The U.S. Department of State has imposed a sanction on Faustine Mafwele, a senior assistant commissioner in the Tanzanian Police Force, over his alleged role in the torture of activists.

The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced the sanction that bars Mr Mafwele from entering the U.S. in a statement on Friday.

Mr Rubio said, “The Department of State is designating Tanzanian Police Force (TPF) Senior Assistant Commissioner Faustine Jackson Mafwele under Section 7031(c), based on credible information that he was involved in gross violations of human rights.” 

“This designation prohibits Mafwele from entering the United States.”

Explaining reasons for the sanction,  Mr Rubio said, “One year ago, members of the TPF detained, tortured, and sexually assaulted Ugandan Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan Boniface Mwangi, who were in Dar es Salaam to observe the judicial trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.”

Mr Mwangi had alleged he was tortured when he was arrested in Tanzania last year. 

However, Tanzanian police dismissed his allegation as mere “opinions and hearsay.”

Mr Mafwele becomes the first Tanzanian police official to face U.S. sanctions over allegations of gross violation of human rights, killings and repression reported during the East African country’s last presidential election won by the incumbent Samia Suluhu Hassan.