Govt asked to step in as village disputes flare

Kilombero. Residents of Sululu Village have asked the government to resolve long-simmering border disputes pitting Kiberege against Siginali hamlets.

They made the request when a team from the ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development toured the village on Tuesday.

Led by head of Land Formalisation Committee at the ministry Swagile Msananga, the has been visiting villages in disputes here since last week.

To address the problem, more than 300,000 traditional title deeds will be issued between now and 2020, said Mr Msananga.

Suluhu villagers Edwin Dunia and Meshak Julius said the border disputes between their village and its neighbours started a few months ago.

“There’s no peace here. Border disputes between our village and neighbouring hamlets often erupt a few days before the planting season commences forcing some families to flee,” said Mr Dunia.

Officials from the ministry urged traditional leaders and residents in the three villages to meet and find a lasting solution to the conflicts.

He encouraged citizens to create land registries of their villages which are important criteria to enable them to get their land assessed.