Shots fired at Tanzanian opposition leader's home

By Peter Saramba Ongiri

MWANZA, Tanzania (AA) - Tanzanian opposition leader Joshua Nassari narrowly escaped death after unidentified gunmen invaded his home in Arusha, in the north of the country.

Arusha Regional Police Chief Charles Mkumbo confirmed the incident and said bullet cartridges were recovered at Nassari’s premises.

"The police have launched a thorough investigation into the incident," the police chief said

A dog was also shot dead during the incident which took place on Friday night.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Nassari linked the attack, which took place just 30 minutes after he arrived home from a meeting, with his political activities.

"I’m not a businessman, there is nothing valuable to attract robbers to my home; I highly believe I was the target,” Nassari said

This comes just less than four months after another opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, was critically injured after gunmen opened fire on his car near his home in Dodoma, the administrative capital.

Lissu, who is still in the Kenyan capital Nairobi for treatment, was shot on Sept. 7.

In recent months, opposition leaders have claimed to have received death threats from unknown people due to their critical arguments against President John Magufuli's government.