A REVIEW ON THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK GOVERNING WITNESSES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN TANZANIA
This article provides a review on the legal framework on witnesses in criminal justice system in Tanzania in which witnesses play a vital role in determining the truth and administering justice during a criminal trial. Tanzania’s witness laws and institutions have provisions which provide issues such as protection for witnesses, evidentiary standards of witnesses and safeguards of witness testimony. The article looks at the current laws managing witnesses in Tanzania’s criminal justice system, points out its flaws and difficulties to raise the system’s standard and effectiveness of witnesses. It is majorly associated with the criminal justice system especially when the office of the prosecution wishes to fully prosecute their case as witness is one the important part in the criminal justice system. If witnesses are deposing under fear or intimidation or for favor or allurement, the foundation of administration of justice not only gets weakened, but it may even get obliterated. When witness is assured with Protection it is easy to Come in court and testify the information knows about offence accused is charged.
The article concludes that in Tanzania the laws and institutions which govern witness are not effective assurance of criminal justice system.
Keywords: Witness, Criminal Justice System, Legal Framework
