Ahead of the general elections, Tanzanian police warned against using social media to spread misinformation. This response is in reaction to a viral video featuring an individual claiming to be a military officer who criticised the government.
Identifying himself as “Capt Tesha” from the Air Force, the individual accused the government of corruption, human rights abuses, and political meddling within the military ranks. Despite inquiries, the military has not confirmed his identity.
In the video, the alleged officer calls upon military chief Jacob Mkunda to take decisive action, urging unity in the nation and protecting citizens’ rights. He also motivates the Tanzanian populace to advocate for their rights and to engage in demonstrations, asserting that the security forces support such actions.
“We cannot allow the nation to fall into the hands of a few individuals. I also urge my commander to address the ongoing issues in our country,” he states.
This video emerges as Tanzania prepares for its general elections amid rising tensions. Military spokesman Col. Bernard Masala Mlunga attributed the dissemination of such videos to individuals either falsely claiming military ties or former members who had been expelled for misconduct or political dissent.
“The Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) remains committed to executing its constitutional duties with integrity, loyalty, and professionalism, in compliance with Tanzanian laws,” he said.
Law enforcement reiterated that sharing “criminal and inflammatory” content is an abuse of social media, driven by malicious intent. “The police assure Tanzanians of their commitment to identify, arrest, and prosecute those involved in sharing such content,” their statement outlined.
