REASSESSING COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS IN TANZANIA MAINLAND: A LESSONS FROM COMPERATIVE JURISDICTIONS

This article examined the role of committal proceedings in Tanzania criminal justice system, especially in relation to offences including murder. Although committal proceedings were intended to streamline case transfers from subordinate courts to the High Court, in realities they have become a source of delay, prolonged pre-trial detention and human rights concerns. The study provided the historical development and current legal framework under the Criminal Procedure Act, established the constitutional implications of delayed justice and evaluates case law from the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Drawing on comparative experiences from the United Kingdom, Kenya, and Australia, the paper proposes reforms. Ultimately, it provided that the current system undermines the constitutional guarantee of a fair and timely trial and calls for legislative and institutional reforms to enhance efficiency, fairness, and compliance with human rights standards.