Tanga-based ruling party political commentator Kazungu Bakari Kazungu told The Chanzo on Saturday, August 8, 2026, that his captors forced him to insult Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi during his abduction ordeal.
News of Kazungu’s abduction emerged on Friday, August 7, 2026, after pictures appearing to show him naked circulated online. The pictures appeared to show injuries to his buttocks, including what seemed to be a wound consistent with a whipping injury.
“I’m in so much pain. I was badly injured. I was taken from Msambweni in Mabawa in the morning. My eyes were tied with a black cloth. I was taken away at around 8 a.m. and dumped the following day near my home at around 4 a.m,” Kazungu said.
“They wanted me to admit that I was one of the people who mobilized demonstrations. But I know nothing about it. They kept forcing me, telling me to name people and provide a list, but I had no idea about any of it,” he said.
Kazungu has recently gained prominence through his Instagram page, where he has challenged various issues within his party, the ruling CCM, but also commented on general issues. He had also recently spent considerable time defending Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi, including calling for support for the youth wing of his party.
READ: Nation Debates Tanzanian Vice President’s Call to ‘Fight for the New Constitution’
“They kept playing my videos, particularly those in which I was defending the Vice President. Above all, they were forcing me to insult the Vice President,” Kazungu recounted his abduction ordeal.
Tanga Police released a statement on Saturday said they were investigating an incident reported to have occurred on August 4, 2026. Police said Kazungu told them that three people had taken him and forced him into a vehicle, which he was unable to identify.
The incident comes amid reports of a rift between CCM’s top leaders. During the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Zanzibar on July 29, 2026, Nchimbi was referred to the party’s ethics committee following a proposal by a NEC member who is also a Cabinet minister.
The development came days after Nchimbi delivered a widely discussed speech calling on citizens to fight for a new constitution.
