TANZANIA CHIEF JUSTICE WARNS POLITICIANS NOT TO MINGLE WITH JUDICIARY MATTERS.

Chief Justice Ibrahim hamais Juma warns the government against meddling with the judiciary. 

Head of Tanzania’s judiciary, Chief Justice Ibrahim Hamis Juma, has warned politicians to stop mingling with matters concerning the judiciary.

He was speaking at a press briefing in connection with the country’s Law Week celebrations which marks the beginning of the court calendar that “Anybody who does so will be dealt with accordingly, this is the message I want to send. We are going to be stricter at this at the magistrates’ and judges’ level in dealing with anyone who crosses over to interfere with our decisions and independence. I appeal to all government leaders to refrain from meddling with the issues that are within the rights, status and constitutional authority of the judiciary.”

Tanzania’s lawyers say this is a welcome development and that the message should be directed to the government because they are the main offenders when it comes to defying such orders.

President John Pombe Magufuli, himself a strong anti-corruption crusader, appointed Juma last year.

He has served as a high court judge under president Jakaya Kikwete in 2008. He was later promoted to the court of appeal in 2012.