Samia tells judges to uphold justice, stop acting as ‘demigods’

Dodoma. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged judges and magistrates to execute their responsibilities with unwavering commitment to legal and constitutional principles, cautioning them against adopting a “demigod” mentality in their roles.

Speaking at the National Law Day celebrations in Dodoma, President Samia Suluhu Hassan cautioned judicial officers against acting with arrogance or overstepping their mandate.

She warned them to refrain from assuming powers that extend beyond their role as agents of justice, emphasizing the need for humility and adherence to their constitutional duties.

The President’s remarks were made in response to concerns raised by Boniface Mwabukusi, the President of the Tanganyika Law Society  (TLS), who had spoken of delays in court proceedings, particularly through a phenomenon he referred to as “Legal Engineering.”

“Administering justice is the work of God, who holds the power to grant or deny destinies,” President Samia said. “Judges and magistrates, as earthly agents of justice, have no power to grant or deny individuals their fate.”

 She said the judiciary must function within the constraints of the constitution and the laws of the land, not as intermediaries with divine will.

In her address, the President referred to a 1984 speech by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, in which he called for judicial integrity and discipline.

As the new judicial year begins, President Samia urged the judiciary to uphold these values and work diligently to ensure justice for all.

The President also addressed ongoing concerns about the welfare of magistrates, noting that improvements in this area are being pursued.

She acknowledged that requests for welfare improvements were not included in the current budget but assured that more provisions would be made in the upcoming financial year, starting in July.

Regarding the TLS, President Samia acknowledged the society’s request for additional resources and offered to provide a new vehicle to support its work, building on the support already offered by the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs. In his address, Mwabukusi responded to critics who had raised concerns about TLS’s cooperation with the government, particularly regarding the provision of a vehicle by the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs.

He emphasized that the TLS was not indulging in favouritism but was merely fulfilling its duty to serve Tanzanians.

“We are not a terrorist group. We are a statutory body,” Mwabukusi remarked, clarifying that the TLS’s cooperation with the government was aimed at ensuring legal services were accessible to all Tanzanians.

He stressed that the TLS accept help from anyone seeking to support their work, whether in the form of financial assistance or resources to facilitate their operations.

Addressing criticisms about his own leadership, Mwabukusi explained that his approach had changed from speaking to acting.

“A leader speaks less and acts more,” he said, noting that TLS’s mission was to serve the people, not engage in business or personal gain.

Mwabukusi also called for the government to establish a legal aid fund for TLS, as membership fees alone were insufficient to sustain the organisation’s operations.

He further urged improvements in the welfare of judicial staff, including magistrates and lawyers, stressing the need for better financial support to prevent situations where citizens in distress face legal professionals under financial strain.

Chief Justice, Prof Ibrahim Juma, also addressed the gathering, urging judicial staff to think about adapting to changes in line with the country’s Vision 2050.

He pointed out that the land sector requires special attention and that there remain challenges in the implementation of the criminal justice reform commission’s recommendations.

Prof Juma emphasised the importance of assessing service delivery to ensure that the justice system contributes effectively to Tanzania’s economic growth.

In the same spirit, Attorney General, Hamza Johari, assured that legal matters would continue to be closely monitored, ensuring adherence to constitutional and legal requirements.