Geita man killed by forest rangers for collecting firewood without permit

Geita. A 34-year-old man from Nyamigota Village in Geita District, Semeni Hamis, has been shot dead by Forest Rangers after he was found collecting firewood without a permit in Samina Forest.

Four Forest Rangers from the Tanzania Forest Service (TFS) are being held by Geita Police on suspicion of killing the man.

Geita District Commissioner Cornel Magembe confirmed the incident, which occurred on January 6, 2024, in Samina Forest Reserve.

Magembe said the officers are being held for investigation on suspicion of taking the law into their own hands, in violation of the law, policy, regulations, and guidelines of public service.

The district commissioner said he is not happy with the act and will never turn a blind eye to it.

"These are our colleagues, the person who did this was not sent, he decided to take the law into his own hands. As leaders, we have been instructing all employees that even if you meet someone who has violated the law, there are state agencies that are responsible," he said.

Khadija Said, the ward councilor for the area, said that while the man's actions of entering the reserve without a permit were illegal, it was not right for the TFS officers to take the law into their own hands. She called on the government not to turn a blind eye to those involved in the brutality.

"Therefore, I would like to appeal to the people that we should follow the law, but I also join you in condemning the act," she said.

"The person who did this was not ordered to do it, even though this young man knew it was wrong to enter the reserve, the ranger used excessive force. I join the people in condemning this killing and I urge the people to obey the law," said Councilor Khadija.

She also urged the people to remain calm as legal proceedings against those involved in the brutality continue.