Tanzania opposition youth leader dumped at beach after abduction
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According to the police report, Nondo was abandoned by his abductors at Coco Beach, where he managed to seek help and was transported to the party headquarters in Magomeni
Tanzanian opposition youth leader Abdul Nondo has been found after being abducted and dumped at a beach in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city. The 33-year-old leader of ACT Wazalendo was reportedly kidnapped late Sunday night, severely beaten, and left at Coco Beach, where he was later discovered by a motorcycle taxi rider.
According to ACT Wazalendo, Nondo had been blindfolded and repeatedly assaulted during his abduction, with his captors threatening to kill him. The party’s deputy chairperson, Isihaka Mchinjita, described the violent ordeal, stating that Nondo had been “beaten for a long time” before being dumped at the beach. After being abandoned, the youth leader’s abductors removed his blindfold and handcuffs, allowing Nondo to seek help from a motorcycle taxi rider, who then transported him to the party offices.
Nondo was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment. He was reported to have sustained severe injuries from the assault. In an update, Mchinjita relayed a chilling warning from Nondo’s captors, who threatened that if they caught him again, they would not spare his life. Police have confirmed the incident and have launched an investigation into the abduction.
Police spokesperson David Misime said on Monday that they were investigating the case and would take legal action against those responsible. Misime confirmed that Nondo was abandoned by his abductors and sought assistance from a motorcycle rider, who helped him reach safety. “From there, party leaders rushed him to the hospital for treatment,” Misime added. The police have not yet identified the individuals involved, nor have they made clear the motive behind the attack.
The abduction occurred just after Nondo had returned from a campaign trip in the western region of Tanzania, where he had been promoting ACT Wazalendo candidates in local elections held the previous week. Nondo was taken from a bus station in Dar es Salaam early on Sunday morning by two men traveling in a white four-wheel-drive vehicle. The circumstances surrounding his kidnapping remain unclear, and investigations are ongoing to identify the suspects and the reason behind the assault.
This latest incident of political violence follows the tragic abduction and murder of another opposition leader, Ali Mohamed Kibao, earlier this year. In September, Kibao, a senior leader of the opposition Chadema party, was abducted from a bus, beaten, and doused with acid. The attack sparked widespread condemnation, and President Samia Suluhu Hassan denounced the murder, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Nondo’s abduction highlights the increasingly tense political climate in Tanzania, where opposition figures continue to face harassment, intimidation, and violence. While President Suluhu’s administration has expressed concern about such incidents, opposition parties, including ACT Wazalendo, have raised alarm over the growing number of attacks on their members and leaders. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has faced accusations of silencing dissent and stifling political freedoms in the country.
ACT Wazalendo has called for justice for Nondo, demanding that those responsible for his abduction be brought to account. The party has also appealed to the international community to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of opposition members in the lead-up to future elections. Nondo’s experience echoes the broader climate of fear and repression that many opposition figures face in Tanzania, a situation that has drawn criticism from human rights organizations both within the country and abroad.
As investigations continue, the motive behind Nondo’s abduction remains uncertain. While political violence has been a recurrent issue in Tanzania, particularly in the context of opposition campaigns, it is not yet clear whether this attack was politically motivated or part of a broader pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
Tanzania’s opposition parties are now calling for greater protection for their leaders and members, and for a fair investigation into the motives behind these violent acts. The response from the government, as well as the actions taken by the police, will be closely watched, as the country continues to grapple with challenges to political freedom and human rights.
As of now, Nondo’s condition is stable, and ACT Wazalendo continues to push for justice while urging the government to ensure such attacks do not continue to escalate.
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