Martin Swai(App) Vs Republic(Res)The appellant was convicted by the District Court of Songea District of the offence of rape. He was jailed for thirty years. In addition, he was given 12 strokes of the cane. Aggrieved by the conviction and sentences, he unsuccessfully appealed to the High Court. The High Court, (Manento, J.), sitting at Songea, dismissed the appeal on 13th November, 2002, but in the absence of the appellant.