Widow wants Rwakatare jailed over ‘land grab’

Dar es Salaam. A widow in Dar es Salaam is asking the High Court to jail Special Seats MP and evangelist Getrude Rwakatare for allegedly grabbing her city plot.  

Ms Janeth Kiwia is suing the MP and ten other people she accused of disobeying a court order that prevented them from forcefully taking over her prime plot in Mbezi Beach, Dar es Salaam.

The Kinondoni Land and Housing Tribunal ordered in February that status quo on the plot number 314 be maintained until the case filed by the Reverend Rwakatare’s son, Mr Tibe John, who also claims ownership, is heard and determined.

Lands ministry documents show that Ms Kiwia was the registered owner of the plot.

However, security guards allegedly employed by Kiwango Security Company Ltd and financed by the Rev Rwakatare and two other men maliciously invaded in June the suit premises and chased out her watchman and a woman who lived there.

The widow claims that Mr James John, Mr Sweetbert Kaizilege, Mr Simon Alvin, Mr Charles Lukombe and Mr Jamal Dauda started building houses on the plot after being financed by Mr Tibe John and Mr Tibe Rwakatare.

Last week, Lands Permanent Secretary Alphayo Kidata ordered the demolition of four houses built on the disputed premises, saying the plot was developed without a permit.

Ms Kiwia has asked the court summon the 11 to explain why they should no be jailed for disobeying court order.

“The court’s intervention is vital as the respondent’s act of defying a court order is maliciously and intentionally done and I stand to suffer irreparable loss if the anomaly will not be addressed immediately,” claims the widow.