Joseph Isangura
Tension erupted on Wednesday night, October 1, 2025, after groups of people hurled stones at rapid transit buses in the Magomeni Usalama area, leaving several vehicles damaged and commuters shaken.
Video clips that quickly spread across social media show buses with smashed windows as startled passengers scrambled for safety. Witnesses said the attacks began suddenly, targeting buses passing through the busy Magomeni corridor at around 9 p.m.
Police were swiftly deployed to the scene in an effort to restore calm and escort vehicles through the affected routes. Officers cordoned off parts of the road and launched patrols to prevent further disturbances. No official injuries have yet been confirmed, though authorities said an investigation was under way to identify the perpetrators.
Residents in the area described the scene as chaotic, with glass strewn across the road and drivers forced to slow down or pull over as stones rained down. “It all happened so fast — one minute the buses were moving normally, the next they were under attack,” said a commuter who witnessed the incident.
City officials condemned the violence, stressing that the public transit system is a lifeline for thousands of daily passengers in Dar es Salaam. They vowed stronger security measures to protect both vehicles and commuters. “Public transport must be safe and reliable. We will not tolerate actions that put lives at risk,” one official said.
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Analysts believe the incident highlights deeper frustrations over urban transport in the city. Issues such as overcrowding, delays, and affordability have long been points of tension for residents who depend heavily on the service. Experts warn that if grievances are not addressed through dialogue, sporadic violence could return.
Community leaders have appealed for calm, urging residents to raise concerns through legal and civic channels rather than resorting to destruction. Civil society groups are also pushing for a forum where commuters can share their experiences and propose improvements directly to transport managers.
For now, bus operators continue to run under heightened police protection, while commuters navigate an uneasy balance between fear and necessity. The attacks have added fresh urgency to ongoing debates about how Tanzania’s largest city can create a sustainable urban transport system that meets the demands of its fast-growing population.
The Magomeni incident has underscored the fragile trust between service providers and the public — and whether that trust can be rebuilt will shape the future of public transport in Dar es Salaam, a city already struggling with traffic congestion and rapid urban growth.
