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The High Court of Tanzania, Iringa Registry, has set free Maria Ngoda, a woman who was previously sentenced to 22 years in prison for poaching.
Maria was arrested with 12 pieces of antelope meat and later convicted for 22 years behind bars. Her sentencing raised questions, with some saying that the punishment did not match the alleged crime.
Various human rights defender groups, including the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), raised their voices, while others announced they would give her legal aid to appeal the verdict.
In a decision delivered on February 16, the High Court Judge, Elvin Mgeta, said that the arguments presented by the appellant led to her being set free.
Maria was sentenced to 22 years on November 3, 2023, by the Chief Resident Magistrate of the Iringa District Court, Said Mkasiwa.
Source:Citizen
