Court suspends Bishop Mokiwa’s arrest

The Court of Appeal has suspended a controversial order for the arrest of the head of the Anglican Church in Tanzania for contempt of court.The decision comes amid growing concen that some court orders issued in recent times and the way they were executed created confusion and sent mixed signals.

The top judicial organ has now ordered the decision by Justice Kakusulo Sambo of High Court Arusha zone for the arrest of Bishop Valentino Mokiwa be revised for it to satisfy itself as to the legality and correctness of the order.

Justice Sambo issued a warrant against the top cleric for contempt of court. Bishop Mokiwa is alleged to have defied the judge’s earlier order that suspended ordination of the new bishop for the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjoro, Reverend Stanley Hotay.

The judge went far to order that criminal proceedings be immediately instituted against the two leaders for what he described as a “clear contempt of court.” It could not be immediately established on what basis the Court of Appeal took a Suo Motu (its own motion) action but it is understood that such orders are increasingly raising questions about people’s trust and confidence on the judiciary.

The Citizen on Sunday has reliably learnt that Chief Justice Mohamed Othman Chande (pictured) called for records of an application that gave rise to the warrant and suspended the order until the case is heard afresh.

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