MWE Correspondent
The legal community in Tanzania has mobilized in response to a shocking incident involving Advocate Deogratius Mahinyila, who was allegedly assaulted by police officers on September 15, 2025, at the High Court in Dar es Salaam.
The Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), the professional body representing lawyers in the country, announced a nationwide peaceful protest to condemn the attack and demand accountability.
In an official statement issued on September 18, TLS President Boniface Mwabukusi emphasized that any attack on a lawyer is not only an assault on an individual but also a threat to the integrity of the legal profession and the justice system. “TLS will organize and announce a formal day for a nationwide peaceful protest as a sign of condemnation of the attack on Advocate Mahinyila, as well as on other lawyers who have faced harassment or abuse while executing their duties under the law and the Constitution,” the statement read.
The nationwide demonstrations are set to involve lawyers from across Tanzania, with regional TLS leaders reading special declarations in solidarity with Mahinyila and other legal practitioners who have experienced similar incidents. TLS has clarified that the protest aims to defend the rights, dignity, and professional integrity of every lawyer in the country.
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As part of immediate measures, TLS has suspended participation in Criminal Sessions Cases and other court-related activities involving government proceedings until legal action is taken against the officers involved in the assault. The society also pledged full support to Mahinyila in pursuing legal recourse against the perpetrators. “Lawyers will not accept cases from the courts until proper legal action is taken against all those responsible for this humiliating attack, and notification of such actions is provided to the courts and the Republic,” the TLS directive stated.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage within the Tanzanian legal community and among human rights observers. Many have highlighted the broader implications, noting that assaults on lawyers not only endanger individuals but also undermine public confidence in the judicial system. Calls have grown louder for the Tanzanian Government, Judiciary of Tanzania, and Tanzania Police Force to issue statements and take prompt legal action against those responsible.
This episode underscores the continuing challenges faced by legal professionals in ensuring justice and the importance of protecting the rule of law. The coming nationwide protest is expected to serve both as a demonstration of solidarity among lawyers and as a powerful reminder of the role of the legal profession in safeguarding rights and upholding democratic principles.
