Abductions and Killings in Tanzania: Tanganyika Law Society convenes National Symposium to address problem

The Times Reporter – Dar-es-Salaam

“Whenever I leave for work in the morning, the question which usually lingers in my mind is ‘Will I return back home alive?” Wondered the President of Tanganyika Law Society reflecting on the current situation in Tanzania where people have been living in fear.

“As we are heading towards general election seasons, people must be assured of their safety,” added Boniface Mwabukusi. But the TLS President was still not sure how the country managed to get here in the first place.

The Tanganyika Law Society has just convened a national symposium in which participants discussed and debated the burning issue of ‘Enforced Disappearance of People in Tanzania.’

It was also pointed out during the symposium that, until now Tanzania has no specific data regarding the number of people who have been disappearing until now.

Some say every week people keep disappearing, more than ten still missing but since 2018 nearly 40 cases were reported.

A number of participants pointed out that criminals who either abduct or kill people could also be highly placed officials hiding under the cover of the government.

Bishop Emmaus Mwamakula, who heads the Moravian Renewal Church in East Africa, was among the participants at the TLS symposium and revealed that he is among the victims of abductions by state organs.

Muslim Cleric Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda pointed out that enforced disappearance, especially when the crime is committed by state organs, arises from the recent ‘Anti-Terrorism’ Act which allows security forces to arrest, detain and conceal anybody without following the usual laws and regulations.

Edgar Mwakaleba known as ‘Sativa,’ is one of the abducted victims who was recently found dumped in the wilderness, having been left for dead.

Sativa claimed to have seen a high-ranking chief of police operations ordering his torture at a secluded basement and had the suspect photo circulating online.

The abduction of Ally Mohammed Kibao an opposition party official who was pulled from a passenger bus only to be discovered dead two days later caused national and international uproar.

Retired Judge of the High Court of Tanzania Justice Robert Makaramba who is also the Former Commissioner, Commission of Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG), called upon the government to formulate an act to ratify ‘Enforced Disappearance,’ to be a serious crime.

Advocate Rugemeleza Nshala reminded that each and every person in Tanzania has the right to live and freedom to exist in liberation.

Another lawyer, Paul Kisabo said it is not a crime for people in the legal profession to advocate and fight for people and human rights, but in Tanzania, this is being treated as ‘breaching the law!’

Politician and Activist, Dr Azaveli Lwaitama said there have been allegations that security personnel, including high-ranking police officers were being mentioned in connection with cases of abductions yet no step is taken against them.

“We want the suspects to resign, is this too much to ask?” stated Dr Laitama adding that taking responsibilities for one’s misconduct is a culture which seems to be disappearing in the country.

Members of the Police Force were invited to the forum and most of them attended, including the Dar-es-Salaam Regional Police Commander Jumanne Muliro

“One of our sworn duties includes ensuring the protection of people and their property in accordance with Section 5(2) of the Tanzania Police Service Act,” Muliro said.

According to Muliro, it was the police which went round to rescue the abducted Sativa.