Fears of abduction as Sativa's family awaits medical report

Dar/Katavi. The family of Edgar Mwakabela, alias Sativa, who went missing on June 23, 2024, before being found in the Katavi Region, is awaiting a medical report that will determine whether their relative could be transported to Dar es Salaam for specialised treatment.

Mr Mwakabela, a resident of Mbezi in Ubungo District, Dar es Salaam, and famously known as Sativa on X, formerly Twitter, was found on June 27, 2024, with injuries, pleading for help to be taken to the hospital.

A video clip that circulated on social media depicting Sativa asking for help has sparked fear, with the resurfacing of abduction claims.

Various stakeholders have raised their voices, calling on the police force to take immediate action, including unveiling the root cause and circumstances of the incident.

However, the Katavi Regional Police Commander (RPC), Kaster Ngonyani, said on Friday, June 28, 2024, that more information would be shared after receiving the medical report.

"We received information that an injured person has been found in Katavi National Park. Our officers immediately arrived at the scene to question the person,” he said.

Mr Ngonyani said the victim (Sativa) revealed that he was taken and severely beaten to unconsciousness by unknown people and that when he regained his consciousness, he found himself in the forest.

“He then crawled to the road where he was discovered by residents of the area,” says the regional police boss.

On Friday, Mr Patrick Israel, who is Sativa's brother, said his sibling was responding well to the treatment he was receiving at the Katavi Regional Referral Hospital.

He is progressing well following the good care he is receiving from health practitioners here. We are expecting to receive his medical report this evening after which we will know about his stability to travel to Dar es Salaam for further treatment," he said.

"We will inform Tanzanians when he will travel back to Dar es Salaam, but Tanzanians should keep praying for his quick recovery and immediate return to his duties,” added Mr Israel.

Katavi Regional Referral Hospital medical doctor, Parason Willison said medical examinations have revealed that the victim had his jaw and leg broken and that he sustained serious injuries.

“However, his condition has greatly improved after receiving treatment,” said Dr Willison. His condition was tense when he was received from Mpimbwe Health Centre, but as I’m speaking, he can help himself with some of his personal needs,” he said.

"The most important thing is to ask relatives, friends, and acquaintances to remain calm and patient while he continues receiving treatment to enable him to return to normalcy,” he insisted.

In another development, Mr Israel said over Sh10 million has been contributed by citizens and Good Samaritans for Sativa's treatment through a fundraiser that started on Thursday at noon.

Sativa's own words

Speaking at the hospital bed, Sativa said he was abducted on June 23 at 7 PM while heading home, claiming he was taken by unknown individuals.

He said the unscrupulous individuals held him at gunpoint before being dumped at the Katavi National Park on June 27, 2024.

"I thank God and all Tanzanians. I had been offline since Sunday, but they fought for me. God bless them. All this is due to my social media work,” he said.

“I am not an activist, but I like what activists do, and I support what they do. It could be the reason for my abduction, but I have no bad terms with anyone. God still loves me, which is why I am still alive," said Sativa.

Online debate

However, his disappearance and subsequent discovery have sparked a debate on social media, with some citizens questioning whether incidents of abduction still exist in the country.

Some people have referred the incident to the disappearance of phone technicians and Kariakoo traders who went missing on December 26, 2021, allegedly after being taken by individuals in police uniforms.

These young men, Tawfiq Mohamed, Self Swala, Edwin Kunambi, Hemed Abass, and Rajabu Mdoe, were last heard from when one of them sent a message saying they were being taken to the Central Police Station in a black IST car.

In light of this incident, former ACT Wazalendo leader Zitto Kabwe has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Camilius Wambura, to conduct a thorough independent investigation to identify individuals behind the incident.

Mr Kabwe took to his X page, saying the investigation should be done to get the bottom line of the incident, hold the Oysterbay Police Station officers accountable, or he should resign if unable to do so.

"Tanzania's Police Chief, how can you allow a police station to be used by a gang of abductors? How do you feel knowing a citizen, who should feel safe at the station, is tortured there? How can you accept this within the police force? Commander Wambura, I request that you 1) conduct a thorough, independent investigation; 2) hold your Oysterbay commanders accountable immediately; and 3) if you cannot do these, please resign immediately," wrote Mr Kabwe on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

When contacted, Kinondoni Regional Police Commander Mtatiro Kitinkwi said he was out of office and was directed to contact Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Jumanne Muliro, who is the zonal spokesperson.

However, Mr Muliro could not be reached, even when contacted via his mobile phone.