The Tanzanian government has dismissed as false a viral video circulating on social media purporting to show President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s convoy involved in an accident.
Government Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, clarified that the video was misleading and unrelated to the President.
“Ignore the fake information being passed around on this video that happened a long time ago. The convoy of President Samia Suluhu has not been involved in an accident. The accident on the video happened in 2024 and did not involve the President,” Msigwa stated on Instagram.
According to the government, the footage being shared is from an incident in February 2024 involving the convoy of Paul Makonda at Masasi, Mtwara. The accident damaged several vehicles but bore no connection to the Head of State.
Authorities have urged the public to disregard the misleading video and warned against the spread of disinformation online. They emphasized that official communication regarding the President’s safety and activities will always come through verified government channels.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s first female Head of State, has been a prominent figure in regional leadership since assuming office in March 2021 following the death of former President John Magufuli. She previously served as the country’s first female vice president from 2015 to 2021.
Her leadership has focused on strengthening diplomacy, economic reforms, and promoting women’s participation in governance. She has also overseen Tanzania’s post-pandemic recovery and modernization of public institutions.
Tanzania is set to hold its general elections on October 29, 2025, with President Samia seeking her first full term in office. The elections will cover the presidency, parliament, and local councils.
However, the polls face controversy after the exclusion of the main opposition party, Chadema. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, was recently arrested on charges of treason and incitement, sparking condemnation from rights groups who accuse the government of suppressing dissent ahead of the vote.
