Dar es Salaam – The Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) has issued a statement warning against attempts to involve the army in politics. This follows a viral video by an individual identifying himself as Captain Tesha, saying he is an officer from the Air Wing, attached to the SAK unit (Military Air School).
In the more than two-hour video, livestreamed on Saturday, October 5, 2025, Tesha criticised the country’s political trajectory ahead of the elections and called for military intervention. The widely discussed video, drew a reaction from the army.
“The Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) informs the general public that some individuals have emerged who use social media to put out content that pushes to draw the military into political matters,” TPDF Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Colonel Bernard Masala Mlunga, said.
The military did not directly confirm or deny whether Tesha was one of its own but instead issued a carefully worded statement on the matter.
“Furthermore, some of these statements are being made by people in military-related environments, those associating themselves with the army. Those who were dismissed from service due to bad behaviour and misconduct, as well as due to engaging in politics and activism,” the statement continued.
Online sources identified Captain Tesha by his full name, John Charles Tesha. In the livestreamed video, he appeared wearing a military uniform associated with the Tanzanian Air Force Command.
Tesha made several criticisms of the country’s political direction, highlighting a crackdown on Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, incidents of abductions, and allegations of grand corruption.
Tesha also called for an investigation into the death of former President John Pombe Magufuli, emphasizing that the army is the only institution that has remained intact and continues to enjoy the trust of citizens, and should take action against the direction of the country.
In its statement, the military reiterated its commitment to fulfilling its duties as outlined in the Tanzanian constitution.
“In this regard, the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) wishes to inform the public that it continues to carry out its duties as provided by the constitution faithfully, obediently, and courageously in accordance with our oath,” the statement reads.
According to the National Governance and Corruption Survey (2020), which involved 3,163 respondents, the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) was ranked as the most trusted institution in the country. A majority of Tanzanians (60.9 per cent) perceived the TPDF as having officials with high levels of integrity.
In contrast, the survey ranked the Tanzania Police Force as the most corrupt institution in Tanzania (45.6 per cent of respondents), followed by primary courts (19.9 per cent) and the health sector (17.9 per cent).
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