Zanzibar faces a shortage of court buildings and magistrates, according to a recent survey.
The islands of Unguja and Pemba have only 13 court buildings which are unevenly distributed to serve 1.3 million people. According to a recent survey conducted by the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA), there are few courts and staff to serve the people, particularly in cases related to gender violence being committed in villages.
The survey conducted in central Unguja indicates that a district with a population of more than 300,000 people was served by three courts at Mfenesini, Mwanakwerekwe and Mwera.
Many residents who were interviewed complained that they had to walk long distances or find means of transport to a nearby court and police station in order to seek justice.
Due to the long distances most of them gave up pursuing justice. Registrar of the Zanzibar High Court, Mr George Kazi, admits that the judiciary in the islands was facing multiple challenges, calling on the government to address them so the people could be served better.
He said although the judicial system in Zanzibar was good, there were very few court buildings in the two islands.
“On Unguja we have courts at Dunga, Makunduchi, Chwaka, Mkokotoni, Mwera, Mfenesini, Mwanakwerekwe and a High Court at Vuga. We need to expand and build more courts but lack of funds remains a challenge,” said Mr Kazi.
By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News
