THE High Court of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, recently issued a decision on a case filed in the Court by former Tanzanian Ambassador to Malawi and Cuba Humphrey Polepole, a case filed on his behalf by Lawyer Peter Kibatala.
The Case, Filed Against The Inspector General Of Police (IGP) And Others, Sought A Court Order Compelling The Respondents To Produce Polepole In Court Or Explain His Whereabouts, Following His Disappearance Under Mysterious Circumstances.
In A Judgment Read By Deputy Registrar Of The High Court, Livin Lyakinana, The Court Stated That After Reviewing Submissions From Both Sides, There Was No Direct Evidence Proving That The Respondents Were Holding Polepole In Custody. The Court Ruled That The Claims Were Based Largely On “Suspicions And Perceptions.”
Given The Lack Of Concrete Proof, The Court Said It Was “Constrained From Issuing Any Order,” Adding That The Situation Currently Appears To Be That Of A Missing Person, Without Evidence Linking His Disappearance To Any Specific Individual Or Institution.
Speaking To Journalists After The Ruling, Advocate Kibatala Expressed The Family’s And Legal Team’s Dissatisfaction With The Court’s Decision, Confirming That They Will File An Urgent Appeal Before The Court Of Appeal. He Emphasized That The Case Concerns “The Sanctity Of Human Life” And Urged The Higher Court To Prioritize The Matter.