Local Government Offices Destroyed in Fires, Residents Struggle to Access Essential Services

Dar es Salaam — Multiple ward chairpersons’ and neighbourhood executives’ offices have been completely destroyed by fire, leaving residents without access to critical government services.

The destruction has been total in many cases, with not even basic office supplies like stamps or pens surviving the flames. Citizens are now struggling to obtain even simple services such as introduction letters.

The crisis has forced local leaders to completely change how they operate. Instead of serving residents from traditional offices, some leaders now arrange phone appointments with citizens and meet them at agreed locations.

However, residents report that not all services are currently available. Critical documents required for land regularisation and other essential processes are no longer accessible. More concerning, some leaders have become too frightened to be reached at all.

This is the harsh new reality for communities trying to access basic government services after several local offices were burned down on October 29, 2025, during violent civil unrest.

The disturbances led to widespread destruction, with arsonists targeting local government offices, police posts, petrol stations, vehicles, private homes, rickshaws, motorcycles, and businesses across multiple areas.

The violence has created deep fear among local government leaders. Some are now unwilling to even identify themselves by their official titles, uncertain about what arsonists may do next.

Despite the fear, some resilient leaders have continued their duties. After losing their offices, they now operate from makeshift spaces including roadside food stalls and under trees, while remaining cautious.

The Ministry of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government – Tamisemi) has instructed affected leaders to temporarily relocate their services to unaffected offices in nearby areas while district councils coordinate restoration efforts.

Operating From Food Stalls and Under Trees

TNC visited several affected areas where services are now being delivered from food vendors’ shacks near burnt offices, under trees, or through phone arrangements with leaders working from home.

Some leaders have expressed fear about continuing their duties, saying those who set fire to the offices could easily target their homes as well.

On November 26, at Ubungo Kisiwani, the ward chairperson and executive officer continued offering services—one from a food vendor’s stall, the other beneath a tree beside the burnt office.

The executive officer set up a plastic table, an old bench, and a single plastic chair inside a makeshift shack made of rusty iron sheets, bringing along two stamps and a few files to continue working.

When approached about his working conditions since the October 29 attack, the chairperson expressed deep anxiety:

"I don’t want to say anything. Don’t bring trouble to me—what if they come and burn my house? I don’t want that."

What was once the ward office now stands as a burnt-out shell covered in ash.

Services Now by Phone Appointment Only

At Mabibo NIT, anyone seeking services must now call leaders and arrange meeting points. The office building is in ruins, with no officials present—only motorcycle taxi riders waiting nearby.

"Leaders don’t come here anymore. If you have their numbers, call them," said Siraji Manepe, a local bodaboda rider.

He explained that services now depend entirely on contacting the chairperson or executive officer to organize where to meet.

The same situation exists in Shekilango, Sinza, and Magomeni—all areas whose offices were destroyed on October 29. To obtain any service, residents must call relevant leaders and arrange meeting points.

"Most leaders now work wherever they are. If you need help, you call them—but don’t go to their homes; they’re afraid," said Juma Seko of Shekilango.

Critical Documents and Stamps Destroyed

Kibamba Ward Chairperson Sembuli Mgendi said it has become extremely difficult to serve residents because all key documents, stamps, and work tools were destroyed in the fire.

He said critical services have stalled, including issuing introduction letters, stamping documents, and processing land regularisation paperwork—which has prevented residents from accessing title deeds.

"We have no functioning office, no tools. Everything was burnt. We simply have no way to provide normal services," he said.

Stop Over Ward Chairperson Alex Msuka said staying in the office is impossible because it was destroyed. He now offers services outside—but not from his home—due to fear of what arsonists may be planning.

"There is a lot of fear among us. You even hesitate to mention your title. When someone calls you ‘chairman’, you worry they might be targeting you," he said.

Residents Bear the Burden

Dominick Maina of Sinza said it has become extremely difficult to reach local leaders because many are afraid and no longer have offices.

"You call them, and they ask who you are, then more questions. They feel hunted and lack peace of mind. We are the ones suffering because services are no longer easy to access," he said.

Saumu Hamza of Magomeni noted that several services are simply unavailable because the offices and their official stamps were destroyed.

"Most of the leaders’ stamps were burnt. Only the chairperson’s stamp survived. Some documents require the executive officer’s stamp—and that one is gone. It’s a real challenge," she said.

She explained that she failed to obtain her introduction letter for her employer and had to pay extra to be verified through alternative means.

Mussa Kaisi of Mabibo said his important documents kept in the ward office were burnt, forcing him to restart the entire replacement process.

"I left them with the leaders thinking the office was safe. Unfortunately, they were burnt along with many others. We’ve agreed to restart the process of preparing new documents," he said.

Government Directs Temporary Relocation

Tamisemi Minister Professor Riziki Shemdoe urged residents in affected wards to seek services from nearby wards.

"Residents should go to neighbouring wards to access the required services while the Government works on restoring the burnt offices," he said.

He directed local leaders to operate from neighbouring safe offices while district councils organize service restoration.

"First, we sympathise with residents facing these difficulties. Leaders should go to nearby safe offices to deliver services, and residents should follow them there," he said.