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Three houses set ablaze in Hanang land conflict
2008-02-25 08:22:11
By Charles Ole Ngereza, PST, Arusha
Three houses have been set ablaze in Hanang District in what has been described as an ongoing conflict that has rendered several other buildings demolished.
Local residents in Katesh area are alleged to be fighting each other over farms formerly owned by former NAFCO but later abandoned after being found to be unsuitable for the state run wheat project in the area.
Hand written notices meant to instill fear among residents to vacate from maize farms occupied by over 1,000 newcomers, are being distributed in Mogitu Village.
District Commissioner, Capt. (Rtd) Geoffrey Ngatuni, admitted that there were misunderstandings over allocation of farms, but refuted claims of conflicts.
``I have not heard of any house burnt down, but since this area can be full of surprises, conflicts if any, could be caused by a number of other reasons,`` he said.
A number of alleged conflict victims contradicted the DC`s assurances.
``My family and I were sleeping at night when our houses caught fire. We only managed to escape with minor injuries but my new bicycles, furniture and bags of maize in the rear room were destroyed,`` lamented Daniel Magagn, a peasant of Mogitu.
Another victim, Petro Gechame said: ``I have sent my family to live with my parents far away from here.``
Maria Gambadai, whose house was demolished by irate Gendabi residents is currently being sheltered by her relatives.
The problem is believed to evolve around as to who should occupy the farms formerly owned by the National Agriculture and Food Corporation, located at the foot of Mount Hanang in Manyara Region.
Recently, district officials decided to relocate people living around the mountain estates to preserve the land. The farms were, however, already occupied by people from Mogitu Village.
The conflict now is between Mogitu and Gendabi villagers; the former claiming the right of occupancy, arguing they have been farming in the location since time immemorial, while the later claim to have official blessings by the District authorities to take over the estates.
Mogitu Village Chairman Israel Dawi insisted that Mogitu villagers owned these farms long before NAFCO even set foot there.
``When they came, our people were forced out, but when the wheat project failed, we returned to our former land, so the district has no right to snatch it away from us again,`` said the village chairman.
Mogitu Ward councillor Leonard Gidaka said when the government took over the farms in the late seventies, the former residents were left on their own without compensation, so it was just fair for them to resume farming without any further interference.
According to Gidaka, Gendabi people being sent down from Mount Hanang` now to occupy the farms, should be relocated elsewhere because their presence in the vicinity might only spark community conflicts.
``As you can see, houses are being torched down, and other properties vandalised by displaced people of Gendabi,`` he complained.
Gendabi community with 270 households have been living around Mount Hanang` until recently when the local government evicted them to stop human activities there to conserve the environment.
Farms of the former NAFCO were earlier set to be utilised for wheat farming in Hanang District but conditions to grow the crop became unsuitable compelling the corporation to abandon both the project and estates.
The district government on the other hand, resolved to release Gawal and Warret farms that cover about 14,000 acres to be utilised by communities around the area.
Residents of Hanang` are peasants and pastoralists.
The decision was made official last December during a councillors and political party leaders` gathering in Hanang` District.
The meeting presided by the then Minister for Law and Constitutional Affairs, Dr Mary Nagu.
Dr Nagu had explained that the decision came after a request to relocate two out of the six former NAFCO farms, sent to President Kikwete by Hanang District authorities, was accepted.
It was decided during the meeting that people`s need for land in the area would not be met by distribution of the two farms, but rather priority would be given to residents living near the farms and those evicted from Mount Hanang` slopes for environmental reasons.
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