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Tanzania: Villagers Up in Arms Over Sold Farm Sold to US Investors
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The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
5 May 2008
Posted to the web 5 May 2008
Rodgers Luhwago, Ngorongoro
Controversy surrounds the sale of Sukenya farm in Loliondo division, Ngorongoro district to a private American investor, Thomson Safaris.
A team of journalists who at the weekend toured the area found out that the investor has since blocked the pastoralists from grazing their animals in the farm.
Maasai people who spoke to journalists at Soit Sambu village said after the farm was dubiously sold to Thomson Safaris, the firm has also barred headers from accessing water found only in the farm.
Soit Sambu local government leader Lota Ole Nyaru told
The Citizen that before privatisation of the farm, about 12,600 head of cattle used to graze in the area.
Recently, a pastoralist who ventured into the farm was shot at close range by a policeman guarding the farm.
Speaking to this reporter an uncle of the Victim, Mr Orandai Ole Nanyoi, said on the material day, they took their herds into the area to drink water only to be confronted by armed guards and policemen where upon his uncle was shot at.
The victim is admitted at the Muhimbili National Hospital for treatment.
As a result of the conflict, about 97 people have been arrested and remanded during the past four months for "invading" the farm.
Sukenya farm deputy manager Robert Nyangusi told reporters that since the farm was handed over to the investor they have faced trouble to stop pastoralists from taking animals into the farm to graze.
Reached for comment, Ngorongoro district commissioner Joika Kasunga said land related conflicts in the area were rampant due to an influx of foreigners seeking land in the area.
He said since investors are not allowed to move into areas controlled by Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority and Serengeti National Park, foreign investors resort to grabbing land in villages near the two parks.
"The problem is compounded by dishonest public officials collude with rich people to steal land from locals without following proper producers," he asserted.
Speaking about the sold Sukenya farm, the DC said the only way to reposess the area is to plead to the president revoke the title deed granted to the investor.
The district commissioner said it was not clear whether the investor got the permit from the Government to turn the farm into a private wildlife sanctuary.
Sukenya farm was previously used by Tanzania Breweries Limited to grow barley until 1984 when it abandoned it allowing people in the area to graze their animals.
But when South African Breweries inherited assets previously owned by TBL, it took over the farm only to sell it to the American investor without consulting the village government.
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