Dodoma, Tanzania
The Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA) recently conducted a survey, yet to be widely disseminated, that highlights a significant enhancement in the accessibility and courteousness of court staff across Tanzania. The Court User Satisfaction Survey of 2023 indicates a substantial improvement in service delivery by court personnel compared to previous years.
During the opening of a Workers Council meeting in the judiciary, Tanzanian Chief Justice Professor Ibrahim Juma unveiled the preliminary results of the survey. He commended the court employees for their diligent efforts in satisfying their clients and expressed his confidence in their performance based on the draft report he received.
The survey results indicate a remarkable increase in satisfaction levels among court users. In 2015, the accessibility and courteousness of court staff received a rating of 74%. This figure rose to 81% in the 2019 survey and further soared to an impressive 93% in the recent 2023 survey. Chief Justice Juma encouraged all employees to review the survey findings once they are officially released by the research firm.
The survey also assessed the experiences of court users with judges and magistrates in handling their cases. The results revealed that 92% of the respondents acknowledged respectful, polite, and kind behaviors, indicating a 3% increase from the 2019 survey.
Chief Justice Juma emphasized the significance of upholding the principles of judicial reform within the judiciary. These principles include equality before the law, impartiality, fairness, independent decision-making, competence, integrity, transparency, accessibility, timeliness, and certainty.
Furthermore, Chief Justice Juma underscored the importance of embracing the ongoing Digital Tanzania Project (DTP) within the judiciary. The DTP, a government initiative aimed at improving digital public services and advancing the digital economy in Tanzania, requires active participation from judiciary personnel. Chief Justice Juma urged them to remain at the forefront of utilizing technology to effectively serve the people.
By focusing on improving accessibility, courtesy, and efficiency, the judiciary demonstrates its commitment to providing a fair and responsive legal system for all Tanzanians.
