Former Simiyu RC’s trial starts in camera

MWANZA: THE Mwanza Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday started hearing the criminal trial of former Simiyu Regional Commissioner (RC), Yahaya Nawanda, but journalists were not allowed to cover the proceedings because the case is being held in camera.

Principal Resident Magistrate Erick Marley told reporters here shortly after the adjournment of the case that the trial will be held in camera in accordance with section 186(3) of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), as it was revised in 2022.

Such provision reads, “… the evidence of all persons in all trials involving sexual offences shall be received by the court in camera, and the evidence and witnesses involved in these proceedings shall not be published by or in any newspaper or other media… “… that subsection shall not prohibit the printing or publishing of any such matter in a bona fide series of law reports or in a newspaper or periodical of a technical character bona fide intended for circulation among members of the legal or medical professions”.

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According to the Magistrate, the prosecution is expected to call 15 witnesses and tender 18 documentary exhibits during the trial.

The case has been adjourned to another date and the court will conduct the trial for three consecutive days starting August 13, 2024.

Nawanda, who is represented by Advocate Mr Constantine Mutalemwa is out on bail.

He is charged with ‘crime against nature’.