Dar es Salaam. Several people woke up on Monday with messages remembering Deusdedith Soka, a young activist and politician from the opposition party CHADEMA, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances on August 18, 2024, and remains missing to this day.
Soka, a young man driven by a fierce passion for political and democratic change in the country, was a symbol of political courage for many youth who stood behind him. He often led from the front in movements and campaigns aimed at building a new Tanzania—one that respects human rights and dignity.
At just 29 years old, Soka’s name had already become etched in the minds of many Tanzanians following their country’s political trajectory—particularly in the sphere of democracy and multiparty politics. Many foresaw a promising political journey ahead of him, one that would benefit not only himself as an individual but also his party and the nation at large.
However, this journey was abruptly cut short when the young activist—along with two of his peers, Jacob Mlay and Frank Mbise—vanished without a trace, their whereabouts remaining unknown to this day.
Their disappearance in Dar es Salaam, following a call from the Temeke Police asking Soka to retrieve his motorcade, which had been confiscated, left many unanswered questions that several people continued to ask on Monday.
“[Today is] exactly one year since my young brother Deo Soka was abducted and disappeared,” Tito Magoti, a renowned human rights activist, wrote on X. “We demand justice for Soka and his comrades. We need justice. Where are you, Soka? We miss you, man.”
Various measures have been taken to locate these missing youth—dead or alive—including legal action to compel the police, who are accused of forcibly arresting them, to release them. However, the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence linking the police to the youths’ disappearance.
The disappearance of Soka and his colleagues is part of a disturbing recent pattern where numerous individuals have been reported missing under mysterious circumstances—even as police pledge to intensify investigations to identify and prosecute those behind these criminal acts.
A statement released by the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) on August 9, 2024, listed 83 confirmed cases of individuals who disappeared under mysterious circumstances—a number that has undoubtedly risen since, given a full year has passed since the report’s publication.
The most recent disappearance incident reported involves Mbeshi Paulo, 30, chairperson of CHADEMA’s Youth Council (BAVICHA) for Geita Rural constituency, who allegedly vanished on July 19, 2025 after being taken by individuals identifying themselves as police officers. Police said they’re investigating this incident.
READ MORE: Pressure Mounts Over the Fate of Missing Activist Deusdedith Soka and His Two Colleagues
On August 22, 2024, the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) stated it was conducting special investigations into these incidents with the aim of determining, among other things, the causes and those responsible, in order to make appropriate recommendations.
However, to date, the public has not been informed whether these investigations have been completed or if the report will be made public.
Reports of disappearances have continued to proliferate across the country, a situation that prompted President Samia Suluhu Hassan to direct the Police Force to intensify efforts to curb incidents of missing persons nationwide. The Head of State issued these orders on June 12, 2025, during her address to the nation marking the dissolution of the 12th Parliament.
As these efforts continue, families who have lost loved ones in these incidents still hold onto hope that their missing relatives will return and reunite with them to resume their lives as before.
In an exclusive documentary interview with The Chanzo that highlighted their anguish following their loved one’s disappearance, Soka’s family made a direct appeal to President Samia, pleading with the Head of State to help facilitate their son’s safe return so he may be reunited with his family.
READ MORE: It’s About Time Authorities Come Out Clean on Enforced Disappearances in Tanzania
“Mama Samia, we are asking to see our grandson,” Regina Soka, the disappeared young man’s grandmother and guardian, appealed. “For she [President Samia] is the only one who has the power.”
