Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Judiciary of Tanzania has begun implementing a major project to construct 19 district courts buildings in various parts of the country to bring justice closer to the people.
This was disclosed by the Chief Justice (CJ), Prof Ibrahim Juma, while addressing Tarime and Rorya District Commissioners (DCs) in Mara Region as well as judicial officers during his working visit to the Musoma Zone of the High Court of Tanzania.
The CJ said that the Judiciary had prepared a map of the country as well as a five-year infrastructure development plan, which has identified all areas of Tanzania that have court buildings challenges at various levels.
“We are trying to set a schedule to implement the plan. In the plan you will find Rorya District does not have a court building and there is a schedule showing when it must be constructed within five years. Tarime District has dilapidated building, which needs major renovation, “he noted.
Prof Juma pointed out that they had witnessed the court building of Serengeti District Court which was very small and does not meet the standard requirements.
According to him, the objectives of the Tanzanian Judiciary are for each district to have a District Court and for each division to have a Primary Court, a plan that they would discuss with the Central Government to see how the justice services could be moved to those areas.
Responding to a report submitted to him by Tarime DC, Colonel Michael Mntenjele, the CJ said that it is true that Tarime District still serves Rorya District at the district court level.
“But the good news available shows that the construction of the Rorya District Court has already begun and not only Rorya District, there are 18 other districts and according to the existing map, by June next year the buildings should be completed, ”he said.
Prof Juma reassured the people of Rorya when he met with the District Commissioner, Mr Juma Chikoka, that the services of the district court would reach them soon.
The DC thanked the Chief Justice and the leadership of the Judiciary of Tanzania in general for their decision to build a modern Court building in his district, which would help in speeding up delivery of justice to the people.
Earlier on, giving a briefing on his district, the Tarime DC commended the Judiciary for great efforts to determine cases and render timely judgments, reducing the backlog of cases as well as complaints to the public.
However, Colonel Mntenjele noted some of the challenges that he believes if addressed, would accelerate the delivery of justice to the people.
Some of the challenges are the Tarime District Court also serving Rorya district, an act that could lead to overcrowding and delays, the shortage of primary courts, which causes citizens to travel long distances to seek court service and find overcrowding.
However, the DC submitted a request to the CJ to consider how to speed up the hearing of cases involving students’ pregnancy, rape and homosexuality and to issue a timely decision as repeated postponements could lose evidence and witnesses.
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