The Dar es Salaam Press Club (Dar-PC) has strongly condemned the assault of EATV journalist Marco Kilo, who was reportedly attacked while on duty at the Mbezi Luis Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station.
According to reports, Kilo had gone to the station on Friday, September 5, 2025, to seek clarification from officials of the UDA Rapid Transit Public Limited Company (UDART) regarding the ongoing passenger congestion caused by a shortage of buses. Instead of receiving cooperation, he was allegedly beaten by UDART officers, handcuffed, and taken to the Magufuli Bus Terminal Police Station. He was later released, but his phone was allegedly tampered with and work-related data deleted.
In a statement issued on Saturday, September 6, 2025, by the club’s Vice Chairperson, Mary Geofrey, Dar-PC called on the Tanzania Police Force to launch a thorough investigation and take swift action against those responsible.
“Dar-PC strongly condemns this criminal act, believing that an attack on one journalist is an attack on all journalists, the media industry, and press freedom,” the statement read.
EATV confirmed that Kilo has since been issued with Police Form Number 3 (PF3) and a case reference number RB/6316/2025, while police investigations are ongoing. However, the Tanzania Police Force has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, despite inquiries from the media.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the police confirmed the arrest of two journalists in Arusha: Baraka Lucas of Jambo TV and Ezekiel Nicco Mollel of Manara TV. Both are said to have been detained on Saturday over allegations of operating personal online television channels in violation of Tanzanian law. Police stated that investigations into their cases are being finalized ahead of further legal action.
