Govt decries mob justice

DODOMA: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has warned citizens against mob justice and deliberate lawbreaking, directing security organs to take firm action against offenders to safeguard national peace and unity.

He said taking the law into one’s own hands is unconstitutional and unacceptable, stressing that citizens must report offences to relevant authorities, instead of resorting to violence and revenge.

“The practice of taking the law into one’s own hands is contrary to our laws and the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. Just because someone has done something wrong, people cannot gather in groups and punish them using machetes, clubs and spears. Such acts are not permitted under the law and violate our Constitution,” he said.

Dr Nchemba issued the warning yesterday during a meeting with government leaders and Members of Parliament from Ruvuma Region, convened to address recent land conflicts between farmers and herders.

The conflicts have involved a series of retaliatory attacks between farmers and herders, including members of the Wamang’ati community, resulting in deaths and property losses in villages such as Chiungo, Mkotamo, Mbesa and Semeni.

The clashes have claimed several lives, including that of Misechela Ward Councillor Zuberi Binamu. Dr Nchemba said the government will not tolerate deliberate violations of the law, including herders allowing livestock to graze on other people’s farms or communities resorting to violence to punish alleged offenders.

“The government does not support any deliberate lawbreaking that has been occurring in some areas. Everywhere I have been, I have strongly emphasised this matter,” he said.

He urged citizens to report offences to relevant authorities, instead of seeking revenge, directing security organs to take strict action against those who deliberately break the law.

“Tanzanians across the country should not allow such practices to take root. I, therefore, direct law enforcement agencies to take strict action against those who deliberately break the law,” he said.

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The PM said farming and livestock keeping have coexisted for generations, stressing that competition for land should not turn communities engaged in different economic activities into enemies.

“If you keep livestock, ensure they graze on your own land rather than deliberately allowing them to destroy other people’s crops. I urge farmers and herders to avoid deliberate lawbreaking and taking the law into their own hands,” he said.

He warned that mobilising groups of farmers against herders, or herders against farmers, poses a serious threat to national peace and unity.

“The actions of one errant herder should not be attributed to all herders, and similarly, one errant farmer should not tarnish all farmers. The government forbids this, and we truly do not want to continue seeing mob justice. That leads us in a dangerous direction for our country,” he said.

Dr Nchemba acknowledged the growing demand for land for economic activities but stressed that competition for land must not fuel hostility among citizens.

He said the government has directed about eight ministers responsible for land, local government, livestock, agriculture, natural resources, home affairs, constitutional affairs and water to continue reviewing areas affected by boundary disputes and develop appropriate land-use plans.

“Let us complete the review of areas with boundary conflicts and develop a comprehensive land-use plan to resolve the interlinked conflicts,” he said.

Dr Nchemba also cautioned local government and village leaders against selling land without following the required procedures, warning that failure to observe landuse guidelines could fuel further conflicts.

He directed the Ruvuma Regional Commissioner and other regional commissioners in affected areas to strengthen security and ensure swift action against lawbreakers to prevent further loss of life and property.

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