Kilimanjamaro– Despite serving a six-month jail sentence for threatening to kill with a machete, Albert Midimito, popularly known as Chemli, has returned to his village and sparked a new land dispute involving his family, with his late brother’s widow claiming continued harassment.
Chemli was convicted on August 28, 2024, by the Kibosho Kindi Primary Court in Case No. 120/2024, under Section 89(2)(b) of the Penal Code (Cap. 16, R.E. 2022), for issuing death threats.
Senior Magistrate Adam Melchior delivered the ruling, explaining that under the law, the six-month sentence is counted by daylight hours only.
According to the charge sheet, Chemli committed the offense on June 30, 2024, in Sisamaro Village, Kibosho Okaoni Ward, where he threatened his relatives with a machete when they visited his home to seek a peaceful resolution to a land conflict between him and his late brother’s widow. The brother died in 2010, leaving behind a widow and four children.
Despite serving time, Chemli reportedly maintains a hardline stance against his family. Tensions escalated recently when he insisted a family meeting be held at his home—an idea strongly opposed by relatives who recalled his past threats.
Sisamaro Village Chairperson, Sarutari Pauli Mwanga, said Chemli approached him with complaints about boundary markers placed on his land during his incarceration.
When a family meeting was convened on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Chemli allegedly showed no interest in reconciliation.
"I told him I would call the family, and they came. But instead of pursuing peace, he started questioning who had placed the boundary markers, which led to arguments," Mwanga said.
"I reminded him that peace is the foundation for resolving such conflicts, but he wasn’t receptive."he added
Cosmass Mallya, Vice Chair of the Nchau family clan, said they attended the meeting expecting an apology, only to be met with a change of agenda.
“Chemli has been a source of distress for a long time. We thought he was coming to make amends and return property to the widow, but he came with demands about land boundaries. We’ve said we won’t back down—this case will continue until justice is served,” Mallya stated.
Anna Mathius Midimito, the widow, said her life has been one of fear since her husband passed, citing repeated threats from Chemli.
“I once fled into the forest with my children after he threatened us. Even now, he continues to harass us. He claims banana trees and grass were planted on his land, but that’s not true,” said Anna.
Responding to the accusations, Chemli claimed that his family is targeting him and that the recent meeting was to identify who placed the boundaries not to apologize.
“This is war. They are out to harm me. I don’t want any case. If the land belongs to them, let them say so. But I won’t attend these fake meetings intended to cast out demons on me,” Chemli said.
Kibosho Okaoni Ward’s Conflict Mediation Secretary, Bakari Kaniki, said the government has stepped in and a formal meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday.
“We visited the site yesterday, and I had previously assessed the situation. Clearly, rights were violated. Relevant authorities must handle this dispute. We agreed with the village executive officer that an official meeting will be held Tuesday. Cases shouldn’t be handled randomly at the scene when government offices are available for justice,” Kaniki affirmed.
