Tanzania hands over vehicles to 16 districts to enhance legal administration
DODOMA: IN a bold step to enhance the supervision of prosecutions and coordination of investigations, the government has handed over 16 vehicles to district offices of the National Prosecution Service (NPS), aiming to improve timely preparation of charges and monitoring of suspects.
The handover ceremony, held in Dodoma on Tuesday, was officiated by the Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Damas Ndumbaro, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening institutions responsible for law enforcement and the administration of justice.
Dr Ndumbaro said the move signals the government’s resolve to safeguard the nation against crime, both within and beyond its borders.
He urged District Prosecution Officers (DPOs) and drivers entrusted with the vehicles to use them responsibly and strictly for official duties.
“These vehicles are public property. Use them wisely to facilitate government functions and improve service delivery,” he emphasised.
The Minister commended the NPS for its dedication, noting a reduction in complaints and an improvement in performance ratings—an indication of strong leadership and commitment to justice.
“The NPS is a law enforcement institution and must remain at the forefront of protecting the country against crime. Without justice and equality, there can be no peace,” he said.
He reminded Regional and District Prosecution Officers of the vast authority delegated to them by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and urged them to execute their mandates with integrity and impartiality.
Speaking during the event, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Bibiana Kileo, said the handover marks a significant milestone, though the demand for more logistical support remains high, given the expanding mandate and responsibilities of the NPS.
“These vehicles were allocated based on specific challenges and geographical conditions of the districts, particularly where prosecutors live far from police stations and prisons,” she explained.
Ms Kileo emphasised that the NPS is tasked with supervising prosecutions and coordinating investigations—functions that require regular visits to police stations and correctional facilities to ensure timely processing of charges.
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“We are confident these vehicles will enhance our operational capacity, especially in the selected districts,” she said.
The vehicles were distributed to district prosecution offices in Momba, Nyangwale, Kilosa, Kilombero, Buhigwe, Uvinza, Kilwa, Iramba, Misenyi, Ubungo, Muleba, Kaliua, Kyela, and Gairo—areas identified during field assessments as facing serious logistical constraints due to distance and challenging terrain.
