Conflict between locals and investor deepens in land dispute at a primary school in Tanzania

Dodoma. A land dispute involving Mayamaya Primary School in Bahi District has sparked ongoing tensions between the local community and an investor, with village and ward leaders at odds over the issue.

The controversy centres around a decision made by the District Director, Zaina Mlawa, to approve the allocation of land to an investor for the construction of a secondary school, despite concerns raised by local residents and leaders.

Mlawa’s approval of the land allocation, which reduced the originally proposed size of the plot, has left many questioning whether the agreement was made fairly.

According to the District Director, the government sees value in having a secondary school in the area, and the allocated land is deemed adequate for the project.

She urged that the matter be laid to rest, noting that once the school is completed, students will benefit from reduced travel distances.

The dispute began late last year when locals protested by removing the boundary markers for the land, claiming that the investor had been given 27 acres of school land in an improper and unapproved manner.

The land allocation arose from an agreement with Prof Jamali Katundu, who is tasked with constructing four classrooms for Mayamaya Secondary School on the land located near the residence of Vice President Dr Philip Mpango.

Zanka Ward Councillor Mussa Jenza voiced his concerns, stating that the decision to allocate the land had not been properly communicated to the community.

He accused the District Director of disregarding the wishes of the local people and continuing the construction despite opposition.

"I strongly opposed this plan and brought it to the attention of district leaders. Initially, they stopped the project, but I was shocked to see it resume shortly afterward," Jenza explained.

The councillor also expressed his concerns over the legality of the land allocation, arguing that it violated land distribution procedures.

He stressed that the community already has an existing secondary school and should not have to build another one in a location that has limited space.

In response, the Chairman of the village, Wilson Mazinya, defended the allocation, claiming that all procedures had been followed.

He explained that the community’s immediate need was for a secondary school and that the construction of classrooms was well underway, with additional purchases for desks and toilets to ensure the school would open in February.

Mazinya also dismissed the criticisms as being from individuals who were not aware of the details of the project, asserting that the land had been properly allocated after a re-evaluation that reduced the original plot from 20 acres to 15 acres.

Prof Katundu, the investor, responded to accusations of land grabbing, alleging that the real “land thieves” were those who had already taken possession of parts of the land before it was officially measured.

He also addressed the size of the land allocated, noting that he had contributed over Sh80 million towards the construction of the classrooms and felt that more land should have been provided.

Initially, he said, the agreement had called for between 30 and 50 acres.

The school’s construction is nearly complete, with classrooms finished and only the latrines remaining to be built.

However, experts have raised concerns that the building may not meet the necessary standards for educational use.

In response to the ongoing issue, Vice Chairman of the CCM Party for Tanzania Mainland, Mr Stephen Wasira, said that he had discussed the matter with the Minister of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements, Deo Ndejembi.

Wasira urged the minister to look into all land allocations that bypassed proper procedures, calling for the return of such land to the rightful owners.