Land councils powers under review

DODOMA: THE government is reviewing the legislation governing land councils to determine whether to strengthen their powers for more effective dispute resolution or transfer their functions entirely to the courts.

Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Juma Homera, said the review sought to establish a more effective mechanism for addressing land conflicts, which remain among major complaints raised by citizens.

Speaking to journalists in Dodoma on Friday during the Ministry’s engagement with the minister programme, Dr Homera said the review covered village, ward and district land councils.

He said the councils currently largely perform mediation and reconciliation roles, prompting the government to assess whether their mandate should be expanded.

“We are going to thoroughly analyse the law governing land councils to determine whether we should strengthen them or transfer their functions to the courts. These are among the measures the government is pursuing,” he said.

Dr Homera said the review followed directives from Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba and President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan to ensure land disputes involving citizens, institutions and communities were resolved effectively.

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“Currently, land councils have largely remained mediators. The Prime Minister has directed us to assess whether we should strengthen them so they can become a greater help to society or move directly to transferring these matters to the courts,” he said.

He said President Samia had issued a similar directive during an engagement with judges and magistrates at Judicial Square, calling for land disputes, including farmer-pastoralist conflicts, to be resolved.

“You have heard about Ruvuma, Tunduru, where people have died because of farmer-pastoralist conflicts,” he said.

Dr Homera said timely resolution of such disputes was critical to maintaining peace and preventing local conflicts from escalating into wider social problems.

He said land disputes were also among the leading complaints received through the ‘Sema na Waziri’ programme.

Dr Homera urged citizens to verify land ownership, boundaries and documentation before entering transactions, including confirming that sellers have legal rights to dispose of the land.

He also advised citizens to involve land experts, local leaders and legal professionals where necessary and put important agreements in writing.

“Ward land councils have an important role in initial mediation. Where mediation fails, a dispute can proceed to the District Land and Housing Tribunal in accordance with established procedures,” he said.

He urged citizens to seek peaceful solutions early, follow the law and safeguard their land rights.

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