Police Spokesperson SACP David Misime during an inspection tour in Mbozi District recently. Photo: Courtesy.
By Adonis Byemelwa
The recent dismissal by the Tanzania Police Force of ongoing social media reports about abductions and disappearances raises serious questions, especially in light of the real incidents that continue to rattle the public.
While the police, through their spokesperson, have assured the public that they have investigated such claims and found no credible evidence supporting the narrative of kidnappings or mysterious disappearances, the reactions from the general public paint a different picture.
The Tanzanian authorities, notably through the statements of Police spokesperson David Misime, have made it clear that many of the reported disappearances stem from personal disputes, jealousy, witchcraft beliefs, or financial debts.
They have also pointed to cases where individuals have staged their disappearances to avoid legal or social responsibilities, like the case of Sheikh Zuberi Said Nkokoo from Mwanza, who faked his disappearance to dodge debts. While these instances may be valid, it’s impossible to ignore the growing number of credible reports that do not fit neatly into such explanations.
Take, for instance, the case of Aly Kibao, whose brutal killing and the gruesome circumstances surrounding his death — eyes gouged out — remain a chilling reminder that all is not well. If these events were truly isolated, it would be easier to dismiss them, but this pattern of disappearance — even in early night like Mdude Nyagali’s public abduction at 8:00 PM — speaks to something far more sinister.
In these cases, it becomes clear that the investigations are far from conclusive. The police repeatedly say they are “investigating,” but for many citizens, this merely seems like a convenient excuse to delay or avoid responsibility.
This growing sense of dissatisfaction with the police is evident on social media, where people from all corners of Tanzania are voicing their frustration. Tanzanians like Mwalimu Farouk and Susan Ndeso have publicly criticized the police’s response, questioning why no real answers seem to emerge despite the persistence of these disturbing events.
It’s almost as if the police have become too comfortable in their responses, offering little more than standard lines about "ongoing investigations" while the public grows more concerned.
The role of the police should be clear: to protect citizens, ensure safety, and uphold the rule of law. Instead, what we see here is a failure to address the real concerns of the population.
What’s worse, many Tanzanians are left with the uncomfortable feeling that their voices are being silenced or dismissed. The government’s lack of transparency, especially when compared to how other countries handle similar incidents, is troubling.
Take Kenya, for instance — when one of their nationals, Albert Ojwang, died in police custody, the public outcry was deafening. The pressure led to the resignation of Kenya’s IGP, showing that authorities take such matters seriously. In contrast, Tanzania’s security officials continue to hold their positions as if nothing is amiss, even as critical issues fester.
It’s not just citizens who are speaking up. The international community has taken note as well. Human rights organizations and bodies like the United Nations have expressed concerns over these ongoing disappearances, yet the police response remains muted.
It is only now, with mounting pressure from these entities, that the police have decided to speak out, but their statement seems more like damage control than a genuine effort to uncover the truth. One can't help but wonder: Why is it only now, when the international spotlight is on Tanzania, that we see the police addressing these claims? Why the long silence before?
This inconsistency in how the police handle these cases — from the assassination attempt on Tundu Lissu in 2017, where Scotland Yard offered to assist with investigations, but the government rejected the help, to the more recent abduction of Pastor Stephen Jacob in Arusha — paints a troubling picture.
In all these cases, the police response has been sluggish and far from reassuring, adding to the public's distrust. It's as though the authorities are more comfortable with stonewalling than confronting the hard questions.
In many countries, when a person goes missing, every resource is marshaled to find them. The value placed on human life is reflected in the urgency of the response. In Tanzania, however, there is a noticeable hesitation to act, with the police often failing to meet the public's expectations for transparency and accountability. The fact that many Tanzanians feel their voices are being ignored only adds to the growing sense of frustration and distrust toward the police.
Ultimately, the Tanzania Police Force needs to do more than simply dismiss these reports as hoaxes or misunderstandings. People are scared. They are looking for real answers, not platitudes.
In a country where citizens are regularly forced to question the integrity of the police force, the very people who should be protecting them, there is a growing fear that the truth will never emerge, and justice will remain elusive.
In the end, Tanzanians deserve better. They deserve a police force that doesn’t just investigate after the fact but takes decisive action to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place. Until that happens, the government and its security forces will continue to face a level of public mistrust that could have been avoided with swift, transparent action.
The question remains: Will Tanzanian authorities take the necessary steps to restore that trust, or will they continue to stand still, unable or unwilling to address the very real concerns of their citizens?