Tanzania official threatens arrest for people 'embarrassing the government'

A Tanzanian government official has ordered the arrest of people who shared videos of the poor state of roads in a park, accusing them of economic sabotage.

Arusha Regional Commissioner Mrisho Gambo said those who circulated the videos wanted to embarrass the country.

He ordered the regional police commander to arrest and interrogate those who posted the video "to establish their motive".

Mr Gambo argued governments faced challenges which should be brought to the attention of officials and not shared online.

Tanzanian privately owned television station Azam TV tweeted the video of the commissioner's comments (in Swahili):

The offending video shows tour vehicles stuck on the road at Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The person filming is heard urging the conservation management to repair the roads.

A tweeter has re-shared the video on Twitter:

WALIOONYESHA UBOVU WA BARABARA NGORONGORO MATATANI…

Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Arusha, Mrisho Gambo ameagiza polisi kuwasaka na kuwachukulai hatua watu waliotumia mitandao ya kijamii kuonesha ubovu wa miundombinu ya barabara ndani ya @NgorongoroNCAA #AzamTVUpdates #AzamNews pic.twitter.com/2XfKfKNbpl

— Azam TV (@azamtvtz) February 16, 2020

RC wa Arusha, Mrisho Gambo ameagiza aliyesambaza hii video kuonesha ubovu wa barabara katika mamlaka ya hifadhi Ngorongoro akamatwe kwa makosa ya uhujumu uchumi na kuichafua nchi. Nafikiri Gambo anahitaji kukamatwa apelekwe Milembe mapema. Anaugua.

pic.twitter.com/mntc2OUyZ8

— Martin M. M (@IAMartin_) February 16, 2020

Many people commenting on the video criticised Mr Gambo, saying he should focus on fixing the road rather than threatening people.