The Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) has announced a nationwide peaceful protest to register their displeasure following the assault perpetrated against lawyer Deogratius Mahinyila by police officers on September 15, 2025, at the High Court grounds in Dar es Salaam. This protest aims to condemn the act and safeguard the rights, dignity, and respect of all legal practitioners.
The assault on Mahinyila has sparked widespread outrage within the legal community, prompting TLS to take decisive action. According to TLS President Boniface Mwabukusi, the protest is a necessary measure to protect the integrity of the legal profession and ensure that justice is served.
The protest will be accompanied by a special declaration to be read by regional leaders of each TLS office, emphasizing the unity and solidarity of the legal profession in the face of this incident.
Mwabukusi, in his hard-hitting statement, has unequivocally condemned the act committed against Lawyer Mahinyila, as well as other lawyers who have experienced humiliation, harassment, or oppression while discharging their professional duties in accordance with the law and the Constitution of Tanzania.
To this end, the TLS council has unanimously resolved to suspend the participation of lawyers in Criminal Sessions Cases, as well as activities involving the Court and the Government, until appropriate legal action is taken against all police officers implicated in the assault on Mahinyila.
Also, the council has resolved to initiate legal proceedings against the police officers involved in the attack, with TLS committing to support Mahinyila in pursuing such legal action.
”We call upon the Government, the judiciary, and the Police Force to issue a statement and take prompt, appropriate legal action against those responsible for the assault on Mahinyila”. reads part of the statement
In a show of solidarity, the council insists that an attack on one lawyer is an attack on the entire legal profession and the administration of justice in the country. The society is determined to protect the rights and dignity of lawyers and ensure that those responsible for the attack are held accountable.
Already, the TLS Mbeya region has announced they will be protesting on Monday, 22nd September 2025.
