Isles judges skipping work

Zanzibar. New research shows that some judges and magistrates in Zanzibar are neglecting their official duties to pursue private businesses, causing pileups in courts of unheard and undecided cases.

The findings are contained in a report on Zanzibar judiciary by a senior law lecturer at Zanzibar University, Ali Ahmed Uki and presented at a conference of lawyers in Zanzibar. Zanzibar Chief Justice Omar Othman Makungu attended the conference.

The judiciary in Zanzibar commissioned the lecturer to do the research.

The report says many people seeking justice in courts are frustrated when judges and magistrates do not show up in their duty station while pursuing private businesses.

“The research has shown that the poor attendance of honourables is the main source of complaints from courts. “They come and leave their offices to pursue personal things,” Mr Uki says in the report.

He said the situation has hindered the timely delivery of justice.

The study has also shown that most Zanzibaris do not have confidence in the ability and integrity of some officers in the judiciary system, adding that many appear to have more confidence in the Court of Appeal of Tanzania than the High Court of Zanzibar.

Uki said, unnecessary delays in hearing cases and untimely delivery of judgment that are linked to corruption are the main reason that many lose trust in courts.

Zanzibar Chief Justice Omar Othman Makungu said they decided to commission the research to identify problems facing courts in the Isles to help set sustainable strategies to improve services in the justice dispensation bodies.

THE CITIZEN TANZANIA: