A Tanzanian portrait artist, Shadrack Chaula, has been sentenced to two years in prison or a fine of $2,000 (£1,600) after being convicted of cybercrimes, following the burning of a photo of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The 24-year-old was arrested after a video showing him burning the president’s picture and verbally insulting her went viral.
Chaula admitted to the crime and did not mount a defense in court, leading to his conviction. His arrest has ignited legal debates, with some lawyers arguing that burning a picture does not constitute a legal offense.
Despite these claims, Chaula was found guilty of distributing false information and cyber-harassment under Tanzania’s stringent cyber laws enacted in 2018 to combat the spread of “fake news,” which critics argue stifles freedom of expression.
The incident began when Chaula posted the controversial video on his TikTok account on June 30 from Ntokela village in Mbeya, a southwestern city. The video showed him using “strong words” against President Hassan, an act deemed highly offensive by local authorities and many citizens.
Local police chief Benjamin Kuzaga commented on the case, emphasizing that such disrespect towards national leaders is against the culture of the Mbeya people.
Chaula’s actions have sparked a public debate about the severity of his sentence. Some social media users have launched a campaign to raise funds to pay his fine, aiming to secure his release from jail.
The court’s decision has also led to a wider discussion about the balance between maintaining respect for national leaders and upholding freedom of expression.
Lawyer Philip Mwakilima, speaking to the Mwananchi newspaper, questioned the legal basis for the conviction, suggesting that there is no specific law against burning a picture of the president. He challenged the authorities to clarify the legal and societal impact of such an act.
The court proceedings, overseen by Magistrate Shamla Shehagilo, concluded that Chaula’s video amounted to cyber-harassment and incitement, violating Tanzania’s cyber laws. The prosecutor advocated for a harsh sentence to deter similar acts of disrespect towards the president in the future. Chaula chose not to speak in his defense during the trial.
The case has highlighted concerns among critics who view the sentence as excessive and indicative of a broader governmental crackdown on dissent. Although President Hassan, in office since 2021, has introduced reforms aimed at expanding political and civic freedoms, opposition groups and human rights organizations are worried that Tanzania might be regressing to more oppressive policies.