‘Sema na Waziri’ benefits volunteering teachers
DODOMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has intervened in several cases brought before the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs through the ‘Sema na Waziri’ programme, providing financial assistance to vulnerable citizens and directing action to resolve their grievances.
Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Dr Juma Homera, said on Monday that President Samia had provided 1.5m/- to a couple who volunteered to teach at a primary school for more than five years.
He said the financial support had enabled the couple to start a business after they were dismissed without receiving all their outstanding allowances.
Dr Homera said the couple, Lidya Ernest and her husband, had volunteered to teach at King’ori Primary School in Meru District Council, Arusha Region, and were owed 2.84m/- in unpaid dues.
He said the couple had initially received 700,000/- each, but their outstanding claims had not been fully settled. “The President, after receiving these challenges through the ‘Sema na Waziri’ programme, directed us to assist them so that the money could help them and their family sustain their lives,” he said.
In another case, President Samia provided 3m/- to Nasra Tumaini from Simiyu, Mwanza, to enable her to establish a business to support herself and her mother, who had been subjected to gender-based violence by her husband.
Dr Homera said Nasra reported the abuse suffered by her mother through the ‘Sema na Waziri’ programme, prompting the ministry to follow up the matter with the relevant authorities.
He commended the Police Force for its swift response, saying the suspect had been arrested and was being interrogated before being taken to court.
“This is not a court, but we provide legal aid, address citizens’ challenges and follow up all complaints brought before us,” he said.
Dr Homera said the ministry had so far received 100 letters from citizens through the ‘Sema na Waziri’ programme covering various grievances, some of which required coordination with other ministries and government institutions.
He said the ministry was also following up the case of Aisha Ramadhan of Mvomero District, who complained about failure to receive 15m/- in compensation awarded to her after winning a case involving livestock that destroyed her crops.
Dr Homera said the case between the farmer and livestock keeper was heard by the Kondoa District Court, which ruled in Aisha’s favour and ordered payment of 15m/- in compensation.
The court also ordered that the cattle responsible for destroying her crops be seized and sold to facilitate payment of the compensation.
He said after Aisha approached the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, she was advised that, since the matter had proceeded to the High Court and a judgment had been issued ordering payment, the remaining challenge was enforcement of the judgment.
“Aisha has been advised to file an application for execution of the judgment in the court that issued the order so that the court can issue an order for attachment of the debtor’s property in accordance with the law,” he said.
