What Happens After You’re Arrested in Tanzania? Here’s What the Law Says.

What Happens After You’re Arrested in Tanzania? Here’s What the Law Says

Getting arrested can be scary, but it’s important to know that the law in Tanzania has clear rules about what should happen next. Section 32 of the Criminal Procedure Act [CAP. 20 R.E. 2022] explains it like this:

1. If you’re arrested without a warrant for a minor offence (something not punishable by death), the police must act quickly.

• If they can’t take you to court within 24 hours, the officer in charge must look into your case.

• If your case seems not too serious, they can let you go — but you’ll have to sign a bond (a promise to show up in court later, sometimes with someone else guaranteeing for you).

• If the case looks serious, or they decide to keep you locked up, they must take you to court as soon as possible.

2. If you’re arrested for a really serious crime (like murder, which is punishable by death), the police don’t have the option to release you at the station.

• You must be taken straight to court as soon as they can — no bond at the station.

3. If you’re arrested with a warrant, the police must also bring you to court as soon as possible.

And here’s some good news:

Even if you’ve been arrested, if the police investigate and realize they don’t have enough evidence against you, the officer in charge can release you without charging you.

Police Duty to Report Arrests in Tanzania.

According to Section 33 of the Criminal Procedure Act [CAP. 20 R.E. 2022], the police have an important duty when they arrest someone without a warrant. Here’s what the law says in simple terms:

1. Whenever the police arrest someone without a warrant — no matter the reason or whether the person is later given bail — the officer in charge of the police station must report the arrest to the nearest magistrate.

2. This report must be made within 24 hours or, if that’s not possible, as soon as practicable after the arrest.

The law doesn’t allow silent or hidden arrests. The courts must be kept informed about every person arrested without a warrant, ensuring transparency and protecting people’s rights.