Central government

Is the highest council of the country. The Tanzanian parliament is the national assembly. It is one of the main branches of the government. The members of the parliament are the members of the national assembly.

Types of parliament

There are 2 types of parliament all over the world.

1. Bicameral parliament
2. Unicameral parliament

Unicameral parliament

It consists of a single legislative chamber e.g. Tanzania

Bicameral parliament

It consists of two legislative chambers e.g. U.S.A or Britain

• U.S.A – the senate and house of representative
• Britain – House of lord and house of common

In Tanzania the president is not a member of national assembly but he is represented by the prime minister. The president occasionally addresses the parliament.

Members of the parliament. There are 5 categories:

1. Members are elected to represent constituencies one from each constituency.
2. Special groups. Being not less than 30% of the total elected by the political parties.
3. Five members elected by the house of representative from Zanzibar
4. Ten members appointed by president.
5. Attorney general

The following are leaders of parliament:

1. Speaker of the parliament- head of legislature
2. Deputy speaker
3. Clerk of parliament
4. Two chairpersons

The following are functions of Tanzanian government:

1. To make laws of the county- Involves debating bills brought up by either the government of private members of parliament. If the bills are agreed upon by the president, they become acts and hence part of laws.
2. To approve government budget - The parliament discusses the government budget and through to public accounts committee examines in detail the ways the funds are spent.
3. It debates the performance of each minister during the annual budget session of the national assembly.
4. To authorize any long or short term plans intended to be implemented in the United Republic of Tanzania. Members of parliament question members who present a plan clarification and information about the plan.
5. To rectify agreement or treaties to which the government is concerned. The parliament rectifies all treaties and agreements to which Tanzania is concerned and provisions which require rectification.
6. To oversee and advise the government and its organs. It is the principle organ in Tanzania which has the authority on behalf of the people to oversee and advise the government.
7. To train political leaders. The parliament serves as a training ground for future political leaders.

The national assembly works through different standing committees. They are:

1. Steering committee
2. Financial and economic committee
3. Political affair committee
4. Public accounts
5. General purposes committee
6. Foreign affairs committee
7. Defense and security committee
8. Constitutional and legal affairs

The life of national assembly is 5 years starting on the date on which a new national assembly meets.

It is made up of:

1. National assembly
2. President

In Tanzania, laws are made by parliament. The making of new law passes through several stages.

1. First reading of the bill. At this stage, a bill is just proposed to the members of parliament.
2. Bills sent to parliamentary committee. The speaker sends the bill to the parliamentary committee to be studied and analyzed.
3. Second reading of the bill The bill is published in the government 21 days before the next parliament.
4. Amendments to the bill by entire parliament Following the parliamentary debates, the house sits as a committee then discusses the bill, section-by-section making amendments wherever necessary.
5. Third reading of the bill If some amendments are made at stage (d) above, a third reading is made. This is the last section of passing the bill in the houses.
6. The presidents assent to the bill. Following the debates in the house, it is presented to the president for his assent. If assent is rejected, it is returned to the house.
7. After a bill is returned to the assembly, it cannot again be presented to the president for a period of 6 months except if it is supported by two third parliament members.
8. If a bill is returned to the assembly by the president, supported by two thirds of members, and returned to the president, then the president must either assent the bill within 21 days or dissolve the parliament.

It is one of the three principle organs of the state. It safeguards its people's constitutional rights.

The main function of the judiciary

1. To make sure that the rule of law is maintained
2. To ensure that justice is done to society therefore judges should be free to give justice.
3. To make sure that the parliament does not erect any law, which contradicts the constitution.
4. To ensure that the executive part of the government does not violate the human rights. CHIEF JUSTICE who is appointed by the president heads the judiciary.

Under the chief justice are JUDGES and MAGISTRATES. Whose duties are to see that the laws of land are respected and the law breakers are punished.

The judiciary is the collective name for the personal working in the legal system and the courts. The officials in the judicial system include:

1. Court clerks
2. Magistrates
3. Judges

State attorneys- who conduct state prosecutions and court assessors.

The judiciary is made up of

The ward tribunal: This is formed by an elected group of wise men of a ward or village to judicial minor cases.

Primary court

1. This is the lowest court
2. The head is primary court magistrate
3. They have a basic certificate in law
4. Advocates are not allowed to defend the accused.

District Magistrate court

1. This is the secondary level of the court system
2. Headed by a law degree holder
3. Advocates can serve the accused

Resident Magistrates court

1. This is the tertiary level of the judiciary system
2. Magistrates serving at this level are fist degree holders but have much experience

The High Court

1. This is served by judges
2. It has power to hear all types of cases including murder, high treason.

The Appeal Court (Court of Appeal)

1. This was established in 1979
2. This court only hears appeal cases forwarded to it by high court
3. Also a case may originate from primary court to reach appeal court.
4. This is ultimately the highest possible legal ladder a case may reach.

The Special Constitutional court

1. The court is not permanent
2. Have neither permanent judges nor buildings
3. This court is summed only when there is conflicting interpretations of the constitution between the two sides of the union e.g. Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

1. It is headed by the ATTORNEY GENERAL
2. He is the chief advisor to the government and is a cabinet member
3. He is a chief public prosecutor

Functions

1. As a chief public prosecutor he is responsible to lead government cases through the courts.
2. To appoint magistrates
3. To ensure that the system works as smoothly as can be.

The executive is made up of the Head of Government and the Cabinet Minister. The executive branch puts law into practice through administration.

The executive is made of three parts:

1. The president- is a chief executive
2. The cabinet – composed of ministers
3. The civil service

Functions of executive

1. To enforce law - Done by police to law breakers
2. To defend the nation - Armed forces under Ministry of Defense
3. To provide social services - Through other Ministries
4. Regulate international dealings - Trades and diplomacy with other nations

The 3 groups of executive

President

The president of the URT is the Head of State, the Head of Government and the Commander in Chief of the armed forces. The president has executive powers. He either exercises these powers directly or indirectly.

Functions and powers of president

As a head of state

1. Represents his county at home and abroad
2. Signs treaties with other countries
3. Resides in the state house
4. Receives ambassadors from other countries

As head of government

1. Has all power in the government
2. Appoints civil servants
3. Appoints ministers, judges, chief justice, prime ministers etc.
4. Appoints members of various commission

As a commander in chief

1. Appoints commission officers in defense forces
2. Appoints and dismisses any URT members
3. Many declare a State of emergence

This can be done if:

1. The nation is at war
2. The nation is in danger of invasion
3. There is actual breakdown of public order and safety

In case the president dies in office, the vice president takes the power for the remaining period before election.

The election of the President

The president of the URT is elected by people during election. The union president candidate is elected if he gets single majority rates.

Qualifications of presidential candidate

1. He must be Tanzanian
2. The age of 40 years
3. A person is not elected more than twice.

The president assumes the office within 7 days after declaration of election. And stays in the office for 5 years.

The Vice President

The V.P is the principle assistant to the president in all affairs of the URT. He is elected with the president. The V.P acts under the provision and guidance of the president. President or V. P must be either from mainland or island.

Prime Minister

1. The P.M is appointed by the president and approved by the parliament.
2. The P.M must be the Member of Parliament.
3. He is the leader of government in national assembly
4. The P.M is responsible for control supervision and execution of daily government functions.

1. It provides basic structure of the government
2. The cabinet of URT consists of president, V.P and ministers
3. Deputy Ministers are not members of cabinet, but the president of Zanzibar is also a member of the cabinet.
4. The cabinet is principle advisory organ of the president.

1. Minister is a political head of ministry.
2. He has to answer all questions related to his ministry.
3. He represents the President at ministerial level.
4. Have powers to appoint board members of institutions under his ministry e.g. coffee board.

Every R.C is responsible for discharge of all the functions of the government of the United Republic within his regions.

It is the part of the government that carries out the orders given by the minister and president.

At the top we have chief secretary who is the chief executive officer of the civil service, he is appointed by president.

The chief secretary is also secretary to the cabinet and principle secretary to the president.

All matters of:

1. Appointment
2. Promotion
3. Dismissal
4. Disciplinary control

The principle secretary of each ministry is the head of the ministry. He is assisted by:

1. Commissioners
2. Directors of department
3. Heads of sections

Each department has its own organized body of trained workers.

A good civil servant needs technical skills, experience, efficiency secrecy and sense of responsibility. He should be honest and impartial.

1. Skills – is the level of education e.g. certificate and other qualifications.
2. Experience – is obtained when one works for a long time.
3. Efficiency – can be attained by skill and experience which will enable her/him to be quick.
4. Secrecy – a servant must keep quiet about certain things in his work
5. Responsibility –one must be able to be responsible for ones decisions.
6. Honesty- is when a servant is always true to his deeds.

1. Subordinate – simple mechanical routine work
2. Clerical – work which is an application of well-defined regulations
3. Executive – specialization in certain task
4. Administrative duties- this is concerned with:
   • Formation of policy
   • Improvement of government machinery
   • Administration
   • Control of other civil servant

The army and police are not included in the government.

They include:

Direct taxes

The main form is income tax. It is paid by people employed by the government and private sector.

E.g.

1. Monthly payments
2. Interest on investments
3. Profits from business

Other forms of direct tax

2. Property transfer taxes
3. Airport tax
4. Game parks
5. Museum fees
6. Fine from courts

Indirect Taxes

Indirect taxes are taxes that are not directly paid by individuals, but are included in the price of goods and services.

Types of Indirect Taxes

1. Customs Duties:
   • Import Duties: Charged on goods brought into the country.
   • Export Duties: Charged on goods leaving the country, such as:
     • Tea
     • Coffee
     • Sisal
2. Excise Duties:
   • Applied to locally manufactured goods that are sold and consumed within the country.
   • Examples include:
     • Beer
     • Soap
     • Cigarettes

Domestic Loan Borrowing

This is one way the government raises money by borrowing from the public or external sources.

Sources of Domestic Loans

1. Government bonds: Long-term borrowing instruments sold to the public.
2. Treasury bills: Short-term borrowing instruments used to manage government finances.

External Loan Sources

1. Foreign Governments
2. International Institutions such as:
   • IMF (International Monetary Fund)
   • World Bank
   • ADB (African Development Bank)

Grants

1. These are external sources of revenue for the government.
2. They are non-payable funds given to the country by foreign governments.
3. Grants are often provided to support development projects or to assist during emergencies.

Charges from Provision of Government Services

1. The government earns revenue by charging users for certain public services such as:
   • Water
   • Electricity
   • Medical treatment
2. These charges help maintain and improve the quality of services provided.

Licences

1. The government collects revenue by selling licenses to individuals and companies.
2. Licenses are issued for various activities regulated by government departments, such as:
   • Business operations
   • Fishing
   • Driving
   • Broadcasting

Profit from Parastatals

1. The government owns or has majority shares in some parastatal organizations.
2. It earns income from the profits generated by these state-owned enterprises.
3. Examples of such parastatals may include companies in sectors like transport, energy, or agriculture.

There are two kinds of government expenditures

1. Capital expenditures
2. Recurrent expenditures.

Capital expenditures

Is expenditure on lasting or permanent assets. These assets add to a country's capital and may be expected on time to pay for themselves. E.g. Roads, railways, school, hospitals and government offices.

Recurrent expenditures

Is expenditure on running costs. E.g. buying textbooks, exercise books, medicines.

It keeps on being year after year. It does not only happen once, it recurs.

It is one of the three principle organs of the state. It safeguards the people's constitution rights. Its main functions are:

1. To make sure that rule of law is maintained
2. To ensure that justice is done
3. To make sure that parliament does not erect any law.
4. To ensure that the executive part of the government does not violate the basic human rights provided for, in the constitution.