The High Court of Tanzania sitting at the Morogoro Sub-Registry has upheld a 30-year prison sentence against Ramadhani Yahaya, also known as Msabaha, who was convicted by the Kilosa District Court for rape and assault causing bodily harm.

The case involved a 64-year-old grandmother who testified that the accused attacked her on June 17, 2025, in Mji Mwema hamlet, Kimamba Ward, Kilosa District in Morogoro Region.

According to court records, the victim stated that the accused threatened her with a machete, raped her, and later cut off two fingers on her right hand when she tried to resist.She later received help from a neighbour who took her to the police and hospital for medical examination and treatment.

In the lower court, Yahaya was found guilty on two counts: rape, for which he received a 30-year prison sentence, and assault causing bodily harm, for which he was given two years, both sentences running concurrently.Dissatisfied with the ruling, he filed an appeal in Criminal Appeal No.

2346/2026, arguing that the prosecution evidence was weak, the court failed to properly evaluate his defence, and that the sexual act was consensual due to an alleged romantic relationship with the complainant.

However, Judge Stephen Magoiga, who handled the appeal, dismissed all grounds, stating that the prosecution evidence was strong, consistent, and supported by medical findings recorded in the PF3 form.

The medical report confirmed injuries and signs consistent with forceful penetration, while a neighbour also testified to seeing the accused fleeing the scene with a machete.The court further held that consent must exist at the time of the act, and prior relationships do not justify sexual acts without consent.After reviewing all evidence, the High Court concluded that the conviction was safe and upheld both the sentence and findings of the trial court.