The UK based Leigh Day and local activists in Tanzania are facing serious allegations of misusing compensation funds meant for victims of violence at the North Mara gold mine. Victims claim that these activists and lawyers have pocketed a significant portion of the compensation, leaving the victims with far less than what they are entitled to.
The North Mara gold mine, a joint venture between Barrick Gold and the Tanzanian government through Twiga Minerals Corp, has been plagued by frequent invasions from locals attempting to steal gold-bearing ore. These intrusions, often involving armed individuals with traditional weapons, have led to numerous injuries and fatalities.
One such victim, Samwel Mwita Nyangore from Siriba village, was injured in a confrontation with police while trying to invade the mine in 2011. During his hospital recovery, he was approached by Leigh Day lawyers who offered to represent him and other victims in a lawsuit against Acacia Mining, the company that operated the mine at the time.
Before the case could be finalized in court, both parties agreed to settle out of court, with Acacia Mining agreeing to pay compensation in 2015. However, Nyangore later discovered that the amount he received from Leigh Day was much lower compared to the total compensation paid by Acacia Mining.
A report by Germany’s DW revealed that while Acacia Mining paid TZS 387.54 million in total compensation, Nyangore received only TZS 150 million, which is about 38.6% of the total amount. Samuel Peter Timasi, Chairman of the NGO MUCHATA, criticized both the foreign and local activists for allegedly taking advantage of the victims' lack of legal knowledge to siphon off funds meant for them.
Leigh Day has denied these allegations and refused to disclose the exact percentages of compensation they take, citing confidentiality. However, evidence suggests that Leigh Day often takes between 60% and 70% of the compensation awarded, leaving victims with little.
These cases are often handled outside Tanzania, making it easier for these firms to exploit the situation. Local MP Mwita Waitara has confirmed that there have been complaints from victims regarding these issues.
“Kampuni ya Leigh Day claims to be fighting for victims’ rights, but in reality, they are the biggest beneficiaries of these cases,” said MP Waitara.
The North Mara mine compensation scandal highlights a troubling aspect of Western legal interventions in developing countries. While Western firms present themselves as champions of human rights, their actions in this case suggest otherwise, raising serious questions about the ethics and fairness of their operations in Africa. There is a pressing need for greater transparency and accountability to ensure victims receive the justice they deserve.