POLICE here have arrested 18 pastoralists, confiscating 1,411 herds of cattle over defiance of a directive by Rukwa Regional Commissioner (RC), Zelothe Steven, against the animals’ illegal entry in Kalambo District.
Among the arrested pastoralists are three children, Nida Luacha (12), Ngasa Luacha (13) and Wisu Luacha (13). Others under police custody have been identified as Shegela Zuacha (26), Luago Luacha (22), Madiwa Luacha (20), Shija Luacha (22), Petro Richard (17), Masasila Luacha (23), Makezege Luchagula (22), Willy Luacha (22),Paulo Mezangulu (20), Luhende Luacha (19), Nyawela Mwandu (30), Jadika Nyango (40), Edgar Luacha (17) and Ulugu Luacha (35).
The arrest followed the RC arrival at Kisumba Village in the district shortly after the villagers blocked them to pass through due to failure to show their permits. The animals were reportedly heading to Mwimbi Village in the district through Kisumba village from Mtowisa village along the Rukwa Basin in Sumbawanga District.
Mr Zelothe directed Kalambo District Commanding Officer (OCD) to arrest all the trespassers and ensure that their animals are returned to where they had come from. Similarly, the RC ordered the OCD to arrest Kisumba and Mtowisa Village Chairmen for negligence.
Mr Steven further ordered the Prevention and Combatting of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) to probe allegations that the local functionaries in the region are soliciting and receiving bribe from the pastoralists.
“It is impossible for these pastoralists to pass through all those villages with their animals, from Rukwa Basin in Sumbawanga to Kalambo District without having the legal permits … there must be a foul play pitting the animal owners and the local leaders,” fumed the RC, directing PCCB to thoroughly investigate on the corrupt leaders in the villages and wards.
He applauded Kisumba villagers for the job well-done to intercept the animals that were passing through their village without having approval from relevant authorities. Kisumba Villagers, after seizing the animals, informed the village leadership that passed over the information to ward authority and then to Kalambo DC Julieth Binyura, who alerted the RC.
The incident comes hardly five days after a grisly incident in which a pastoralist was lynched, with another sustaining severe injuries and eight pastoralists arrested for interrogation, following the fight between farmers and pastoralists at Mwimbi Village in Kalambo District.
Two village chairmen and village executive officers have also been arrested over allowing herds of cattle to their areas of jurisdiction without the permission from Kalambo DC, Ms Binyura.
Following the incident, the RC ordered civil leaders at the village, ward, district and regional levels to stop receiving herds of cattle from other areas without approval from relevant organs in effort to permanently address land dispute between farmers and pastoralists.
source- www.dailynews.co.tz
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