Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.
New Chief Justice of Tanzania, George Masaju: I Will Continue to Be a Public Servant
The newly appointed Chief Justice of Tanzania, George Masaju, has pledged to remain a dedicated public servant, despite his elevation to the highest judicial office in the country.
Speaking after taking the oath of office on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the Chamwino State House in Dodoma, Justice Masaju reaffirmed his commitment to public service.
Justice Masaju becomes the ninth Chief Justice in the history of the Tanzanian judiciary and the seventh Tanzanian to hold the position. He was appointed on June 13, 2025, by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, succeeding Chief Justice Ibrahim Juma, whose tenure had ended.
“Your Excellency the President, when you were swearing in the Deputy Prime Minister in Zanzibar, you stated that we, as leaders, are public servants. We come from the people, and we are accountable to the people,” said Chief Justice Masaju.
Before his appointment, Masaju served as the Legal Advisor to the President and as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. He has also held several senior legal positions, including Attorney General during the Fourth and Fifth Phases of Government, Deputy Attorney General, and Presidential Legal Advisor during the Fourth Phase.
“When I was sworn in as Deputy Attorney General, journalists asked me a question. I told them, ‘Listen, I am a servant, just call me a servant,'” Chief Justice Masaju recounted.
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Gwajima’s Church Deregistration Saga Turns into a ‘Herod and Pilate Circus’ with Police in the Middle: Members Call for Freedom of Worship
Members of the Glory of Christ Tanzania Church, popularly known as the Ufufuo na Uzima church, had to pray and conduct their service outside the church premises on Sunday, June 15, 2025. This followed the deregistration of the 31-year-old church after the main bishop’s sermon denouncing abductions in the country.
Members prayed and sang together outside the church while holding signs and posters calling for freedom of worship and displaying messages against abductions. This prompted police intervention, during which tear gas was used, and some members were arrested for failing to adhere to police warnings that the church was closed.
“We have decided to worship here because, as you can see, that place has been restricted. As a result, church services are not taking place, and this is the second week that people have been unable to find a place to worship. We decided to hold a short service here, then continue with our daily activities. Once we finish giving the offering, we will proceed with our routines,” one of the church personnel leading prayers told the police, just before they were dispersed.
Members have turned following frustration encountered in legal actions taken by the church, which has so far resembled the situation between Herod and Pilate when they wanted to crucify Jesus, with neither wanting to take responsibility. For the Ufufuo na Uzima church, they report that the responsible authorities do not want to accept accountability for the deregistration of the church, while police continue to enforce the deregistration order. This puts the church in a legal limbo, not able to find a solution in court but also failing to progress forward in the administrative appeal process.
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Local Government Councils to Be Dissolved by June 20, 2025
The Minister of State in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mohammed Mchengerwa, has announced that all local government councils and their committees must come to an end by June 20, 2025.
Minister Mchengerwa stated that he has already issued notices for the dissolution of district and urban local government councils for the year 2025 ahead of the general election.
“These notices will soon be published in the Government Gazette, Council and committee meetings must cease seven days before the dissolution of Parliament on June 27, 2025,” said Mchengerwa.
Tanzania’s General Election, scheduled for October 2025, will involve the election of the President, Members of Parliament, and Councilors in Mainland.
He added that the legal directives following the dissolution of these councils include the suspension of all councils and committees starting June 20, 2025. For that case the council matters will then be overseen by the Council Director, who will act as the Chairperson of the council during the transitional period, assisted by department heads.
He further emphasized that during the transitional period, Directors will not be allowed to initiate new projects, alter existing ones, or make decisions that were made before the council’s dissolution.
“Any misuse of power contrary to the notice will result in the directors being held personally accountable,” said Mchengerwa.
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