Prof Shemdoe settles disputes involving 30 traders at Mabibo Market

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Professor Riziki Shemdoe, has directed 30 former traders at Mabibo Banana Market, popularly known as Mahakama ya Ndizi, to resume their businesses at the market.

Professor Shemdoe issued the directive in Dar es Salaam after receiving a report from a team established to investigate complaints raised by the traders during a working meeting involving the minister, the traders and the Ubungo Municipal Council.

Under the directive, the 30 traders will be allowed to return to the market upon obtaining written endorsements from local government offices.

Professor Shemdoe also directed the Ubungo Municipal Council to assess the property of Frego Njovu, who had requested reimbursement for funds he allegedly spent renovating a toilet at the market while he was responsible for its management.

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In another directive, the minister ordered the return of goods belonging to trader Enock Kimwayeya, who served as chairman of the traders who submitted the complaints. Kimwayeya had left the goods at his stall after he was removed from the market.

The directive followed findings by the monitoring team that the Ubungo Municipal Council had acknowledged that the trader’s goods were still in its possession.

To strengthen management of the market, Professor Shemdoe also directed the Ubungo Municipal Director to appoint a new manager to oversee Mabibo Banana Market, while the current manager is to be assigned other duties.

Professor Shemdoe said the directives were based on agreements reached by all parties during the working meeting between the minister, the complainant traders and the Ubungo Municipal Council.

The 30 traders submitted their complaints to Professor Shemdoe through a written petition dated January 15, 2026, concerning the dispute at Mabibo Banana Market.

In their complaints, the traders alleged that they had been barred from entering the market and that their business premises had been confiscated and sold. The Ubungo Municipal Council had removed the traders from the market over allegations that they were inciting unrest and refusing to recognise the municipal authority as the body responsible for managing the market.