Speaker turns down MP’s question on alleged Kigoma killings
What you need to know:
- A CCM member of Parliament raised a question in the House about killings in clashes pitting security forces against herders in Kigoma.
- Lawmaker Josephine Genzabuke accused the Tanzania Forest Service Agency of harassing people who were allowed by President John Magufuli to stay put.
Dodoma. A lawmaker on Tuesday, November 6, revived a debate over reports of killings of scores of people in clashes between security forces and pastoralists in Kigoma.
Ms Josephine Genzabuke (Special Seats -- CCM) told Parliament that during the clashes some people were tortured and injured, and their bicycles and motorcycles were confiscated.
Recently, ACT-Wazalendo party leader Zitto Kabwe was detained and later charged with incitement after he made remarks about the violence in Kigoma. He was released on bail.
Mr Kabwe told journalists in Dar es Salaam that 100 people died during the clashes, but Kigoma police refuted the claims.
Ms Genzabuke questioned whether or not the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency was opposing President John Magufuli’s directive that Kagera Nkanda residents should be allowed to farm on the land.
“Why is TFS harassing people who the President said they should not be evicted?” said Ms Genzabuke during a supplementary question.
However, Speaker Job Ndugai stopped the MP from proceeding with her question, saying it was sensitive.
The MP insisted on asking the same question, but the speaker called another member to ask a different question.
Later, Mr Ndugai said the matter raised by Ms Genzabuke was sensitive and that it should have been presented to the Prime Minister—and not asked as a supplementary question.
The deputy minister for Natural Resources, Mr Japhet Hasunga, agreed that the President directed the Kigoma Regional Commissioner’s Office to set aside a piece of land for farmers.
Mr Hasunga said 10,012.61 acres were set aside for farming where residents of Mvinza were given 2,174, while those in Kagerankanda were given 2,496 and other 5,342.61 were set aside for other residents.
