Joseph Isangura
A prominent social-media activist known for her work on X and Instagram, Mange Kimambi, reportedly residing in the United States, has been formally charged in Tanzania with money laundering in a case described by authorities as “economic sabotage.”
Court documents (Criminal Case No. 000021172 of 2025) indicate that the alleged offense falls under sections of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Cap 423 of 2019) read together with the Economic and Organised Crime Control Act.
According to the charge sheet, between March 1 and March 31, 2022, at various locations across Dar es Salaam, Kimambi allegedly obtained TZS 138.5 million “knowing that the money was proceeds of crime.” Prosecutors further claim that she acquired these funds by operating as a journalist without official accreditation and allegedly demanding money through intimidation.
The case was filed by the prosecution on August 28, 2025, and is scheduled for mention on December 4, 2025, before Senior Resident Magistrate Hassan Makube at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court.
On the morning of December 2, Kimambi appeared in a widely circulated video on social media confirming that she had been formally informed of the charges. In the video, she claimed that the Tanzanian government intends to extradite her to face trial.
Kimambi has long been a vocal critic of the Tanzanian government, frequently using her social-media platforms to highlight alleged election irregularities, government misconduct, and human rights abuses. In late 2025, she posted material reportedly depicting election-related violence and police brutality — content that authorities claim could constitute incitement.
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In response to her posts, Tanzania’s Attorney General, Hamza Said Johari, in November 2025, ordered her arrest and requested cooperation with U.S. authorities regarding her potential extradition. Kimambi, however, dismissed the demand as “intimidation tactics,” arguing that no U.S. law she may have violated warrants extradition, describing the move as an effort to silence dissent.
Her activism has been controversial even within the Tanzanian diaspora. In October 2025, a planned protest she organized in the United States reportedly attracted very few participants, prompting critics to question the reach and influence of her campaigns abroad. Previously, Kimambi had been linked to fundraising for political causes, including support for a prominent opposition figure.
With the mention date approaching, all eyes are on Kisutu Court to see whether the prosecution will proceed with the full charges or whether Kimambi will mount a defense. This case is expected to reignite discussions regarding freedom of the press, diaspora involvement in Tanzanian politics, and the boundaries between online activism and criminal liability.
The outcome may set an important precedent, either discouraging outspoken activists abroad from engaging in domestic politics or signaling heightened scrutiny of social-media critics.
