IN SHORT: A Facebook post shared a manipulated front page falsely claiming that police had killed tens of thousands of Tanzanians. The Habari Leo’s authentic 6 November 2025 edition carried a completely different headline focused on improvements in public services.
A Facebook post has shared what it claims is the cover of Tanzania’s state-owned newspaper Habari Leo’s 6 November 2025 edition.
The front cover has the headline: “WATANZANIA WALIOUAWA KWA KUPIGWA RISASI NA POLISI WAFIKIA 23,000.”
This translates to: “Tanzanians killed by police reach 23,000.”
Below the headline are photos of 14 people, presented as those allegedly killed by police.
Habari Leo, published by the government-owned Tanzania Standard Newspapers (TSN), typically covers national news, government activities, development issues and official announcements.
The fabricated headline appears designed to exploit heightened political tension. After Tanzania’s October 2025 general election, disputes over fairness and transparency sparked unrest. Opposition groups accused police of using excessive force during protests, leading to sporadic clashes and a charged political atmosphere.
By November 2025, discussions about police brutality, casualty figures, supposed foreign involvement and cross-border movement were widespread online, particularly after president Samia Suluhu suggested that some of those involved in violence were not Tanzanian nationals.
This front page has also been posted here and here. (Note: See...
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