The party has no such powers, says the former PM
The CCM official has gone further and “advised” Sumaye, who recently quit the ruling party to join the opposition camp, “to voluntarily return the land to residents of Morogoro Region before further action is taken”.
“The land belongs to the residents of Wami Magole in Mvomero District,” said in response to a question by journalists who wanted to know the fate of the land.
“Sumaye did not follow legal procedures in procuring the land, previously owned by the then state-run National Ranching Company (NARCO),” he declared.
He said Sumaye’s acquisition of the land in question led to shortage of arable land that would have otherwise been used by the villagers living near the ranch.
“Sumaye should stop accusing CCM and government officials of corruption because he is himself not than clean either,” said Milonge, adding: “We want him to return the land so that we residents of the area can start using it for agriculture and other economic activities.”Reached for comment by this paper, the former PM laughed off the issue, saying he had not yet received any communication to that effect and adding: “Land is a government issue and CCM as a party has no jurisdiction in the matter.”
“Every property I have acquired I have done so following all legal procedures,” he noted, dismissing Milonge’s remarks as groundless and indefensible.
He wondered why the matter was being brought up at a time when the General Election campaigns were well under way across the country.
“There is a specific legal procedure to follow when the government wants to repossess or otherwise acquire land for development purposes. The CCM regional secretary has no role whatsoever in the matter,” he said.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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