By Staff Writer
Geita District Commissioner Hashim Komba is pushing for dialogue to defuse growing tensions between Geita Gold Mine (GGM) and more than 135 residents of Nyakabale’s lowland, after the mining company rejected a special committee’s report on compensation.
The DC made the call today following a heated meeting where GGM, Tanzania’s largest gold mine and one of Africa’s biggest, told him it has no plans to compensate residents living in the area. The statement drew immediate anger from villagers who vowed not to leave their land without payment.
Earlier, the special committee formed by Komba to investigate the dispute submitted findings showing that GGM has no documentation proving the residents have been compensated. “There are no documents at all showing that the area has been paid for by GGM. We have repeatedly asked them to provide the documents but there is none,” the report presented to the DC stated.
GGML Senior Relations Officer Gilbert Mworia rejected the committee’s recommendations outright. “We cannot compensate these residents. They should go wherever they think they can get justice,” he said in a high tone during the meeting.
Residents responded with frustration, accusing GGM of violating their basic rights. “These people from GGM have decided to deny us our basic rights, and we will not leave our land without being compensated. They have done many bad things to us and we have remained silent. They released toxic water into the river which killed our cattle, and many of us suffered health problems. And today they are coming to say they will not pay us compensation for our land. We will not accept this,” one villager said.
Shabani L. Shabani, another resident, said the lowland has been the community’s main source of livelihood for decades. “This is where we grow crops and keep small livestock to survive. If they forcefully relocate us without paying what is right, we will not accept it at all. We have been silent for a long time because after the mine’s dust started spreading, we no longer have anywhere to farm or graze,” he added.
Asha, a mother of three, said the threat of eviction has left her sleepless, worried about her children’s future and education. “This has now become oppression against us, the poor and the vulnerable who cannot defend ourselves and have no one to defend us. We are calling the Prime Minister to come and help us, the voiceless, so that we can get our justice,” she said.
While some residents threatened to block the road leading to the mine from Nyakabale village, Komba urged restraint, warning that such action would only escalate tensions. He asked them to wait until next Monday when he will convene another meeting to seek a lasting solution.
The DC stressed that there are no shortcuts to resolving the matter other than dialogue between all parties. He agreed with the residents that they are still occupying their land and emphasized that the situation requires wisdom to avoid unnecessary conflict and ensure justice for everyone.
Komba also said he does not agree with GGM’s position and has given both sides more time to resolve the matter peacefully. He has directed GGML’s Relations Manager to resubmit the report for further review ahead of the next meeting scheduled for Monday.
The residents are now calling on the government to intervene urgently. They argue that while GGM earns substantial profits from gold annually, the surrounding community also deserves to benefit rather than remain poor and marginalized.
For now, Nyakabale lowland remains inhabited, but under a cloud of uncertainty. With each passing day, fear is growing and productive activities have stalled because no one knows what tomorrow will bring.
In the end, the residents say all their hopes now rest with President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba. They believe that as leaders who listen to and defend the rights of ordinary citizens, they will help ensure justice is restored and that any relocation process is carried out fairly, transparently and humanely.
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