State attorney Agatha Pima alleged before Principal Resident Magistrate Joachim Tiganga that on October 17, this year, Makundi used abusive language against the duo at a local bar in the municipality.
Moshi. A resident of Moshi Municipality Kyefa Makundi, 33, was yesterday charged with insulting President Jakaya Kikwete and former Chalizen legislator Ridhiwani Kikwete.
State attorney Agatha Pima alleged before Principal Resident Magistrate Joachim Tiganga that on October 17, this year, Makundi used abusive language against the duo at a local bar in the municipality.
The insults, which were not recorded in the charge sheet, were contrarry to clause 89(1) (a) of the penal code as amended in 2002, according to the state attorney.
The clause says whoever uses abusive language against another person in a manner that could breach peace, commits a criminal offence and that a punishment of a six-month imprisonment could be meted out against him or her.
Makundi denied the charges and the court said bail was open to him provided that he meets conditions of two sureties with a Sh1.5 million bond each. Pima said investigation in the case was complete, prompting the court to adjourn it to November 2, this year, when preliminary hearing would begin.
This is the second time the court is entertaining a case against suspects implicated in insulting the President, as two others were arraigned allegedly for committing a similar offence through Facebook.
The two suspects, namely Womboni Secondary School teacher Ferdnand Urio and Majengo Secondary School student Daniel Robin, were convicted of the offense in 2010.
Principal Resident magistrate Simon Kobelo meted out a one-year sentence to the teacher while the student received a one-year suspended sentence.
