On June 30th, 2024, Shadrack Chaula, a 24-year-old portrait artist from Mbeya, Tanzania, recorded and posted a video on TikTok in which he burned a picture of President Samia Suluhu Hassan while verbally insulting her. The video went viral, leading to Chaula’s arrest. He was charged with cyber-harassment and incitement under Tanzania’s cybercrime laws. Chaula pleaded guilty before the court.
On July 4, 2024, He was convicted of cybercrime, specifically cyber-harassment and incitement, due to his activities on social media. According to the court, he violated Section 16 of The Cybercrimes Act, No. 14 of 2015 which states that ‘‘ any person who publishes false information presented in a picture or any other form with intent to defame or insult shall on conviction be liable to a fine of not less than five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years or both.”
Shadrack was sentenced to two years in prison or pay TZS 5 million(Estimated 2200 USD) as fine. By the time the court session ended, he had not paid the fine, so he was taken to prison. Following his conviction, a significant movement emerged on social media platforms where users rallied to support Chaula. This movement successfully raised over $2,000 to cover the fines imposed by the court, leading to Chaula's release from prison.
IMPACT OF THE CASE
a) The case stirred a broader discussion about the balance between regulating harmful online behavior and protecting individual freedoms, particularly in artistic and expressive contexts.
b) Social media users not only facilitated Chaula's release but also ignited a dialogue about the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression in Tanzania.
c) The outcome has implications for future cases involving digital expression and the boundaries of acceptable artistic commentary.
The case of Shadrack Chaula serves as a pivotal example of the challenges faced by artists in navigating legal boundaries in the digital age. It also highlights the role of social media as a platform for both potential legal issues and advocacy for rights, particularly in contexts where freedom of expression may be under threat. The case sparked discussions on the need for clear guidelines that protect artistic expression while addressing legitimate concerns about cyber-harassment and incitement.
Consequently, While the court reinforced the legal framework surrounding cybercrime, the community's response illustrated a robust defense of freedom of expression, prompting ongoing discussions about the rights of artists and the responsibilities of social media platforms.
On 2nd August 2024, Chaula’s father reported to the police that Chaula was abducted by unknown people in a van at 09:30 pm (Night) . His father addressed the concern to the press and begged the president to find his son either dead or alive. He insisted that he wanted his son back. Until now, it is not ascertained where is Chaula.