DODOMA: The government has announced far-reaching legal reforms that will transfer land dispute resolution to the formal court system and abolish laws permitting the confiscation of livestock in protected areas, in a move aimed at strengthening access to justice, safeguarding property rights and improving public confidence in the country’s legal institutions.
Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba said the proposed reforms respond directly to concerns repeatedly raised by wananchi during his working tours across the country and reflect the government’s commitment to delivering a more efficient, fair and responsive justice system.
Addressing Parliament yesterday while adjourning the Third Meeting of the 13th Parliament, Dr Nchemba said land disputes remain one of the most pressing challenges facing many communities, with numerous cases remaining unresolved despite being referred to District Land and Housing Tribunals.
He noted that the existing land dispute resolution framework was established when Tanzania had relatively few district courts, but the situation has since changed following sustained government investment in expanding judicial infrastructure under the Sixth Phase Administration.
“Wherever I have travelled, wananchi have consistently raised complaints about land disputes. Many of these cases were taken to Land Councils but were not resolved satisfactorily,” Dr Nchemba told Members of Parliament.
He said the strengthened court system now provides an opportunity to improve the administration of justice by transferring land disputes to the formal Judiciary.
“During the next meeting of Parliament, the Government will table proposals to move land dispute cases from Land Councils to the formal court system,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister, the proposed reforms are expected to speed up case determination, improve consistency in judicial decisions and strengthen public confidence in legal institutions.
He also appealed to wananchi to observe legal procedures in all land transactions, warning that informal agreements continue to fuel unnecessary disputes and lengthy litigation.
“Let us stop relying on informal agreements when acquiring land. We must follow legal procedures if we are to reduce the disputes affecting our communities,” he said.
Alongside the proposed land reforms, the government announced significant changes affecting livestock keepers, particularly pastoralists whose animals are confiscated after straying into protected areas.
Dr Nchemba acknowledged that the issue has generated widespread concern, especially in cases where courts have ruled in favour of livestock owners but the responsible institutions have failed to implement the judgments.
He said some livestock owners had been informed that confiscated animals had died, disappeared or could not be traced despite court orders directing that they be returned.
“These practices weaken the livestock sector and leave wananchi poorer despite having obtained justice through the courts,” he said.
To address the problem, the government intends to amend legislation governing the confiscation of livestock and other property in protected areas.
“We are going to abolish the law that permits the confiscation of wananchi’s livestock,” Dr Nchemba declared to applause from Members of Parliament.
He directed the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to ensure that all court decisions ordering the return of confiscated livestock are implemented without delay.
“Where the courts have ordered livestock to be returned, those decisions must be honoured. If the animals died or cannot be traced, wananchi must be compensated,” he said.
The Prime Minister said respecting court decisions is fundamental to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring wananchi maintain confidence in public institutions.
Dr Nchemba also criticised the seizure of traders’ merchandise, capital and working equipment by some regulatory authorities, saying such actions undermine the government’s efforts to promote entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
He warned that while regulatory agencies have a responsibility to enforce the law, enforcement should not unnecessarily destroy businesses or livelihoods.
“It is unacceptable for officials to seize wananchi’s goods, capital and working tools. As the supervisor of government business, I will continue taking firm action to stop this behaviour,” he said.
The Prime Minister instructed public officials to adopt more proportionate enforcement measures, reserving confiscation only for criminal offences or matters affecting public safety.
“Respect the sweat, businesses and capital of Tanzanians. Administrative shortcomings should not automatically result in the seizure of property unless criminal offences or public safety are involved,” he stressed.
The proposed reforms form part of the government’s broader governance agenda under the 2026/27 Budget and Vision 2050, which places greater emphasis on efficient institutions, accountability and citizen-centred public services.
If approved by Parliament, the reforms are expected to modernise Tanzania’s legal framework by providing quicker resolution of land disputes, strengthening protection of property rights and offering greater legal certainty for farmers, pastoralists, investors and other land users.
The measures also signal the government’s determination to ensure that legal and regulatory systems support economic development while protecting the rights and livelihoods of wananchi, particularly those who depend on land and livestock for their income.