Dar es Salaam – In a move widely seen as an act of intimidation, Tanzanian police on Monday surrounded the headquarters of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), Tanzania Mainland’s bar association.
The action comes just days after the TLS called for a peaceful protest on Monday, September 22, to denounce police brutality against lawyers.
In an official statement shared on social media, TLS President Boniphace Mwabukusi condemned the police presence, and described it as “increased security,” while interpreting it as a direct attempt to silence the legal body.
He vowed that the TLS would not be cowed, stating, “We will not fear to uphold justice and fight oppression,” and urged members to remain vigilant against deliberate provocation.
Videos by TLS circulated online showing multiple police vehicles and armed officers stationed around the association’s offices at Plot No. 391 on Chato Street.
The standoff follows a September 18 announcement by the TLS Governing Council of a peaceful demonstration. The protest was organised in response to the September 15 attack on Advocate Deogratius Mahinyila by police officers within the premises of the High Court in Dar es Salaam.
Mahinyila was there to represent his client, opposition CHADEMA chairperson Tundu Lissu.
Although police had officially banned the protest citing potential “breaches of peace,” their decision to deploy forces to the TLS headquarters on the morning of the planned demonstration escalated tensions.
“TLS is currently engaged in high-level negotiations with the relevant authorities to ensure the immediate cessation of these attacks against lawyers and citizens within court premises,” Mwabukusi assured the public.
The September 15 incident has ignited a national debate on police excesses. Retired High Court Judge Robert Makaramba strongly condemned the attack, warning that if police can assault lawyers with impunity, judges could be next.
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“In my opinion, the police defiled the Court,” Makaramba stated during a TLS forum, suggesting the judiciary may need its own security force if the police cannot guarantee its safety.
In contrast, Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Jumanne Muliro defended the police’s actions, claiming they were a preemptive response to plans by CHADEMA members to “cause trouble” at the courthouse.
Muliro warned that any action deemed to be “provoking officers” would be dealt with swiftly.
TLS had previously raised these grave concerns with Chief Justice George Mcheche Masaju on September 19, who reportedly received them with “empathy” and acknowledged the critical need for lawyers to perform their duties without fear.
