by Nancy Mbamalu
Shadrack Chaula, a 24-year-old portrait artist from Tanzania, has been sentenced to either two years in prison or a fine of $2,000 (£1,600) after being convicted of cybercrimes for burning a photograph of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The viral video, in which Chaula burns the president’s picture while verbally attacking her, sparked widespread public debate and controversy.
Chaula was arrested following the June 30 incident, which occurred in Ntokela village, near the city of Mbeya in southwestern Tanzania. The artist admitted to the crime, acknowledging that he created and posted the video on TikTok, where it quickly gained traction. In the video, Chaula used offensive language against President Hassan while destroying her image, actions that police and prosecutors argued violated the country’s laws on spreading false information and cyber harassment.
The case has ignited a national debate over freedom of expression and the legality of burning a portrait of the president. While some lawyers argued that no specific law prohibits burning a photograph, others contend that Chaula’s actions, which included the use of offensive language, violated Tanzania’s strict cyber laws, enacted in 2018 to combat the spread of “fake news.” Critics of these laws argue that they are primarily aimed at stifling free speech and dissent.
Local police chief Benjamin Kuzaga defended the arrest, emphasizing that such behavior was not part of Tanzanian cultural norms. “It is not the tradition of Mbeya residents to insult our national leaders,” he told the media.
Despite the lack of explicit legislation banning the burning of a president’s portrait, the act caused public outrage, with many seeing it as an unacceptable disrespect to the nation’s leader. In the courtroom, Chaula remained silent and did not offer any defense, admitting to the charges without contest.
Magistrate Shamla Shehagilo found Chaula guilty of violating Tanzania’s cyber laws, specifically for sharing the offensive video on social media. The court labeled his actions as cyber-harassment and incitement, which led to his sentencing.
The prosecutor in the case urged the court to impose a harsh penalty, not only as a punishment for Chaula but as a warning to others who might attempt to “disrespect” the president. However, some Tanzanians have rallied behind Chaula, launching an online campaign to raise funds to cover his fine and avoid his imprisonment.
The case has sparked a broader conversation about the Tanzanian government’s approach to political expression. While President Hassan has been credited with implementing reforms that increased political and civic freedoms since taking office in 2021, opposition parties and human rights organizations have voiced concerns that the country may be regressing to more repressive policies.
Chaula’s sentencing has been seen by many as a symbol of the growing tension between government control and individual freedoms in Tanzania. His case has highlighted ongoing debates about the limits of free speech, especially when it comes to criticism of the president, and the role of social media in influencing political discourse.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the public outcry will influence the government’s stance or whether the sentence will stand as a stern reminder of the consequences of challenging the state.
