Japhet s/o Mangwa v. R., Crim. App. 461-D-67; 18/8/67, Saidi, J.

Japhet s/o Mangwa v. R., Crim. App. 461-D-67; 18/8/67, Saidi, J.

Accused was convicted of defamation {P.C. ss. 187, 188} for having made false oral reports to the police about another man.

            Held: Section 187 refers to publications of defamatory matter by “print, writing, painting, effigy or by any means otherwise than solely by gestures, spoken words or other sounds …” Slander, therefore, is not a criminal offence, and complainant’s recourse is to bring a civil action. Conviction quashed.