Local News From The Arusha Times

Hunting block dispute takes new twist

By Mussa Juma

A land dispute between Bunda Safaris (T) Limited and an association of Wildlife Management Area (WMA) comprising five villages in the Serengeti District has taken a new twist. The District Commissioner, Mr. Edward Ole Lenga has directed that both conflicting parties should hold a meeting to resolve the dispute.

Mr. Ole Lenga ordered for a reconciliation meeting after Bunda Safaris (T) Limited had claimed that WMA had trespassed into its block.

Bunda Safaris claims that the land had been allocated to them since 2001 for the purpose of building a tourist hotel but there are reports that WMA has allocated the land as a hunting block to a new investor.

Speaking on the dispute, the District Commissioner pointed out that land management duties of the five villages bordering the Serengeti National Park have been vested to WMA in order to ensure sustainable environmental and wildlife conservation.

However, it has been learnt that before WMA arrangement came into force, Nyichoka Village, one among the village constituting WMA, had entered a contract with Bunda Safaris (T) Ltd as an investor in the area.

"It is true that I am aware that there is an agreement but I told them that I do not want any dispute and I have asked them to hold a meeting in order to reconcile the difference," said Mr. Ole Lenga.

He dismissed allegations that his office is involved in the process of depriving the land allocated to Bunda Safari in favour a hunting firm.

"I am not at all involved since they have their own procedures and if there is any dispute, they would consult us for any help," said Mr. Ole Lenga.

Speaking on the land dispute in Arusha, the Director of Bunda Safari, Mr. Makumbati Sabathy said his company was legally possessing the land.

"We have been in possession of the land since 2001 and now we have at hand building material valued at Shs. 120 million for a hotel and we have contributed Shs. 15 million to the village," said Mr. Sabathy.
The Village Chairman of Nyichoka, Mr. Emmanuel Nyangaka admitted that Bunda Safaris (T) Limited is legally holding the land and it has been contributing to the village development ever since they entered a contract with the village.