A Tanzanian court sentenced four men to life in prison on Monday for a gang rape that shocked the nation after a video of the assault went viral on social media, prosecutors reported. The court, located in the capital Dodoma, also ordered each defendant to pay the victim one million Tanzanian shillings (approximately $365).
The attack, which took place in May, gained public attention when a former local mayor posted about it on social media platform X on August 4, sparking outrage from rights groups. The four men were arrested five days later and had pleaded not guilty.
The trial, which began on August 20, was held behind closed doors to protect the victim, who was referred to only as "XY." Renatus Mkude, assistant director at the public prosecution office, confirmed the sentencing, saying, "The case concluded today, and the four received life sentences."
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Defense attorney Godfrey Wasonga indicated he would appeal if his clients requested, citing what he called "several legal deficiencies in the charge sheet" that the court did not address.
The case gained significant attention after Boniface Jacob, former mayor of Ubungo in Dar es Salaam, posted about it on X, tagging President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the national police force. Jacob claimed the attackers were believed to be members of the Tanzanian armed forces, although this was not verified.
The assault provoked widespread outrage across Tanzania and raised concerns about officials' handling of the case. The police later apologized after Dodoma regional commander Theopista Mallya referred to the victim as "a sex worker" and described the perpetrators as "ordinary drunkards." In response, Tanzania's Legal and Human Rights Centre questioned, "Does the fact that someone is engaging in sex work justify being subjected to acts of violence like rape?"
