An exclusive investigation by CNN has revealed that Tanzanian police allegedly used live ammunition against protesters and may have buried victims in unmarked graves following the country's disputed presidential election in October. The investigation utilized geolocated videos, satellite imagery, audio analysis, and eyewitness accounts to document how security forces reportedly killed demonstrators and concealed the true scale of the crackdown that ensued after President Samia Suluhu Hassan's re-election on October 29 with 98 percent of the vote. The election itself was marred by several opposition rivals being barred from contesting, which triggered widespread protests across the nation.

In the aftermath of the voting, authorities responded by imposing a curfew and implementing an internet blackout. When internet connectivity was partially restored, police reportedly restricted the sharing of images and videos considered likely to "cause panic." Initially, government officials denied any protestor fatalities. However, President Suluhu later acknowledged casualties, though without providing specific figures, and announced the formation of a commission of inquiry. She also suggested that some demonstrators might have been paid to participate in the protests. CNN reported that Tanzanian authorities, including the government and police, did not respond to requests for comment regarding its findings.

The probe, conducted in collaboration with open-source investigators, verified images and videos depicting overcrowded morgues at Sekou-Toure Regional Referral Hospital in Mwanza and Mwananyamala Hospital in Dar es Salaam. These visuals aligned with witness accounts of rising casualties. In Mwanza, photographs showed at least 10 bodies laid on a stretcher outside the hospital, and a doctor, speaking anonymously, confirmed treating numerous gunshot victims over four days, noting that the morgue quickly reached capacity. The doctor detailed that all victims had sustained gunshot wounds in various parts of the body, including the head, abdomen, chest, and limbs. In Dar es Salaam, verified video footage showed multiple bodies on the floor at Mwananyamala Hospital, although the Ministry of Health denied the authenticity of these images. One woman, who also requested anonymity, identified her brother among the deceased in the footage, stating he was killed during protests near his home.

Demonstrations erupted immediately after the October 29 vote and persisted for several days in certain areas. In Arusha, CNN verified video footage that appeared to show a pregnant woman and a young man being shot as protests turned violent; witnesses reported the woman was three months pregnant. Forensic audio analysis suggested the shots in the Arusha video were fired from a distance, indicating the use of firearms. Drone footage obtained and verified by CNN showed protesters fleeing as armed individuals opened fire in civilian areas. Some clips revealed individuals in plain clothes operating alongside uniformed police officers in the Ubungo area of Dar es Salaam. Opposition officials have alleged that some bodies were removed and disposed of in undisclosed locations to obscure the actual death toll, though these claims have not been independently verified.

CNN's investigation also examined satellite images and ground video from Kondo cemetery in Kunduchi, north of Dar es Salaam. Human rights groups and witnesses suggest this site may contain the remains of some buried protesters. Satellite imagery captured between November 2 and 15 showed distinct patches of disturbed soil at the cemetery. Ground video footage displayed overturned sand, exposed roots, and pieces of fabric, which witnesses interpreted as signs of recent burials. Rights groups believe the site could hold the bodies of those killed during the crackdown, but the exact number of victims remains undetermined.

The United Nations Human Rights Office, drawing on multiple sources, has indicated that hundreds of protesters and civilians might have been killed in the post-election violence, with an unknown number injured or detained. The UN has strongly advocated for an independent investigation into the use of force by Tanzanian security agencies and urged authorities to ensure accountability and transparency in probing these deaths. As the government-appointed commission begins its work, families of the missing and various human rights organizations are pressing for full disclosure regarding the number of fatalities, their burial locations, and who authorized the use of lethal force against protesters who questioned the credibility of the October election.