Another big land clashes

Another big land clashes is escalating between the villagers of Galangala village, Basutu ward, Hanang district in Manyara region and illegal invaders of the former Basutu plantations in the ward, the Mirror digest can reveal.

Yesterday more than 700 irate villagers stormed into the former Basutu plantations distributing the land among themselves with the maim of forcing out what they called “illegal occupiers” of the land in the ward.

The villagers said, their move follows illegal acquisition of their land by a huge number of business tycoons and government officials from in and outside the district, something which denies the local residents their right to own land.

However, they have vowed to leave no stone unturned against any foreigner investor who would resist from getting out of the plantations.

In a telephone interview with the angry villagers, they said, since the Basutu plantations were abandoned in the 1990’s, the villagers have witnessed a huge number of business tycoons and other government officials illegally occupying the land and distributing among themselves while the villagers had serious shortage of land.

Speaking to this reporter, one of the villagers Martha Laurent said that the illegal occupiers of their land come from Karatu, Singida, Dongobeshi, and other places.

 The Basutu Plantations have very fertile land which is suitable for wheat agriculture, but the poor villagers said they have never benefited because they cannot afford to buy because they have no money.

“These rich people are flocking here on daily basis and we only see them buying huge chunks of lands without consulting the villagers” she said.

She added that they have decided to distribute the land among themselves, between 20 to 30 hectares of lands each, in a bid to prevent the jobless youth from becoming criminals due to lack of land which is number one employment opportunity in rural areas .

When contacted for comments, the village Chairman, Ibrahim Orii distanced himself from the shoddy land deals, blaming the business tycoons instead  for not following proper process and procedures of land acquisition.

“I understand that any investor must approach the village council for recommendations and their requests are brought to the village assembly for approval. But I have never seen any investor following these procedures. I only see them distributing among themselves the land” he said.

The district authorities could not be reached to comment on the matter. However, efforts to get them are underway.

In recent years, Tanzania has witnessed a series of land conflicts caused by foreigner investors, some of which have resulted into deaths of innocent civilians.

 

Ends.  

By Mwiga Mtavya, Manyara