Barely a day after his reappointment as Tanzania’s Attorney General, Hamza Said Johari has stirred widespread controversy by calling for the arrest of exiled activist and social media personality Mange Kimambi.
Johari accused Kimambi who lives in the United States of using her online platforms to incite unrest and destabilize Tanzania, warning that citizenship abroad does not shield anyone from accountability.
“The law does not exempt Tanzanians living outside the country from responsibility,” Johari told reporters, vowing that the government would pursue her for allegedly fueling political agitation from abroad.
His remarks come amid growing political tension and a charged online atmosphere, where Tanzania’s political and entertainment spaces increasingly collide.
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Mange Kimambi Fires Back
Responding defiantly on social media, Mange Kimambi dismissed Johari’s comments as “politically motivated nonsense” aimed at silencing dissent.
“Look at this fool. He’s sworn in as Attorney General today, and the first thing he wants is to extradite Mange Kimambi,” she wrote.
“You’ve killed thousands of Tanzanian youth, but you’re chasing Mange instead of the killers and those who sent them. So stupid.”
Kimambi questioned the legality of her extradition from the U.S., insisting there was no international legal framework that could justify such a move.
“What law have I broken for the U.S. government to hand me over to you?” she asked, adding, “One day I’ll come back home willingly but never by force. That will never happen.”
Politics and Pop Culture Collide
The war of words underscores the growing friction between Tanzania’s political establishment and its increasingly vocal online community.
Celebrities and influencers seen as siding with the government have faced public backlash, mass unfollows, and online shaming. Recently, musician Ali Kiba issued an apology following a controversial post that angered fans, clarifying that he did not intend to downplay citizens’ frustrations.
Analysts say the dispute between Johari and Kimambi reflects deeper societal divisions, as social media continues to blur the lines between politics, activism, and entertainment creating a volatile digital space where public opinion shifts in real time with every viral post.
