DAR ES SALAAM – A Tanzanian opposition figure was found alive on a beach with serious injuries after his apparent abduction by security forces, his party said yesterday. 

Opposition party ACT Wazalendo claimed that the head of its youth wing, Abdul Nondo, was “kidnapped” on Sunday morning by individuals they believed were state security agents.

His abduction came only days after the governing Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party won a landslide in local elections that some opposition groups said were rigged.

Police said Nondo had managed to make his way back to his party headquarters late Sunday after being dumped by unknown assailants on the popular Coco Beach in commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

“His initial appearance indicated that Nondo had been severely beaten, sustaining serious injuries to his legs, chest, back and arms,” said Isihaka Mchinjita, an ACT Wazalendo deputy chairperson.

Nondo appeared to have been tied up for a long time, he said, leaving his hands swollen.

“He has been struggling to talk,” Mchinjita added.

Police said Nondo was taken to hospital for a medical exam.

“Investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the incident, as well as to ascertain the truth behind the motive of this act so that further legal measures can be taken,” the police said in a statement.

During the campaign, Nondo accused the police and immigration services of carrying out illegal arrests on the pretext that those held were not Tanzanian citizens. 

– Nampa/AFP