Zanzibar promises to return land or pay compensation in investor land-grab cases
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Zanzibar's deputy minister for lands told the House of Representatives that land taken for investment without proper notice or compensation will be returned to owners where mistakes are verified, or fairly compensated where return is legally impossible.
Zanzibar's government has said it will investigate complaints that citizens' land was seized for investors without prior notice or compensation, promising to return property to owners where mistakes are verified or pay fair compensation where return proves legally impossible.
The Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Salha Mohamed Mwinjuma, made the commitment while responding to a question in the House of Representatives on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from Chambani Representative Mahomud Shineni Ali of ACT-Wazalendo.
The representative had sought government answers over mounting complaints from citizens whose lands were allegedly taken for investors without notice or compensation, and asked what measures were being taken to return the land to its rightful owners or rectify the procedural flaws.
Mwinjuma said that while investment remains critical to the isles' economic growth, job creation and revenue generation, it must not infringe on citizens' legal rights. "Execution of investment projects must comply with the law and protect citizens' rights to avoid unnecessary conflicts," she said.
She noted that acquiring land for investment must follow statutory procedures, maintain transparency, serve the broader public interest and involve local leaders and residents, including ownership verification, surveying and property valuation to ensure proper compensation.
The deputy minister promised that the government would investigate the affected areas to establish the truth of the claims. "Our goal is to ensure investment drives development without compromising the rights of citizens across Unguja and Pemba," she said.