Mpanda court disposes of 43 anti-poaching cases


The Mpanda District Magistrate’s Court in Katavi Region has already heard and determined 43 cases which were instituted by the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) during the anti-poaching drive, better known as Operesheni Tokomeza, late last year.

The number of completed cases was equivalent to 99 per cent of all cases filed in the court.

This was revealed on Monday by Mpanda District Magistrate, Mr Chiganga Ntengwa, during celebrations to mark Law Day, which was held at the District Court premises here.

According to Mr Ntengwa, nearly all the cases instituted at the court
by Tanapa during the recent anti-poaching campaign were heard and determined on time unlike similar cases which were opened by the Authority in 2007 whose hearing was yet to begin for a number of reasons.

He listed some of the reasons as including Tanapa’s failure to bring witnesses to substantiate its case before the court, leading to frequent adjournment of the cases during the past 13 years.


According to Mr Ntengwa, Tanapa also in most cases failed to produce case files related to its cases when the court prepared to arrange hearing of the cases.

Meanwhile, Mr Changga has cautioned that, due to the current dilapidated state of some court buildings, some magistrates would
start hearing cases under the shade of mango trees.

By PETI SIYAME, Tanzania Daily News

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