This suit was filed on 2 April, 1981. Since the defendant is a government department, I ordered that the provision of Sect. 690 of the Civil Procedure Decree Cap. 8, relating to suits against the government, to be H followed. The plaintiff was directed vide our letter Ref. No. 341/81 of 2 June, 1981 to send his claims to the Attorney-General of Zanzibar. He did so by his letter of the same date. The Honourable, Attorney-General replied to the plaintiff vide his letter L.D. 21 Vol. IV/217 of 2 July, 1981 that he should I follow the procedure laid out in the Government Proceedings Ordinance, Cap. 5. (That law had already been replaced though). The plaintiff
wrote to the A-G on 6 July, 1981 complaining that he was being inconvenienced. He sent a copy of the A letter to me. I responded on 11 July, 1981 that as the Defence Forces was a department of the Union Government he should follow the advice of the A-G. I also advised him to try to settle the matter out-of-court by corresponding with the Defence Forces Headquarters, Dar es Salaam. The plaintiff B complied with the advice. He wrote to the Chief of Defence Forces (C.D.F.) On 20th July, 1981. I also wrote to the Director of Legal services on 28th July, 1981 (Ref. A/JM/9/81/84) giving support to the plaintiff's letter. An exchange of letters ensued between the Defence Forces, the plaintiff and myself. I do C not think it is necessary to mention all of them. The plaintiff also wrote to the Minister of Justice of Tanzania seeking her fiat as provided under the Government Proceedings Act. The plaintiff was told by the Attorney-General of Tanzania that as Justice is a non-union matter, the Minister of Justice of Tanzania has no jurisdiction in Zanzibar (J/C. 20/30/8 of 15 September, 1981). D
Eventually the suit came for hearing before Msumi, J. on 10th November, 1983. The Army Officer who came on behalf of the defendant had not been given any instructions. The case was adjourned to 22nd November, 1983 and neither of the parties turned-up. However, the defendant sent a letter Ref. No. 301 E KV/1295 - 1 of 19th November, 1983, enclosing a copy of the letter Ref. MMJ/1152 - 1 of October, 1983 from the C.D.F. to the A-G (T). These claims were sent to the A-G so that he could deal with them under the Government Proceedings Act, 1967. I instructed the Registrar of the High Court to write to the A-G (T) to F brief him and indicate to him that more likely that the C.D.F. was unaware of what had transpired. The Registrar did so vide his letter Ref. No. 915/83 of 25th November, 1983. It was also stated that the case was up for mentioned on 24th January, 1984 and that a date for hearing will be fixed then. A reply came to the G effect that the applicable law on the Mainland is the Government Proceedings Act, 1967 as amended by Act No. 40 of 1984. The letter, Ref. 3/C.60/4/1136/8 of 23rd December, 1983, concluded: "The case must be finalised in accordance with the laws and procedure of Zanzibar." H
The case was up on 24th January, 1984 both parties were absent. On 24th February only the plaintiff appeared. The case was heard ex-parte under O XI R 6 (1) (a). I am fully satisfied that the defendant was aware that the case was up for a last mention on 24th January and that the hearing was to be on 24th February. I
A Apart from my being so satisfied Law, C.J. had said in Abdulhussein Bodalbhoy v Marekwa 5 Z.L.R. 44 that:
In my opinion, apart from the Official notice in the 'Gazette' referred to, it is the duty of parties to keep themselves B informed as to when their cases will be tried.
In that case the plaintiff was absent. However, his lordship by using the plural "parties", I have no doubt that he would have arrived at the same opinion had the defendant been absent. I might just add that the C opinion was given taking into account O IX of the Civil Procedure Decree, Cap 4 which is in pari materia with O XI of the present Cap. 8.
The defendant is the Brigade Commander of the Nyuki Brigade which is in Zanzibar. This is one of the D Brigades of the Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces which have been constituted under Article 89 (2) of the Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, 1977 and also under Section 4 of the National Defence Act, 1966 (Act NO. 24 of 1966). It is quite evident that under the said Article 89 of the Constitution the Defence E Forces is a Government Department and actually a Department of the Union Government. Apart from that Article, national defence (ulinzi) is a union matter under item 3 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. Again Section 2 of the National Defence Act, 1966 extends the application of that law to Zanzibar as well. Hence the defendant is a Head of a Department of F the Union Government.
Under the Government Proceedings Act, 1967 (Act No. 16 of 1967 of the United Republic) a Department of the Union Government cannot be sued without first obtaining a written permission to do so from the G Minister of Justice (Section 6). As the defendant is the Head of a Department of the Union Government he is covered by this provision. The defendant cannot be sued unless such permission is first obtained. However, the Government Proceedings Act, 1967 does not apply in Zanzibar even though there are numerous Departments of the Union Government in Zanzibar. Therefore I have to look at the relevant law H in Zanzibar concerning suits against Government Departments and officials.
Section 60 of the Civil Procedure Decree, Cap. 8 of the Laws of Zanzibar (1958 Series) provides as follows:
I No suit shall be instituted against the Zanzibar Government, or against a public officer ... until the expiration of two months
next after notice in writing has been delivered to, or left at the office, the Chief Secretary to the Zanzibar Government A or to the District Commissioner of the District ...
There are two issues regarding this section. One, the section talks about the Zanzibar Government but here we have a Department of the Union Government. Now, does this procedure apply to the Union BGovernment? I shall deal with this issue shortly. The second issue is which official of the Zanzibar Government is to be regarded to have taken the position of "the Chief Secretary to the Zanzibar Government". C
As for the second issue nowhere has it been stated which official takes the place of the Chief Secretary. Section 3 of the Existing Laws Decree, 1964 (Decree No. 1 of 1964) provides:
(a) references in any existing law to the former Sultan or Prime Minister shall be read as references to the D President;
(b) references in any existing law to the Protectorate shall be read as references to the Republic: E
(c) references in any existing law to the British Resident or to the Resident-in-Council shall be read as reference to the Minister for the time being responsible for the matter in question. F
The Chief Secretary has not been mentioned. Hence when the plaint was filed the plaintiff was advised to send his claims to the Attorney-General of the Revolutionary Government. This was done in the hope that he could be advised by the Chambers where he could lodge his claims. He did this as has already been G told. But secondly, the Attorney-General is the Chief Legal Adviser of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar per Article 18 of the 'Katiba ya Serikali ya Mapinduzi, 1979'. Likewise in Order XXXI Rule 4 it is provided that: H
The Attorney-General in any court, or such other person as the President may appoint in this behalf, shall be the agent of the Government for the purpose of receiving process against the Zanzibar Government issued by such court. I
Hence the Attorney-General is in any case concerned.
A But there is still the question whether this procedure applies to the Union Government. By looking simply at the precise, clear and unambiguous words used the procedure applies only to the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. But at the time this law was enacted there was only one government in Zanzibar B but now there are two governments: The Revolutionary Government and for union matters the Union Government. The two are fused in the same person who is both the President of Zanzibar and the Vice-President of the United Republic. Hence in order to give a correct answer to this question I have to C determine what was the intention of legislating this procedure. I am of the opinion that it was intended that the government should not be taken unaware and merely receive summons to come to court. It was intended that the government should at least have a notice of two months so as to prepare itself before a summons be issued to them or even to settle the matter out of court for it is unbecoming of a government D to be sued. If so that intention is for all governments; be it of Zanzibar or of the Union. In this interpretation I have the support of the Government Proceedings Act, 1967. Though that law does not extend to Zanzibar but this court recognises it as law of the United Republic and the fact that government E too has prescribed a procedure for its being sued.
Thus even though Sect. 60 of the Civil Procedure Decree has specifically mentioned the Zanzibar Government, now that there are two governments in Zanzibar and in view of the intended effect of the Flegislation I find that the procedure applies to the Union Government. Hence I answer the question I had posed earlier in the affirmative.
Under the Laws of Zanzibar all that is required is to give a two months notice. After the expiration of that G period the court goes on to hear the case. There is no requirement of securing the written permission of the Minister first.
In the suit before me a notice of over two years, let alone two months, has been given to both Attorney-Generals: of the Revolutionary Government and of the United Republic. Therefore I deemed it H proper to continue with the hearing of the case.
However, should I have erred in holding as I have done, which I am convinced I have not, still this court has jurisdiction to entertain this suit under sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Civil Procedure Decree which I provides:
The courts shall (subject to the provisions herein contained) have jurisdiction to try all suits of a civil nature excepting A suits of which their cognisance is either expressly or impliedly barred.
There is no law in Zanzibar which "expressly or impliedly" bars the Zanzibar courts to hear any suits B against the Union Government. As I have already stated the Government Proceedings Act, 1967 does not extend to Zanzibar. Article 77 of "Katiba ya Serikali ya Mapinduzi, 1979" provides: C
Sheria yeyote iliyotungwa na Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania haitatumika Zanzibar ila kwa mujibu wa masharti ya aya (h) ya ibara ndogo (2) ya ibara ya 94 ya Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano ya 1977. D
That paragraph (h) which has been cited provides:
Sheria yeyote iliyotungwa na Bunge kuhusu jambo lolote haitatumika Tanzania Visiwani ila kwa mujibu wa masharti yafuatayo: E
(i) Sheria hiyo iwe imetamka wazi kwamba itatumika Tanzania Bara na vile vile Tanzania Visiwani au iwe inabadilisha, kurekebisha au kufuta Sheria inayotumika Tanzania Visiwani; au F
(ii) Sheria hiyo iwe inabadilisha au kurekebisha au kufuta sheria iliyokuwa inatumika tangu zamani Tanzania Bara ambayo ilikuwa inatumika pia Tanzania Visiwani kwa mujibu wa Mapatano ya Muungano wa Tanganyika na Zanzibar, ya mwaka 1964 au kwa mujibu wa Sheria yoyote ambayo ilitamka wazi kwamba itatumika G Tanzania Bara na vile vile Tanzania Visiwani; au
(iii) Sheria hiyo iwe inahusu mambo ya Muungano; na kila inapotajwa Tanzania katika Sheria, ifahamike kuwa Sheria hiyo itatumika nchini Tanzania kwa mujibu wa ufafanuzi uliotolewa na aya hii." H
Now the Government Proceedings Act, 1967 is not among the laws as provided above. Judiciary is not a union matter. Thus even that law cannot be taken to prohibit the Zanzibar courts from hearing suits Iagainst the Union Government.
A Section 129 of the Civil Procedure Decree also provides:
Nothing in this Decree shall be deemed to limit or otherwise affect the inherent power of the court to make such orders B as may be necessary for the end of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of the court.
Thus so long as the plaintiff has filed his suit, this court cannot dismiss it and be without authority as to fail to give justice and bring the whole judicial process into contempt. It is imperative that this court hears C and adjudicate on this suit.
By applying the two provisions of the Civil Procedure Decree, therefore, the situation is this: since there is no law in Zanzibar prohibiting this court from hearing such suits as this one it is the duty of this court to hear and adjudicate upon this suit.
D After disposing of the legal issues let me now turn to the claims themselves. The plaintiff is the owner of a house situated at Kidogobasi in Mwera, Zanzibar. The plaintiff was requested by the defendant's letter Ref. 1680 - Vol 1 of 24 May, 1968 which was signed by one Ltd. Col. Seif Bakari, to provide E accommodation to certain army officers. The plaintiff agreed to do so vide his letter of 28 May, 1968. However, he gave certain conditions. It is better if I quote the relevant portion of that letter:
Kuhusu upangaji huo naomba kusema hivi:-
F (1) Tutakodisha nyumba tu pamoja na vitu viliomo ndani - yaani vitanda, makabati, meza, viti etc.
(2) Miti na matunda haimo katika ukodishaji;
(3) Tutakuwa na haki kuingia shambani kwa ajili ya kuchuma matunda na kutazama hali ya shamba kwa wakati wa desturi;
G (4) Kodi ya nyumba pamoja na vitu vyake ni Shs. 100/= (Shilingi mia moja) kwa mwezi.
Tungependa kujua jina la mpangaji - yaani, ni maofisa maalumu kwa binafsi; au inapanga Serikali na kodi tutapokea kwa nani?
H That letter was replied to vide Ref. No. 2143 -1 Vol.II of 3 June 1968 as follows in the material portions:
I Kodi ya nyumba pamoja na vitu vyote viliomo ndani ya nyumba hiyo gharama zake zitalipwa na Jeshi.
Bill yako itabidi kuletwa kila mwezi Makao Makuu ya Jeshi. A
Kabla ya Ofisa huyo kuhama ni bora mkabidhiyane vyombo vyote viliomo ndani ya nyumba yako.
It was also agreed that the garden would remain in the hands of the plaintiff. The officer who was to occupy the premises was one Lt. Haji Juma. It was requested that the officer be allowed to move into the Bhouse the same day the letter was written. This letter was signed by Colonel Yusufu Himid Maftah.
From those letters it is evident that there was a contract of renting this house to the defendant on the agreed terms. C
On 5 June, 1968 the plaintiff handed over to Lt. Haji Juma in writing the furniture which was in the suit premises. These pieces of furniture were as follows:
(a) two beds and two mattresses;
(b) one chest of drawers; D
(c) one cupboard;
(d) one bench;
(e) one dining table;
(f) one round table;
(g) one occasional table; E
(h) one mirror;
(i) one platter;
(j) one Bombay chair;
(k) two chairs;
(l) two rugs and one carpet; F
(m) one brass basin and one brass kettle;
(n) one basin;
(o) one brass pot.
The plaintiff has stated that after a short while the suit premises were not occupied by army officers but by G people he did not know. The plaintiff has also said that he was receiving rents of Shs. 60/= per month only. He also has complained that the house has been grossly neglected and as a result it had become dilapidated and all the pieces of furniture that were in the house had disappeared. H
On 10th February, 1981 the plaintiff gave the defendant a notice to terminate the contract and hence to vacate the suit premises and to return the missing pieces of furniture. The defendant did not reply. However, the plaintiff went to the Nyuki Brigade Headquarters and they came to some understanding. He I was given vacant possession of the suit premises together with
A all arrears of rents. The vacant possession of the premises was rendered on 1 May, 1981 vide letter Ref. No. 5315 (BAO). However, this was after the plaintiff had already filed this suit on 2 April, 1981.
The plaintiff has three claims. First, he claims rents for four months of January, February, March and April B of 1981 before vacant possession was tendered. He thus claims a total of Shs. 240/= at the rate of Shs. 60/= per month. Secondly, he claims the pieces of furniture and other utensils that he had handed over to Lt. Haji Juma. He has estimated their value to be Shs. 10,000/=. Finally he seeks compensation for the C damage to his house amounting to Shs.11,000/=.
As for the arrears of rents the plaintiff produced his letter of 28 June, 1982 to the defendant which was not replied to. It seems that the parties had come to agree on the rent of Shs. 60/= per month instead of Shs. D 100/= eventually. Therefore the arrears of rent to the tune of Shs.240/= has to be paid.
It has been proved that there were certain pieces of furniture which had been handed over to Lt. Haji Juma on behalf of the defendant. The plaintiff has estimated their total value to be Shs. 10,000/=. This value is E that of 1968. However, all of the things would have certainly depreciated by now. Some of them like the two rugs, the carpet and the two mattresses would have been worn out and fit only to be disposed of. As the plaintiff did not give the value of every individual item it is extremely hard to estimate the degree of F depreciation of every one. Even then after almost twelve years I consider a compensation of a total of Shs. 5,000/= to be reasonable.
Then comes the issue of damage to the house. The parties did not agree on anything regarding maintenance of the suit premises. However, the Rent Restriction Decree, Cap. 98 in section 28 outlines the Gduties and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant regarding maintenance except if they have agreed differently. The relevant part is sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (b) of sub-section (1) of section 28 which imposes on the tenant the duty to:
H maintain the premises in the same state, fair wear and tear and damage arising from irresistible force excepted, as that in which the premises were at the commencement of the tenancy.
I The plaintiff has stated that the defendant has made certain alterations to the house. For example the toilet has been sealed and turned into kitchen. Most of the damage is not from irresistible
force but due to the alterations. He claims that he would need Shs.1,000/= to return the house into its A former state. Comparing to the present high building costs I do not think that the amounts claimed are out of proportion in fact it could be lower than the actual costs. Be as it is the plaintiff has claimed that amount and so I grant him what he has prayed for. B
I therefore find in favour of the plaintiff a total of Shs. 16,240/= with costs.
Judgment for the plaintiff. C
D
