MWE Correspondent
A quiet night in Arusha City turned tragic after a 30-year-old police officer, Omary Mnandi, was fatally attacked in what investigators believe was a case of mistaken identity.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on October 11, 2025, at Simaloi Bar in the Kaloleni area, shocking residents and law enforcement officers alike.
According to Arusha Regional Police Commander SACP Justine Masejo, preliminary investigations suggest that Officer Mnandi, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, mistakenly entered a vehicle belonging to one of the suspects, thinking it was his own. The officer, who had been driving a car with registration number T 402 CNC, is said to have entered another vehicle — registration T 734 AXR — and fallen asleep inside.
“When the owners of the car found him sleeping inside, they believed he was attempting to steal the vehicle. In panic and anger, they attacked him with a blunt object, causing severe head injuries that led to his death,” said Commander Masejo.
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Police have since arrested five suspects in connection with the incident, who are currently being held for questioning as investigations continue. Authorities say further legal action will follow once evidence has been reviewed and charges established.
Witnesses at the scene described the event as chaotic, with bystanders initially unaware that the man being beaten was a police officer. “It all happened so fast,” said one local resident. “No one knew who he was until it was too late.”
The tragedy has sparked widespread discussion about mob justice and the need for restraint during moments of confusion or fear. Legal experts have warned that such incidents underscore the dangers of citizens taking the law into their own hands instead of alerting authorities.
Officer Mnandi’s colleagues have described him as a hardworking and disciplined officer committed to serving the public. His untimely death has left the Arusha Police Force in mourning, while residents continue to question how a simple misunderstanding could escalate into such a fatal confrontation.
