Tanzanian Justice

Tanzanians bring a whole new meaning to the term crime and punishment.  In a society where police are easily bribed, many people believe that justice must be taken into their own hands.  In America, a thief will go to jail, maybe get probation and pay a fine.  In Tanzania, the thief will be beaten, tortured, or killed.  In some parts of the country, they poison thieves.  In other areas they blind them by poking out their eyes with nails.  My friend Peter’s bar was robbed last night by his former security guard, and it did not take long for his staff and other members of the community to find out who was responsible and the man quickly confessed.  Soon a group of men from the community gathered at his bar and began beating the criminal.  They used a metal crowbar to carry out their own form of justice.  Another community member brought pliers, hoping to torture the man by tearing off his testicles.  Others wanted put a tire around his body, cover the tire with kerosene, and set the tire on fire so that the man burns alive.  Luckily, Peter is a good person and stopped the mob from beating and torturing the guy.  He did not want blood shed or anyone dying on his property and had his bar manager take the former security guard to the police station.

When we first arrived in Tanzania, Peace Corps volunteers were told to, “Go easy on the mwizi.” In other words, we were supposed to be gentle towards thieves.  I did not truly appreciate this advice until today.  As foreigners, we are perceived as rich and an easy target for impoverished robbers. However, if someone steals from you and you yell “Thief, thief,” a mob of Tanzanians will beat and possibly kill the criminal.  There is not much tolerance for stealing in this country.  I have not had anything stolen since I’ve lived in Tanzania, but if it happens I will think twice about my reaction.  I wonder if my 30,000 shillings (less than $20) would be worth a man getting beaten….