A resident of Kimara in Dar es Salaam, Mr. Samwel Salum, has strongly condemned the October 29 incidents, saying they should not be described as peaceful demonstrations but rather violent disturbances that resulted in destruction of property and disruption of economic activities.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr. Salum said the events involved the burning and vandalism of both public and privately owned property, leaving some people injured and causing financial losses for business owners and the wider community.
“What we witnessed were not demonstrations. These were acts of violence intended to destroy, injure, and cause fear. Demonstrations, by definition, convey a clear message and follow lawful procedures. But in this case, there was no message, no dialogue, and no structure,” he said.
He added that lawful demonstrations are part of democratic expression when conducted peacefully and with proper authorization.
However, he emphasized that any actions that result in harm to people or damage to property undermine public trust and hinder national development efforts.
Mr. Salum called on citizens especially young people to avoid being influenced by individuals who may exploit public sentiments for personal or political gain.
He said communities must prioritize dialogue, unity, and non-violent engagement when addressing issues affecting them.
“Our country’s peace is a key pillar of progress. Once we allow violence to replace dialogue, we all lose. Protecting public and private property is not only a legal duty but also a responsibility we owe to one another as citizens,” he said.
Authorities are expected to continue assessing the extent of damage caused during the unrest as investigations proceed.