FROM THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER IN BABATI
The police in Babati are holding 16 people for questioning in connection with a fire that broke out at the Dudumera sugarcane and sorghum estate on the night of August 15, 2026 that also destroyed three tractors, with the actual loss still largely unknown.
Manyara Regional Police Commander (RPC), Ahmed Makarani, confirmed the arrests as investigations continued to establish the reason(s) behind the incident and identify those responsible as authorities suspected arson.
“The whole area suddenly became as bright as daytime. We could see flames of fire rising across the fields as the crops burned up. It was frightening to watch because the fire was spreading very fast,” a witness who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals said.
The farm’s representative, Ms Radhika Jeta, said the fire had caused significant losses and disrupted farming operations. A farm security guard said an unknown number of people had broken into the property on the night before the fire.
The incident comes against the backdrop of a long-standing land dispute involving the estate and some residents in the area. In May, Manyara Regional Commissioner (RC), Ms Queen Sendiga, reportedly ordered about 80 households occupying part of the farmland to leave within seven days.
The dispute has remained a source of tension in the area. However, authorities were yet to establish whether it had any bearing on Saturday night’s incident.
