Tanzanian govt dismisses opposition’s claim of over 700 protest deaths
By Mabonga Makhanu, November 1, 2025Tanzanian Foreign Affairs Minister Thabit Kombo has clapped back at the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Mapinduzi (CHADEMA) Party, which claimed that over 700 people have lost their lives in the ongoing protests.
Speaking during an interview with the BBC on Friday, October 31, 2025, Kombo dismissed the claims, saying it was too early to determine the number of casualties or the extent of the destruction. He explained that the government is still receiving reports from various regions across the country, including details of vandalised private and public properties.
These include border posts, Tanzania Revenue Authority offices, police stations, public vehicles, and cars belonging to Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO), the national electricity supply company.
“At the moment, nobody can state how many were injured, how many suffered, or how many properties were burnt. We are still receiving reports of vandalised private and public properties from several regions of Tanzania. This includes border posts, Tanzania Revenue Authority offices, police stations, public vehicles, and even vehicles belonging to TANESCO, our electricity supply company,” Kombo said.
Kombo noted that the data is still being compiled and verified, and therefore, no one can accurately state the total number of casualties or the full scale of the damage until all reports are complete. He maintained that the figure of 700 deaths being circulated by Chadema is unverified and should be treated with caution until official information is released.
“We are continuing to compile this information, but for now, nobody can provide the exact figures until all the data is verified and complete,” he said.
Internet shutdown
As protests in the country entered their third day, he also stated that the electoral commission is ready to announce the results on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
“Yes, the announcement of results will happen on Saturday; yes, it will happen,” Kombo stated.
He went on to say that the internet connection, which was switched off after the protests erupted in several parts of the country, will also be restored on the same day.
He defended the internet and media shutdown as a response to growing incidents of criminal activities tied to the protests, such as vandalism.
According to him, the ban was intended to curb the surge in protests.