Two held in Arusha over alleged cyber offences
What you need to know:
- The suspects, identified as Jackson Kabalo (32) and Joseph Mrindoko (37), both entrepreneurs residing in the Maji ya Chai area of Arumeru District, were apprehended on Friday, June 20, 2025.
Arusha. Police in Arusha Region have confirmed the arrest of two residents over alleged misuse of online platforms, following earlier reports on social media suggesting they had been abducted by unknown individuals.
The suspects, identified as Jackson Kabalo (32) and Joseph Mrindoko (37), both entrepreneurs residing in the Maji ya Chai area of Arumeru District, were apprehended on Friday, June 20, 2025.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Arusha Regional Police Commander Justine Masejo clarified that the suspects were not abducted but were in police custody over cyber-related offences.
“There have been social media reports claiming that two people were seized by unknown persons. The truth is that the police arrested them on June 20 for alleged misuse of social media platforms,” he said.
Mr Masejo said investigations into the matter were ongoing, and legal action would be taken upon completion of the probe. He urged social media users to exercise caution and verify information before publishing content that could cause unnecessary public alarm.
The arrests have drawn sharp criticism from members of the legal fraternity. Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) president, Advocate Boniface Mwabukusi, took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to condemn the incident.
Mwabukusi claimed the two suspects were not being held at the Usa River Police Station, where they were reportedly taken. “I have spoken to the TLS Northern Zone leader, Advocate David Shillatu, to urgently follow up the matter with Arusha regional leaders,” he wrote.
He stressed that humour artistry is a professional and legitimate form of expression and should not be criminalised. “There is no law in Tanzania that prohibits citizens from criticising, liking, or disliking public figures. These are personal freedoms,” he noted.
Mwabukusi called on the police to either bring the suspects before a court of law or grant them bail if charges are filed. He further demanded that the suspects be allowed to contact their relatives or legal representatives.
