Steve Barker is embracing life in Tanzania — both on and off the pitch — after recently visiting a popular street food hotspot likened to Johannesburg’s KwaMai-Mai.

Currently in charge of Simba SC, Barker got a taste of local culture during a team-building outing in Dar es Salaam, where he and his squad visited the famous meat hub known as Zakhar Halava.

Much like KwaMai-Mai in Joburg, the venue is a bustling attraction where locals and tourists gather for freshly prepared meat and an authentic cultural experience.

A video shared by Simba SC captured the moment, with the caption: “This place is all about meat, from start to finish.”

But Barker’s experience in Tanzania goes beyond food — it’s the passion of the fans that has truly stood out.

The former Stellenbosch FC coach compared Simba’s massive following to that of Kaizer Chiefs, noting how the club dominates support wherever they play.

“I always hated playing Chiefs away and feeling like it was their home game,” Barker joked. “Now I’m experiencing the same thing here.”

According to Barker, Simba enjoy overwhelming backing across the country, often turning every fixture into what feels like a home match.

“Wherever we play, 90% of the crowd is Simba fans. It’s incredible,” he added. “It’s exciting to see how much the team means to the people and to be part of that.”

From electric atmospheres in stadiums to vibrant street culture, Barker’s Tanzanian journey is proving to be as rich off the field as it is on it.

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According to reports, at least 10 people have died and many more have been injured. The main opposition party claims the death toll could be much higher, accusing security forces of using excessive force. Authorities, however, have described the unrest as “isolated incidents.”

The UN called on Tanzanian security forces to avoid unnecessary or excessive use of force and urged protesters to remain peaceful. The organization also appealed to the government to lift restrictions on internet access and to respect citizens’ rights to free expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

A night curfew remains in place in Dar es Salaam as tensions continue to rise. The UN further urged Tanzanian authorities to release those detained during the protests and to restore public trust in the electoral process.

President Hassan has denied accusations of widespread human rights abuses, but the ongoing unrest highlights deep divisions and growing frustration among the population following a contentious election.

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Protesters fleeing clashes with Tanzanian police sought refuge on the Kenyan side of the border, prompting officers to fire tear gas canisters across the boundary. The situation has forced businesses to shut down, while trucks carrying goods remain stranded at the frontier.

Local traders say the chaos has severely affected their livelihoods. “We can’t operate our businesses because of the situation in Tanzania,” said Kenyan trader Taliban Onyango. “Tear gas is being thrown at us, and we can’t feed our families. We just want peace at the border so life can return to normal.”

Complicating matters further, Tanzania’s internet blackout — imposed since election day — has also affected parts of Kenya’s border region. Amnesty International has urged Tanzanian authorities to restore access, warning that blocking communication could worsen the crisis.

Reports from Kenyan media indicate that journalists have been prevented from crossing into Tanzania to cover the unrest, raising further concerns about press freedom and transparency.

As the post-election situation unfolds, residents of Namanga remain caught between two nations struggling to maintain calm amid political turmoil.

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Bester, Magudumana, and several co-accused—including former prison officials—face charges linked to Bester’s dramatic escape from Mangaung Prison in May 2022. The pair were arrested in Tanzania nearly a year later and returned to South Africa in April 2023. Despite their return more than two years ago, the trial has faced repeated delays.

The court is also set to hear arguments about Magudumana’s Constitutional Court challenge against her deportation, a legal battle that could affect the proceedings.

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Election Director Ramadhani Kailima stated that non-compliance with the code meant automatic disqualification. CHADEMA had boycotted the signing ceremony, citing an unfair electoral process and demanding urgent reforms.

The move comes as the party’s leader, Tundu Lissu, faces treason charges for allegedly inciting rebellion to disrupt the electoral process. Arrested after addressing a public rally, Lissu appeared defiant in court, accompanied by his legal team and fellow politicians. Authorities refused to let him enter a plea, and he now faces the possibility of a death sentence.

Human rights advocates have condemned the arrest and CHADEMA’s disqualification as politically motivated, pointing to what they describe as the ruling party’s ongoing crackdown on dissent. President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government, however, insists that the country upholds democratic principles and has denied targeting opposition voices.

Lissu previously survived a 2017 assassination attempt and has remained a vocal critic of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has held power since Tanzania’s independence.

As the October elections draw closer, CHADEMA’s exclusion marks a significant blow to opposition prospects and raises questions about the credibility of the vote.

Glance:Members of Operation Vala Umgodi seized a variety of implements, arrested illegal miners and undocumented foreign nationals in Limpopo

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Lissu, who survived a brutal assassination attempt in 2017 where he was shot 16 times, has been an active critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government. His efforts have led to several arrests, including charges of sedition, and have fueled divisions within his own party. Despite this, Lissu remains steadfast in his belief that Tanzania’s political landscape needs fundamental change.

Read:Nelson Mandela Bay District Detectives arrest wanted suspects in Gqeberha

Lissu’s lawyer has argued that the treason charges are politically motivated, and Lissu has yet to plead. The prosecution claims he is inciting rebellion and aiming to disrupt the upcoming elections.

A trained lawyer, Lissu began his political journey in 1995. He was elected to parliament in 2010 and rose to leadership within CHADEMA. His stance against former President John Magufuli’s government led to his repeated arrests and, ultimately, his exile after the assassination attempt. Following his recovery in Kenya and Belgium, he continued to monitor political developments in Tanzania.

Lissu returned to Tanzania in 2020 to challenge Magufuli in an election but was forced to leave again due to death threats. After Magufuli’s death in 2021, Lissu had hoped for greater political freedoms under President Hassan. While Hassan initially took steps to ease political restrictions, rights activists have accused her government of continuing to suppress opposition voices.

The charges against Lissu have intensified tensions within CHADEMA, already divided over his strategy of pressuring the government into electoral reforms. Despite the risks, Lissu’s supporters view the treason charges as a badge of honor, but political analysts warn that a potential boycott of the elections could further harm the party’s chances, especially as it currently holds just 20 seats in parliament.

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