PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed concern over a spike in traffic accidents, citing data that from January to April this year 1,322 accidents were recorded, killing 1,275 people, a nine percent increase from the same period last year.

Commissioning new police officers at the Dar es Salaam Police Academy yesterday, the president said that this trend must stop. “It is time for bold measures. We cannot allow accidents to become the norm,” she declared, urging the newly commissioned officers to prioritize road safety enforcement.

“You must work to ensure road accidents become an old song — they are robbing us of lives,” she said, directing the police force to take decisive action in curbing the rising number of road accidents.

The trend as unacceptable and a threat to public safety, she said, also using the occasion to challenge the police force to conduct itself with greater discipline and professionalism. 

She warned officers against corruption and involvement in criminal networks, calling for a renewed sense of accountability and public service.

 “You must become ambassadors of change — reformers within this institution, which has too often been the subject of public complaints,” she stated, urging the police to embrace technology, particularly the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to improve operations, case management and service delivery.

The president tasked the police with taking a central role in the criminal justice reform agenda aimed at making Tanzania’s justice system more efficient, fair and transparent.

She also called for greater coordination between the police and other security organs in tackling drug abuse, describing it as a persistent challenge facing the country.

Reiterating government support, she assured the officers that efforts are ongoing to address challenges within the police force, including poor infrastructure, limited resources and staff welfare.

The government will enhance police recruitment and promote officers to strengthen the force and maintain law and order, she said, while Innocent Bashungwa, the Home Affairs minister, praised the president’s leadership for modernizing the police force by purchasing new equipment and supporting operational reforms.

Inspector General Camilius Wambura said that under the president’s leadership, there has been a significant decline in crime, citing the safe reintroduction of night bus services once plagued by criminal activity.

This period has also witnessed the dismantling of the infamous ’panya road’ criminal gangs in suburbs of the city of Dar es Salaam, he said, underlining that as the country approaches the general election in October, “we pledge to maintain peace and security before, during and after the polls.” 

SACP Lazaro Mambosasa, the head of the Dar es Salaam Police Academy, commended the recruits for their dedication, urging them to carry forward the sense of duty, discipline and integrity.

The ceremony also marked the graduation of the 2024/2025 cohort of police officers and inspectors, selected based on qualifications and years of service, he said.  

President Samia reminded the officers that wearing the police uniform comes with responsibility. “Tanzanians expect you to protect them with honour, courage and integrity. Let your conduct reflect the values of the institution you represent,” she emphasized.