Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Ambassador Dr. Bashiru Ally Kakurwa has ordered an immediate crackdown on the illegal sale of meat and the operation of unlicensed slaughterhouses, saying the practice threatens public health and undermines government investment in modern meat processing facilities.
Speaking during an inspection of the Vingunguti abattoir in Dar es Salaam on Monday, Dr. Bashiru directed the Tanzania Meat Board (TMB) to close butcheries and prosecute traders selling meat and meat products outside the legal inspection system.
He said the growing number of illegal slaughter operations, particularly involving goats and sheep, was eroding efforts to improve food safety and modernise the livestock industry.
“The Tanzania Meat Board must take firm action against all those selling meat illegally. The sale of uninspected meat and meat products is a serious public health risk,” he said.
The minister noted that the government had invested TZS 19.5 billion in modern abattoir infrastructure and said such investments would achieve little if illegal operators continued to bypass established regulations.
He also instructed the Dar es Salaam City Council to fast-track the appointment of a private operator for the Vingunguti abattoir in line with government procedures and performance standards. Failure to complete the process promptly, he warned, could lead to the closure of the facility.
Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila said the abattoir should be managed through close coordination between sector ministries and local government authorities to ensure efficient operations and maximise the benefits of the government's investment.
Earlier, Vingunguti Abattoir Manager Dr. James Kawamala, speaking on behalf of the Dar es Salaam City Executive Director, said the facility collected TZS 2.075 billion in revenue during the 2025/26 financial year, representing 90.02 percent of its TZS 2.3 billion target.
He added that the abattoir processes an average of 500 cattle and 1,000 goats and sheep each day, highlighting its strategic role in supplying inspected meat to Dar es Salaam and surrounding areas.