The victim says the attackers seemed well-prepared, highly coordinated, and determined to instill fear. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Shinyanga – Abdul Nondo, the Chairman of the ACT-Wazalendo Youth Wing, has narrated his chilling abduction and assault, raising concerns about his safety following explicit death threats. Currently undergoing treatment for his injuries at Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Nondo shared his ordeal during a viral interview with DW Radio on December 2, 2024.
The harrowing incident unfolded in the early hours of December 1 at Magufuli Bus Terminal in Dar es Salaam. Nondo had just returned from Kigoma, where he had been involved in party activities, including campaigns for the recent local government elections held on November 27, 2024.
Shortly after his arrival, he was attacked and forcibly taken by six men. Witnesses described the men bundling him into a white Land Cruiser with license plate T 249 CMV. Hours later, the police announced he was found abandoned at Coco Beach in Kinondoni.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Nondo recounted the terrifying sequence of events, visibly shaken and in pain. “When I arrived at the terminal around 4 a.m., I went outside to look for transport. That’s when six men approached me. At first, I thought they were petty thieves, but things turned serious quickly when they told me to keep quiet and started forcing me into their vehicle,” he recalled. Despite screaming for help and identifying himself to bystanders, including motorcyclists and passengers, the men subdued him. “I kept shouting, ‘Help me! I’m Abdul Nondo,’ but nobody intervened.”
According to Nondo, the attackers seemed well-prepared and coordinated. “They tied my hands behind my back with ropes and blindfolded me. One of them shouted, ‘Where are the handcuffs?’ When they couldn’t find any, they improvised with ropes. The way they operated was not random,” he added.
The ordeal escalated as Nondo was taken to an undisclosed location where he was subjected to severe physical abuse. “They hit me repeatedly with sticks, targeting my feet, shoulders, and knees. They kept saying, ‘You talk too much. Now we’re going to kill you.’ They also insulted me and mocked my position,” Nondo said.
After hours of torture, the kidnappers moved him to another vehicle and drove for what felt like a long distance. “I was disoriented and couldn’t tell where we were going. At one point, they stopped and told me to walk. I could hear waves and feel the sea breeze, so I realized we were near the ocean. I thought they were going to throw me into the water,” he said, his voice trembling.
Eventually, the men freed his hands but issued a chilling warning. “They told me, ‘Don’t talk to anyone about what happened. Don’t go to the media. If we hear you’ve spoken, we’ll come for you again.’ Then they left me there,” he said.
Nondo managed to find his way to safety by flagging down a motorcyclist. Despite his injuries, he persuaded the rider to take him to ACT-Wazalendo offices instead of his home, fearing for his life. Party officials later arranged for him to receive medical attention at Aga Khan Hospital.
The abduction has sparked outrage among ACT-Wazalendo members and the broader public. Deputy Secretary-General Ruqayya M. Nassir condemned the incident, calling it part of a larger pattern of human rights violations targeting opposition figures in Tanzania.
“The time for silence is over. We demand immediate answers from the Inspector General of Police, Camillus Wambura, regarding these abductions. This is not just an attack on Nondo or our party; it is an attack on democracy and the rights of every Tanzanian,” she said in a powerful statement.
Nassir criticized the lack of transparency and urgency in police responses to such incidents. “How can citizens feel safe when leaders of opposition parties are being abducted in broad daylight, and the police fail to act decisively? We are demanding credible updates, not empty statements,” she said.
Nassir also highlighted the abductions of other youth leaders, including Deusdedit Soka, Adinani Hussein Mbezi, and Dioniz Kipanya, all of whom have gone missing in recent months. “These disappearances cannot be ignored. The authorities must provide answers and ensure justice for the victims and their families.”
The ACT-Wazalendo Youth Wing has called for national and international solidarity in addressing the alarming rise in abductions and oppression in Tanzania. “This is not just about our party; it is about protecting the fundamental rights of every citizen. We urge all Tanzanians to unite against this injustice,” Nassir said.
For Nondo, the incident has left lasting psychological scars. He admitted to being deeply shaken and fearful for his future. “What frightens me the most is how easily they managed to abduct me in a public place. They told me they could come for me again, and I believe them. I’m living in constant fear,” he said.
This is not the first time Nondo has been targeted. In March 2018, while a third-year student at the University of Dar es Salaam, he was reportedly abducted and found days later in Mufindi, Iringa Region. However, this latest incident comes amidst a troubling wave of kidnappings and harassment of opposition figures, making it particularly alarming.
The incident has prompted widespread condemnation from human rights groups, civil society organizations, and Tanzanians across the political spectrum. Many have taken to social media to express solidarity with Nondo and demand action from the government.
In her closing remarks, Nassir urged the police and government to take immediate steps to restore public confidence. “These abductions are not just statistics. They represent real people, real families, and real pain. The government must act now to ensure justice and protect the rights of all Tanzanians,” she said.
Despite the risks, ACT-Wazalendo leaders have vowed to continue their fight for accountability and justice, standing firm in their commitment to uphold democracy and human rights in Tanzania.