Judicial Notice Restricting Media Engagement by Advocates in Court Premises
Latest Tanzania law justice news · Judicial Notice Restricting Media Engagement by Advocat… explained · updated Aug 21, 2026 · breaking news · latest updates · explained
TLDR
- Advocate Peter Michael Madeleka is facing contempt charges for allegedly breaching court conduct rules after a June notice from the High Court Registry restricted media engagement by advocates in court premises.
- The charge sheet, dated August 20, 2026, includes five counts of contempt of court filed in the Resident Magistrate Court of Dar es Salaam as Criminal Case No. 18711 of 2026.
- Madeleka, 46, is accused of disrespecting judicial officers and misrepresenting ongoing cases, specifically in relation to the High Court Economic Crimes and Corruption Division case, Republic v Wendy William Ishengoma.
- Four counts of the charges cite section 114(1)(a) of the Penal Code, which addresses disrespectful speech or conduct towards judicial proceedings, while one count cites section 114(1)(d) regarding prejudicial.
- Legal and media practitioners are concerned about the implications of the High Court's directive on the ability to explain court proceedings to the public and the standards that should apply to such communications.