Tanzania arrests two people calling for protests on social media
Police in Tanzania have arrested two people accused of urging fellow citizens to protests against John Magufuli and his government.
A farmer and a driver were both arrested on Wednesday for calling on others to protest on April 26. They allegedly described the current regime under Magufuli “a dictatorship” and claimed there is “no freedom” in Tanzania.
Two arrested over social media calls for protest
“These two people here were inciting others to protest on April 26, saying on social media that there is no freedom, that there is a dictatorship, which is totally false,” police chief from the central Dodoma region Gilles Muroto told the press as he presented the two suspects.
“We have already warned that will not accept people testing government. We have arrested these two, let it serve as a lesson to others.”
Calls for nationwide protests on April 26 were initially started by an opposition member earlier this month and the government insists it will take a zero-tolerance approach to any demonstrations – accompanied with some harsh dialogue.
During the same press conference, Muroto promised that anyone attending the protest will end up with “a broken leg and go home as cripples”.
Earlier this month, President John Magufuli responded to the proposed demonstrations with a less specific warning.
“Some people have failed to engage in real politics and would like to see street protests every day… let them demonstrate and they will see who I am,” he said.
Featured image: YouTube
