Hundreds of students took to the streets in Dar es Salaam's Kigamboni area on Monday (January 14th) to protest police apathy towards several incidents of robbery in student hostels, Tanzania's Daily News reported.

Police used tear gas to disperse the protestors, but Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Suleiman Kova said no one was harmed or arrested.

"I told the students that the incidents were perpetrated by petty thieves and not bandits...," he said. "We have settled the matter amicably and students were happy with my position."

Kigamboni hostels have seen a rash of break-ins, theft and harassment of lodgers, according to the students, who said the police had not responded adequately. Kova toured the affected areas and pledged to address the issue, Tanzania's The Guardian reported.