Tanzania:Police Chief’s Shake-Up: Senior Officer Moved Amid Fury Over Brutal Assault Case

By Adonis Byemelwa

In a dramatic turn of events, Tanzania’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Camilius Wambura has executed a significant reshuffle in the police force following a wave of public outrage. Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Theopista Mallya, previously the Dodoma Regional Police Commander, has been reassigned to police headquarters in Dodoma amid intense scrutiny and criticism from human rights advocates.

The controversy erupted after remarks allegedly made by Mallya regarding a high-profile rape and sexual assault case. During a phone interview with a journalist from Mwananchi newspaper, Mallya purportedly suggested that the assault victim was “selling herself.” This comment has been widely condemned as insensitive and inappropriate, leading to considerable backlash.

The Police Force quickly distanced itself from Mallya’s comments, emphasizing that her views do not represent the official stance of the organization. A series of statements issued on August 4, 6, and 9, 2024, by the Police Spokesperson reaffirmed the force's commitment to respect and justice, underlining that such personal opinions are not reflective of the Police Force’s principles.

In a bid to address the fallout and restore public trust, the Police Force has apologized to those affected by the remarks and confirmed that the suspects in the case will face court proceedings today, August 19, 2024.

The reshuffle sees Assistant Commissioner of Police George Katabazi stepping in as the new Regional Police Commander for Dodoma, signaling a strategic move by IGP Wambura to reinforce the force’s dedication to handling sensitive cases with the utmost care and professionalism.

On August 8, 2024, the police force addressed the public uproar surrounding the assault of a young girl by five men, who claimed they were acting on orders from a senior officer.

The incident, which took place in May 2024 in the Swaswa area of Dodoma, was brought to light when a video of the brutal attack began circulating on social media on August 2, 2024.

 The footage shows the horrifying assault, which has since sparked widespread outrage and demands for justice.

David Misime, a police spokesperson, confirmed that four suspects—Clinton Damas, also known as Nyundo, Praygod Mushi, Amini Lema, and Nikson Jakson—have been arrested in Dodoma and the Pwani region.

The police are still searching for two additional suspects involved in the crime. Misime stated, “We are continuing our efforts to locate the remaining suspects. Anyone with information on their whereabouts should come forward. Failure to do so may result in legal consequences if they are found at home or their residence.”

The police have also addressed the issue of misinformation by arresting individuals involved in spreading false reports about the incident.

Flora Mlombola, Aghatha Mchome, Madatha Budodi, and James Paulo from Dar es Salaam were detained for distributing the video, while Amos Lwiza, Adam Dongo, Venance Mallya, and Isack Elias were arrested for propagating false claims that the victim had died.

Human rights advocates and legal experts have been vocal in their demands for swift justice. Boniface Mwabukusi, President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), urged the police to take appropriate legal action against all those involved in the assault and those who facilitated it. “The police must act promptly to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable. Justice must be served,” Mwabukusi stated.

Rebeca Gyumi, Director of the Girl Child Initiative, condemned the assault as a severe violation of human rights.

“We view this act as a grave injustice and call on the police to employ all available strategies to hold the perpetrators accountable. The continued circulation of the video is deeply troubling,” Gyumi remarked.

Anna Henga, Director of the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), called for the arrest of all individuals involved, including the mastermind behind the attack. “All five suspects and their instigator must be apprehended and brought to justice,” Henga emphasized.

The public outcry has also led to calls for legal action if progress is not made swiftly. Lawyer Peter Madeleka threatened to intervene if the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) did not expedite the process.

“If the DPP fails to act within 24 hours, I will step in myself to ensure that these criminals face justice. We cannot tolerate a system that protects offenders,” Madeleka declared.

Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila of Dar es Salaam condemned the assault and assured the public that the victim was receiving appropriate care. “The government condemns this act in the strongest terms. The victim is safe and receiving the necessary psychological support and care,” Chalamila affirmed.

The reshuffle within the police force is viewed as a response to the mounting pressure from the public and human rights organizations. As investigations continue and the search for the remaining suspects intensifies, the focus remains on ensuring that justice is served and that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.