Abstract:
This study examines the political, social, and legal dimensions of police interference
in opposition political rallies in Tanzania from 2015 to 2020. It specifically focuses on
the political motivations behind such interference, its effects on opposition activities,
and the challenges encountered by the police force in managing these rallies. Utilizing
a qualitative approach, the research draws from a combination of primary data,
including interviews with key stakeholders such as police officers, opposition leaders,
and civil society activists, alongside secondary sources like legal documents, political
party statements, human rights reports, and media coverage. The findings indicate that
police interference was primarily motivated by political agendas, with the ruling party
leveraging law enforcement as a mechanism to suppress dissent and maintain control
over the political landscape. The selective enforcement of laws, particularly the Public
Order Act 1983, severely restricted the operational space for opposition parties and
diminished democratic participation. Moreover, the study highlights how such
interference eroded public trust in both the police and the government, while
operational challenges such as inadequate resources and overwhelming political
pressure further compromised the police force’s capacity to manage rallies in a manner
that respects civil liberties. The study concludes by offering recommendations for legal
and operational reforms aimed at fostering more transparent and democratic law
enforcement practices. While the focus of this research is primarily on Dar es Salaam,
the limitations noted include the reliance on secondary data, prompting suggestions
for future studies to broaden the scope to other regions and explore longitudinal trends
in police interference.
