MWE Correspondent
Tanzania has begun freeing large numbers of people who were arrested following the tense and chaotic events that unfolded during the October 29, 2025 general election.
The government says a nationwide review of the cases has shown that most of those detained did not have evidence against them strong enough to pursue criminal charges.
The announcement was made on November 26, 2025, when Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Juma Homera, visited the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Njedengwa. Speaking after meeting legal teams handling the cases, he said the government had completed a detailed examination of the files connected to the post-election unrest.
According to the latest figures, 2,045 people were arrested around the country in the chaotic hours and days after the election. Many had been picked up during clashes, protests, or disorder linked to the outcome of the vote. Homera explained that investigators reviewed witness statements, evidence, and reports from different regions to determine who should remain in custody and who should be released.
The review concluded that 1,736 people did not have any substantive evidence tying them to criminal offenses. Homera said it would be unjust to keep them detained without grounds, and therefore they were eligible to be released. So far, 607 of them have already walked free, while officials continue processing the paperwork needed to release the rest.
He stressed that the process is being handled carefully and legally, emphasizing that each release must follow proper procedures in all regions. The government, he added, is trying to balance accountability with fairness—allowing legitimate cases to continue while ensuring that people without evidence against them are not punished.
The arrests followed a heated election period marked by confrontation and confusion in some areas. Security forces intervened in several locations to prevent violence and safeguard public property. However, many families have spent weeks waiting for answers, unsure whether their relatives would face charges or return home.
Homera said the decision to release those without evidence was also in line with directives from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has emphasized calm and unity following the election. He noted that Tanzania’s justice system is built on principles similar to those seen globally in frameworks emphasizing the rule of law, where criminal cases must be rooted in verifiable proof.
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He also pointed out that the Office of the DPP will continue handling cases where evidence remains under review. The role of such institutions mirrors those in many countries where independent prosecutors, such as a Director of Public Prosecutions, determine whether cases should proceed based on legal merit rather than political pressure.
Homera underscored that the government remains committed to protecting civil liberties and ensuring that decisions are consistent with long-standing legal principles. These commitments are grounded in the country’s broader legal framework, shaped by constitutional law, which guarantees rights to fair treatment.
For many families, the news brings hope that weeks of uncertainty may finally be coming to an end. Legal experts say the releases could help reduce tensions and begin rebuilding trust between citizens and state institutions after a turbulent election period.
Officials say more updates will be released as remaining cases are processed, but for now, the focus is on restoring calm—and ensuring that justice is guided not by fear or chaos, but by evidence and due process.
