A gang of “unknown people” associated with Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda is implicated in the recent kidnappings of innocent civilians.
Whereas similar incidents were previously viewed as politically motivated, it has been established that some of these criminal acts are based on monetary, personal, and ideological motives of the abductors. Overall, they zero in on serious violation of human rights.
To those who have been following Tanzania’s politics after President John Magufuli‘s era which ended with his sudden death in March 2021, it may come as a surprise that a similar trend of criminality is resurfacing as the country gets close to the November 2024 civic elections, within one year to the general election in 2025.
Various independent reports have put the number of kidnapped people between 150 and 300 in the past three years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s regime.
The unfortunate return of Makonda to national politics is at the centre of these savage happenings. Arrogantly touting himself as “Samia’s special son,” he has been favoured with top positions in the ruling party and government, and he is using them to terrorise, kidnap, insult, and abuse people for political and personal gains.
Following his criminal record of kidnapping and killing, the USA banned him from travelling to the United States. He is currently accused of abusing women and targeting homosexuals.
In one of the most recent incidents in this regard, Makonda is implicated in the disappearances of several young ladies including Caren Cyprian, Josepha Paul, and Martina Elias, in the pretext of “helping the government to eradicate homosexuality.” The victims allegedly identified themselves as lesbians, provoking Makonda’s unguided furry.
But it has been revealed that while homosexuality is punishable by Tanzanian laws, with a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison, the abduction of these victims is far from legal.
Todate, their whereabouts are unknown, and word is out that Cyprian’s partner, identified as Diana Doreen, narrowly escaped the abductors because she happened to be away when the unfortunate incident occurred in Dar es Salaam.
Police authorities have denied knowledge of, or association with, these abductions, but the abductees’ families say there are apparently no visible efforts by police to trace the abductors and find the missing girls.
Human rights activists and organisations are concerned with the resumption of arbitrary abductions and political atrocities, as politicians are questioning President Samia’s commitment to peace, security and human dignity.
It’s unfortunate that local media seem to shy away from their noble duty of reporting and analysing these matters without fear or favour. Instead, out of fear of government retaliation, the local media sensor and publish every news item in favour of the government.
No one knows how long it will take for families to keep losing their beloved ones to brutal and inhumane gangs organised by the regime’s rogue elements to terrorise and kill fellow citizens for political or personal motives.
