Tanzanian-Turkish businessman shot dead, machete attack shocks Tabora

The scene of the businessman’s murder at Kinondoni Makaburini, Tunisia Street, cordoned off with police tape.
What you need to know:
- An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity said he saw the victim exit his vehicle before being approached by two men on a motorcycle, who opened fire.
Dar/Tabora. A Tanzanian businessman of Turkish descent, Alptekin Aksoy, 52, was shot dead on Friday by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam.
The incident occurred at around 5:30 a.m. on July 18, 2025, near Kinondoni Cemetery.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi that he saw the victim exit his vehicle before being approached by two men on a motorcycle, who opened fire.
“I saw him step out of his car and take a few steps. Then two men on a motorcycle appeared and shot him twice before speeding away,” the witness recounted.
He added that residents rushed to the scene after hearing gunshots and found that nothing had been stolen, suggesting the motive was unlikely to be robbery.
Another witness, a fruit vendor operating nearby, echoed this view, saying it was too early to conclude that the assailants were robbers.
“We can't say they were robbers because they didn’t take anything. After the shooting, we approached the scene and immediately alerted the police,” said the vendor.
Several youths who often loiter near the cemetery said they heard the shots and ran to investigate.
“We were just sitting here when we heard two gunshots. You know, nowadays, people don’t ignore such sounds. At first, we thought something had exploded, but after the second shot, we ran towards the area,” said one of them.
When Mwananchi arrived at the scene, police officers had cordoned off the area with tape along Tunisia Street, while a crowd of onlookers gathered nearby.

The scene of the businessman’s murder at Kinondoni Makaburini, Tunisia Street, cordoned off with police tape.
Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Jumanne Muliro confirmed the incident in a press statement, saying the assailants did not take anything from the victim.
“Alptekin, a Tanzanian citizen of Turkish origin, had just stepped out of his car and was walking towards his office when he was ambushed and shot dead on the spot,” said Commander Muliro.
He added that the police have launched an intensive investigation and are pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Commander Muliro also issued a stern warning to those behind the killing, saying they would be brought to justice and face the full force of the law.
Woman attacked in Tabora
In a separate incident in Tabora Region, Ms Zainabu Ndeko, 65, a resident of Shitage Village in Uyui District, is recovering at Kahama Municipal Hospital in Shinyanga Region after being attacked by unidentified assailants.
Ms Ndeko sustained multiple injuries, believed to be from a machete attack.
Security authorities are investigating the matter to identify the culprits and establish the motive behind the assault.
Speaking to Mwananchi on Thursday, July 18, Zainabu’s sister-in-law, Ms Josephina Mihayo, said the incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
She said she received a phone call from neighbours informing her that Ms Ndeko had been attacked and taken to a local dispensary before being referred to Kahama Municipal Hospital for further treatment.
“I got the call at around 8:00 p.m., saying my sister-in-law had been slashed with machetes. They rushed her to Shitage Dispensary, but soon after, I was told she had been referred to Kahama. I went to meet her there. It was a horrific scene,” said Ms Mihayo.
A nurse at Ward Three of Kahama Municipal Hospital, where Zainabu is admitted, Ms Mwanaidi Mauba, said the patient arrived at around 9:00 p.m. in critical condition with severe injuries.
She said emergency care was administered promptly, and Ms Ndeko’s condition is improving, although her left hand had to be amputated.
When contacted for comment, Tabora Regional Police Commander Richard Abwao said he had yet to receive an official report.
“I have not received details of the incident, but I’m following up and will issue a statement later,” he said.