On 13th September 2023, A female gospel artist called Sifa Boniveture Bajune, 25 years old, a resident of the Mbeya region, Isyesye in Tanzania as the 1st Accused, and 2 other collaborated artists such as Salome Mwampeta as the 2nd Accused and Hezekiel Millyashi (Music Producer) as 3rd Accused, together were arrested for releasing a song called “Tanzania inaelekea wapi?” in social media (youtube, TikTok and, facebook) which contains false information against the government. The name of the song means “Where is Tanzania headed?”
The song contains a Swahili phrase “Kijana mdogo kang’olewa meno na maaskari, hii kwasababu mnatuona nyani tu “ . In English, it means, A young was pulled out of his teeth by armed officers because you see us as monkeys.
Whereas, on 19th September 2023, the 1st and 2nd Accused were placed on criminal charges contrary to section 16 of the Cybercrime Act.no 14 of 2015, for thecrime of publication of false information.Whereas the 3rd Accused was charged contrary to sections 16 and 25(1)(b)(2) of the Cybercrime Act. No 14 of 2015, as a principal offender for the crime of publication of false information.
The accused are represented for defense by a prominent human rights lawyer named JEBRA KAMBOLE, before the District Court of Mbeya, in criminal case no. 135 of 2023. It is still proceeding.