Law doesn’t name Minister
If there is a law that refers to the Minister, how do I know which Minister is being referred to? Can there be reference to two Ministers in one law?
UY, Tabora
The Interpretation of Laws Act clarifies this that reference in a written law to the Minister shall be construed: (a) in the case of a reference in an Act, as a reference to the Minister to whom the administration of the Act, or the provisions of the Act, in which or in respect of which the term is used, is for the time being committed by the President; (b) in the case of a reference in subsidiary legislation, as a reference to the Minister to whom the administration of the Act, or provision of the Act, under which the subsidiary legislation is made, is for the time being committed by the President.
The thumb rule is that the Minister who administers the Act would be the one referred to. For example, if the law is in relation to mineral resources, then any reference to Minister would refer to the Minister for Mining. Similarly, if there is a tax law, such a reference would refer to the Minister for Finance and Planning.
On whether there could be two Ministers administering the same law, it is very unlikely, but we would need to look at the law and the interpretations section before concluding.