ITV's Land Conflict with Rombo District Council

Rombo District Council in Land Dispute with ITV, Involved Parties Speak Out
Monday, March 03, 2025

A portion of the land where Independent Television (ITV) and Radio One set up their broadcasting equipment in Rombo District, Kilimanjaro, is at the center of a dispute. The location, identified as Plot No. 6, Block B, in the town of Mkuu, has become the subject of tension between ITV and the local authorities.

Key Events Leading to the Dispute:

In 1994, ITV was granted this land when the station was founded by its late founder, Reginald Mengi. By 2003, ITV received a 33-year lease document for the property, which they had been utilizing for their broadcast infrastructure. The location in Mkuu town has long housed crucial broadcasting equipment for ITV, Radio One, Capital Radio, and Television, but this area has now become embroiled in a land dispute with the Rombo District Council.

The council's action to reclaim the land from ITV, who has operated there for over 25 years, has led to the suspension of the installation of digital broadcasting equipment, a setback for both the station and its listeners in the region. ITV asserts that it holds rightful ownership of the land, having complied with all legal procedures when it was initially granted the land back in the early 1990s.

Land Ownership and Legal Entitlements:

The ITV station's facilities on the land, including a container valued at approximately 100 million Tanzanian Shillings and an analog communication tower, were built after the station was given permission to establish a permanent setup by the local authorities in 1994. As of 2003, ITV was issued a leasehold agreement for 33 years.

However, in August 2021, Rombo District's Executive Director, Godwin Chacha, informed ITV and Radio One in writing that their land lease agreement had been terminated, citing non-compliance with specific terms. ITV claims that despite paying an annual rent of 64,050 Tanzanian Shillings for the land, they were unfairly evicted without compensation, as stipulated under the 1999 Land Law.

Conflict Escalation and Efforts to Resolve:

From 2020, the conflict has intensified. ITV, which has been operating in the area for nearly three decades, faced interruptions when Rombo authorities removed security personnel and impeded the planned installation of digital equipment.

According to Boniface Michael, the Kilimanjaro Regional Broadcast Supervisor for IPP, this dispute has significantly affected their ability to improve their broadcasting services in the region. Michael explained that the station’s move to digital broadcasting was hindered, preventing the setup of three key radio stations—East Africa Radio, Radio One, and Capital Radio.

The Impact on Local Communities:

This ongoing conflict has disrupted broadcasting in Rombo and neighboring areas. ITV's inability to upgrade its facilities to digital has prevented residents from accessing various local and regional broadcasts. Furthermore, ITV personnel such as former security guard Aniset Swai and ex-employee Aloyce Massawe recounted personal losses during the dispute. Swai recalled being forced to vacate the site by the council without any official notice, while Massawe expressed frustration over his vehicle still being trapped at the station site since 2021.

Massawe requested ITV to assist him in retrieving his vehicle, which he says is vital for his agricultural work since he is no longer employed by the company.

Documentation and Payment Discrepancies:

In 2003, ITV and Radio One were required to pay various fees, including survey charges and land registration costs. ITV duly paid these fees as per the documentation provided. Further payments for land rent were made in 2005, 2019, and 2021, with receipts proving these transactions.

However, despite these payments, the Rombo District Council took further actions to cancel the previous agreements, including a 2020 notice announcing the termination of the lease agreement, which led to an ongoing legal and administrative battle.

Conclusion and Request for Resolution:

Both ITV and the local residents are eager to see the dispute resolved quickly, especially since it continues to disrupt important broadcast services in the region. ITV has called on the Rombo District Council to act in accordance with the law and ensure that their broadcasting services are not further delayed by the ongoing land issues.