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TANZANIA-CANADA-AVIATION
Tanzanian anger as aircraft seized in Canada
NAIROBI, Nov 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – An aeroplane being delivered to
Tanzania’s national airline has been impounded in Canada over a Namibian-born
farmer’s $33-million compensation claim, Tanzania’s foreign minister said
Saturday.
The DHC Dash 8-400 aircraft, a turboprop also known as the Bombardier Q400
which seats up to 90 people, is the second to be seized in connection with
case.
In August, an Airbus 220-300 aircraft was seized in South Africa’s
Johannesburg airport, after it landed on a flight from Tanzania, but was
released in September.
“The same person who went to court in South Africa, and caused the
impounding of Airbus in August, went to a Canadian court,” Tanzania’s Foreign
Minister Palamagamba Kabudi.
The plane, built by Canada’s De Havilland company, was due for delivery as
part of a fleet expansion of the government-run Air Tanzania.
“We won in a case with this man in South Africa,” Kabudi added, speaking at
a government function broadcast on state-media in Tanzania’s capital Dodoma.
“I wonder why this person has emerged in Canada – but our lawyers are
getting ready.”
– ‘Angry’ –
He did not give details of how or where the plane was seized.
“I summoned the Canadian ambassador to Tanzania and clearly told him that
Tanzania is not happy – and we are actually angry,” Kabudi said.
There was no immediate response to calls to the Canadian High Commission.
In 2017, in a separate case, another Q400 turbo-prop plane was impounded by
a Canadian construction firm over a $38 million lawsuit.
That plane was later released, reportedly after a financial settlement.
“Canada should also know that it is not the only manufacturer of planes in
the world,” Kabudi added.
This seizure related to a case dating back to the 1980s, when Tanzania’s
government nationalised a massive, privately-owned bean and seed farm,
seizing everything including equipment, 250 cars and 12 small planes.
The owner, who is now 86, was awarded $33 million (almost 30 million euros)
in compensation in the 1990s — but the government only paid $20 million.
The outstanding balance of $16 million has accrued interest over the
decades and now stands at $33 million, according to his lawyer.
The farmer has been fighting for decades to get the outstanding amount.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1727 hrs