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Agence France-Presse

An aeroplane being delivered to Tanzania’s national airline has been impounded in Canada over a Namibian-born farmer’s US$33 million compensation claim, Tanzania’s foreign minister said on 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.
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“I wonder why this person has emerged in Canada – but our lawyers are getting ready.”
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.
In 2017, in a separate case, another Q400 turboprop plane was impounded by a Canadian construction firm over a US$38 million lawsuit.
That plane was later released, reportedly after a financial settlement.
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“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 US$33 million in compensation in the 1990s – but the government only paid US$20 million.
The outstanding balance of US$13 million has accrued interest over the decades and now stands at US$33 million, according to his lawyer.
The farmer has been fighting for decades to get the outstanding amount.


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Africa

Air Tanzania plane seized in Canada over US$33 million compensation claim

The Bombardier Q400 is the second to be seized in connection with the 40-year-old case. Photo: Air Tanzania

News

World

United States & Canada


The Bombardier Q400 aircraft was impounded over a land compensation dispute dating back to the 1980s
The foreign minister said he summoned the Canadian ambassador and told him that Tanzania is not happy



The Bombardier Q400 aircraft was impounded over a land compensation dispute dating back to the 1980s.


Canada

Aviation