Opposition Leader Beaten After Abduction in Tanzania

BBC News Africa reported that the abduction of youth leader, Abdul Nondo of ACT Wazalendo, tortured and dumped at Coco Beach in Dar es Salaam marks a rising political intolerance in Tanzania. The attack happened within days of the local polls and underlines increasing signs of political vigilantism and attacks on the opposition. Nondo was abducted from a bus station on Sunday morning by two people in a white four-wheel-drive vehicle – this is a serious threat to political liberty and security in the country.

The story of Nondo paints the picture of the extent to which the alleged oppressors are said to go in an attempt to end dissent. The youth leader according to party deputy chairperson Isihaka Mchinjita, was blindfolded, beaten severally, and threatened to be killed. Nondo was dumped at the beach late Sunday night only to be rescued by a motorcycle taxi rider who took him to his party’s offices. Doctors have since managed to treat him for the severe injuries he sustained, and the attack has been likened to another more recent one where another opposition leader was killed.

This is a sequel to the September 5th, tragic kidnap and killing of Chadema senior leader, Ali Mohamed Kibao who was flogged to death in the most brutal manner. As much as we have provided earlier, declaring such attacks as being barbaric and unworthy of free people and also called for an investigation of those who play the major roles, the question that comes to mind would be, is it safe to be in politics in Tanzania? Police acknowledged that they are still pursuing the suspects and the intention behind kidnapping Nondo.