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What Tanzania seeks to achieve with planned new criminal justice policy
What you need to know:
- The envisaged policy is a product of recommendations made by the Criminal Justice Commission, which was formed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman
Dar es Salaam. The government is in the process of developing a national criminal justice policy aimed at strengthening the legal and institutional framework governing Tanzania’s justice system, the minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Dr Damas Ndumbaro, has said.
Speaking at a press briefing in Dodoma on May 20, Dr Ndumbaro said the policy is a product of recommendations made by the Criminal Justice Commission, which was formed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman.
“The policy process has started. We are going to provide Tanzanians with a criminal justice policy that will address all key issues,” Dr Ndumbaro said.
He said the policy is intended to offer clear direction and ensure proper oversight of the criminal justice system.
In addition to the new policy, the government is also preparing to overhaul several existing criminal laws.
Dr Ndumbaro said a draft Criminal Justice Miscellaneous Amendment Bill is currently under review by legal experts, with four stakeholder consultations already held.
He added that the ministry has worked to enhance the performance of justice delivery systems and institutions over the past four years.
He cited the expansion of the National Prosecution Office as a key milestone.
“We started with the National Prosecution Office and worked to ensure there is a functioning office in every district,” he said.
So far, prosecution offices have been established in 108 of the country’s 139 districts.
“In 2021, we had reached 53 districts; within four years, we have added 55 more—equivalent to a performance rate of 103.8 percent. This is part of our effort to expand access to criminal justice for the people,” Dr Ndumbaro said.
He added that the remaining 31 districts have already been included in the current financial year’s budget.
Another major development, according to the minister, was the recruitment of 600 new staff during the 2023/24 financial year.
“When you see an institution hiring 600 employees, know that it is committed to addressing a specific problem. We do not want delays in handling cases—they must be processed swiftly,” he said.
He said the increased staffing has also contributed to a reduction in prison overcrowding.
Tanzania’s correctional facilities currently house 26,000 inmates, against a capacity of 28,000.
“This is a result of improved efficiency in our criminal justice system,” Dr Ndumbaro said.
Turning to civil justice, he highlighted several improvements made under President Hassan’s administration, including the use of Swahili in courts to enhance access to justice.
He also praised the Office of the Solicitor General for its performance in high-profile legal cases, which he said has helped save taxpayers’ money.
Dr Ndumbaro said Tanzania now has the most efficient judiciary in Africa, citing a significant reduction in case backlogs.
“Only four percent of cases now cross the one-year mark. That is a clear sign of progress,” he said.
