DODOMA: THE government has directed village, ward, district and regional authorities to promptly enforce court judgments, saying justice is not fully served when successful litigants are unable to take possession of property awarded to them by the courts.
Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Juma Homera, issued the directives in Dodoma yesterday, saying delays in enforcing court orders have prevented many people from taking possession of land, houses, vehicles and other property legally awarded to them.
He said it is crucial for them to work closely with security agencies to ensure court decisions are implemented without delay.
“When a court has already made its decision, the judgment must be enforced. If anyone obstructs its implementation, the law should take its course. Citizens facing such challenges should report the matter to District Commissioners or Regional Commissioners, who can work with security organs to enforce court orders,” he said.
Dr Homera also advised successful litigants to apply for execution orders through the courts, including the appointment of licensed court auctioneers where necessary to recover property or enforce compensation awarded by the courts.
Speaking during the Sema na Waziri programme, the minister said the initiative has become an important platform for citizens to seek legal redress, while the ministry continues to work with relevant institutions to ensure public complaints are resolved without unnecessary delays in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive to improve access to justice.
He said the ministry has received 2,759 complaints through the programme, of which 2,676 have been processed. Of the processed cases, 66 per cent have been resolved, while the remaining are at various stages of implementation, including some that require further legal analysis and additional documentation before they can be concluded.
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Dr Homera said that following the translation of 446 laws into Kiswahili, the government will dispatch teams of lawyers to all regions to educate wananchi on the country’s laws and improve public understanding of legal procedures.
During the session Dr Homera received complaints from members of the public and provided responses in collaboration with representatives of relevant institutions.
According to him, the government is preparing comprehensive amendments to more than 1,000 laws to align the country’s legal framework with the implementation of the Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
He said the reforms will cover investment, company registration, revenue administration, industrial development and other strategic sectors to create a modern legal environment that supports economic growth, investment and equitable access to justice.