The recent events in Tanzania have exposed a chilling reality: A curfew should never be a death sentence. On October 29, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in Dar es Salaam, where a young car wash worker, Shaaban, was gunned down by police during a government-imposed curfew. But here's the catch: Shaaban was not a protester or a rioter; he was merely trying to access cash to buy food.
This shocking incident was not an isolated case. In the same city, Master Tindwa Mtopa, a sports journalist, was shot at his home after stepping out to investigate a disturbance. Social media accounts reveal another harrowing story of a woman whose sister was shot and killed by police in her car, with her child as a witness. These incidents are not isolated mistakes but potential extrajudicial killings.
Despite the Tanzanian government's denial of any deaths during the five-day lockdown, the evidence paints a different picture. The question arises: Did the government's curfew powers extend to taking the lives of its citizens?
The right to life is non-negotiable, even in times of emergency. The UN Human Rights Committee firmly states that this right is inviolable, and the use of lethal force by law enforcement is subject to strict rules. But did Shaaban, Tindwa, and the unnamed mother pose an imminent threat that justified their deaths?
The answer is a clear no. These killings were not justified, and they demonstrate a blatant disregard for the rule of law. The curfew's legal foundation is questionable, as the delegation of emergency powers was not published in the official Government Gazette as required by Tanzania's Emergency Powers Act.
The government's silence and refusal to acknowledge these deaths create a crisis of accountability. It's not a political issue but a breach of the state's fundamental duty to protect its citizens.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan's administration must break its silence and take action. A thorough, independent investigation is necessary, followed by public acknowledgment, apologies, and reparations. The government must ensure that a curfew is never an excuse for such atrocities.
The lives of Shaaban, Master Tindwa, and others cannot be brushed aside as mere statistics. They were Tanzanian citizens, and their government is responsible for their tragic deaths. Until justice is served, the shadow of this tragedy will linger, leaving many to wonder: Is a curfew ever a valid reason for such extreme measures?
