Tanzanian TikTok personality Jennifer Jovin, widely recognised as Niffer, has regained her freedom after being held since late October, ending a period she described as tough but eye-opening.
Her return home marked an emotional moment for her family, who had anxiously awaited her release, and she used the occasion to reflect on the lessons she learned while in custody.
Shortly after leaving detention, Niffer spoke about the relief of being reunited with her loved ones and thanked everyone who supported her through the ordeal. She said her experience made her value peace and personal freedom in ways she had never imagined.
“I thank God for a beautiful day. Today, I have reunited with my family. It was not an easy journey, but we thank God for everything. I do not belong to any political party, and I am not involved in politics in any way. Even the actions that brought us here were just misunderstandings. Investigations have been completed, and President Samia Suluhu has forgiven us, making things easier. I want to thank everyone involved, especially my mother, family, and friends,” she said.
She encouraged people to widen their view of charity by remembering mothers and children who live inside prisons and often lack basic supplies.
“Most of us, when we do charity, only go to orphans. We should also help those in jail provide Pampers, milk for their children, sanitary towels, and clothes. Let’s offer charity to them. Being in jail has taught me a lot; I have learned to give thanks and cherish freedom and peace. We often take freedom for granted. The value of freedom and peace is huge,” she added.
Recalling the daily challenges faced by inmates, she described a life with little privacy and constant supervision, saying the environment made even the smallest routines difficult.
“You can’t do anything in private; someone has to watch you every time. It is not a good life. When there is a misunderstanding outside prison, you just watch from a distance. But in prison, when misunderstandings happen, court dates and investigations stop, and you are caught in the middle,” she said.
Her release came less than a month after her mother, Mwanaisha Isaac, publicly pleaded with President Samia to forgive her daughter, who was then facing accusations linked to treason. In her appeal, she expressed concern for her daughter’s future and asked for mercy on behalf of the family.
“Shikamoo Mama Rais Samia Suluhu, my name is Mwanaisha Isaac, a resident of Bukoba. I am the mother of Jennifer Jovin, also known as Niffer. I beg for forgiveness on behalf of my daughter. I also did not like what she did, and I am asking for forgiveness on behalf of the entire family,” she said.
“My daughter is the breadwinner for the entire family. She loves you so much. We all depend on her, and we ask you to forgive her and forgive us,” she added.
Court papers showed that Niffer had been facing a separate conspiracy-to-commit-treason charge. Twenty-one other suspects were also charged with treason over claims of destroying public property and key installations during unrest.
Her lawyer later told reporters that the content creator was charged alone because she had allegedly asked people to buy face masks to shield themselves from tear gas, which the prosecution said amounted to encouraging resistance against authorities.
Although she was not accused of any violent act, investigators claimed her alleged actions still fell within the wide interpretation of treason under Tanzanian law.
