The Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Dr Jafar Seif, has ordered the immediate suspension of all development activities in the Mitamba Pangani area, Plot No. 34, Kibaha Municipality in Pwani Region, following a long-standing land dispute involving residents and government authorities.
Dr Seif issued the directive on April 29, 2026, during a field visit to the area where he met local leaders and about 2,400 residents who claim they were affected by past eviction exercises.
The residents said their houses were demolished by the Kibaha Municipal Council and they were removed from the land without receiving compensation and without proper legal procedures being followed.
The residents further argued that they were not fairly treated during the land ownership transformation process, insisting that they still have rights to the area, which has already been surveyed and allocated to new users for development by the municipal authority.
However, government records present a different position. According to official documents, compensation was fully paid to former occupants between 1988 and 1991.
A total of TZS 20,000,000 was paid to 1,556 individuals as compensation for relocation. After completion of the process, the land was transferred to the then Ministry of Agriculture for a livestock breeding project (Mitamba), aimed at supporting farmers and livestock keepers in the Eastern Zone.
Despite this record, the dispute has continued for years, prompting the government to step in through a direct on-site inspection to better understand the concerns raised by citizens and verify historical information.
In response, Dr Seif ordered a complete suspension of all development activities in the area, including construction of houses and other infrastructure, until the government completes a full review of the matter.
He said the suspension is necessary to allow both sides the government and residents to present their claims, evidence, and records in a fair and transparent process before any final decision is made.
Dr Seif emphasized that no further development should continue until a clear government position is issued after thorough verification.
He noted that the goal is to ensure justice, protect citizens’ rights, and uphold the law while maintaining public order.
The visit follows instructions from the Prime Minister, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, who directed officials from the Ministry of Lands and PMO-RALG to go to the area, engage with residents on the ground, and collect factual information regarding the long-standing dispute.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of direct engagement with citizens to ensure government decisions are based on verified facts and fairness.
During the visit, officials reviewed the historical background of the land, including its previous allocation for agricultural development and compensation processes carried out in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to handling land disputes in a lawful and transparent manner while ensuring that citizens’ concerns are properly heard and addressed.
The Mitamba Pangani land dispute has persisted for many years due to conflicting interpretations of compensation records and land ownership transitions.
The current intervention is expected to pave the way for a structured and lasting solution involving all relevant stakeholders.
Authorities have assured residents that the suspension will remain in place throughout the review process, and that dialogue will continue until a fair and peaceful resolution is reached.
