Of the Tribal Territories Act, indirect rule, chiefs and subjects
Friday, December 18, 2020

Making the rules: Parliament has frequently adjusted the constitution PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
It has since been amended 22 times.
The relevant amendment for this discussion occurred in 2005, pursuant to Act No.9 of 2005. This was to make sections 77, 78 and 79 ‘tribally neutral’.
This Note investigates whether tribal neutrality, or more aptly, tribal equivalence, can be achieved by amending other legislation while leaving the Tribal Territories Act (Cap. 32:03) intact. This is particularly urgent in view of the promised and impending constitutional review.
While every citizen, including the Head of State, has the right to voice opinions, the tone and context of the President’s comments were regrettably dismissive and risk chilling free expression in our country. The remarks are not isolated. They form part of a disturbing pattern of public attacks on independent institutions pillars essential to the healthy functioning of our democracy. The Judiciary, the Legislature, and now the media have all...