The Tanzanian Police Force has dismissed a claim circulating on social media that a body found floating at Jangwani, Dar es Salaam, on August 27, 2025, belonged to a government critic who had been strangled and dumped.
The rumor originated from a social media post, branded as coming from a publication called Kishindo, which ran the headline: “Abdul and his squad abducted a journalist, strangled him, and dumped him in the Jangwani River.” The article referred to Abdul Hafidh Ameir, son of the Tanzanian President.
In a statement released on September 9, 2025, police said a team of major crime experts was dispatched to investigate the incident.
“As the investigation continued, the relatives of the man were located and identified the body as that of Salehe Shukrani, a small-scale bread seller and resident of Magomeni Mikumi,” the police report stated. “They also confirmed that their relative suffered from epilepsy, a condition that had repeatedly caused him to collapse.”
The police statement comes against the backdrop of accusations directed at the president’s son by critics, including Humphrey Polepole, former Ambassador of Tanzania to Cuba, and U.S.-based activist Mange Kimambi.
In the past, some attacks have also been leveled against him, including one from the opposition leader, Tundu Lissu. On June 5, 2025, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila addressed the attacks against the president’s family.
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“We see on social media how some people ignore serious issues and instead attack your family. I remember during President Kikwete’s time, his son Ridhiwani was accused of owning everything. Everywhere you went, people would say, ‘This belongs to Ridhiwani,’” Chalamila said. “Madam President, I believe the same applies to you. These accusations will stop after your retirement—the lies will fade.”
Regarding the Jangwani incident, police emphasized that there were no signs of violence or foul play on the deceased. They urged members of the public to ignore the false claims, and to refrain from sharing or amplifying misinformation.
