This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
On October 29, 2019, President John Magufuli celebrated his birthday, and Tanzanian comedian Idriss Sultan, a former Big Brother Hotshots 2014 winner, jokingly suggested that he and the President switch jobs for the day.
However, this lighthearted comment was not well-received by the authorities. The Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Paul Makonda, directed Sultan to present himself to the nearest police station, citing that the comedian had gone beyond his boundaries as an entertainer.
Through his Instagram account, Makonda ordered Sultan to report to the police station, stating, "Naona mipaka ya kazi yako huijuwi. Nenda sasa hivi kituo chochote Cha polisi uwambie Makonda kaniambie nije utakuta ujumbe wako." (I see that you have crossed the boundaries of your job. Go now to any police station and tell Makonda that you have a message for him.)
Idris Sultan's case is a stark reminder of the dire situation facing individuals who dare to speak up and poke fun at the government or its leaders in Tanzania.
As the country continues to slide towards authoritarianism, observers warn that mocking the government or head of state is becoming increasingly risky, especially with President Magufuli's re-election bid in the 2020 general elections.
