Prime Business Africa
The sudden disappaerance of a vocal government critic of the Tanzanian government, Mr Humphery Polepole, is now a source of concern to the Amnesty International, which has issued a statemnt on Wednesday calling on the government to ensure his safety.
Humphrey Polepole’s family said they were alerted about a break-in on the morning of 6 October 2025 at the Dar es Salaam residence of the former diplomat and outspoken government critic. Upon arrival, they found the door broken, electrical wires cut, and a significant amount of blood at the scene.
Amnesty International says the Videos and images shared by the family appear to corroborate the claims, showing clear signs of a violent struggle.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIt says the Tanzanian authorities “must immediately disclose the fate and whereabouts of a former Tanzanian ambassador to Cuba, Humphrey Polepole, who may have been forcibly disappeared. They must also ensure his safety and bring those responsible for his abduction and possible assault to justice through fair and transparent legal processes, Amnesty International said today.”
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in a statment it shared sent to Prime Business Africa early morning of Wednesday October 8, Tigere Chagutah, the Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa, said: “Amnesty International is deeply alarmed that Humphrey Polepole might have been forcibly disappeared and possibly assaulted. The Tanzanian government must put every effort into locating him and bringing him back to safety. They must hold his abductors accountable.”
The incident comes less than three months after Polepole reported that his sister had been abducted from her home in Bahari Beach, Dar es Salaam, on 17 July 2025. She was beaten and later dumped back at her home the next day, in the night.
Prime Business Africa reports that Mr Polepole’s sudden disappearance case adds to a growing list of enforced disappearances and attacks on government critics in Tanzania, raising serious concerns about authoritarian practices in the country and increasing political repression ahead of Tanzania’s general elections, scheduled for 29 October 2025.
Polepole was once a senior figure in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, but resigned from his diplomatic post earlier in 2025 after publicly criticizing the government for its disregard of justice, the rule of law, and constitutional principles.
“Far too many people have disappeared in Tanzania, over the recent years without any accountability. Authorities must bring this impunity to an end,” Tigere Chagutah said.
It was gathered that Polepole’s family members already reported the incident to Mbezi Police Station on 6 October, and his lawyer filed a habeas corpus application in court on 7 October 2025. Family members told Amnesty International that during a police investigation into Polepole’s case, officers took several items from his home, including his printer and safe.
Police spokesperson David Misime was reported to have said that Polepole had been summoned to appear before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over allegations made on social media but had failed to comply. Authorities say they are working to verify the authenticity of the abduction claims.
