Dodoma, Tanzania – The Tanzania Police Force has opened a formal investigation after its official account on X (formerly Twitter) was compromised and used to circulate false and misleading information, including fake reports of the death of a senior national leader.
In a press statement issued Tuesday morning, the Police Force condemned the incident, calling it a “serious breach of public trust” and a criminal act aimed at destabilizing national peace and spreading fear among citizens.
“We want to assure the public that the matter is being handled with the utmost seriousness. Cybercrime investigators have been deployed, and we will pursue those responsible with the full force of the law,” the statement read.
The now-deleted posts reportedly claimed that a prominent leader had died, sparking confusion and alarm online before the misinformation was debunked by official government communication channels.
The police have urged Tanzanians to disregard any unverified information circulating on social media and to rely on official government sources for updates.
The Cyber and Cybercrimes Unit is working with international tech partners and Tanzanian communications authorities to trace the source of the hack. Preliminary reports suggest the account may have been accessed using phishing tactics or compromised credentials.
This incident marks a significant escalation in cyber threats targeting public institutions in the region. Analysts warn that state agencies must enhance digital security protocols to guard against cybercriminals who are increasingly turning to social media to spread disinformation.
The Police Force has also issued a stern warning to individuals who share or amplify false news online:
“Anyone found to be knowingly spreading false information or impersonating government institutions will face legal consequences under the country’s cybercrime laws.”
As of now, no arrests have been made, but authorities say progress has been made in identifying suspects involved in the unauthorized access.
This cyber breach comes at a time when East African nations are facing growing pressure to bolster digital infrastructure security amid a surge in social media misinformation and politically charged online narratives.
