State intensifies crackdown against foreign landlords

SEVEN land title deeds were revoked yesterday, bringing to 12 the total number of the documents so far the government has repossessed from non-citizens. Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development Minister, Mr William Lukuvi, revoked the title deeds, maintaining that only Tanzanians have the right to own land as per the Lands Act in the country.

“Widespread concerns have been expressed through social media over my previous directive against non-residents owning land,” said Mr Lukuvi, adding that the law restricts owner- ship of land to ci t izen s , with foreigners a c - cessing land through derivative rights via the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC). 

“I am going to deal with all non-residents who own land in the country for this is the requirement of the law and I will stand by it,” he charged. The minister asked all good Samaritans to collaborate with his office through supply of information on non-citizens owning land in the country. 

“Tanzanians should assist me to expose all the imposters, claiming to be residents using the country’s identities,” he stressed. Last week, Mr Lukuvi revoked five title deeds of a Briton who was accused of acquiring the land deceptively. 

The Mwanza-based Toyota dealer Hamant Patel was alleged to have used a Tanzanian birth certificate to acquire the land. 

“We are forced to revoke the five title deeds of Patel, the foreigner who owns plots in Mwanza, Tabora and Simiyu,” said Mr Lukuvi, pointing out that the information from the Immigration Department had shown that the foreigner was residing in the country under a Class A permit, which expires in 2017. 

The minister had ordered a probe by the Prevention and Combatting of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) on Patel to find out if he also owned properties in other areas along with those involved in the process. 

Source:DailyNews