Arusha. The Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development Permanent Secretary, Mr Anthony Sanga, has revealed that most land disputes in Arusha and surrounding regions are rooted in inheritance-related conflicts.
Mr Sanga made these remarks at a press briefing on Saturday, March 8, 2025, during the national celebrations of International Women’s Day in Arusha.
He urged citizens to promote family unity and fairness in inheritance distribution, emphasising the importance of gender equality and conflict prevention.
“During the seven-day land clinic we held in Arusha from March 1, we discovered that a significant number of land disputes arise from inheritance issues, family conflicts, and the discrimination of women in inheritance matters,” said Ms Sanga.
He urged people in the Northern Zone to prioritise love and solidarity within families to help reduce land-related conflicts.
Additionally, he advised individuals who lose land cases in court to accept judicial decisions rather than seeking shortcuts or extending disputes.
"Many people come to us after receiving court rulings. We cannot interfere with judicial decisions, but we listen to their concerns and offer guidance. In some cases, we advise them to accept the court’s ruling,” added Mr Sanga.
One of the beneficiaries of the land clinic, Ms Theresia Mollel, a resident of Sokoni One, sought legal assistance for a long-standing dispute over her late father’s estate.
"I came here seeking help after my father passed away last year. My brothers, appointed as estate administrators, have refused to distribute the inheritance and are continuing to farm and sell the family land," she explained.
Ms Mollel shared her frustrations with the legal process, revealing that her attempts to seek justice in court had been hindered by bureaucratic obstacles, including her brothers withholding essential documents.
She welcomed the intervention from the land clinic, which guided authorities to assist her.
Ms Mollel called on the government to extend the duration of such clinics to support more people facing similar land disputes.
The land clinic initiative aims to offer legal assistance and guidance to those involved in inheritance-related disputes, providing a platform for resolving conflicts and encouraging a fairer distribution of family estates.
