Domestic homicide puts Tanzanian homes at the centre of crime spotlight

This brings the total number of domestic-related homicides to 422, accounting for approximately 19.2 percent of all murder cases in the country last year.

A look back at the 2023 figures reveals a similarly disturbing trend. That year, police recorded 2,204 murder cases, of which 421, roughly 19.1 percent, were attributed to domestic issues.

These included 184 murders driven by love and jealousy, 120 between spouses, and 117 resulting from family disputes.

Although the overall number of killings declined slightly in 2024, domestic-related murders remained virtually unchanged, rising by just one case.

Of particular concern is the increase in spousal killings, which rose from 120 in 2023 to 129 in 2024, an unsettling signal of escalating intimate partner violence.

These killings have now overtaken other common causes of murder, including land disputes (217 deaths in 2024, down from 228 in 2023), revenge killings (183, up from 174), and theft-related incidents (166, up from 158), placing domestic homicide at the top of the list for the second consecutive year.

The statistics paint a grim picture of eroding safety within homes and relationships, raising alarm over the lack of effective conflict resolution mechanisms and psychosocial support across the country.

Security and defence analyst, Mr Yericko Nyerere, described domestic homicide as a silent yet deadly crisis haunting Tanzanian society.

“For too long, we have focused on crimes committed in public spaces, streets, highways, and marketplaces, but the most pressing threat is actually within our homes,” he said.

“When love, which should protect and nurture, turns violent, it exposes a deep emotional and psychological crisis that we as a nation have largely overlooked,” he added.

Mr Nyerere urged that national security frameworks should treat family-related killings with the same urgency and resources currently directed at other forms of violent crime.

He emphasised that domestic homicide must no longer be dismissed as a private affair, but recognised as a national emergency requiring coordinated intervention from law enforcement, mental health experts, educators, and the judiciary.

“Love should never lead to bloodshed. Until we give domestic violence the serious attention and resources it warrants, Tanzanian homes will continue to be spaces of fear and tragedy rather than havens of peace and safety,” he said firmly.

Exploring the psychological underpinnings of this troubling trend, University of Dar es Salaam psychologist, Mr Charles Kalungu, noted that most domestic homicides arise from cumulative frustration, emotional collapse, and untreated mental health challenges.

“Most perpetrators do not initially intend to kill their partner or relative. But when jealousy, betrayal, or control issues are allowed to fester without intervention, they become ticking time bombs,” he explained.

He lamented the widespread silence and stigma surrounding mental health in Tanzania.

“Too often, people seek help only when it’s already too late—either someone is behind bars or buried,” he said.

 “Healing must begin at home—with empathy, emotional support, and accessible mental health services. Only then can love become truly safe again,” Mr Kalungu added.

On the social dimension, Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) sociologist, Mr Alfani Mduge, warned that the rising numbers of domestic killings reflect an urgent need to rethink how relationships are viewed and handled in Tanzanian culture.

“Our society often romanticises endurance in toxic relationships, treating it as a sign of strength. But this glorification of suffering—even when it’s physically or emotionally destructive—is dangerous,” he said.

He added that many women remain trapped in violent relationships due to economic dependence or fear of social ostracisation.

“Financial reliance and societal judgement often silence women. We need to foster safe environments, economically, emotionally, and socially, that enable people to walk away from harmful situations before they turn deadly,” he shared.

His colleague, sociologist, Ms Linah Kabula, was critical of the justice system for failing to respond swiftly to early signs of domestic abuse.

“The murders we’re seeing are often the tragic conclusions to long-standing patterns of violence. In many cases, victims have cried out for help repeatedly, but their warnings are disregarded until it’s too late,” she said.

She continued, “Too often, victims are urged to return home and reconcile with their abusers. That’s not justice—it’s a slow death sentence.”

To curb this crisis, Ms Kabula recommended stronger collaboration between government institutions and civil society organisations to expand the reach and availability of safe shelters and support centres across Tanzania.

She argued that many victims remain in dangerous situations simply because they have nowhere else to go when violence intensifies.

“People endure abuse in silence because they lack alternatives, especially in emergencies. Shelters must not only offer physical protection but also provide counselling, legal assistance, and reintegration services,” she explained.

She further underscored the need for widespread community sensitisation to break the silence surrounding domestic abuse.

“This is not just a private matter—it’s a national safety issue. Communities, leaders, and institutions must be alert and responsive before tragedy strikes,” Ms Kabula added.