Mwanakijiji nitajitahidi kulijibu swali lako kama lifuatavyo:
1. Wrongful death inajulikana Tanzania na iko governed na sheria inaitwa the Law Reform (Fatal Accidents and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. Chapter 310 ya Sheria za Tanzania.
2. Specific provision on the manner of application inapatikana katika Part II ya sheria hiyo (Nimeiweka hapa chini kwa ufahamu zaidi na usomaji).
3. With due respect to a learned brother (Pasco) whom i remember being in his first year while i was doing my last year at UDSM hii kesi ya wrongful death haihitaji kesi ya jinai kuisha. Kwa kuwa ni kesi ya madai inaweza kuendeshwa kwa pamoja (pararell) na wakati mwingine ya madai ikaanza. (Ndio maana sielewi mpaka leo kwa nini Mke wa Mwangosi hajachukua hatua ya kufungua kesi).
4. Burden of Proof katika kesi ya daawa ya wrongful death ni kama ya daawa ya kawaida yaani "on a balance of probability".
5. Kama ipo namna ya kuwaorganise wafiwa ili wadai fidia kwa vifo vya wapendwa wao basi hii ni kesi ya uhakika (kama ilivyokuwa ile ya MV Bukoba, Ajali ya reli na hata MV skagit). Tatizo ni kuwa sheria ya Tanzania hairuhusu wanasheria kuwa ambulance chasers. Hivyo wanasheria wanasubiri wadai waje.
6. Kuna umuhimu wa nyie waandishi wa habari hasa
Pasco kujenga ufahamu wa hizi sheria na kujenga mwamko wa watu kudai haki ya fidia. Iwapo hili litafanyika basi ajali za kijinga na negligence zitapungua sana. Ila wakiachwa bila kufanyiwa kitu hawataona uchungu.
7. Jambo la ziada kwa Mwanakijiji: It is possible to sue multiple individuals and entities in Tanzania.
8. Mkihitaji maelezo ya ziada nitajitokeza ingawa kazi yangu ya uwakili inanibana na nashindwa kuchangia mara kwa mara.
Hapa chini ni sehemu ya sheria tajwa:
PART II
FATAL ACCIDENTS (ss 3-8)
3. Action maintainable when death caused by wrongful act
If the death of any person is caused by the wrongful act of any person and the wrongful act is such as would, if death had not ensued, have entitled the person injured thereby to maintain an action recover damages in respect thereof the person who would have been liable if death had not ensued shall be liable to an action for damages, notwithstanding the death of the person injured, and although the death was caused under such circumstances as would amount in law to a criminal offence.
4. Action to be for the benefit of dependants Act No. 10 of 1971
(1) Every action brought under the provisions of this Part shall be for the benefit of the dependants of the person whose death has been so caused, and shall be brought either by and in the name of the executor or administrator of the person deceased or by and in the name or names of all or any of the dependants (if more than one) of the person deceased.
(2) In every such action the court may give such damages as it may think proportionate to the injury resulting from such death to the parties respectively for whom and for whose benefit such action is brought; and the amount so recovered, after deducting the costs not recovered from the defendant, shall be divided amongst the aforesaid parties in such shares as the court shall find and direct:
Provided that not more than one action shall lie for and in respect of the same subject matter of complaint.
5. Payment into court
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 4, it shall be sufficient, when the defendant pays money into court, that he pays it as compensation in one sum to all persons entitled under section 4 to damages for his wrongful act, without specifying the shares into which it is to be divided by the court; and if the said sum is not accepted, and an issue is taken by the plaintiff as to its sufficiency, and the court shall think the same sufficient, the defendant shall be entitled to judgment on that issue.
6. Plaintiff to deliver particulars
In every action brought under the provisions of this Part the plaintiff shall deliver to the defendant or his advocate, together with the plaint, full particulars of the person or persons for whom and on whose behalf such action is brought, and of the nature of the claim in respect of which damages are sought to be recovered.
7. Exclusion of payment by insurers in assessment of damages
The court in assessing damages in any action brought under the provisions of this Part shall not take into account any sum paid or payable on the death of the deceased under any contract of insurance or assurance.
8. Damages may be awarded in respect of funeral expenses
Damages may be awarded in respect of the funeral expenses of the deceased person if such expenses have been incurred by the parties for whose benefit the action is brought.