Mpango to TLS: Steer clear of political bias, be neutral

Arusha. The Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) has been cautioned to be impartial in discharging its duties.
Vice President Phillip Mpango stated that the country’s top bar organisation should not be influenced by political parties.

“TLS should not be used as a platform for specific political parties.” “It should remain impartial,” he stated as he started the society’s annual general meeting this year.

Dr Mpango’s message was intended for the new leaders who would be elected during the meeting that began yesterday.

He said that although TLS is among the stakeholders invited in a process to revive the stalled new constitution, the government expects it to remain impartial.
Hundreds of delegates at the meeting, which kicked off at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), will elect the new leaders.

Those vying for the powerful position of TLS President are two famous advocates based in Dar es Salaam: Francis Sungusia and Reginald Shirima.
The names of the two were endorsed for the contest by the TLS Electoral Committee about a month ago. The election will take place today (Friday) at the AICC.

They will replace Prof Edward Hosea, the former anti-graft czar, who is stepping down after serving for the two mandatory years at the helm of the law society. Those endorsed to contest the vice presidency are Emmanuel Augustino, Aisha Sinda, and Revocatus Kuwli. Christopher Alex Mageka had no opponent for the treasurer post.

“The new leaders should serve TLS and the legal fraternity, not the political parties,” Dr Mpango insisted at the packed AICC hall.

Instead, he challenged the new leaders who will take over the helm of the national bar association to focus on “the delivery of justice”.

He added that the government has roped in TLS for the recently launched Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign because it has faith in the organisation and its members.

He warned advocates and other members of the legal fraternity who condone corruption that disciplinary and legal actions awaited them.

He called for efforts to ensure that the Tanzania International Arbitration Centre is operationalized as part of alternative dispute resolution.

Outgoing TLS President Prof Hosea lauded the government for swift intervention to contain what he described as the unlawful arrest of the advocates.
He said the situation has reached a point where the lawyers are seen as enemies of the state largely for sticking to the law.

He added that TLS has presented to the government a report on the laws deemed to be discriminatory and which have to be scrapped.

The minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Damas Ndumbaro, said the ministry will, starting next financial year, allocate expenditure funds to the TLS.

 He said budgetary support for the legal body was nothing new, as other ministries do for the professional bodies under them. Although the well-attended meeting kicked off with pertinent issues on the agenda, campaigns appeared to overshadow the proceedings.

The expected showdown between Mr Sungusia and Shirima was visible, with the former pledging to strive for the improved welfare of the lawyers.
Mr Shirima, on the other hand, said he would prefer to see a bar association (TLS) that does not propagate activism.

The TLS he desires, he said during a media brief after the opening of the conference,is the one that would work in harmony with the government.
A Dar es Salaam-based advocate, James Malenga, admitted that the contest for president would be stiff, as has been the case in the past.

However, he said he would like to see a new president who would ensure the legal body operated within the confines of a law that established it.
“TLS should play an increased role in advising the government on pertinent legal issues and serve its members well,” he added.