Two village leaders suspended for misconduct

DODOMA: TWO village chairpersons in Matongoro Ward, Kongwa District, have been suspended over allegations of misconduct and failing to discharge their duties diligently.

The suspended leaders are Elisha Mpanda of Mlanje Village and Joab Chida of Matongoro Village.

The decision was made after Kongwa District Commissioner (DC) Mayeka Simon visited the ward to address an ongoing boundary dispute between Matongoro and Mlanje villages, in which the two chairpersons were allegedly involved.

During a public meeting, residents from both villages accused the duo of tampering with village boundaries for personal gains, leading to land disputes.

Following the complaints, DC Mayeka directed Kongwa District Executive Director, Dr Omar Nkullo to take actions, which involved suspending the two chairpersons.

He also instructed the District Council’s legal officer to oversee the appointment of interim leaders until the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) completes its investigation on the matter.

Residents claimed that the chairpersons had been colluding to sell grazing land to farmers, violating landuse regulations.

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They also alleged that anyone who questioned the illegal land sales was threatened by the village leaders.

Some members of Matongoro village council who did not like their names to appear in newspapers accused their chairman of obstructing government operations and ruling the village with an authoritarian approach.

“The chairman acts as if he is above all authorities, demanding that everyone listens to him alone,” one council member stated.

They further alleged that the chairman had used false promises during his campaign, pledging to sell grazing land to farmers and enrol impoverished families into the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) programme in exchange of votes.

Matongoro Village Executive Officer, Ms Rosemary Lubengo, confirmed that the chairman had been ignoring government directives and obstructing the implementation of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) manifesto for personal interests.

Kongwa District Land Officer, Hansi Mkongoja said that the village boundary was officially surveyed in 2007, with the grazing land designated as part of Matongoro Village.

However, after assuming office in October last year, the chairman allegedly began selling the land to farmers, falsely claiming it belonged to Mlanje Village, sparking the dispute.