Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups Dr.
Dorothy Gwajima. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
On the afternoon of July 22, 2024, a
wave of fear and uncertainty swept through Mburahati Primary School in Dar es
Salaam. Parents and guardians, alarmed by reports of a black van without
registration numbers seen near the school, stormed the premises to ensure the
safety of their children. The incident unfolded following rumors that the
vehicle was linked to recent kidnappings in the area, prompting a swift and
overwhelming response from concerned families.
According to an unnamed woman, she was
at home in Kigogo when she received distressing news from another parent who
had picked up her child, claiming that two children had died, and parents were
rushing to the school to retrieve their children. The woman, gripped by fear,
hurried to Mburahati Primary School, joining other anxious parents. Another
parent, echoing the sentiment, said, "I heard such alarming news and had
to come to verify. I had to go to the classroom to make sure. My child is here,
yes, here at nine, come and pick up your children."
The chaotic scene saw a large crowd
gather at the school, overwhelming the administration and prompting the
intervention of the police. The authorities, upon arrival, worked to calm the
parents and guardians. The school management, to ensure the safety of the
students, decided to dismiss them one by one, verifying the identity of each
parent or guardian before allowing them to leave with their child. Those
children whose parents or guardians did not arrive were kept at the school
under supervision.
This incident is part of a troubling
trend of child abductions in Dar es Salaam, where unknown individuals using
various vehicles have reportedly been kidnapping children. The most recent and
gruesome case involved an eight-year-old boy, Telesphore Mwakalinga from
Dodoma, who went missing on July 17, 2024. His body was later found with
several parts, including his genitals, removed. This heinous act has fueled
widespread fear and outrage across the community.
In response to these incidents,
President Samia Suluhu, speaking to cultural and traditional leaders on July
20, 2024, called for collective action to stop the kidnappings. She urged the
community to dispel the myths linking these crimes to the upcoming 2025 General
Elections. "Another thing, go and raise awareness; for now, when you
question these incidents [of kidnapping], people say it’s because of the
election, people want to be elected. Go and tell the politicians, if the
assertion is true, you are the traditional leaders, you know these things, tell
the politicians that they cannot get political positions that way,"
President Samia emphasized.
The police have since arrested one
individual for spreading rumors that exacerbated the panic. Among the false
reports were claims of children being kidnapped from Mbagala and Kisewe
schools, with organs such as kidneys and eyes reportedly taken.
In a broader context, the issue of
child abduction and abuse has become a significant concern in Tanzania,
particularly with the upcoming 2025 General Elections. The Legal and Human
Rights Center (LHRC), through its Executive Director, Dr. Anna Henga, has
strongly condemned these acts. Dr. Henga highlighted the urgent need for robust
measures to protect children and bring perpetrators to justice. She stressed
that these crimes not only violate basic human rights but also instill fear and
insecurity in communities.
Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, the Minister of
Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, has taken a strong
stance against the recent heinous acts of child abduction and abuse in
Tanzania. She has called for heightened vigilance and greater community
involvement to safeguard the nation's children. Dr. Gwajima emphasized the
government's unwavering commitment, in partnership with civil society
organizations, to combating these crimes and ensuring the safety of every
child.
The prevailing atmosphere of fear and
mistrust highlights the critical need for accurate information and community
unity in addressing the challenges of child abuse and abductions. As Tanzania
approaches the 2025 General Elections, both leaders and citizens must come
together to protect the most vulnerable members of society. This collective
effort is essential to fostering a secure and supportive environment where all
children can thrive safely