Shortage of high court judges slowing cases

Shortage of judges is the main reasons for inefficiency in the country’s law courts, this according to Judge In-Charge Mtwara High Court zone, Moses Mzula.

Mzula aired his observation as the country observed the national ‘Law Day’ at the start of the week held at the regional level in Mtwara and the national level in Dar es Salaam marking the reopening of the court systems after their annual brief break from work.

Mzula maintained that this shortage and that of magistrates as well as other court employees result from budget constraints.

He explained that most law courts in the country, including the Mtwara High Court, have few judges because of budget constraints.

“We are experiencing a dire shortage of judges at the Mtwara high court, we lack residence for our staff and we also are short of reliable means of transport,” lamented the High Court Judge In-Charge.

According to him, delays in handling cases contributes to increase in household poverty because most Tanzanians are very limited financially, it follows when a case is delayed, they are subsequently forced to spend more time in court instead of engaging in economic activities that would earn them much needed money.

Interim, a proposed solution was raised by Mtwara High Court Judge Ladislaus Komanya who said to ensure that cases are conducted within a set time frame, the High Court zone plans to establish offices at district levels and also work to increase people’s awareness on laws.

 SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN