Police Confirm Arrest Of Viral Gang Rape Perpetrators In Tanzania After Public Uproar

Police Confirm Arrest Of Viral Gang Rape Perpetrators In Tanzania After Public Uproar

Tanzanian authorities have launched an investigation following the widespread distribution of a video purportedly depicting a gang rape, which has sparked nationwide outrage.

Local media reports that arrests have already been made.

The disturbing footage, which shows a young woman being assaulted by multiple men, first surfaced on Sunday.

Human rights organizations have urged the authorities to act quickly.

WATANZANIA HONGERENI KWA KAZI NZURI, BADO KUNA KAZI NZITO SANA MBELE YETU..!

1. Hongereni sana kwa kazi nzuri Watanzania wote mliopaza sauti na manoendelea kupaza sauti kuhusu kubakwa, kulawitiwa na kudhalilishwa kwa binti dhidi ya askari wa JWTZ.

2.Kwa ufuatiliaji,kuhusu hatua… pic.twitter.com/B5G28I4JRR

— Boniface Jacob (@ExMayorUbungo) August 9, 2024

In a statement, the police confirmed that their investigation is “progressing well,” but did not confirm any arrest.

Taarifa ya Msemaji wa Jeshi la Polisi kuhusu kukamatwa kwa watuhumiwa wanne wanaohusishwa kumfanyia Binti vitendo vya ukatili. pic.twitter.com/KNGNzCHvwS

— Police Force TZ (@tanpol) August 9, 2024

They reassured the public that more detailed information would be released once the legal process was completed, and urged everyone to stay calm.

WAMEKAMATWA,WAPO CHINI YA ULINZI..!

1.Taarifa za uhakika kutoka kwa wasiri wetu zinasema Private Damas Clinton mwajiriwa wa Jeshi la Wananchi Tanzania ambaye alitambulika kirahisi katika video za ubakaji na ulawiti akiwa na wenzake.

Wote wamekamatwa na kutiwa nguvuni tangu jana… pic.twitter.com/YIRcE3z6UO

— Boniface Jacob (@ExMayorUbungo) August 6, 2024

Authorities also asked the public to exercise caution when sharing content online, emphasizing the importance of protecting the victim and her family from further harm.

According to reports, Home Affairs Minister Hamad Masauni confirmed that some suspects had been apprehended but did not provide further information.

Boniface Jacob, the former mayor of Ubungo, a district in Dar es Salaam, first made the incident public on August 4 with a post on social media platform X.

Jacob stated that the assault occurred in another area of Dar es Salaam and suggested that the perpetrators were linked to the Tanzanian military, though this has not been confirmed.

The Tanganyika Law Society condemned the incident, describing it as a serious violation of both legal and societal norms.

The Msichana Initiative, a Tanzanian organization that advocates for girls’ rights, also urged decisive action against what they called “brutal acts.”

They criticized the video’s continued online distribution, claiming that it only contributes to the victim’s humiliation.

Waliofanya USHETANI huo👇 watakamatwa kwa UTARATIBU huu;
1. Huyo Mwanamke AMTAJE huyo MUME wa AFANDE aliyetembea nae.
2. MUME wa AFANDE akishajulikana, TUTAMJUA AFANDE.
3. Baada ya hapo, AFANDE ATAWATAJA hao MASHETANI WENZAKE.
4. Halafu MASHETANI wote WAKAMATWE. pic.twitter.com/utnh5benGs

— Peter Madeleka (@PMadeleka) August 5, 2024

The Legal and Human Rights Centre has urged President Samia Suluhu Hassan to publicly condemn the assault, warning that failure to address such issues may result in their escalation under the guise of authority abuse.

This is not an isolated incident; in 2019, several men were arrested in northeastern Tanzania after a series of gang rapes, according to local reports.

Police Confirm Arrest Of Viral Gang Rape Perpetrators In Tanzania After Public Uproar