An overwhelming majority of Tanzanians maintain deep trust in their judicial system, yet widespread concerns over systemic corruption and long court delays continue to block equal access to justice.
According to a new Afrobarometer report released by researchers Jacqueline Mwaipopo and Brenda Mshumbushi, 84% of citizens say they trust the country’s courts. Furthermore, 71% feel confident that an ordinary person who has been wronged can successfully obtain justice through the legal system.
However, this high baseline of public trust is marred by serious concerns over institutional integrity. A solid 63% of respondents believe that “some, most, or all” judges and magistrates are corrupt. Additionally, nearly a third of the population complains about unequal treatment under the law, pointing out that public officials who break the law frequently go unpunished, while 27% believe powerful individuals regularly receive lighter sentences than they deserve.
The data also exposes major structural and financial barriers within the system. While over half of Tanzanians believe they can afford legal advice or the costs of bringing a dispute to court, less than half (47%) are confident that their case would be resolved within a reasonable timeframe. Compounding this, only 35% of citizens are even aware that legal-aid services exist in their local communities.
Faced with steep costs and a staggering court backlog, illustrated by the Court of Appeal sitting on nearly 6 000 pending cases, everyday citizens are bypassing the legal system entirely. The survey reveals that a striking 60% of Tanzanians would rather turn to a local political leader to resolve a legal dispute, compared to just 12% who would approach the police and a tiny 5% who would choose to go to a local court.
Despite these daily frustrations, Tanzanians remain fiercely committed to the rule of law. A dominant 76% of citizens maintain that the president must always obey the law and court orders, with more than 80% expressing confidence that the current executive branch respects judicial independence and parliamentary authority.
–ChannelAfrica–
