A police commander in Dodoma, Tanzania, has been removed from her position following controversial remarks linking an alleged gang-rape victim to sex work. The comments came after a video, which went viral earlier this month, appeared to show a young woman being assaulted, sparking widespread outrage in Tanzania.

The commander, Theopista Mallya, was quoted by a Tanzanian newspaper on Sunday as saying the woman “appeared to be engaged in sex work.” This statement drew significant backlash, with critics arguing it minimized the victim’s suffering. In response, Tanzania’s national police force issued an apology and announced that Mallya had been transferred from her post.

National police spokesperson David Misime apologized for the statement and said it was being reviewed for accuracy. He also noted that Mallya had stated to the local newspaper Mwananchi that, regardless of the woman’s profession, “she did not deserve to be treated that way.” These words were not included in Mwananchi’s report; the BBC has reached out to the newspaper for clarification.

Lawyer Peter Madeleka criticized Mallya’s remarks on social media, calling them “proof of police cruelty to women’s rights.” Activist Fatma Karume also expressed outrage, questioning whether individuals engaged in sex work can be subjected to rape in Tanzania.

The video allegedly shows the suspects interrogating the woman and forcing her to apologize to someone referred to as “afande,” a term often used for soldiers or police officers. Many activists were alarmed by the possibility that the assault might have been carried out under the direction of security personnel. However, Mallya later clarified that the suspects were not acting under any official orders but were instead influenced by alcohol and drugs.

Following the backlash, Mallya was transferred to the police headquarters, though the nature of her transfer—whether temporary or permanent—remains unclear. The video’s exact date of filming is unknown, but the victim is reported to be from Yombo Dovya, a suburb of Dar es Salaam.

On Monday, four suspects were charged with gang rape and engaging in unnatural acts. They pleaded not guilty and will remain in police custody, according to local media reports.