Form 5 General Studies (GS) - DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND PRACTICES. [PDF] » Page 3 of 5

The Neighbourhood (Mtaa)

In the urban areas the lowest unit of government is the “Mtaa” or Neighbourhood Section 14(3) of the Local government (Urban authorities) Act no. 8 of 1982 stipulates that the area of an urban Ward shall be divided into Neighbourhood (“Mitaa”) consisting of a number of households, which the urban authority may determine. Every Neighbourhood (Mtaa) has a chairperson who is elected by a Neighbourhood (Mtaa) electoral meeting of all adult member of Neighbourhood (Mtaa) and who may be moved from office by the decision of a simple majority of such members subject to procedures prescribed by the Minister responsible for Local government.

The “Mtaa” Chairperson is required to convene a meeting of Mtaa Assembly at least once in every two months and therefore to submit the minute of the meeting to the waard development committee

Every “Mtaa” has a Mtaa committee of not more than six members (of whom at least two should be women) elected from amongst residents of the “Mtaa” in accordance with procedures as may be prescribed by the Minister responsible for Local Government.

The functions of the mtaa committee are:

To implement Council Policies
To advise the Council on matter relating to development plans and activities of the Mtaa.
To advise the Ward development committee on matter relating to peace and security in the Mtaa.
To keep proper record of residents of the Mtaa and a record of other particulars relating to the development of the Mtaa is general.
To do such other things as may be conferred upon it by the Ward Development committee.

The “Mtaa” chairperson is part from chairing “Mtaa” Assembly and “Mtaa” committee meeting required:

To supervise peace and security activities in the “Mtaa”
To arbitrate on minor conflicts amongst “Mtaa” resident which do not warrant to be referred to the Ward Tribunal nor the courts
To sensitise “Mtaa” residents to pay Council taxes
To ensure genral cleanliness in the “Mtaa”
To cooperate with the Urban council in abatement of nuisances
To follow up and ensure that every school going age child gets a place and attends classes as required.
To sensitise “Mtaa” residents to participate in developmental activities through self-help
To perform such other function as may be determined by the Urban council.

The Village

The Registrar of Villages in the Ministry responsible for Local government may register an area as a Village where he/she is satisfied that not less than 250 homesteads have settled and made their homes within any area of mainland Tanzania, and that boundaries of that area can be particularly defined. The Minister responsible for Local government may authorize two or more areas to be registered as a single Village and, also autholize the registration of an area as a Village notwithstanding that there are less than the prescribed numbers of households within the area.

Two major organs have been created at village level. The Village Assembly is composed of all adult persons ordinarily resident in the village. The village council comprises of not less than fifteen but not more than twenty –five members (of whom women make at least 25%) elected every 5 years by the village Assembly. The election of the village Council is conducted in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Minister responsible for Local Government matter. No person can be elected as a member of the village council, unless;

He/she has attained the apparent age of 21 years
He/she is a member of a household within the village and is ordinarily resident in the village
He/she is able to read and write in Kiswahili or English.
He/she has a lawful means of livelihood.

The Village Council may, by resolution supported by two thirds of the members, remove the chairperson from office.

A Village Assembly is the supreme authority on all matters of general policy making in relation to the affairs of the village, and as such it is responsible for the election of the Village Council and its removal from Office. The Village Assembly meets once in every three months and may hold an extraordinary meeting whenever there is an urgent issue to be resolved. The function of the village assembly are as follows:

To receive and deliberate on implementation reports submitted by the village Council.
To receive and deliberate on revenue and expenditure reports since the last meeting.
To receive and deliberate on by-laws proposed by the Village council.
To deliberate on reports on applications for land as submitted and decided upon by the Village council.
To receive and take note of directives from higher governance levels.

The Village Council is the organ which is vested with all executive (government) power in respect of all affairs and business of the village Specifically the Village council is required:

To oversee security and peace activities in the Village
To do all such things as are necessary or expedient for the economic and social development of the village
To initiate and undertake any tasks, venture or enterprise designed ensure the welfare and well-being of the residents of the Village.
To receive and deliberate issues raised at meeting of Vitongoji (sub-village) Assemblies
To plan and coordinate the activities of and render assistance and advice to the residents of the village engaged in agricultural, horticultural, forestry or other activity or industry of any kind.
To ennglish-swahili/courage” target=”_blank”>courage resident of the village in undertaking and participating in communal enterprises.
To participate by way of partnership or any other way, in economic enterprises with other Village councils

The Village Council is required to meet once every month but may hold an emergency meeting anytime if a need so arises.

The Hamlet (Kitongoji)

The lowest Local Government organ in rural and peri-urban areas is the Hamlet or “Kitongoji”, which forms part of a registered Village. The law requires that the area of a Village shall be divided into not more than five “Vitongoji” consisting of such number of households or of such geographical areas as may be determined by the Village council and approved by the District Council. Every “Kitongoji” has a chairperson who is elected by the electron college consisting of all the adult members of the “Kitongoji” in accordance with electron procedures prescribed by the Minister responsible for the Local Government and also who may be removed from office by the decision of a simple majority of such members.

The chairperson of a “Kitongoji” may appoint a Committee of three person s from amongst the resident of the “Kitongoji” to advice on issues beneficial to the “Kitongji” and may also appoint one of the residents to act as Secretary.

The “Kitongoji” Chairperson’s specific functions and responsibilities are:

To convene monthly meeting of all “Kitongoji” residents to discuss and resolve on issues relating to peace, security and development of the “Kitongoji”
To maintain a register of all “Kitongoji” residents and other particulars relating to the general development of the “Kitongoji” including a record of births and deaths
To ensure peace and security of residents and their property
To arbitrate on minor conflicts which need not to be referred to the Ward Tribunal or to the courts.
To mobilize residents to pay required taxes and dues as determined by the District and Village Councils
To deal with health and environmental issue in the Kitongoji and ensure proper implementation of National, regional and District campaigns against communicable diseases.
To ensure proper protection of the environment and water sources.
To follow up and ensure that all school going children secure a place and attend school as required.
To sensitise residents to participate in adult literacy classes
To sensitise residents to participate in development activities through self-help
To represent the Kitongoji in the village council.

Diagram:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE IN TANZANIA

Forms of Local Government in Tanzania

In Tanzania forms of local government include;
1. Village government or Neighbourhood (Mtaa) government in rural or urban setting respectively. A village/Neighbourhood government is the smallest local government unit. It is made up of the village/Mtaa Assembly which is headed by a village/mtaaa chairperson and the village/ Mtaa council which is led by the Village/ Mtaa Executive Officer (VEO/MEO). The adult population in the village forms the village assembly. The village council is the executive arm of the village assembly. It has powers to oversee the day to day activities of the village. A village government discharges its functions through its standing committee which are the Finance, economic and planning committee; the Defence and Security committee and the Social service committee.

2. District councils. The district council are constituted by:-

i. Elected members or councilors, one from each ward in the district

ii. Three members appointed by the minister responsible for local government

iii. The Member of Parliament or members of parliament from the constituencies within the areas of the district.

iv. Chairperson of the village council elected by the district council. Their number does not exceed one-third of the total member

A district council is headed by a chairperson who is assisted by a vice chairperson.

The Chief Executive of the council is the District executive of the council is the district executive director (DED) who is a government employee.

Urban authorities (Town council, Municipal councils and council). These councils are headed by the Mayor and the deputy mayor who are elected from among the elected councilors. There are also Town Municipal and city Director. A town, Municipal or city Director is the Chief Executive and serves as Secretary to his or her respective function and council.

Functions of Local Government

Local government are expected to perform various functions and duties which can be grouped into two major categories. These are mandatory and permissive functions and duties.

Mandatory function and duties of local government

Mandatory and duties of a local government are those function and duties which are to be performed by a local government without question as required by law of the country. The central government requires local governments to perform such duties and the local governments have no choice except to discharge such duties as required.

Maintenance of peace, order, and good governance
Promotion of economic welfare and social well-being of all persons
To further the social and economic development of its area of jurisdiction in in accordance with the national policy and plans for rural and urban development
Formulation, coordination and supervision of the implementation of all plans for economic, industrial and social development in the area of jurisdiction;
Monitoring and controlling the performance of the duties and function of the council and its officers and staff.
Ensuring the collection and utilization of the revenues of the council
Making by-laws for the implementation of national and local policies
Ensuring, regulation and coordinating development plans, projects and programs of village and township authorities within their areas of jurisdiction.
Regulating and monitoring the collection and utilization of revenue of village council and township authorities.

Permissive functions

Permissive function are those which the local government may perform depending upon needs and availability of financial resource. Such functions are the following.

Control or prescription of method of husbandry on agricultural land
Establishment, maintenance, operation and control of drainage and sewerage works
Building, equipping and letting shops and dwelling houses
Charging fees for services and licenses. For instance, taxes on goods and services such as crop cess, forest produce cess, hunting license, fees, business and professional license, etc
Building and maintaining health centers and primary as well as secondary schools.

The role of local government in enhancing democracy in Tanzania

The following are the ways through which the local government enhances democracy in the country.

Local governments give chance to many people to participate in election by making democratic decisions through casting votes on the candidates they want. For example, they choose village chairpersons, councilors, etc.
Local governments bring about greater democratic participation of citizens through holding referenda, recalls, initiatives and citizen assemblies for collective decision making.
Local governments provide room of involving people in planning and implementation of developed programmes. The purpose of having Local Government Authorities, ion the words of article 146(1) of the Constitution, is “to transfer authority to the people“. Local Government authorities have been given power to participate and to involve the people in the planning and implementation of development programmes within these respective areas and generally through the country.
Local government ensure that people participate in the affairs of their government in accordance with the provisions of the condition. Eg. the village assembly meets once in every three months and may hold an extraordinary meeting whever there is urgent issue to be resolved.
Local government enable the enacting of by-laws which are more relevant and which seek to realize the interest of citizen within their locality. For example, the Ward Development Committee formulates and submits to the village council to the District/urban councils proposals for the making of by-laws in relation to the affairs to the Ward.
Local Government Monitor and control the performance of duties and function of the council and its offices and staff. For instance, the Ward Development committee supervises and coordinates the implementation of Council projects and programmes.
Local government sensitise residents to participate in development activities through self-help and mobilize residents to pay required taxes and dues as determined by the District and village council.

The role and responsibilities of individual citizen in a democratic society

(i) Active participation in the community development: A citizen ought to be active in activities such as agricultural activities and other physical works.

(ii) Participation in prevention of crime and reporting: In a democratic society the process of preventing crime and reporting crime is not only the function of the police and other forces but also the duty of every citizen. For that case a citizen has the role and responsibility of providing great cooperation to the forces such as police in order to deal effectively with any social crime in the society.

(iii) Timely payment of taxes: Paying tax and other duties is the responsibility and role of a citizen in a democratic society. He/she has to be punctual in fulfilling this without being forced

(iv) Respect of the law and the constitution: The constitution of any country has the function of directing the country’s leaders how to run the country. It is the role and responsibility of every citizen to respect the constitution by not violating the rules which have been stipulated within it.

(v) To respect others’ rights: The role and reasonability of a citizen is to respect human rights. These are right to life, right to own property, freedom of assembly and of press, etc

(vi) To combat corruption: Every citizen in a democratic society has the role and responsibility of fighting against corruption. Corruption is a problem in society since it leads to laziness and delays in provision of services. Corruption also weakness human rights because one can be considered to be right if he/she has a lot money and has given bribes.

(vii) Care of the environment, public property and services: Every citizen is responsible to protect and conserve the environment by using applicable methods such as a forestation and reforestation. Also a citizen has the responsibility of caring property like schools, building, roads, national parks and other services constructed by the government for public services.

(viii) Participating in political matters either directly or indirectly: For example, standing in political meeting and joining political organization.

(ix) To have a good conduct and behavior: Every citizen has the responsibility of examining his/her behavior in the country he or she resides. If it seems to be immoral he/she should have a moral obligation to refrain it. For example, bad behavior such as theft, homosexuality, prostitution, use of marijuana and other social crime.

(x) To exercise honesty and civility: The role of a citizen in democratic society is to be faithful for anything which is planned for development of a communication

(xi) To promote peace and harmony: It is the role and responsibility of every citizen to ensure that unity and solidarity prevail. So every citizen has a duty to ensure that any conflict that arises is settled.

The role and responsibilities of civil society organizations in a democratic society

Civil society organizations (CSOs) are not profit non-governmental organizations that have a presence in public life expressing the interests and values of their members and others based on cultural, ethnic and political consideration e.g. Haki Elimu, TGNP (Tanzania Gender Networking Programme), MWDo (Maasai Women Development Organization), Enviro Care (Environment, Human Rights, Care and Gender Organization), etc.

The following are the role and responsibilities of strong civil society organization in democratic society.

Supporting policy formation implementation and evaluation through practical advice. For examp0le, the Tanzania Gender budget Initiative (GBI) is organized by Feminist activities (FemAct) led by TGNP and it exemplified effort by civil society organization to engage more directly in the policy making process at all levels.
Regulating and monitoring state performance and behavior of public official. Active society organizations scrutinize state performance and ethical behavior of public officials to ensure that there is no misuse of power for person interests.
To enable citizen to identify their values beliefs and democratic practices. Civil society organizations mobilize constituencies especially the vulnerable and marginalized to participate fully in public affairs.
Civil society organization foster development work of citizens and improve well-being of their own community.
Civil society organizations act as watch dogs to see what the government does. For example checking the way government respect human rights.
Civil society organizations act as a link between donors and aid beneficiaries. Since civil society organizations act as a bridge between the state and citizen donors tend to use these organizations as they are able to fulfill the needs of a given society. For example, in Tanzania aid may be given through the civil Society Foundation.

Form 5 General Studies (GS) – DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND PRACTICES.

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