Police have confirmed the arrest of Godlove John Materu, the former Chairperson of the Tanzania Truck Drivers Association (TATAMATA). Materu was taken by three men who forcefully put him into a white Land Cruiser at Chapwa area, near his shop in Tunduma on February 05, 2026. Family members and fellow drivers reported that they searched for him at all police stations in Tunduma, Songwe Region, as well as in hospitals, but without success.
The family reported his disappearance to the police under reference number TUN/RB/435/2026. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, February 08, 2026, truck drivers announced a strike to pressure authorities to locate their missing colleague.
“We will stop providing services starting Tuesday if he is not found from today onward. We have no conflict with the truck owners, and we have no conflict with the state security organs, but we are appealing to these institutions to help us search for our brother,” said the Vice Chairperson of TATAMATA, Yohana Mwanyaga.
In a statement released by the Police, authorities confirmed that Materu had been arrested: “Godlove Materu (45), a resident of Chapwa, was arrested by the police and not by unknown people, and he is currently being held by the Songwe Regional Police. The suspect planned and carried out criminal activities in various areas of Tunduma town and its surrounding suburbs.”
When asked by Mwananchi newspaper why the police had not earlier disclosed that Materu was in custody, Songwe Regional Police Commander Augustino Senga said that investigations were a priority in the case. Weighing in on the incident, the President of the Tanganyika Law Society described the matter as a gross violation of the law.
“This is a gross violation of the law. The law requires that when you arrest a person, one of their rights is to be allowed to communicate with their relatives or their lawyer, or otherwise be taken to court,” Mwabukusi wrote on his X page.
