Today on 17th November 2022 the District Court of Ngorongoro at Loliondo has dismissed
nine (9) cases totaling 62 residents of Loliondo in Ngorongoro District. The cases came after
the residents were arrested in June and July 2022 during the demarcation process of the area
covering 1,500 square kilometers in Loliondo. All the 62 residents were arrested and charged
for unlawful presence within the United Republic of Tanzania contrary to Section 45(1)(i) &
(2) of the Immigration Act.
The cases have been dismissed under Section 225(5) of the Criminal Procedure Act as the
prosecution side failed to bring witnesses to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. Human
rights advocates were providing legal representation to the residents since when they were
arraigned in court.
Background of the Situation
On 11th January 2022 the government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Arusha Regional Commissioner issued a notice of eviction of the indigenous people living in Loliondo, Sale and Ngorongoro divisions within Ngorongoro District. The government intended to acquire land covering 1500 square kilometers from Loliondo and Sale divisions.
Following such a notice, local leaders, individual HRDs, human rights organisations organised several public meetings discussing their fate. Some HRDs and leaders who organized public meetings were intimidated, arrested and some threatened not to convene any public meeting with villagers. Between 8th and 20thJune 2022 law enforcers and the government inserted beacons demarcating the area covering 1,500 sq. km. This escalated conflict between the citizens, HRDs, local leaders whom they firmly stood against such a process. As a result, citizens, HRDs, citizens and leaders were unlawfully arrested and tortured. During such clashes with the Maasai who opposed the eviction and the process of erecting beacons, a Police officer was shot to death by unknow person on 10th June 2022.
On 9th June 2022 ten local leaders in Loliondo were arrested and detained incommunicado to 16th June 2022 when they were arraigned before the Resident Magistrates’ Court in Arusha standing with the charge of conspiracy to, and murder of the Police officer alleged to be killed on 10th June 2022. Other individuals were arrested, detained, and joined with the local leaders currently totaling 24 people in the charge of murder. Still the hearing of this case has not yet commenced because of incomplete investigation for more than 4 months now.
Citizens have praised the decision of the Court and call the Court in Arusha to do justice as well for those facing thumbed up murder charges.
Watetezi Tv
November 17, 2022
Loliondo, Ngorongoro - Arusha, Tanzania
