As the name says “Wachokonozi” is Kiswahili word for provocateurs. Their task is to provoke discussions. The Arusha police have a different view. They say “Wachokonozi” have been misusing social media, violating cyber laws. The police are yet to elaborate the specificities of their criminal case.
Two young men were ambushed by armed people who didn’t identify themselves or were accompanied by local leaders leading to claims unknown thugs have abducted the duo. Social media was rife with allegations of “Wachokonozi” were violently kidnapped by “wasiojulikana”.
Much later the police cooled the chilling mood, saying the duo were, indeed, in their custody as further investigations were being conducted to establish their offences. TLS chairperson, Boniface Mwabukusi, wrote a scathing censure, stating “Wachokonozi” were performing artists, and nothing more.
Who are wachokonozi?
“Wachokonozi” is a Tanzanian social media duo composed of “Jackson Kabalo (32)” and “Joseph Mrindoko (37)”, who create edutainment content focused on political and social commentary. Here are key details about them:
🎤 1. Identity and Background.
– Residents of “Maji ya Chai, Arumeru District, Arusha Region”, Tanzania.
– Entrepreneurs and content creators running a popular podcast and social media channels.
📱 2. Content and Platforms.
– Produce satirical commentaries on *”political issues” (e.g., national debt, upcoming elections), religious matters, and social topics.
– Broadcast primarily on “YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook”, amassing over “33,000 YouTube subscribers” despite being relatively new.
– Their style blends humor with critical analysis, described as “journalism in its raw form“.
⚖️ 3. Arrest and Controversy (June 20, 2025).
– “Ambushed and arrested” by armed individuals in an unmarked white Land Cruiser (a vehicle linked to past abductions in Tanzania).
– Initially reported as “abducted by unknown assailants” (*wasiojulikana*), sparking public alarm.
– “Arusha police later confirmed” the arrest, citing allegations of “misusing social media” under cybercrime laws. Their electronic devices (cameras, microphones, computers) were seized.
– The arrest violated due process:
Police failed to immediately notify local leaders or disclose the duo’s whereabouts, fueling accusations of enforced disappearance.
🗣️ 4. Public and Legal Response.
– Boniface Mwabukusi, President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), condemned the arrest, emphasizing they are **”performing artists”** protected by free speech laws.
– TLS lawyers were dispatched to locate Kabalo and Mrindoko after police initially denied holding them.
– The case reflects broader concerns about “crackdowns on dissent” in Tanzania, drawing attention from international bodies like the UN and EU.
💎 In summary:
“Wachokonozi” represents a new wave of digital activism in Tanzania, using satire to provoke public discourse. Their controversial arrest highlights tensions between state control over cyber laws and freedom of expression in the lead-up to Tanzania’s 2025 elections.
What really is the motive behind the irregular arrest of “Wachokonozi” without following due process?
The arrest of the Wachokonozi podcasters, Jackson Kabalo and Joseph Mrindoko, reflects a complex interplay of political tension, legal manipulation, and suppression of dissent in Tanzania, particularly ahead of the October 2025 elections. Here is a breakdown of the motives and context behind their irregular arrest:
🔍 1. Political Silencing of Critical Voices.
– Wachokonozi gained popularity for analyzing sensitive topics like national debt, elections, and social issues, often criticizing the government. Their arrest aligns with a pattern of targeting government critics, including opposition leaders like Tundu Lissu (charged with treason) and activists like Mdude Nyagali (who disappeared).
– The timing is critical:
With elections approaching, authorities appear intent on stifling platforms that mobilize public scrutiny. The European Parliament has condemned Tanzania’s crackdown on dissent, citing “systematic interference in the democratic process”.
⚖️ 2. Weaponization of Cybercrime Laws.
– Police accused Kabalo and Mrindoko of “misusing social media” but failed to specify charges or present evidence . This vagueness mirrors other cases, like artist Shadrack Chaula, fined $2,100 for “cyber-harassment” after burning the president’s picture.
– TLS President Boniface Mwabukusi emphasized that criticizing public figures is not illegal under Tanzanian law and condemned the arrest as an attack on artistic expression . He noted that humor and commentary are protected forms of free speech.
🚨 3. Procedural Violations and “Wasiojulikana” Tactics.
– The arrest was conducted irregularly: Armed men in an unmarked white Land Cruiser (associated with abductions) ambushed the duo without identifying themselves or involving local leaders . Initially, police denied custody, fueling fears of abduction by “wasiojulikana” (unknown assailants)—a tactic used in past disappearances.
– Mwabukusi revealed the duo were hidden from relatives and lawyers, violating due process. He dispatched TLS lawyers to locate them, highlighting police opacity.
🎭 4. Broader Crackdown on Civil Society.
– The arrest is part of escalating repression:
– Journalists and activists covering opposition events face torture, arbitrary detention, and “dumping” in remote areas (e.g., Kisutu Court incident).
– Foreign observers supporting Lissu were deported.
– Mwabukusi himself has endured death threats and arrests for challenging government policies like the DP World port deal.
💡 Conclusion:
Motive as Pre-Election Intimidation.
The Wachokonozi arrest aims to instill fear in government critics using ambiguous cyber laws, procedural abuses, and state-linked intimidation. By framing political commentary as “cybercrime,” authorities evade accountability while suppressing opposition voices.
Mwabukusi and TLS’s activism—albeit pivotal—faces severe risks, reflecting Tanzania’s democratic backsliding. International pressure (e.g., EU resolutions ) remains crucial to uphold the rule of law.
Read more analysis by Rutashubanyuma Nestory
