The dusty streets of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, hold a dark secret. In a remote corner of Kondo cemetery, north of the city, lies a mass grave, shrouded in mystery and fear. The bodies of protesters, killed in the aftermath of the October 29 election, were secretly buried at Kando cemetery.

CNN’s investigation has uncovered the disturbing truth, revealing a pattern of police brutality and potential human rights abuses. Satellite imagery shows disturbed soil, a stark contrast to the serene surroundings. Local sources indicate that young men were paid to dig and bury the bodies.

The victims, many of whom were unarmed, were shot by police, their bodies discarded like trash. A pregnant woman, caught in the crossfire, was fatally shot in the back while fleeing. The doctor who treated the wounded reported a grim pattern of gunshot wounds, particularly to the head, abdomen, chest, and lower limbs.

The government’s response has been inadequate, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan suggesting that protesters were paid to cause chaos. Samia also claims protesters were from outside the country.

CNN also reviewed and confirmed dozens of videos and images of civilians lying dead from gunshot wounds, as well as images of bodies overflowing morgues at the Sekou-Toure Regional Referral Hospital in Mwanza and the Mwananyamala Hospital in Dar es Salaam.

As the world watches, Human Rights defenders and religious leaders are calling on Tanzania’s leaders to take responsibility for these atrocities.

”The mass grave in Kondo cemetery is a stark reminder of the country’s human rights abuses. It’s time for justice, transparency, and accountability,” Said Human Rights

 

According to the opposition, over 2000 people were fatally shot by police during the weeklong protest that started on 29th October 2025. Several people sustained severe gun injuries, while others are unaccounted for.