A POLICE commander in Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital, has been removed from her position following widespread public outcry over her controversial comments regarding an alleged gang rape victim. The incident ignited outrage across the nation after a video surfaced earlier this month showing a young woman being assaulted by five men.
The controversy erupted when Dodoma Regional Commander Theopista Mallya made remarks to a local newspaper, suggesting that the woman in the video ‘appeared to be engaged in sex work.’ This statement, published by the Tanzanian newspaper Mwananchi, immediately drew harsh criticism from the public, who accused the commander of downplaying the severity of the victim’s ordeal.
In response to the mounting backlash, Tanzania’s national police force issued a public apology on Monday. National police spokesperson David Misime expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging the public’s distress and announcing that Commander Mallya had been transferred from her post. ‘The police force sincerely apologizes to everyone who was affected and offended by the statement circulating in the media. We are currently verifying its accuracy,’ Misime stated.
According to Misime, Commander Mallya had also mentioned in her original comments that even if the woman was involved in sex work, ‘she did not deserve to be treated in such a manner.’ However, these words were reportedly omitted from the newspaper’s publication, contributing to the public’s outrage.
The video in question shows the woman being assaulted while the perpetrators reportedly interrogate her, demanding an apology to someone referred to as ‘afande.’ In Tanzania, the term ‘afande’ is commonly used to refer to a soldier or police officer, leading to speculation that the assault might have been carried out on the orders of a security official.
Commander Mallya later clarified in her comments to Mwananchi that the investigation found the attackers were not acting on any official orders but were instead under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Despite this clarification, her initial remarks linking the victim to sex work continued to provoke widespread condemnation.
As a result of the backlash, the national police force announced that Mallya had been reassigned to the police headquarters. It remains unclear whether this reassignment is temporary or a permanent decision.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing challenges in how sexual assault cases are handled by law enforcement in Tanzania. The public and advocacy groups are calling for greater accountability and sensitivity from the police when dealing with such serious matters. This case has sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of victims and the importance of upholding their dignity and rights within the justice system.
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