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Pastoralists face corrupt officers all along the way
2007-03-22 08:54:57
By Festo Sikagonamo, PST, Mbarali
Herders being relocated to Lindi from water catchments areas in Usangu valley have complained that they are charged high unofficial fees for securing permits to shift their livestock.
They have asked for urgent government intervention. There are reports that herders are required to pay between 300,000/- and 500,000/- before they are allowed to cross Mkapa Bridge in Rufiji. They are complaining that these fees are prohibitive.
They recently aired their concern to Mbarali District Commissioner Hawa Ngulume, as they sought government intervention to ease their plight.
They have also requested the government to help them establish new settlements as an alternative.
The pastoralists informed Ngulume that while on their way to new areas in Lindi, the traffic police and other local authorities harassed them a great deal.
``They demand cash in return for using the road and do not allow us to cross Mkapa’s Bridge before we oil their palms,`` said one of them.
Worse still, continued another, the fee charged for crossing Benjamin Mkapa Bridge or any other fees is more than 400,000/- each.
``This is absurd bearing in mind that we have all the needed documents,`` he said.
There are no receipts issued whatsoever for the large sums of money collected illegally, alleged another herder.
The places named to be notorious for causing harassment include Ruvu Darajani, Kibaha, Mkuranga, Rufiji and Mkapa’s Bridge.
``The little money that we intended to spend on our children’s education in our new settlements is snatched from us by people pretending to act on behalf of the government. Please help us,`` pleaded another herder.
The DC sympathized with them, and called upon the relevant authorities to refrain from harassing poor people who are obeying a genuine government directive.
``It should be understood that they are being relocated to prevent destruction of the environment, especially at spots near water catchments sources, which is a national concern,`` said the DC.
She pledged support to the pastoralists, adding, ``I will communicate with higher authorities to make sure this does not happen again. The permits issued are authentic and should be respected,`` Ngulume said.
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