DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 12 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — THE Chief Justice of Tanzania, Prof Ibrahim Hamis Juma, has commended the government under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu for taking bold decision of borrowing 91 million US dollars (about over 216bn/-) from World Bank to improve justice delivery system, including construction of nine new Integrated Justice Centres in the country.
Speaking at the three year anniversary since the establishment of the Integrated Centre for Family Matters Temeke held at the Mwalimu Nyerere International Hall in Dar es Salaam, the Chief Justice said that the World Bank and the Government of Tanzania approved the Second Phase of Reform Plan after six Integrated Buildings were launched by President Samia on Oct 6, 2021 and showed great success in providing justice.
“Currently, Integrated Centres are being built in Simiyu, Geita, Katavi, Njombe, Songwe, Songea, Lindi, Singida and Pemba. We can say, the success of the Temeke Integrated Centre has contributed to building arguments for the construction of nine other integrated centres.
Let’s celebrate the three-year of success as a catalyst for the construction of nine Integrated Centres that are being built in the country,” he said.
The Chief Justice noted that the celebration of the Temeke Integrated Centre is three years, since President Samia inaugurated six Integrated buildings which are the pride of Tanzania built in Dodoma, Dar es Salaam (Temeke and Kinondoni), Arusha, Mwanza and reminded that the action is the fruit of the cooperation of between the Government of Tanzania and the World Bank.
The Chief Justice explained that due to the sensitivity of marriage, divorce, children, child care and inheritance matters, the Judiciary of Tanzania decided that among the six integrated centres that were to be built, at least one Integrated Justice Centre should be used to handle family disputes.
“These decisions to setting Temeke One Stop Centre were driven by problem of having a large number of probate cases as well as marriage and divorce cases. For example, between the years 2017- 2019 there were 7,600 cases of which 3,765 were at the Primary Courts level. There were about 4,200 marriage and divorce cases between 2017-2019,” he said.
In addition, Prof. Juma noted that the inspiration and the need to have a Special Centre for cases of children, marriage, divorce, maintenance and inheritance came from civil organisations and other human rights stakeholders such as Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA), Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) and the Tanzania Women Judges and Magistrates Association (TAWJA).
The Chief Justice also explained that through the FiveYear Strategic Plan, the Judiciary of Tanzania made an argument to the Government of Tanzania, and the Government of Tanzania agreed that the Judiciary of Tanzania is an important implementer of the National Development Vision 2025.
“If the judiciary moves its services to all parts of Tanzania and if it carries out its responsibilities to deliver justice efficiently, professionally and transparently, it will contribute to Tanzania reaching the Five Major Goals mentioned by the National Development Vision 2025,” he said.
Prof Juma mentioned some of the goals implemented by the judiciary include the existence of an environment of peace, security and unity; building good governance and build a strong economy that can face competition with other countries in the world.
Speaking before inviting the Chief Justice to speak to the people, Judge in Charge of the Temeke Family Court, Mwanabaraka Mnyukwa, explained that since its inception, the Centre has succeeded in serving a large number of citizens who have been increasing day by day in order to access various judicial services provided.
She said that statistically, within the first year of providing services, in 2021 to 2022, the Centre received an average of 700 customers per day, in 2022 to 2023, the Centre was receiving an average of 971 customers and for the year 2023 to 2024, the Centre has been receiving an average of 890 customers per day.
Therefore, Judge Mwanabaraka pointed out that they are proud of that number which is a sign that the citizens are satisfied with the services provided at the Centre.
“Statistically, since the establishment of the Centre until August 26, 2024, it has served about 580,610 customers; among those men being 265,985, equal to 45.8 per cent, women 311,183, equal to 53.6 per cent and the children served are 3,442, equal to 0.6 per cent,” she said.
In terms of cases, she also noted that in the third period from 27 August 2021 to 26 August 2024, the Centre has registered a total of 22,929 cases, of which 20,077 were decided, which is equal to 88 per cent of all cases filed and those that were not heard are 2,852, equal to 12 per cent. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
