Finance Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba recently held discussions with TRA Commissioner General Yusuf Mwenda at the Ministry’s Dar es Salaam offices. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has condemned an attack on its officers and vehicle during a routine operation to seize a suspected smuggled car in Tegeta Kwa Ndevu.
The incident occurred late on December 5, 2024, when three TRA officers, aboard a government-registered Land Cruiser (STL 9923), attempted to intercept a BMW X6 identified as illegally imported without paying the necessary taxes.
According to reports, the officers were performing their official duty of monitoring customs compliance when the situation spiraled into chaos. The driver of the BMW X6 reportedly refused to cooperate, locking himself inside the vehicle and shouting for help, claiming he was being kidnapped.
His cries drew a large crowd of bystanders, who began pelting the TRA vehicle with stones, smashing its windows, and injuring the officers inside.
The implications of this incident are far-reaching. It highlights the growing challenges faced by government agencies tasked with enforcing tax laws, as well as the dangers of misinformation and mob reactions in public spaces.
TRA's inability to safely carry out its mandate highlights a potential gap in public understanding of the role of such operations and the need for better communication strategies to bridge this divide.
Reacting to the incident, Finance Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba expressed deep concern over the attack, strongly condemning the violence against the TRA officers.
"I am disheartened by the assault on TRA officers who were executing their lawful duties to curb smuggling and enforce compliance," he said in a statement shared on social media. "The Ministry of Finance denounces this act in the strongest terms and assures that those responsible for this crime will face the full force of the law."
The TRA also extended sympathies to the injured officers and assured them of support during their recovery. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to upholding tax laws and emphasized that such incidents would not deter its mission to ensure compliance and protect the nation's revenue.
The event has sparked widespread debate on social media, where videos and images of the damaged TRA vehicle and the confrontation between officers and the public have gone viral.
One circulating clip shows the BMW X6 driver refusing to exit his car while the officers attempted to seize the vehicle. His calls for help reportedly led to chaos, with the gathered crowd mistaking the officers for criminals.
Police Commander for the Dar es Salaam Special Zone, Jumanne Muliro, has cautioned against mob justice and urged citizens to allow authorities to perform their duties without interference. "Taking the law into your own hands not only jeopardizes law enforcement efforts but also risks innocent lives," he stated.
This incident brings to light the risks faced by public servants, particularly those tasked with implementing laws that directly impact individuals. It also raises critical questions about public perception of government agencies, the need for public education on tax compliance, and how law enforcement and revenue collection can be carried out without causing unnecessary friction with citizens.
The TRA has reassured the public that it will continue to perform its duties with professionalism and has called for the community's cooperation to ensure national laws are respected. As Minister Nchemba concluded, "Our taxes are our development – let us all work together to uphold the laws that build our nation."