Prime
Who are these gang rapists?
What you need to know:
- So far, no conclusive statement has been issued by the law enforcers regarding the steps taken so far against the gang rapists involved in a widely circulated video that has received condemnation from people of different walks of life.
Dar es Salaam. Who are these rapists? What makes them so powerful? How powerful is the person who sent them to conduct such a filthy act?
These are some of the questions that pundits are asking themselves as authorities remain careful in the dissemination of key messages regarding the steps taken so far against the uncouth men who were dressed in uniforms of some security agencies and whose faces could be vividly seen during gang raping the girl who resides at Yombo Dovya in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam.
So far, no conclusive statement has been issued by the law enforcers regarding the steps taken so far against the gang rapists involved in a widely circulated video that has received condemnation from people of different walks of life.
At a time when the public was eagerly awaiting a conclusive statement on what has been done against the gang-rapists, all the police said yesterday was that it has been receiving numerous phone calls from journalists enquiring about the progress of the investigation into the video circulating on social media, which depicts a young woman subjected to acts of violence.
“The Police Force would like to clarify that the investigation is proceeding well, and the public is asked to be patient as a report will be issued once all legal procedures are completed,” said Tanzania Police Force spokesperson David Misime.
Distancing himself from addressing the main issue regarding the gang rapists whose faces were vividly seen in the video, Mr Misime said the police were urging everyone to reflect on how they discuss the matter and share opinions on social media and other platforms.
“We must consider whether our actions are causing further harm to the victim and whether continuing to discuss the case might inflict additional psychological trauma on her family,” he said, asking the public to submit any additional information through appropriate channels to avoid further victimisation.
Meanwhile, the response from Mr Misime’s boss, the Home Affairs minister, Mr Hamadi Masauni, was just short and still wanting.
Asked by The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwananchi, whether the gang rapists have been apprehended or not, he simply said, “Already.”
He, however, declined to provide further details, saying he was in an ongoing meeting.
Minister for Defence and National Service, Dr Stergomena Tax, said the government will not tolerate any breaches of the law, regardless of the perpetrator’s position.
“The police have issued a statement informing the public that they are investigating the allegations. They will interrogate the suspects and investigate the matter thoroughly before taking them to court,” she said.
But in a related development, former Mayor Boniface Jacob said, as far as his close monitoring of the matter was concerned, the suspects, who are affiliated with a key security organ, have not yet been handed over to the police.
Instead, they remain under the custody of the security organ where they work, waiting to undergo security legal proceedings so they can be discharged of their duties and be handed over to the police so they can be charged as civilians.
“Our concern is that the individual who orchestrated this crime is still walking freely and conducting her daily official duties like nothing has happened. We hope that once the suspects are interrogated, appropriate legal action will be taken against them,” Mr Jacob told The Citizen yesterday.
The Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), which castigated the heinous act on Monday, said yesterday that it was important to remember that justice must not only be done, but it must also be seen to be done.
As such, said the new TLS President, Mr Boniface Mwabukusi, the person who sent the gang rapists to conduct the heinous act must also be held accountable.
“For justice to prevail, it is crucial that the person who ordered the gang to commit the crime also be arrested. Otherwise, there is a risk they may commit similar atrocities in the future,” Mr Mwabukusi said.
TLS opposes all forms of violence and abuse against women and is prepared to work with security and justice agencies to ensure those responsible face legal consequences.
“Every individual deserves respect, rights, and equality within our society. TLS urges the community to unite against all forms of abuse and violence and to cease sharing videos related to this incident to protect the victim’s rights,” reads a TLS statement.
The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) executive director, Anna Henga, echoed TLS’s sentiments, stressing that justice must be served.
“We do not seek to see the perpetrators tortured, but we do want the legal process to be followed,” Henga said.
On August 4, 2024, social media circulated videos showing five men sexually assaulting the woman while accusing her of having an affair with another person’s husband.
In the footage, the woman is heard identifying herself and pleading for forgiveness from someone identified as a law enforcement officer.
The video, reportedly recorded by the men, has been widely shared online.
It was Mr Jacob who took to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday that the victim, a resident of Yombo Dovya in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam, was raped and sodomised by the men, who identified themselves as “security officers.”
Mr Jacob stated that the five men, as seen in the video, allegedly acted under the orders of their superior, who accused the woman of having an affair with the superior’s husband.
Mr Jacob tagged President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the police, and minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, in his post.
