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Parliament of Tanzania

THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT

This section gives the Act’s short title: the Commissions of Inquiry Act. This section defines several terms used in the Act, including “Commission,” “Commissioner,” “inquiry,” and “Minister.” The President may set up a…

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Jurisdiction
Tanzania
Structure
25 provisions
Citation
THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT
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Purpose and legislative effect

“This section gives the Act’s short title: the Commissions of Inquiry Act.”

This section gives the Act’s short title: the Commissions of Inquiry Act. This section defines several terms used in the Act, including “Commission,” “Commissioner,” “inquiry,” and “Minister.” The President may set up a Commission of Inquiry, appoint Commissioners, and give them authority to investigate listed public matters. The President may order an investigation before deciding whether to issue a commission, and the Attorney General and authorised officers have powers to require and examine information; non-compliance with banker’s book requests is an offence. The President may appoint a replacement Commissioner if one cannot or will not act or dies, and may alter or revoke a Commission issued under the Act.

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Short title

This section gives the Act’s short title: the Commissions of Inquiry Act.

Section 1

Oath of office by Commissioners

Each Commissioner appointed under this Act must take and sign an oath or affirmation in the prescribed form, and deposit it with the Chief Secretary.

Section 7

Consequences of issue of Commission

When the President issues a Commission of inquiry, the President may stop ongoing government investigations and require existing evidence to be sent to the Commission; government and local/public authorities involved must help the Commissioners.

Section 13

Remuneration of Commissioners, etc

Commissioners are generally not entitled to remuneration unless the President specially grants it; only actual inquiry expenses are covered by default.

Section 19

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Showing 25 of 25 provisions

Provision 19Offence 3Short titleSubstitution
§ 1Short titleShort title

This section gives the Act’s short title: the Commissions of Inquiry Act.

1. This Act may be cited as the Commissions of Inquiry Act. Interpretation
Section 1Verify source
§ 23. Power to issue Commissions of Inquiry into matters of public natureProvision

This section defines several terms used in the Act, including “Commission,” “Commissioner,” “inquiry,” and “Minister.”

2. In this Act unless the context requires otherwise- “Commission” means a Commission issued under section 3; “Commissioner” means any of the Commissioners appointed Act No. 27 of 1994 s. 2 Power to issue Commissions of Inquiry into matters of public nature Act. No. 27 of 1994 s. 3 under section 3; “inquiry” means an inquiry carried out in pursuance of the provisions of this Act; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for legal affairs.
Section 2Verify source
§ 3Power to issue Commissions of Inquiry into matters of public natureProvision

The President may set up a Commission of Inquiry, appoint Commissioners, and give them authority to investigate listed public matters.

3.–(1) Where the President on his own motion, upon advice by the Minister or after considering information furnished upon an affidavit of any person is satisfied that it is desirable or necessary, or that an inquiry would be for the public welfare, the President may issue a Commission appointing one or more Commissioners and authorising those Commissioners or any quorum of the Commissioners specified in the Commission, to inquire into any of the following- (a) the conduct of any person in the public service of the United Republic; (b) the conduct of any local authority; (c) the conduct or management of any department of the public service or of institution of the public service or of a local authority; 658 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT [CAP. 32 R.E. 2023] (d) massive or repeated evasions of any taxes or any other acts subversive of the smooth collection of public revenue; (e) allegations of grave irregularities in the public revenue; (f) allegations of large scale trafficking in trophies; (g) allegations of conspiracies to damage the natural resources of the United Republic; (h) allegations of theft or embezzlement of public property in public corporations; (i) serious allegations of occurrences of corruption; or (j) any other matter the inquiry into which would, in the opinion of the President, be in the public interest. (2) Each such Commission shall specify the subject of inquiry and may, in the discretion of the President, if there is more than one Commissioner, direct which Commissioner shall be Chairman, and direct where and when such inquiry and the report on it shall be made, and prescribe how such Commission shall be executed, and may direct whether the inquiry shall or shall not be held in public. (3) In the absence of a direction to the contrary in the Commission concerned, an inquiry shall be held in public, but the Commissioners shall be entitled to exclude the representatives of the press, any or all other persons if they consider it necessary, for the preservation of order, for the due conduct of the inquiry or for any other reason.
Section 3Verify source
§ 4Power to cause investigation to be made beforeOffence

The President may order an investigation before deciding whether to issue a commission, and the Attorney General and authorised officers have powers to require and examine information; non-compliance with banker’s book requests is an offence.

4.–(1) For the purposes of obtaining information to decide whether or not to issue a commission under section 3, the President may on advice by the Minister or on his own motion, direct the Attorney General to cause an investigation to be made into such matters as the President may specify and to convey to the President result of the investigation. (2) The Attorney General may, for the purposes of carrying out any investigation directed by the President under subsection (1), in writing under his hand require any public officer, in this section referred to as an “authorised officer”, to carry out such investigation as the Attorney General may direct. 659 Power to cause investigation to be made before issuing Commission Act No. 27 of 1994 s. 4 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT [CAP. 32 R.E. 2023] (3) For the purposes of carrying out any investigation directed by the Attorney General an authorised officer shall have all the powers of a police officer conducting a criminal investigation and may in particular: (a) require, in writing, from any person the production at a specified time and place of any book, plan or document in the possession or custody or under the control of such person or the employee of that person; or (b) examine and make extracts from, and copies of, any books, plans or documents and require from any person an explanation of any entry in or marking on them, except that no person shall be bound to incriminate himself and every person shall, in respect of any explanation required, be entitled to the same privileges to which that person would be entitled if giving evidence before the High Court. (4) Where the Attorney General is satisfied that the inspection of any banker’s book is necessary or desirable for the purpose of any investigation directed by the President under subsection (1), the Attorney General may, by order, authorise any authorised officer named in such order to investigate the account of any specified person in any bank, such order shall be sufficient authority for the production of any such banker’s book as may be required for scrutiny by the authorised officer named in the order, and such authorised officer may take copies of any relevant entry or matter in such banker’s book. (5) The provisions of the Evidence Act in respect of evidence of banker’s books shall apply in relation to the production and proof in any proceedings under this Act of a copy of any entry in a banker’s book obtained under subsection (4). (6) A person who fails to produce a banker’s book to an authorised officer acting in pursuance of an order made by the Attorney General under this section or to permit such authorised officer to scrutinise or to take copies of the relevant entries in a banker’s book commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twelve months, or to both. 660 Cap. 6 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT [CAP. 32 R.E. 2023] Cap. 6 Power to appoint fresh Commissioners and to alter and revoke Commissions (7) For the purposes of this section, “banker’s book” shall have the meaning ascribed to it by the provisions of the Evidence Act.
Section 4Verify source
§ 5Power to appoint fresh Commissioners and to alter andProvision

The President may appoint a replacement Commissioner if one cannot or will not act or dies, and may alter or revoke a Commission issued under the Act.

5. Where any Commissioner is unable or is unwilling to act or dies, the President may appoint another Commissioner in his place; and any Commission issued under this Act may be altered as the President may deem fit by any subsequent Commission issued by the President, or may be revoked by a notification to that effect published in the Gazette. Commissions not affected by change of the President
Section 5Verify source
§ 6Commissions not affected by change of the PresidentProvision

A commission issued under this Act does not lapse or change because the President dies, is absent, or is removed.

6. A Commission issued under this Act shall not lapse by reason of, or be otherwise affected by the death, absence or removal of the President issuing the Commission. Oath of office by Commissioners
Section 6Verify source
§ 7Oath of office by CommissionersProvision

Each Commissioner appointed under this Act must take and sign an oath or affirmation in the prescribed form, and deposit it with the Chief Secretary.

7. It shall be the duty of each Commissioner appointed under this Act to make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation in the form prescribed in the Schedule, which oath or affirmation may be taken before the President, or before such other person as the President may appoint, and shall be deposited by the Commissioner with the Chief Secretary, office of the President. Power to appoint and duties of Secretary
Section 7Verify source
§ 8Power to appoint and duties of SecretaryProvision

The President may appoint a secretary for the Commission and give the secretary inquiry-related duties.

8. The President may appoint a secretary to attend the sittings of the Commission, to record their proceedings, to keep their papers, summon and record the testimony of witnesses, and generally to perform such duties connected with such inquiry as the Commissioners shall prescribe. Duties of Commissioners defined
Section 8Verify source
§ 9Duties of Commissioners definedProvision

Commissioners must investigate the matter in the Commission, follow any directions in it, and report the results to the President in writing.

9. It shall be the duty of the Commissioners, after taking such oath or making such affirmation, to make a full, faithful, and impartial inquiry into the matter specified in such Commission, and to conduct such inquiry in accordance with the direction, if any, in the Commission; and, in due course, to report to the President in writing the result of such inquiry; and also, when required, to furnish to the President a full statement of the proceedings of such Commission, and of the reasons leading to the conclusions arrived at or reported. 661 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT [CAP. 32 R.E. 2023] Division of opinion of Commissioners
Section 9Verify source
§ 10Division of opinion of CommissionersProvision

If the Commissioners are tied on a question in the Commission’s proceedings, the Chairman has a second or casting vote.

10. Where the Commissioners shall, in any case, be equally divided on any question that arises during the proceedings of the Commission, the Chairman of the Commission shall have a second or casting vote. Commissioners’ power for regulating proceedings Power to summon and examine witnesses
Section 10Verify source
§ 11Commissioners’ power for regulating proceedingsProvision

The Commissioners may make rules for their own guidance and for managing proceedings, sittings, and adjournments, so long as the rules are consistent with their Commission.

11. The Commissioners acting under this Act may make such rules for their own guidance, and for the conduct and management of proceedings before them, and the hours and times and places for their sittings, not inconsistent with their Commission, as they may from time to time think fit, and may from time to time adjourn for such time and to such place as they may think fit, subject only to the terms of their Commission.
Section 11Verify source
§ 12Power to summon and examine witnessesProvision

Commissioners may summon witnesses, require documents, examine people on oath, and in some cases take evidence by affidavit or interrogatories.

12.–(1) Commissioners acting under this Act shall have the powers of the High Court to summon witnesses, and to call for the production of books, plans and documents, and to examine witnesses and parties concerned on oath. (2) Where the Commissioners consider it desirable for the purpose of avoiding expense or delay or for any other special reason, they may receive evidence by affidavit or administer interrogatories and require the person to whom the interrogatories are administered to make a full and true reply to such interrogatories. (3) Summonses for attendance of witnesses, or other persons, or the production of documents, may be in the form given in the Schedule, and shall be signed by one of the Commissioners or by their secretary, and oaths and affirmations may be administered by one of the Commissioners or by their secretary. Consequences of issue of Commission Act No. 27 of 1994 s. 5
Section 12Verify source
§ 13Consequences of issue of CommissionProvision

When the President issues a Commission of inquiry, the President may stop ongoing government investigations and require existing evidence to be sent to the Commission; government and local/public authorities involved must help the Commissioners.

13. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, where the President issues a Commission instituting an inquiry into any matter in pursuance of this Act- (a) the President may require that any ongoing investigation or inquiry by the organs of the Government shall cease and any evidence already obtained shall be finished to the Commission; and 662 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT [CAP. 32 R.E. 2023] Employment of experts Act No. 27 of 1994 s. 5 Application of Penal Code and immunity of Commissioner Cap. 16 Cap. 11 Obligations and rights of witnesses (b) all organs of the Government and all other local or public authorities connected, related or otherwise involved in the field or fields activities under investigation, shall do all such acts and things as they deemed necessary for assisting the smooth speedy work of the Commissioners.
Section 13Verify source
§ 14Employment of expertsProvision

A Commission may hire experts with the Minister’s prior approval, and the Minister must give the expert’s remuneration in writing when approving the engagement.

14.–(1) A Commission may, with the prior approval of the Minister, engage the services of such accountants, engineers, technical advisers or other experts as it deems necessary to aid and assist in the inquiry. (2) The minister shall, in approving the engagement of Experts by the Commission, give a direction in writing as the renumereation of any such expert.
Section 14Verify source
§ 15Application of Penal Code and immunity of CommissionerSubstitution

An inquiry under this Act is treated as a judicial proceeding, and Commissioners or other people acting under the Act are entitled to the same protection as magistrates and officers carrying out warrants and orders.

15.–(1) An inquiry under this Act shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning and for the purposes of Chapter XI of the Penal Code. (2) Any Commissioner or other person acting under the provisions of this Act shall be entitled to the same protection as that enjoyed by magistrates acting judicially and officers executing warrants and orders under the Magistrates’ Courts Act or any other law substituted for that Act.
Section 15Verify source
§ 16Obligations and rights of witnessesOffence

People summoned to a Commission must obey the summons, and witnesses may be entitled to expenses and related privileges. Refusing to attend, answer, produce documents, or behaving disruptively can be an offence punishable by a fine up to 1,500 shillings.

16.–(1) All persons summoned to attend and give evidence, or to produce books, plans, or documents at any sitting of any Commission, shall be bound to obey the summons served upon them in all respects as witnesses are bound to obey a summons issued from the High Court, and shall be entitled to the same expenses as witnesses summoned to attend at such court in a criminal trial, or to such other expenses as the Commissioner, orders for the payment of such witnesses shall be made as nearly as possible as orders for the payment of witnesses in the High Court, and shall be paid in such manner as the President may direct. (2) A person who, without sufficient cause, refuses or fails to attend at the time and place mentioned in the summons 663 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT [CAP. 32 R.E. 2023] served on him, and every person who attends but leaves the Commission without the permission of the Commissioners, or refuses without sufficient cause to answer, or to answer fully, satisfactorily, or to the best of his knowledge and belief, all questions put to him by or with the concurrence of the Commissioners or refuses without sufficient cause or fails to produce any books, plans or documents in his possession or under his control, and mentioned or referred to in the summons served on him, and every person who at any sitting of the Commission, wilfully insults any Commissioner, or the secretary or wilfully and improperly interrupts the proceedings of the Commission, commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand and five hundred shillings: Provided that, a person giving evidence before the Commission shall not be compellable to incriminate himself and every such person shall, in respect of any evidence given by him before the Commission, be entitled to all the privileges to which a witness giving evidence before the High Court is entitled.
Section 16Verify source
§ 17Appearance by advocateProvision

People being investigated, or otherwise implicated in the matter, may be represented by an advocate during the inquiry; the Government may also be represented by the Attorney General or a nominee.

17.–(1) A person whose conduct is the subject of inquiry under this Act, or who is in any way implicated or concerned in the matter under inquiry, shall be entitled to be represented by an advocate at the whole of the inquiry, and any other person who may consider it desirable that he should be so represented may, by leave of the Commission, be represented in the same manner. (2) The Government shall be entitled to be represented at any injury under this Act by the Attorney General or such person as he may nominate in that behalf. Appearance by advocate Act No. 27 of 1994 s. 6 Power to direct police officers to attend Commissioners
Section 17Verify source
§ 18Power to direct police officers to attend CommissionersProvision

The President may direct the Inspector General of Police to assign police officers to assist Commissioners and carry out Commission-related duties.

18. The President may direct the Inspector General of Police to detail police officers to attend upon any Commissioners, to preserve order during the proceedings of the Commission, and to serve summonses on witnesses, and to perform such other duties as the Commissioners shall direct. 664 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT [CAP. 32 R.E. 2023] Remuneration of Commissioners, etc. GN. No. 403 of 1960
Section 18Verify source
§ 19Remuneration of Commissioners, etcOffence

Commissioners are generally not entitled to remuneration unless the President specially grants it; only actual inquiry expenses are covered by default.

19. Commissioners appointed under this Act shall not be entitled to any remuneration, unless such remuneration shall be specially granted by the President, beyond the actual expenses incurred in holding the inquiry, but the President may direct what remuneration, if any shall be paid to the secretary, and to any other person employed in or by any such Commission, and may direct payment of any other expenses attendant upon the carrying out of any such Commission, or upon any proceedings for any penalty under this Act and such sums, so directed to be paid, shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund, on the warrant of the Principal Secretary to the Treasury. Commissions to be published in Gazette
Section 19Verify source
§ 20Commissions to be published in GazetteProvision

Commissions under this Act, and revocations of those commissions, must be published in the Gazette.

20. All Commissions under this Act, and all revocations of any such Commission, shall be published in the Gazette, and shall take effect from the date of such publication. Action on report
Section 20Verify source
§ 21Action on reportProvision

After a commissioner’s report is received at the end of an inquiry, the President may direct investigations or prosecutions, order other measures, require compensation, or withhold the report from publication.

21.–(1) Upon receipt of a report of a Commissioner at the end of an inquiry, the President may- (a) if the President is satisfied that further investigations ought to be carried out or prosecutions undertaken, instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to advise the police what investigations should be done or direct the institution of the appropriate criminal prosecution; or (b) if the President is of the opinion that any other measures ought to be taken against any person or persons, order that such measures be taken. (2) Where any loss is revealed by the inquiry as having been caused by the conduct of any person, the President may order that the person concerned be required to pay compensation of such amount as the Minister shall certify to be the appropriate amount. (3) The President may direct that any report of a commissioner be withheld from publication or be withheld for such time as the President may specify. 665 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT [CAP. 32 R.E. 2023] Protection of person publishing true account Act No. 27 of 1994 s. 7
Section 21Verify source
§ 22Protection of person publishing true accountCommencement

A person is protected from liability for publishing a true public account of evidence taken in public or a report made public by the President’s authority. Penalty proceedings under the Act may only be started if the Attorney General directs it.

22. A person shall not be liable to any action, suit, indictment or proceeding by reason of publishing a true account of any evidence taken in public in pursuance of the powers conferred by this Act or of any report of the Commissioners made public by the authority of the President. Conditions as to proceedings for penalties Regulations Act No. 27 of 1994 s. 8 23. No proceedings shall be commenced for any penalty under this Act except by direction of the Attorney General.
Section 22Verify source
§ 24RegulationsProvision

The Minister may make regulations with the President’s consent, and those regulations must be published in the Gazette.

24.–(1) The Minister may, with the consent of the President make regulations for the better and more efficient carrying out of the purposes and provisions of this Act. (2) Regulations made under this Act shall be published in the Gazette. SCHEDULE (Made under section 7) THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT FORM OF OATH OR AFFIRMATION TO BE TAKEN BY A COMMISSIONER I,.........................., having been appointed under a Commission issued by the President and dated the ......................... day of ....................
Section 24Verify source

Part

SCHEDULE

§ 20Commissions to be published in GazetteProvision

A summoned person must appear before the Commissioners at the stated time and place and give evidence; if required, they must also bring specified books, plans, and documents.

20........ to be a Commissioner to inquire into the matters specified in the Commission, do swear (or do solemnly and sincerely affirm) that I will faithfully, fully, impartially, and to the best of my ability, discharge the trust, and perform the duties devolving upon me by virtue of the Commission. (In the case of an oath, add) So help me God. ....................................... Commissioner 666 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT [CAP. 32 R.E. 2023] THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT SUMMONS TO A WITNESS (Made under section 12(3)) To A.B. (name of person summoned, and his calling and residence, if known). You are hereby summoned to appear before the Commissioners appointed by the President to inquire (state briefly the subject of inquiry) at (place) upon the ................... day of ......................... 20........ at ........... o’clock, and to give evidence respecting such inquiry, (If the person summoned is to produce any documents, add (And you are required to bring with you (..........) specify the books, plans and documents required). Given under my hand this ......................... day of .........................
Section 20Verify source
§ 20Commissions to be published in GazetteProvision

This section names the Commissioner or the Secretary to the Commissioner.

20..................... ..................................... Commissioner or Secretary to the Commissioner 667 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.
Section 20Verify source

Legislative relationships

7 referenced instruments

Names are derived from the stored provision headings and citation-enrichment layer. Treat this as a research index and verify each relationship against the source text.

A–F

3 instruments

  • Commissioners made public by the authority of the President. Conditions as to proceedings for penalties Regulations

    Section 22

  • Commissioners or by their secretary. Consequences of issue of Commission Act

    Section 12

  • Evidence Act

    Section 4

G–M

2 instruments

  • Inquiry Act

    Section 1

  • Inquiry into matters of public nature This section defines several terms used in the Act

    Section 2

N–S

2 instruments

  • Penal Code

    Sections 13, 15

  • President A commission issued under this Act

    Section 6

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