Home Affairs Minister Patrobas Katambi has warned individuals and groups conducting security activities without official recognition and authority, saying no private entity can assume responsibilities reserved for state security organs.
Mr Katambi issued the warning during a meeting with security stakeholders, where he said the Government had received complaints about excessive use of force by some individuals working as private security guards and bouncers.
He said some groups were operating outside established procedures, while others were using weapons, uniforms or equipment resembling those of official security organs.
“The purpose is to educate society on how to prevent, identify and recognise crime. We have met with various groups, including private security companies and religious leaders, because many of the challenges discussed could have developed into serious crimes if they had not been addressed early,” he said.
The minister said private security providers were important partners of the Tanzania Police Force in protecting people and property, but stressed that they must operate within the law and comply with directives issued by state authorities.
He said the Government had identified individuals forming security groups without registration or official recognition, warning that such activities could threaten public safety.
According to Mr Katambi, some members of the groups had limited knowledge of the law, while others claimed to be acting with good intentions but used unlawful methods.
“No individual is permitted to establish an ‘army’ or any group performing security functions without being officially recognised and authorised by the Government,” he said.
Mr Katambi also addressed groups associated with Sheikh Said Mwaipopo, including those referred to as “Mbwa Mwitu” and “Chui Weusi”, saying the Government would not tolerate citizens taking the law into their own hands.
He said individuals suspected of planning demonstrations or committing crimes should be dealt with through legally established state institutions rather than by informal groups.
Even where such groups claim to be acting to maintain peace, he said, responsibility for law enforcement and public security rests with institutions legally mandated to perform those duties.
The minister also urged religious leaders and members of the public to use language that promotes peace and national unity, stressing that constitutional freedoms must be exercised while respecting the rights of others and the national interest.
He said Tanzania had a long-standing record of peace and solidarity without major religious or tribal conflicts, adding that citizens had a collective responsibility to protect that environment.
Mr Katambi further cautioned social media users and media organisations against publishing material that could incite hatred, division or threaten national peace and unity.
He warned that individuals responsible for such content could face legal action.On the private security industry, Mr Katambi said the Government was strengthening regulation and registration following complaints involving salaries, employment contracts, training and the handling of firearms.
He said some companies had issued firearms to guards without providing adequate training, potentially putting both security personnel and members of the public at risk.
He directed private security companies to work closely with Tanzania Police Force authorities on registration, training, supervision and the lawful use of firearms.
The minister also announced that September and October 2026 had been designated as a period for members of the public to surrender illegal or unregistered firearms in accordance with Notice No. 251 dated August 28, 2026.
He urged people in possession of such firearms to surrender them to the relevant authorities through established procedures, saying the initiative was aimed at reducing the risk of firearms being misused.
Mr Katambi said the Government was also implementing measures to combat cybercrime and technology-related theft in collaboration with the Tanzania Police Force, ICT experts, telecommunications companies and other stakeholders.
He said some measures had already been implemented, although certain security strategies could not be made public.
On people summoned by police, Mr Katambi said authorities were taking action without discrimination, including requiring individuals to report for questioning where there were sufficient grounds.
He directed police to ensure that people required for questioning were located and subjected to the appropriate legal procedures.
Speaking after the minister's directives, Sheikh Mwaipopo clarified the activities of the groups “Mbwa Mwitu” and “Chui Weusi”, which had been associated with him.
He rejected suggestions that the groups were an army or had been established to harm members of the public.
“I would like to clarify today that it was not an army and it had no bad intentions. Our intention was self-protection, unity, peace and solidarity,” he said.
Sheikh Mwaipopo said the groups had been misunderstood, insisting that their members were not armed and had sought to avoid activities that could harm others.
He added that he was prepared to apologise if their existence had offended or concerned members of the public.
He praised Mr Katambi and police commanders for what he described as professionalism and wisdom, saying he understood the importance of respecting the Government and institutions responsible for national security.
“We are all here. I am not above the law. Everyone must follow the law and the Government's directives,” he said.
Sheikh Mwaipopo said the group had been formed by ordinary citizens out of patriotism and was not established at the direction of the Government or the Tanzania Police Force.
“The Government does not use us. We did it purely out of patriotism,” he said, while stressing that patriotism should not be interpreted as promoting violence or religious divisions.
He called on Tanzanians to remain united on national issues despite differences in religious beliefs.
Sheikh Mwaipopo also expressed readiness to cooperate with police and comply with relevant procedures, including training and requirements governing the handling of licensed firearms.
He called for a clear legal and regulatory framework for the private security sector to define the responsibilities and limits of security groups.
Representatives of private security companies and bouncers acknowledged that some individuals in the industry engage in unacceptable conduct but cautioned against portraying the entire sector as criminal.
One representative said the role of a bouncer should be centred on maintaining peace, building trust and protecting people and property.
He stressed the importance of proper training and cooperation with police, saying untrained individuals entering the profession through brokers or companies that fail to follow established procedures posed the biggest challenge.
Such practices, he said, risk damaging the reputation of the wider private security industry.