Chief Justice Othman Chande yesterday directed all magistrates in the country to ensure that they meet the target of executing 250 cases per year.
Chande was speaking in Dar es Salaam ahead of the Law Day which is to be marked on Thursday this week where President John Magufuli is expected to be the guest of honour.
The CJ’s order came at a time when there is growing public outcry on backlog cases and that conclusion of cases takes long.
“To gauge the performance of magistrates each must hear and conclude not less than 250 cases per year,” he said, adding that the court won’t tolerate any magistrate who would fail to complete cases on time.
He urged magistrates to expedite the hearing of cases to ensure that justice is timely dispensed.
The theme for this year’s Law Day is: “Better services for citizens, judiciary responsibilities and its stakeholders”.
The CJ said that a whooping 121 Resident Magistrates countrywide have only managed to hear and decide on only 100 cases last year, a number that is discouragingly small.
He also directed all magistrates in-charge of courts to identify all magistrates who would fail to meet the target of reaching ruling in 250 cases, mostly in district courts and 260 cases for magistrates working in primary courts.
Chande said that legal action will be taken against those who would fail to meet the target.
“All the magistrates who will fail to achieve the objective annually without any valid reasons should be prepared to be reprimanded,” he noted.
However, Justice Chande commended all judges who have met and surpassed the target, whereby 14 judges have ruled on more than 700 cases last year.
“Our interest is to see magistrates start with fresh cases when the New Year begins,” he said.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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