MPs scrap livestock confiscation penalty
DODOMA: MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday passed amendments to the Wildlife Conservation Act, barring the confiscation of livestock as punishment for wildlife offences, a move passed as part of a wider package of law reforms.
The amendments were approved as part of the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No 2) Bill, 2026, which Attorney General, Mr Hamza Johari presented before Parliament in Dodoma for deliberation and passage.
Mr Johari said the amendments were proposed after it was established that confiscating a person’s property, including livestock, was contrary to Article 24 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, which guarantees the right to own property and protects it under the law.
Responding to MPs’ contributions, the AG cited the Constitution, saying: “Every person is entitled to own property, and has a right to the protection of his property held in accordance with the law.”
He said the amendments would bring relief to many Tanzanians while acknowledging President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s efforts in ensuring the proposal reached Parliament for consideration and passage.
Mr Johari said the Wildlife Conservation Act, enacted in 2009 to provide for the conservation, management, protection and sustainable use of wildlife and wildlife products, had been amended several times to strengthen its implementation.
He said Sections 111 and 116 had now been amended to remove livestock from the list of property that may be forfeited after conviction under the Act.
“The proposed amendments aim to strike a balance between an offence and the punishment imposed, thereby strengthening the principles of justice,” Mr Johari told the House.
Besides the Wildlife Conservation Act, National Assembly also passed amendments to six other laws: The Land Use Planning Act, the Local Government (District Authorities) Act, the Local Government (Urban Authorities) Act, the National Security Council Act, the Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) Act and the Valuation and Valuers Registration Act.
On the Land Use Planning Act, Mr Johari said the amendments would clarify the tenure of National Land Planning Commission members, expand the Commission’s funding sources and strengthen cooperation between planning authorities and the Commission.
“The proposed amendments aim to clearly set out the tenure of members of the National Land Planning Commission, add sources of funding for the Commission and provide for cooperation between planning authorities and the Commission,” Mr Johari said.
He said the overall objective of the amendments was to pave way for the smooth implementation of the National Development Vision 2050.
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Presenting the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Governance, Constitution and Law, committee member, Dr Oscar Kikoyo said the committee supported the Bill after recommending improvements to some provisions.
He said the committee had also advised the Government to take action against officials who hold livestock in violation of the Animal Welfare Act and its regulations, saying they should be held accountable for failing to safeguard animals whille they are under official custody.
