Joseph Isangura
The Government of Tanzania has strongly condemned the violent attack on Father Dr. Charles Kitima, Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), calling for urgent action to bring all those responsible to justice.
Speaking in Dodoma on May 2, 2025, during a farewell ceremony for retiring public servants, Minister for Home Affairs Innocent Bashungwa expressed concern over the attack, which has unsettled both the religious community and broader national audience. He specifically instructed the Tanzania Police Force to investigate a threatening message on social media that read, “Kitima’s days are numbered,” believed to be connected to the incident.
“I have directed the Police Force to urgently find the individual who tweeted that threatening message. This person must be questioned—who sent him? What was the intention? And swift legal action must be taken against anyone found to be involved in this heinous act,” Bashungwa stated.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s recognition of the critical role played by religious leaders in promoting peace, social harmony, and national values. He expressed his sympathies and support to Father Kitima and the Catholic Church in Tanzania.
Also Read; Ghana Surpasses SA To Become Africa’s Leading Gold Producer
“We strongly condemn this inhumane act against a respected religious leader, and we pray for Father Dr. Charles Kitima’s speedy recovery and safe return to his duties,” Bashungwa added.
In a separate but related matter, Bashungwa directed the police to investigate the origin of a fake statement that was falsely attributed to TEC and circulated on social media, appearing to incite tension between the Church and the state.
“There has been a fake document circulating online, allegedly from the Tanzania Episcopal Conference. The TEC has officially denied producing it and urged citizens and the faithful to ignore it completely,” he explained.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees national internal security, reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding citizens and ensuring national unity. Bashungwa emphasized that any efforts to spread falsehoods or provoke discord between religious institutions and the government would face strict legal consequences.
