By Saidi Winnes
The Executive and Judiciary in Tanzania have together agreed to turn the legal system and legal materials to Kiswahili language after attaining 100-years since the establishment of the High Court in Tanzania
Speaking at the opening of this year’s Tanzania Legal Week and 100th Anniversary of the High Court, vice-president Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan insinuated that it is unfair for local residents to be denied justice based on language
Ms Samia said” Tanzania is an independent state and it is unfair for people to be denied justice because of language “
The Vice-president also launched 7 guidelines which include management of evidence,enforcement of court orders and use of court services
Ms Samia commended the judicial practitioners for bringing a number of revolutions in the judicial system
Ms Samia added” there are serious revolutions made in the Judicial System, you have established strategic divisions, land, commercial, labour and High Court corruption and Economic Crimes Division”
Taking his turn Chief Justice Ibrahim Juma reiterated that the changes in the judiciary are in line with the fourth Industrial Revolution that calls for transparency and efficiency in justice delivery
70% of the court proceedings in Tanzania are run in Kiswahili and only legal materials like judgements are still being recorded in English