Tanzania reviews land council powers as land disputes mount
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Tanzania is reviewing the law governing village, ward and district land councils to decide whether to strengthen their dispute-resolution powers or transfer their functions to the courts, the Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs has said.
Tanzania's 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 the major complaints raised by citizens. Speaking to journalists in Dodoma on Friday during the ministry's engagement with the minister programme, he said the review covered village, ward and district land councils, which currently perform largely mediation and reconciliation roles.
"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," Dr Homera said.
He 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. President Samia 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," the minister said, adding that timely resolution was critical to preventing local conflicts from escalating.
Dr Homera said land disputes were also among the leading complaints received through the government's 'Sema na Waziri' programme, and advised citizens to verify land ownership, boundaries and documentation before entering transactions, including confirming that sellers have the legal right to dispose of the land. He urged them to involve land experts, local leaders and legal professionals where necessary and to 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.