Tanzania to write ruling in Kiswahili after AG completes legal translation 

DODOMA: The Chief Justice of Tanzania, George Masaju, has said that courts will begin writing judgments in Kiswahili once the Attorney General completes the translation of legal instruments from English into Kiswahili.

The Chief Justice made the statement earlier on Tuesday during the Annual General Meeting of the Tanzania Magistrates and Judges Association (TMJA) held in Dodoma, noting that the process is at the final stage.

“I have been informed that the process is at an advanced stage, and a law has already been enacted stating that the language of the courts will be Kiswahili,” the Chief Justice said.

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According to the CJ, the use of Kiswahili in court documents and judgments will help enhance transparency, strengthen public confidence in the justice system, and facilitate the implementation of court decisions.

Moreover, CJ Masaju stressed on the importance of providing justice services to citizens on time, noting that presently the country has made great progress in addressing the shortage of judicial officers and magistrates, so there is no need to delay rendering justice to people.

“In making decisions, we should not delay justice without valid reasons. Issues that may cause delays include a shortage of judicial officers and magistrates, something the government has made significant progress in addressing in terms of having adequate numbers of judges and magistrates. Although we have not yet fully reached the desired level, when compared to the past, we have made substantial progress,” he said.