Tanzanian cops shut down protests planned for next week and said organizers using foreign phone numbers are trying to wreck the country. Police spokesperson David Misime told reporters that people online are pushing instructions to torch cell towers, block roads, shut down businesses, and mess with basic services. Authorities claim some messages tell armed people to get ready for action.
Misime said the whole thing breaks criminal laws because it threatens the economy and public safety. Cops traced the coordination back to numbers registered outside Tanzania plus some local accounts, and nobody filed official paperwork with any district police office about holding demonstrations. Police dropped the ban after saying the group behind it has no real address and operates through anonymous channels.
Investigators found posts where people said they refuse to take losses like what happened after earlier unrest, and they plan to defend their families and property if anyone tries to stop them from going about their day.
Misime said the whole thing breaks criminal laws because it threatens the economy and public safety. Cops traced the coordination back to numbers registered outside Tanzania plus some local accounts, and nobody filed official paperwork with any district police office about holding demonstrations. Police dropped the ban after saying the group behind it has no real address and operates through anonymous channels.
Investigators found posts where people said they refuse to take losses like what happened after earlier unrest, and they plan to defend their families and property if anyone tries to stop them from going about their day.
