Samia Legal Aid campaign resolves disputes

DODOMA: MINISTRY of Constitutional and Legal Affairs has commended beneficiaries of the Samia Legal Aid Campaign for choosing amicable settlement of disputes, saying the approach is a key for peace promotion and social cohesion.

Speaking to the beneficiaries, the Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Dr Juma Homera praised citizens who chose reconciliation over prolonged legal battles, noting that such decisions help restore harmony and fasttrack justice.

“Long-standing disputes affect people’s wellbeing and hinder development. It is important for wananchi to embrace peaceful means in resolving their differences,” he said.

Among the beneficiaries is Mr Abel Ndelengo, who had been embroiled in a land dispute for about 15 years involving an 8-acre cashew farm with Ms Frola Mkondya.

The conflict arose after Mr Ndelengo purchased the land in 2011 for 1.05m/- from a family member of the original owner.

Following successful mediation under the campaign, Mr Ndelengo agreed to relinquish the land in exchange for a refund of the purchase price in order to restore peace.

In recognition of his decision, the ministry awarded him 15m/- as a token of appreciation for his patriotism and commitment to peace.

“I am satisfied with how my case was resolved. I chose peace and agreed to be refunded my money so that we could end the dispute and move forward,” he said.

The widow of the deceased original owner, Ms Hawa Sandari Kalimeje, said the dispute began after her husband’s death in 2013, when internal inheritance conflicts emerged within the family.

She explained that she was unaware that part of the family land had already been sold until she returned from burial arrangements and found a perimeter wall already constructed on the property.

“It was very painful because I had not been informed. I struggled for years seeking justice until I came across the Samia Legal Aid Campaign in 2025,” she said.

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She noted that the ministry handled her case closely, leading to a resolution without any legal costs. Representatives of the estate, led by Mr Kanduru Mussa Kanduru, said the dispute had dragged on for over a decade in courts without a lasting solution.

“For more than 11 years we moved from one court to another without success. Through government legal aid, the matter was finally resolved amicably and everyone got their rightful share,” he said.

In a related development, another dispute involving Dar es Salaam resident Ms Rosemary Spendi was also resolved through the campaign.

Ms Spendi said her tenant defaulted on rent and later used forged documents to secure a bank loan using her house as collateral.

“I spent two years in court without resolution, with the case handled by five different magistrates. Through the campaign, I finally got my house back,” she said.

Dr Homera said the ministry will continue to serve as a refuge for wananchi seeking legal assistance, particularly the vulnerable, while encouraging greater use of mediation before resorting to courts.

“Disputes deprive people of peace and productivity. That’s why we emphasise reconciliation as the first option, with courts being the last resort,” he said.

He added that through the campaign, more than 4.1 million Tanzanians received legal aid services last year, helping resolve numerous disputes and restore peace in families and communities.