Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila has ordered the arrest of the Devid Mushi family after its members failed to appear at a disputed plot in Madale, Kinondoni District, where more than 15 households have been evicted.
Mr Chalamila issued the order on Saturday, directing that members of the family be taken to Oysterbay Police Station and held until Monday, September 21, 2026, after they failed to honour his call to attend a meeting at the disputed site.
The regional commissioner visited the area following a long-running land dispute involving the families of the late Abdallah Msham Kitwanga and the late Devid Mushi.
More than 15 households have been affected, with residents saying their belongings were removed from their homes on September 3 following a court ruling in favour of the Mushi family.
Speaking after arriving at the site, Mr Chalamila said he had informed both families of his visit and wanted to meet them alongside the affected residents.
He said the visit was not intended to overturn the court's decision but to explore whether the parties could reach an agreement that would allow the affected residents to purchase the disputed land.
“I did not come here to overturn the court's decision. I wanted to bring the two sides together and see whether there could be an understanding that would allow the residents to buy the plots,” he said.
Mr Chalamila said he was disappointed by the Mushi family's failure to attend despite being informed of his visit.
He also reiterated his directive against the use of private security guards or “bouncers” in land disputes, saying such matters should be handled by the police and other legally mandated authorities.
He said private guards lacked the necessary training and authority to deal with disputes of this nature.
Kinondoni District Commissioner Saad Mtambule said the dispute dates back to 2015, when Mr Kitwanga took the Mushi family to court and won the case.
Mr Mtambule said Mr Kitwanga subsequently sold portions of the land to residents, who built houses on the plots.
However, he said the Mushi family later returned to court and won the case in 2022, leading to the eviction of more than 15 households.
According to Mr Mtambule, authorities have held several discussions with the parties in an effort to find an amicable solution to the dispute.
Some of the affected residents who spoke during Mr Chalamila's visit appealed to the government to help broker an agreement that would allow them to remain on the land by paying a price acceptable to both sides.
The residents said they were ready to pay for the plots if a mutually agreed arrangement could be reached, rather than losing their homes and investments.