Tanzania’s livestock keepers welcome Parliament’s decision to scrap confiscation law

Tanzania’s livestock keepers have welcomed Parliament’s decision to remove a law that allowed authorities to confiscate animals found inside protected areas. They say the measure had become a painful obstacle in their lives, with some losing property and falling into poverty.

Kusundwa Wamalwa, vice chairman of the Tanzania Livestock Keepers Association, called the repeal an important step for herders who had long complained about the consequences of confiscations. “That law was a cover for taking people’s property. Many became poor and beggars even though they had their property. Today we are very grateful that Parliament saw this,” he said.

Wamalwa said livestock keepers had been waiting for the change because of the losses they said they suffered under the previous law. He also said the confiscation rule had fueled tensions between herders and natural-resources authorities, and that removing it could help reduce some of those conflicts.

He cautioned that disputes between farmers and livestock keepers remained, partly because of how some village leaders manage land and resources. Wamalwa also welcomed the government’s move to begin paying livestock keepers who won natural-resources cases. After the prime minister spoke in Parliament in June about compensating those people, 19 livestock keepers had already been listed for payment.

Parliament ended its fourth session of the 13th Parliament after passing five bills. They included two bills amending various laws, a bill repealing the Pareto Industry Act, a bill on loans secured by movable assets, and an Agriculture Bill. The session also included Parliament’s approval of a vice-presidential appointment, although the supplied report ends before giving further details.

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That law was a cover for taking people’s property. Many became poor and beggars even though they had their property. Today we are very grateful that Parliament saw this.