Tanzania, July 25 -- Arusha. Traditional healer Salvatory Richard has escaped serving a 30-year prison sentence after the High Court in Geita found that the evidence used to convict him left serious doubts regarding his identity and the circumstances of the incidents.

The court quashed the Bukombe District Court judgment that sentenced him on two counts of rape and ordered his immediate release, unless held for another lawful reason.

The decision was delivered on Friday, July 24, 2026, by Justice Griffin Mwakapeje, following Mr Richard's appeal challenging the Bukombe District Court judgment in criminal case Number 7264 of 2026.

Initially, Mr Richard was convicted of two rape offences under sections 130(1), (2)(e) and 131(1) of the Pen...