Forest officers face murder charges following Kisarawe shooting incident

Dar es Salaam. Two officers from the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) are facing murder charges following the death of 35-year-old businessman John James from Chanika. 

The officers were arrested after an incident on February 28, 2025, in Kisarawe District, Coast Region. 

According to a statement issued by the Coast Region Police on March 6, 2025, the officers are under suspicion of shooting James during an encounter in the early hours of the morning. 

The shooting occurred at 2:05 am. in Kikwete Village, Marumbo Ward, Kisarawe District. 

James, who was later buried at his family home in Rung’abure Ward, Serengeti District, Mara Region, is alleged to have been killed over a dispute involving his motorcycle. 

Coast Region Police Commander Salim Morcase confirmed that the officers, while on patrol, fired a shot at James after he resisted arrest and attempted to prevent his motorcycle from being seized.

According to the police statement, James was unarmed at the time of the incident. 

“The officers used firearms after James resisted arrest and tried to prevent the seizure of his motorcycle, which led to the shooting,” Commander Morcase said. “James died while being taken to the hospital.” 

The officers are currently in custody, with further legal proceedings pending the conclusion of investigations. 

This incident is not the first time that TFS officers have faced accusations of violence. 

In January 2024, four officers were arrested in Geita District for allegedly shooting a man who was collecting firewood without a permit in the Samina Forest.

Similarly, in December 2024, three forest officers and four militia members were arrested in Tabora for their involvement in the killing of 4-year-old Grace Mussa in Mpanda Mlowoka Village, Kaliua District. 

Emanuel Charles, a relative of the deceased, spoke to Mwananchi by phone, claimed that James was unarmed at the time of the shooting and was not carrying any charcoal. 

“They wanted to seize his motorcycle, but he refused because he had done nothing wrong. They killed him. We buried him in Serengeti. The Kisarawe District Government helped with a coffin and transportation, but we don’t know what will happen now. He is survived by three children, and the government has assured us they will be able to continue their studies, but we haven’t received further details,” Charles said. 

Omary Mgunga, a motorcycle taxi rider from Kisarawe who was with James during the incident, described how the officers attempted to seize their motorcycles. 

“After he refused to let them take his motorcycle, they fired a shot into the air and then shot him in the forehead,” Mgunga recounted. 

Selemani Giliwa, Chairman of Kikwete Sub-Ward in Kisarawe, was alerted by locals who heard gunshots. He rushed to the scene and discovered that forest officers had been responsible for the shooting. 

“James refused to let them seize his motorcycle because he wasn’t carrying charcoal and was waiting for passengers. When the officers tried to take his motorcycle, they fired shots into the air before shooting him in the head. There were four officers involved, according to what my people told me,” Giliwa said.