Application of driving licence, residence permit and NIDA card issued in Zanzibar

Our company General Manager who is an expatriate is holding a residence permit, NIDA card and a driving licence issued in Mainland Tanzania. While on official trip in Zanzibar, he was stopped by a police officer who asked him to produce documents proving his lawful stay in Zanzibar. He produced among others, his NIDA card, residence permit, and a driving licence issued in the Mainland but the police officer told him that the documents he produced do not apply in Zanzibar and were only applicable in the Mainland. Is this the correct position of the law?
HV, Dar es Salaam

To start with, a residence permit is issued under the Immigration Act [Cap.54 R.E 2016] and the regulations made under it. Section 2(1) of the Immigration Act extends and makes the Act applicable to both the Mainland and Zanzibar. Thus a residence permit issued in Mainland is valid in Zanzibar. However, a work permit issued by the Commissioner for Labour of Mainland Tanzania does not apply in Zanzibar because employment and labour is not a union matter. The Non-Citizens (Employment Regulation) Act, 2015 does not extend to Zanzibar, so a manager whose company has a branch in Zanzibar would require a work permit issued by a competent authority of Zanzibar for him to be able to work in Zanzibar.

NIDA cards are issued under the Registration and Identification of Persons Act. By virtue of section 4(1) of the Act, it is applicable to both sides of the Union. Therefore, a NIDA card issued in either side of the Union is recognised by both sides. Regarding driving licence, Mainland and Zanzibar have different categories of driving licences but the issuing authority which is Tanzania Revenue Authority is a union matter and a holder of a driving licence issued in either side of the union is eligible to drive in any of the sides of the Union.