Court slashes sentences of Tanzanian nationals, orders deportation

The Western Cape High Court in Cape Town has reduced the sentences of five Tanzanian nationals convicted of being in South Africa illegally, and has ordered their deportation. Issa John, Hamadi Rashidi, Suleimani Hassan, Maulidi Mananda Mhuhoada and Innocent Felic pleaded guilty in the magistrate’s court earlier this year. Their sentences — handed down in February 2026 — saw John and Felic jailed for 12 months, while the remaining three were given the option of a R3 000 fine or 90 days’ imprisonment.

The matter came before the Western Cape High Court on automatic review and was heard on 17 March. All five accused entered guilty pleas on 30 January 2026 after being denied bail twice. In mitigation, they outlined their personal circumstances and requested leniency from the court.

John, 33, told the court he is unmarried, unemployed, and has two children. Rashidi, 29, said he supports two minor children and works as a barber, while Hassan is a fruit seller. Mhuhoada, a painter, and Felic, who works in a Somalian-owned shop, both said they each have two and no children respectively, with Felic confirming he is 32.

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The group requested suspended sentences and indicated their willingness to leave South Africa voluntarily. However, the state opposed this, arguing that the accused had prior convictions and should face punishment, saying they had “victimised” their continued stay in the country.

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