By
Adonis Byemelwa
Chama
Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) chairman Freeman Mbowe, has vehemently
rejected the Tanzanian police’s explosive claim that his party orchestrated a
Zoom meeting to plan nationwide protests and assaults on police stations.
This denial comes amid accusations from police
spokesperson David Misime, who alleged that Chadema leaders were conspiring to
incite unrest following a recent court decision. On August 30, 2024, Mbowe
dismissed these allegations as baseless, underscoring the mounting tension
between his party and law enforcement.
Today,
August 30, 2024, police spokesperson David Misime sent shockwaves through
social media with a viral statement alleging that Chadema’s top officials had
held a Zoom meeting to orchestrate nationwide protests and violent attacks.
This
claim surfaced just days after the High Court in Dar es Salaam, on August 28,
denied bail for Chadema Youth Council (Bavicha) members Deusdedith Soka, Jacob
Godwin Mlay, and Frank Mbise. The court’s ruling demanded that the police ramp
up their search for the missing activists, who have been unaccounted for since
their arrest.
Judge
Wilfred Dyansobera’s ruling emphasized the necessity for the police to locate
the missing individuals, highlighting the judiciary’s role in ensuring
accountability and transparency. Soka, a vocal activist, had voiced deep
concerns about his safety in a final media interview on August 16.
“They
even want to take our lives too,” Soka lamented. “You’ve taken everything, so
please don’t abduct us or hurt us, just let us live our lives.” His statement
reflected the extreme risks faced by those opposing the government.
Soka’s
fears became reality when he, Mlay, and Mbise were abducted on August 18. They
were last seen at Chang’ombe Police Station, which Soka’s associates believe
was a trap. Mbowe has sharply criticized the police's Zoom meeting claims as
false.
“We
are concerned about the safety and rights of our leaders who are being abducted
and disappeared,” Mbowe said. “But the allegation that we held a Zoom meeting
to plan attacks on police stations is a lie.”
Mbowe
demanded that the police provide evidence of the alleged Zoom meeting and
clarify the whereabouts of the missing activists. “The accusation of planning
to attack police stations is utter nonsense and a sign of incompetence by the
police,” he added. His strong denial underscores the mounting tension and
distrust between Chadema and law enforcement.
Soka’s
final public messages, including a troubling post on August 13, revealed his
growing fear. “The truth I will reveal before God and everyone,” Soka wrote,
“is that there is a plan to harm me and make me disappear completely.” This
message, laden with foreboding, highlighted the severe threats facing
activists.
The
abduction of Soka, Mlay, and Mbise has drawn comparisons to other high-profile
disappearances in Tanzania, such as journalist Azory Gwanda’s case, who
vanished in 2017. These incidents have fueled concerns about the safety of
activists and the credibility of the police’s statements.
As
tensions escalate, the demand for transparency and justice intensifies. The
government's actions in the coming days will be critical in addressing these
concerns and ensuring the safe return of the missing activists. With the 2025
elections on the horizon, the handling of this situation could significantly
impact public trust and political stability.
High
Court magistrates, who requested anonymity, have condemned the ongoing
disappearances, arguing that they undermine the credibility of the rule of law.
They emphasized that such actions tarnish the image of justice and governance
in Tanzania.
In
a reflection on the current climate, some have recalled the words of Tanzania's
first President, Julius Nyerere. In his influential speeches from the early
1980s, Nyerere highlighted a critical point: “If people fear for their lives
and are unsure of their safety, the kind of development promised by the ruling
authorities becomes meaningless.” This statement underlines the importance of a
secure and just environment for genuine progress and development.