- Tanzanian social media personality Jennifer Jovin, also known as Niffer, has been charged with treason.
- The charge stems from a viral dance video that allegedly mocked President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
- In Tanzania, treason can result in life imprisonment or death.
Tanzanian social media personality Jennifer Jovin, popularly known as Niffer, has been formally charged with treason, a crime that could carry a life sentence or death sentence, after posting a short dance video. The video quickly went viral, in which Nefer performed a song that allegedly mocked President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Tanzanian authorities argued that the video could incite public disorder, leading to legal proceedings against her. The 26-year-old appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam along with 21 others facing similar charges.
Prosecutors filed three treason-related charges against the group: conspiracy to commit treason, conduct with intent to disturb public order and incitement via social media.
Neefer’s mother, Mwanesha Isaac, made a heartfelt plea for mercy from President Hassan, describing her daughter as a responsible young woman and the family’s main breadwinner. Her plea attracted widespread attention, with many Tanzanians taking to social media to express support and call for clemency in the case.
Watch the video below…
