Outrage in Tanzania over viral gang rape video

Tanzanian authorities have launched a rigorous investigation following the viral circulation of a horrifying gang rape video, igniting widespread outrage across the nation.

The disturbing footage, which began surfacing online on Sunday, shows a young woman being violently assaulted by multiple men.

The incident has prompted calls for immediate justice from human rights organizations and the general public.

Local media reports indicate that arrests have already been made, although the police have yet to confirm these details publicly.

In an official statement, the police assured that their investigation is “progressing well” and promised to release more detailed information upon the completion of the legal process.

They urged the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading the video further, stressing the need to protect the victim and her family from additional harm.

Home Affairs Minister Hamad Masauni confirmed that some suspects have been apprehended but withheld specific details. The incident first came to light on August 4, when Boniface Jacob, the former mayor of Ubungo in Dar es Salaam, posted about it on social media platform X. Jacob claimed the assault occurred in another area of Dar es Salaam and suggested, though unverified, that the perpetrators might have connections to the Tanzanian military.

The Tanganyika Law Society has vehemently condemned the incident, describing it as a severe violation of both legal and societal norms. Similarly, the Msichana Initiative, a prominent organization advocating for girls’ rights in Tanzania, has demanded decisive action against what they termed “brutal acts.” They criticized the continuous online sharing of the video, which they argued only exacerbates the victim’s humiliation.

Adding to the chorus of condemnation, the Legal and Human Rights Centre has called on President Samia Suluhu Hassan to publicly denounce the assault. They warned that failing to address such egregious acts could potentially lead to an increase in similar incidents, masked as authority abuse.