Once again, there is unfortunate news of abductions, and disappearances of children from Tanzania, raising concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in the country believed to be the most peaceful among others in the world.

The government has issued a notice urging citizens to be cautious of human trafficking as people are being exploited, and tortured, with some being abducted and ultimately killed and their body organs harvested. 

The main target is children who have been reported missing in various places in the country. 

Human activists have forced the authorities to launch a prompt and independent investigation into allegations of unlawful abductions most of whom are children with some found dead and dumped in forests with some of their body parts missing.  

For those in captivity, their relatives are not sure whether they are in lawful custody or undergoing harrowing ordeals at the hands of faceless abductors.

The police normally tell those who report such cases to wait for 24 hours before the law enforcers start investigations and search missions. The call to eliminate the waiting requirement comes amid growing reports of child disappearances mostly in Dar es Salaam, with some cases tragically ending in murder.

Following the ongoing spate of abductions, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on tribal chiefs to take a proactive role in protecting children by leveraging Tanzania’s rich customs and traditions.

The head of state raised concern about the alarming increase in incidents of child abductions, disappearances, and organ harvesting which the security personnel of her government has been reporting daily in the media.

“This wave of crime often places the burden of blame on the government and security agencies,” President Samia said, highlighting the need for concerted efforts and strong actions from the grassroots level.

She urged both government officials and tribal leaders to speak out against such acts and hold perpetrators to account. Leaders at various levels, including religious and traditional figures, must not remain silent when such crimes occur.

“This is not the Tanzania we want. No tribe in Tanzania supports these acts, and if foreigners are bringing this culture, we must reject it,” she said.

The National Coordinator of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), Onesmo Olengurumwa said that the waiting procedure should not apply to missing children for it is unacceptable, instead, he wants the police to take immediate action upon receiving reports.

One of the most serious acts of abduction which have caused high tension is that one which occurred to a resident of Mbezi in Dar es Salaam Mr Edgar Mwakabela alias Sativa who had disappeared in June 23 and four days later was found in thick forests near Katavi game reserve located about 850 kilometres away.

Mwakabela had some injuries on his body and was rushed to a regional hospital before he was transferred to Aga-Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam city. The second incident is that one of Kombo Mbwana, a member of the opposition Chadema party in the Handeni district in the Tanga region.

He disappeared on June 29 last month and up to now, nobody knows where he is. Kombo disappeared after having been followed closely by some unknown people who waylaid him while on his way to his home. He is yet to be found. 

The Minister for Home Affairs Hamad Masauni says that, since January, there have been various incidences of abductions taking place in some regions and districts in the country. 

He cited regions like Tanga, Geita, Kagera and Katavi with some abductors using the phone numbers of their victims to call relatives for their release upon being paid a hefty of money. 

Reports of child disappearances in Dar es Salaam city and elsewhere in the country have put parents and schools on high alert and prompted additional measures to ensure the safety and security of pupils while on their way to and from school.

One horrific incident happened in Dodoma’s capital city at Nzunguni ward after the body of one Telesphory Mwakalinga aged 4 years was found dumped with one hand missing and his private parts chopped off.

The body of a slain child was discovered about 100 meters away from his parent’s house three days after he was reported missing. In the latest incident, a standard one pupil of Mbagala Kuu Primary School on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. Yusra Mussa was abducted, and murdered and some of her organs including the kidneys were reported to have been removed.

The exact number of children who have gone missing in Dar es Salaam in recent months is not known, but reports of missing children are frequently reported in the media.

The Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Jumanne Muliro says that the police have been put on alert to curb the increasing phenomenon and more awareness to protect children, but seemingly the abductors are more cunning than their victims.

Parents have been advised not to leave their children unattended at bus stops and should make sure that they are picked up at school by individuals who are familiar to them. 

Dr Hellen Kijo-Bisimba, a veteran human rights activist, demanded that the police force to stop denying the reported cases, and instead invest time into investigation and present the facts to dispel the growing accusations.

In an interview with the media last week, Bisimba said that some abduction cases are true, and in this tense time, it is vital for the police to be honest, and explain what actions they have taken, rather than claiming reports of such incidences are false. 

Gema Akilimali, the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) chairperson, said that the incidents have caused uncertainty and all sections of society need to take up their responsibilities, starting from within families to the police force.

Deodatus Balile, the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) chairman asked parents and guardians to fulfil their duty of taking care and protecting their children. The organization also asked the Police Force to intensify security in various areas across the country to maintain public trust and ensure people feel safe.

DCP David Misime, the police headquarters spokesman, last week dismissed reports on the spate of children’s disappearances by abductions and kidnappings, asking the public to work in collaboration to find out perpetrators red-handed. 

He similarly alerted that receiving and spreading unconfirmed information is a criminal offence under the Cybercrime Act of 2015, as the situation continues to cause panic, inconvenience and shock to parents, guardians and the general public.