If you thought only cars get impounded you are wrong. Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Palamagamba Kabudi announced that a new Bombardier Q400 aircraft bought by the government had been seized in Canada.
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 after Namibian-born farmer’s compensation claim.
Kabudi said at an event televised live by the national broadcaster Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation that the plane was impounded after a South African farmer, Hermanus Steyn, had asked the Canadian authorities to impound the plane, pending a court case from which he is demanding the Tanzanian government to pay him USD 33 million.
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.
This is the second time the South Afican farmer has demanded the seizure of Tanzania’s planes over compensation claims. In August a south African court ordered the seizure of another Tanzania plane (Airbus 220-300) following a request from the farmer. however, the plane was released following a successful appeal by the government.
We defeated him (Mr Steyn) in court in South Africa, he then appealed, but we won the case. This time he demanded that the Canadian authorities impound our Bombardier Q400 but we are ready for the (court) battle,” said the minister.
Air Tanzania
Established as Air Tanzania Corporation (ATC) in 1977, Air Tanzania serves seventeen destinations including Comoro, Burundi, Uganda and has a fleet of 9 aircraft inclusive 2 Boeing 787 and 2 Airbus A220-300
Last month, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was delivered to the east African nation bringing to eight the number of new aircraft delivered to Tanzania since John Magufuli took office in November 2015 and began reviving the loss-making airline.
Magufuli has personally taken charge of the revival of the state carrier, with his government spending millions of dollars purchasing new planes to help boost tourism via a a more .efficient national airline.
