A heart-wrenching story has emerged of a 95-year-old woman from Arusha, Tanzania, Salima Saidi, who has been evicted from her late husband's home after residing there for more than six decades. The elderly woman, who built the house with her husband 65 years ago, expressed disbelief that her grandchildren were responsible for her eviction.
“I have lived here for more than 60 years, and I was married here, gave birth and raised my children in this home. Even after my husband fell sick and died, her brothers took care of us and ensured my home was protected until now,” Saidi said in an interview.
Salima recalled how her brothers-in-law had always supported her living in the house after her husband’s death.
“I respect my brothers-in-law; they have taken care of me and my children since my husband died. He was the lastborn in his family. Today, I am being evicted by my grandchildren except one defending me now,” she added.
The only grandchild standing by her is Asha Mfaume, who revealed that the eviction stems from a protracted legal battle over the ownership of the land. Asha described the situation as both unfair and malicious, alleging that her cousins pursued a court case in secret, resulting in the eviction judgment.
“The case is in court until today. They also opened another case to evict grandma without informing us, and judgment was made to throw her out of her house. They handled the case alone and were allowed to throw her out. How can one case be reported twice and judgment made without involving the other party?” Asha questioned.
Salima, deeply connected to the home where she was married, raised her children, and shared her life with her husband, now finds herself at odds with those she once nurtured. “I wonder why they had the right to come and move me from my home after my husband and I made it good,” she lamented.
Despite her age and the emotional toll of the ordeal, Salima continues to receive support from Asha, who vows to fight for justice in the ongoing land dispute.