This archive report was first published on 30 August 2019.
On August 30, 2019, a tense standoff between Tanzanian riot police and protesters took an unexpected turn when the latter asked the former for permission to use force.
The unusual scene unfolded at a protest demanding the release of an Air Tanzania aircraft impounded in South Africa.
South African authorities had impounded the Airbus 220-300 aircraft at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg over an outstanding compensation claim against the Tanzanian government.
Protesters held banners with messages like, “Remember we (Tanzania) sacrificed the little we had to support your (South Africa) struggle against apartheid and today you betray us?”
They also chanted, “Tunataka ndege yetu… tunataka ndege yetu.” (We want our plane back… we want our plane back)
Police commander Lazaro Mambosasa vowed to arrest the protest organizers, stating, “Whatever these people are demanding should have been presented through proper channels, not this way.”
