Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba has cautioned that the vandalism recorded on October 29, 2025 poses serious long-term consequences for essential public services, stressing that the destruction targeted facilities relied upon daily by millions of Tanzanians.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, November 25, during a meeting with editors and journalists, Dr. Mwigulu said the events of that day amounted to economic sabotage rather than public demonstrations, with the potential to disrupt service delivery across health, transport, energy, and water sectors.
He noted that the damaged structures and utilities form the backbone of social and economic life in Tanzania.
“These are not mere government assets,” he said. “They are facilities that citizens use every day. When a dispensary is destroyed, mothers, children, and families suffer. When a road is damaged, traders, farmers, and commuters all feel the impact.”
A government assessment shows significant losses, including 756 public offices, 27 DART stations, the DAWASCO clean-water production facility, and six rapid transit buses.
The destruction also extended to 273 private homes, 672 fuel stations, 1,642 private vehicles, 2,268 motorcycles, and 159 police stations. A total of 976 government vehicles, including ambulances and service-delivery units, were also affected.
Dr. Mwigulu said the intention behind the attacks was far-reaching, revealing plans to burn the Magufuli Bus Terminal and the Kinyerezi power generation plant installations he described as essential to the country’s daily operations.
He emphasised that repairing the damage will require substantial financial resources, time, and labour—costs that ultimately affect ordinary citizens through delays or interruptions in key services.
The Prime Minister urged Tanzanians to reflect on the consequences of destroying public infrastructure, noting that such actions undermine national progress and delay community development.
“Our focus should be on building, not tearing down,” he said. “Every facility damaged is a setback for the people who depend on it for patients, for commuters, for students, and for workers.”
Dr. Mwigulu called on citizens to stand together in protecting public resources, stressing that safeguarding national infrastructure is essential for preserving peace, stability, and the country’s development trajectory.