Abductions of political figures, activists, and journalists have been a growing concern in recent years. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
The Tanzanian Police Force has confirmed that Abdul Nondo, the Chairperson of ACT-Wazalendo's Youth Wing, was found abandoned at Coco Beach in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, by unidentified individuals.
According to a viral statement released on Monday, December 2, 2024, by Police Spokesperson David Misime, Nondo flagged down a motorcycle taxi after being left at the location and instructed the rider to take him to his party’s offices in Magomeni, Dar es Salaam, where he arrived around 11:00 PM.
Upon reaching the ACT-Wazalendo offices, Nondo met with party leaders and was subsequently taken to a hospital for a medical checkup. Police are investigating the incident, seeking to uncover the identities of those involved and the motive behind the act. Misime emphasized that the investigation aims to establish facts that will lead to appropriate legal action.
Reports indicate that the ordeal began on Sunday, December 1, 2024, shortly after Nondo arrived in Dar es Salaam from Kigoma, where he had been actively involved in party campaigns for local government elections held on November 27, 2024. Witnesses reported seeing Nondo being forcibly taken at the Magufuli Bus Terminal in Mbezi Louis by individuals in a white Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number T 249 CMV.
Eyewitness accounts further revealed that during the scuffle, a small bag fell to the ground. The bag, containing personal items, was later identified as belonging to Abdul Nondo. This development has sparked widespread concern and outrage, as it is not the first-time cases of abductions and forced disappearances have been reported in Tanzania.
Abductions of political figures, activists, and journalists have been a growing concern in recent years. These incidents are often shrouded in mystery, with victims frequently being taken by unidentified individuals, only to resurface days or weeks later. Many of these cases remain unresolved, and accountability is rarely established.
Abductions send a chilling message, often silencing dissenting voices and instilling fear in society. In Nondo's case, his active involvement in political campaigns may have made him a target. The timing of the incident, occurring immediately after his return from a politically charged assignment, raises questions about whether his political activities played a role in the ordeal.
Tanzania has a troubling history of such incidents. Activists and opposition figures have previously reported similar experiences, leading to calls for greater accountability from authorities. While police investigations are often initiated, they rarely lead to arrests or convictions, leaving victims and the public in a state of unease.
The abduction of Abdul Nondo, Chair of ACT-Wazalendo’s Youth Wing, has brought renewed attention to a disturbing pattern of forced disappearances and abductions in Tanzania. Nondo’s ordeal, where he was reportedly abandoned at Coco Beach in Dar es Salaam by unidentified individuals, is just the latest in a series of alarming incidents that have raised concerns about safety, justice, and accountability in the country.
This troubling pattern is not new. In 2018, Tanzania was shocked by the high-profile abduction of billionaire businessman Mohammed Dewji, who was taken at gunpoint outside the Colosseum Hotel in Dar es Salaam. Dewji, a household name in East Africa’s business circles, was held captive for nine days before being released under unclear circumstances.
Despite his eventual return, the incident left the public with lingering questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement and the safety of even the most prominent citizens.
Journalists, too, have not been spared. Azory Gwanda, a reporter for Mwananchi Communications, disappeared in November 2017 after investigating a string of killings in Kibiti, an area that had become a hotspot for violence.
Gwanda’s chilling final message to his wife, that he was being taken on a journey by unknown individuals, was the last anyone heard from him. Despite repeated calls for a transparent investigation, his whereabouts remain unknown, and his case has become a symbol of the vulnerability faced by journalists in Tanzania.
Political activists have also been targeted. Deusdedith Soka, a staunch Chadema supporter, disappeared in Temeke District under mysterious circumstances, leaving his family and the opposition in despair. Soka’s case has seen little progress, with authorities providing no meaningful updates, fueling frustration and fear among his peers.
The unresolved disappearance of 24-year-old Shadrack Chaula adds to the growing list of Tanzanians whose fates remain unknown. His family continues to search for answers, battling against the deafening silence from authorities and the passage of time that threatens to erase his case from public memory.
These incidents share a troubling theme: a lack of transparency, accountability, and meaningful action. The silence surrounding the motives, and identities of perpetrators, and the absence of justice leaves victims’ families in agony and fuels a climate of fear and impunity.
Nondo’s case, while different in its details, fits into this grim narrative. The fact that he survived his ordeal and managed to find his way to safety is a relief, but the unanswered questions about his abduction mirror the unresolved stories of Dewji, Gwanda, Soka, Chaula, and countless others. Each of these cases represents not just personal tragedies but also a challenge to the nation’s commitment to justice, freedom, and human dignity.
Tanzania faces a critical juncture. Abductions and disappearances are a direct affront to human rights and democratic principles. Resolving these cases requires more than just rhetoric; it demands robust investigations, holding perpetrators accountable, and restoring trust in the institutions responsible for protecting citizens. Until this happens, the shadow cast by these incidents will continue to haunt the nation.