A police commander in Tanzania’s capital, Dodoma, has been removed from her position following public outrage over remarks she made linking an alleged gang rape victim to sex work. Earlier this month, a video showing a young woman being assaulted by five men went viral in the country, sparking widespread condemnation.
On Sunday, Dodoma Regional Commander Theopista Mallya was quoted in a Tanzanian newspaper, stating that the “woman in question appeared to be engaged in sex work.” Her comment was met with backlash, as many felt it downplayed the severity of the assault.
In response to the outrage, Tanzania’s national police force issued an apology and announced that Commander Mallya had been transferred from her post. National police spokesperson David Misime expressed regret, saying, “The police force would like to apologise to everyone who was touched and offended by the statement circulating in the media while monitoring is being done to find its accuracy.”
Mr. Misime also clarified that Mallya had noted in her original comments that even if the woman was involved in sex work, “she did not deserve to be treated that way,” although this part of her statement was not included in the newspaper’s report.
The video, which shows the woman being interrogated and forced to apologize to someone referred to as “afande”—a term commonly used for soldiers or police officers in Tanzania—raised concerns that the assault might have been ordered by a member of the security forces. However, Ms. Mallya later stated that the investigation revealed the suspects were not acting under orders from any officers but were instead influenced by alcohol and drugs.
Following the public backlash, the national police announced that Mallya had been transferred to the police headquarters. It remains unclear whether this transfer is temporary or permanent.
