Dar es Salaam University Students Ordered to Defend Criminal Charges in Court Case

Dar es Salaam. The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court has ruled that three university students from Dar es Salaam institutions have a case to answer in a criminal matter involving allegations stemming from a personal dispute.

The accused are Mary Matogolo (22), a student at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM); Ryner Mkwawili from Ardhi University; and Asha Juma from the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy (TIA), Dar es Salaam.

Senior Resident Magistrate Gwantwa Mwankuga is presiding over the case, which involves a total of eight criminal charges.

The three students are accused of causing bodily harm to fellow student Magnificant Kimario, issuing death threats, spreading false information online, and damaging property.

The prosecution presented ten witnesses, including the alleged victim, Magnificant, to substantiate the charges. After closing its case on Friday, November 21, 2025, the court determined that the evidence presented established a prima facie case requiring the accused to enter their defence.

"Having considered the prosecution’s evidence, the court is satisfied that all the accused have a case to answer," the magistrate stated.

State Attorney Gabriel Kamugisha confirmed that the prosecution had concluded its case after presenting ten testimonies.

The accused, represented by advocate Peter Shapa, are now required to present their defence. Magistrate Mwankuga ordered them to begin on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

The students first appeared before the court on May 30, 2025, when the charges were read to them by State Attorney Tumaini Mafuru.

Prior to their arraignment, they had been arrested and questioned by police following the circulation of a video clip on social media on April 20, 2025, allegedly showing them humiliating a fellow student.

Details of the Charges

In the first count, all three are accused of conspiring to publish false information on March 16, 2025, in the Sinza area of Ubungo District.

The second count targets Mary and Asha, who are alleged to have disseminated false information on WhatsApp on the same day containing the words: "Speak out—when and where did you have sexual relations with Mwijaku?"

Ryner faces the third count, accusing her of publishing false information on WhatsApp on the same day.

The fourth count relates to causing bodily harm, with Mary accused of assaulting Magnificant by striking her on the head with a metal object, causing severe pain.

In the fifth count, all the accused allegedly pulled Magnificant’s hair with force, causing significant harm.

The sixth and seventh counts accuse Mary of destroying a mobile phone line and a Samsung handset valued at Sh700,000 belonging to Magnificant.

The eighth count alleges that all three threatened to kill Magnificant using a knife.

The accused have denied all charges and are currently out on bail.