Thousands of Tanzanians have rushed to shops owned by businesswoman Jeniffer Jovin, popularly known as Niffer, to buy masks and other items in a show of solidarity after she was charged with treason.
Niffer, a well-known entrepreneur, is accused of selling masks to protesters and encouraging them to wear them during anti-government demonstrations. Authorities claim her actions were an attempt to disguise protesters’ identities, but supporters argue she was only promoting public safety.
According to local media reports, long queues have been seen outside Niffer’s shops in major towns, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and Dodoma. Many of those buying her products say they want to show love and unity for a woman they believe is being unfairly targeted.
“I came here to buy ten masks. Not because I need them, but because I want to support Niffer,” said one customer in Dar es Salaam. “She did nothing wrong. Wearing masks should not be a crime.”
The businesswoman, who has built a reputation for producing affordable, high-quality masks and other beauty products, was arrested earlier this week. Reports indicate that prosecutors have linked her to protest organizers, claiming that her advice to wear asks was meant to help demonstrators hide from authorities**.
However, human rights groups and social media users across Tanzania have condemned the charges, calling them **excessive and politically motivated**. Online, the hashtag #IStandWithNiffer has been trending, with many people sharing photos of themselves wearing her masks.
Videos circulating online show people chanting her name and singing songs outside her shops. Some have even been seen carrying banners calling for her release, describing her as “a victim of injustice.”
Lawyers representing Niffer say they are preparing to appeal for bail and have called for a fair hearing. They insist that selling masks is not a crime, and her arrest sends a worrying message to small business owners.
If found guilty of treason, Niffer could face the death penalty, one of the most severe punishments under Tanzanian law.
For now, her supporters continue to buy up all her stock, turning what began as a protest into a nationwide show of unity for the embattled entrepreneur.
By Kenyans