The article highlights growing concerns across Tanzania about the privatization of public open spaces.Officials and investors are increasingly converting areas designated for communal use into commercial or residential properties, undermining public access.

Examples include plans to turn Shanty Town's public space into an entertainment hall and the conversion of Biafra Grounds in Dar es Salaam into commercial ventures.The author argues this practice, termed 'filicide,' is a deliberate act of destroying public assets by those who planned them.Governance issues are cited as a key problem, with public spaces often being controlled by multiple entities without community input.The article calls for stronger protections, suggesting that these spaces should be reclassified as community-use areas under local governance.It emphasizes the importance of open spaces for health, environment, and social equity, urging authorities to prioritize them in urban planning.