Dar es Salaam, Sept. 30 -- A used car displayed with a “For Sale” sign, a tempting price and a sellers assurance, Zipo tu boss, usijali” (the documents are OK, dont worry).

Behind such casual transactions lies a growing danger. Many are engaging in vehicle sales that sidestep proper legal procedures—knowingly or not.

In Tanzania, buying or selling a vehicle without involving the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) is illegal. All transfers must be certified, taxes paid and registration formalised under statutes including the Road Traffic Act and the Motor Vehicles (Tax on Registration and Transfer) Act.

Skipping these steps brings serious risks. Ownership disputes become harder to resolve when official records are ...