This archive report was first published on 25 August 2019.
Published on August 25, 2019, a South African court ordered the seizure of an Air Tanzania plane worth $90 million over an unpaid compensation claim of $33 million.
The claim dates back to the 1980s when the Tanzanian government nationalised a massive bean and seed farm, seizing equipment, 250 cars, and 12 small planes.
According to lawyer Roger Wakefield, the farmer was awarded $33 million in compensation in the 1990s, but the Tanzanian government only paid $20 million.
The outstanding balance of $16 million has accrued interest over the decades and now stands at $33 million.
"Literally after decades of broken promises, promises to pay, acknowledging the indebtedness, the plaintiff was left with no option, he came to me," Wakefield told AFP.
South Africa's High Court in Johannesburg granted the order to seize the plane, which was seized on Friday at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport.
Tanzania's transport ministry said the plane was prevented from taking off by a decision of the High Court of Gauteng, Johannesburg, and they are working to secure its release.
