Retired Chief Justice (C.J) Mohamed Othman Chande has revealed that several shocking images and videos widely shared during the unrest surrounding Tanzania’s October 29, 2025 general election were digitally manipulated.
According to the former C.J, the images were created using artificial intelligence (A.I) in a bid to create a false impression of widespread killings and mass casualties.
While presenting before president Suluhu at the State House on April 23, 2026, Chande stated that forensic investigators confirmed that some of the most viral content circulated online was fabricated or misleading.
In addition, he said that the investigators found that one of the most viral images had been used in unrelated incidents in different parts of the world.
“One example is the image repeatedly circulated to depict bodies in blue bags allegedly being buried in mass graves. Investigations established that the same image has been used in different parts of the world,” Justice Chande said.
ReadMore: Tanzania’s Former Chief Justice Says October 29 Events Crossed the Line
A.I Evidence Review
Justice Chande mentioned that the digital forensic analysis formed part of broader investigations aimed at establishing the authenticity of information circulated during and after the post-election violence in October 2025.
According to the commission chairperson, the inquiry relied on evidence and information gathered from multiple sources in line with internationally recognized standards of proof applied by commissions of inquiry.
He added that the approach ensured that evidence collected by the commission was credible, verifiable and sufficiently comprehensive.
Moreover, Chande said that the commission collected 450 still images and 880 video recordings from various channels during the investigation.
The materials included content repeatedly circulated online, submissions from witnesses, information provided by security agencies, and material obtained from open sources such as media organizations and social media platforms.
Previous Findings From the Election Unrest Probe
The commission was formed after unrest erupted following the October 29, 2025 General Election, during which social media was flooded with claims of killings, disappearances and heavy-handed security crackdowns.
Thereafter, president Samia Suluhu Hassan appointed the inquiry team led by former C.J Chande to establish what happened during the unrest, identify those responsible and recommend further action.
Earlier findings presented by the commission noted that some participants in the clashes were armed with guns, machetes and crude weapons, suggesting the violence was not entirely peaceful.
However, the latest findings shift attention to the role of misinformation, with investigators saying manipulated images and AI-generated content may have exaggerated casualty claims and inflamed tensions online.
