Joseph Isangura
Three people have been arrested in Mbeya following a violent clash over land between two families in Mbarali District, which resulted in two deaths and five others being injured.
The victims, Iddi Wilbroad Mjengwa (38) from Igurusi and Maige Jifaru (44) from Isunura, were killed during the confrontation on January 10, 2025, around 4:00 p.m. in Shitanda Hamlet, Luhanga Village.
The dispute centers around a 1,050-acre farm, which has been the subject of a long-standing argument between the family of Mzee Rafael Ramadhani Mjengwa and the family of Mzee Malewa. Mzee Rafael holds the official land title, while Mzee Malewa’s family insists they have been farming and grazing livestock on the land for many years.
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The incident began when Mzee Rafael’s family started preparing the land for farming. A group of about 15 people, believed to be from Mzee Malewa’s side, attacked them, leading to the tragic deaths and injuries.
The three suspects Kuva Zengo, Lukeresha Mlawa, and Bulanda Mathias are currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing. The incident sheds light on the tensions and risks surrounding land disputes in the region, where unclear land ownership and historical claims often escalate into violence.
