This archive report was first published on 31 October 2019.
On October 30, 2019, Tanzanian comedian Idris Sultan posted an Instagram photo that altered his image with that of President John Pombe Magufuli to wish the President a happy birthday.
The photo, which has yet to be pulled down, was captioned: 'For a day we exchanged roles so that he can enjoy his birthday in peace.'
However, the move did not go well with Paul Makonda, the Regional Commissioner for Dar es Salaam, who ordered Idris to present himself at the nearest police station.
‘Seems you don’t know your boundaries. Report to any nearest police station and tell them Makonda told me to come, you will get your message,’ Makonda said.
But in a strange turn of events, Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hamis Kigwangala expressed solidarity with the wanted comedian.
According to him, the comedian was showing his love for the President and should not be punished for it.
‘I have been told there is a comedian wanted by the police, if he is arrested, I will personally post bail for him and defend him. Our President is a man of the people and it has been shown by how citizens have been wishing him well on his birthday! They have shown love,’ he said on Twitter.
Idris won the Big Brother Africa-Hotshots show in 2014 and currently hosts a popular comedy show in Tanzania known as Sio Habari.
