Dodoma, Tanzania—The Minister for Home Affairs, Innocent Bashungwa, has strongly condemned the violent attack on Father Dr. Charles Kitima, Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), and has called for swift action to bring those responsible to justice.
Speaking during a public event on May 2, 2025, in Dodoma, Bashungwa directed the Police Force to urgently locate and interrogate the individual who posted a threatening message on social media stating, “Kitima’s days are numbered.”
“I am instructing the Police Force to urgently find the person who tweeted that ‘Kitima’s days are numbered,’” Bashungwa said.
“This person must be questioned on who sent him, what his intentions were, and appropriate legal action must be taken against him and all others involved.”
He added that the government takes such threats seriously, particularly when they target religious leaders who play a key role in preserving peace and moral values in the country.
“We strongly condemn this brutal and cowardly attack on a servant of God,” he said. “We pray for Father Dr. Charles Kitima’s quick recovery and a safe return to his critical duties for the nation.”
Bashungwa also ordered an investigation into a fake letter circulating online, which was falsely attributed to TEC and designed to sow discord between the Church and the government.
“There has been a fake statement circulating on social media, purporting to be from the Tanzania Episcopal Conference,” he noted.
“TEC has publicly disowned this document and called on the public to ignore it completely. I am directing the Police to track down and hold accountable those who created and distributed this forged statement.”
He stressed that the Ministry of Home Affairs, through its various security organs, is responsible for maintaining public safety and that such acts of misinformation and incitement will not be tolerated.
“This Ministry has a duty to protect all citizens and uphold peace and stability,” Bashungwa said. “Those who seek to destabilize our nation whether through violence or through falsehoods must face the full force of the law.”
Bashungwa called on all officers under his ministry to perform their duties with professionalism and integrity.
He emphasized the importance of respecting legal procedures and urged law enforcement agencies to intensify oversight on the use of social media.
“It is time for the Police to enhance the enforcement of cyber laws to ensure that people do not misuse social media to spread fear, hatred, or misinformation,” he said.
“We must remain a society that respects human dignity and upholds the law voluntarily, not under compulsion.”
Bashungwa reassured the public of the country’s continued safety and urged Tanzanians to maintain peace and unity.
“Tanzania is safe,” he affirmed. “I urge all citizens to keep following the law and remain calm. Together, we can preserve the stability and security that our nation is known for.”