|
Now Tabata Dampo tenants demand govt compensation
2008-05-10 11:04:22
By Correspondents Hafsa Massati and Austin Beyadi
The demolition saga at Dar es Salaam Tabata suburb took a new twist yesterday after tenants whose items were destroyed demanded compensation for losses they incurred.
They voiced the demand at a news conference just a week after the government had paid compensation to over 80 owners whose houses were pulled down in a demolition which was later ruled as illegitimate.
Ilala municipal authorities demolished dozens of houses at Tabata Dampo area along Mandela expressway early this year and in the process destroyed various valuable items in the houses.
Representing others, Ibrahim Mwangunule said the government should also compensate the tenants because they were also victims of the illegal demolition.
He said the government had provided compensation of 20m/- to the landlords and left the tenants with nothing while knowing that they also lost valuable property.
``The government has compensated owners of the houses with 20 million shillings, what about us who were tenants? Our property was destroyed, too`` he queried.
Ibrahim, who claimed to represent 97 other tenants, said what they wanted was for the government to give them at least 5m/- each as compensation for losses incurred.
``We are living in very cumbersome condition after our items were destroyed in the demolition, and all we want is the government to consider our condition and pay compensation for lost property,`` he insisted.
The Tabata Dampo residents were caught in a residential lurch after the Ilala Municipal Council allowed the demolition of 96 houses in February, this year.
|
