considered the said exhibit
but the exhibit was not conclusive evidence without further evidence, to
prove that the appellant was entitled to damages. The other evidence
which would have entitled the appellant the damage was supposed to
be the evidence of proof that she was earning from the damaged
properties and that, that damage caused her failure to earn. Without
8
that evidence the appellant is precluded from complaining. This ground
® also fail for lack of merit.
On the fourth and last ground, that the trial magistrates erred in
law and fact to overlook a fact that evidence by the appellant's side
proved general damages on the part of the respondents. In support of
that ground the counsel for the appellant submitted that, the appellant
proved general damages on the part of the respondents, he submitted
further that the defendant was not only supposed to compensate the
plaintiff for only actual loss, but also for general damages and punitive
damages. He cited the case of Angela Mpanduji vs Ancilla Kilinda
[1985] T.L.R (HC) in which it was held inter alia that, punitive damages
are awarded not only to compensate the plaintiff for actual loss suffered
but also as a punishment to the defendant so that the defendant will not
repeat his act. It was submitted in conclusion that the appellant was not
compensated at all, but she was paid only 615,000/=
I agree with him that the court has a duty to make appropriate
order for compensation where there is enough evidence to do so. In this
case, I have passed through the evidence submitted by the plaintiffs'
witnesses who are basically two, the only statements that I met which
had it been proved would have taken to be defamation was the word
that the respondents said against the appellant that, "tapeli mkubwa
najimilikisha ardhi", which simply meant that the appellant was a
"conman who has been squandering land". There is nowhere, where it
was said that the words in any way injured the reputation of the
appellant to entitle her damage.
9
In the tort of defamation at least the followings are the elements
® that the plaintiff must prove before he is entitled to damages. He must
prove four elements.
(i) First, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant made a
false and defamatory statement concerning the plaintiff.
(ii) Second, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant made
an unprivileged publication to a third party.
(iii) Third, the plaintiff must prove that the publisher acted at
least negligently in publishing the communication.
(iv) Four, that in some cases the plaintiff must prove special
damages.
Defamation is categorised into two, namely slander and libel, while

libel is actionable per se, slander needs the proof of damages. While
libel is in the permanent or written form, slander are merely spoken
words. In this case, the words were alleged to have been uttered
against the appellant by the respondents, and therefore they are
slander. They should be taken to have been proved when the plaintiff
has proved damages. However there are exceptions to that general rule;
that exceptional cases are four namely;
(i) Where the words impute to the plaintiff the commission of

a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment.
(ii) Where they impute to him a contagious or infectious
disease
(iii) Where they are spoken of him as a professional or
businessman.
10
aa
(iv) Where they impute unchastity or adultery to a woman or
e girl.
See the decision of my brother Sisya J in the case of K. Hassani vs.

Kithuku & Chali [1985] TLR 212.
In this case the evidence brought by the appellant has not proved
that the case was falling in one of the exceptions mentioned above,
neither has it proved any damage that the plaintiff suffered, to entitle
him the award of damage. That being the case, the fourth ground of
appeal also fails, it was then justified for the trial magistrate to hold that
the case was not proved as required by law. That said, the whole appeal
crumbles, for the reasons given.
It is so ordered.
DATED at MWANZA this 13" day of July, 2020
-»a:
J. C. Tiganga
Judge
13/07/2020
Judgment delivered in the open chambers in the absence of the

parties but with the directives that, parties be notified of the results of
their case through their mobile phones. Right of third appeal explained
and guaranteed.
3
J. C. Tiganga
Judge
13/07/2020
11

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•

IN THE HIGH COURT OF TANZANIA

IN THE DISTRICT REGISTRY

HC CIVIL APPEAL No.35 OF 2018

(Original Civil case No.06 of 2018 of the District Court of

BORA JUMA APPELLANT

THEREZA NDAGAJA & 2 OTHERS RESPONDENT

05" March, & 13° July, 2020.

The above named appellant Bora Juma sued the respondents

(i) the payment of Tshs. 31,000,000/= as the general

(iv) Payment of 12% on decretal sum from the date of

The claim based on the fact that, on 03/07/2014, the respondents

That matter was reported to police station, where the accused

It was after those criminal proceedings have ended, when the

1. That the trial magistrate erred in law and fact by failure to

appraise, analyse the evidence of the case at hand and decide

and other documents to prove the costs, while the respondent

3. That the trial magistrate erred in law and fact by failure to

consider exhibit Pl that the appellant suffered loss caused by the

By the order of this court, the appeal was argued by way of

In relation to the second ground of appeal, he submitted that the

He submitted that in the alternative of the receipt, it does not

Arguing the third ground of appeal, it is his humble submission

In buttress his arguments, he referred to section 43A of the

In the fourth ground of appeal, he submitted that the appellant

In the end it was prayed for the following orders, as follows;

( c) that, the respondents be ordered to pay costs of this appeal,

Upon a thorough consideration of the grounds of appeal,

As earlier on pointed out the counsel for the appellant supported

It is therefore true that the presence of the judgment against the

Regarding the third ground of appeal, that the trial magistrates

Defamation is categorised into two, namely slander and libel, while

(i) Where the words impute to the plaintiff the commission of

See the decision of my brother Sisya J in the case of K. Hassani vs.

DATED at MWANZA this 13" day of July, 2020

Judgment delivered in the open chambers in the absence of the

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