THE Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the reported abduction of Humphrey Polepole, the former Tanzanian ambassador to Cuba, demanding a swift, professional investigation by the police to determine his whereabouts.

TEF chairman Deodatus Balile voiced this concern following information circulating online since Monday regarding the disappearance from home of the former ruling party secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Training, who turned a sharp critic of the current authorities.

TEF highlighted that the incident painfully reminds Tanzanians of previous, unresolved abductions including those of youth political activists like Mdude Nyagali and Deusdedit Soka, “whose cases remain fresh in the public's memory.”

The statement acknowledged the position taken by the Dar es Salaam special police zone commander Jumanne Muliro and the Ministry of Home Affairs, underlining that they have received the reports and commenced an investigation, but stressed that the public is now keenly awaiting concrete action and transparency.

Strongly defending the right to life as enshrined in the Constitution, the TEF chairman declared that in any free nation, life and freedom are divine gifts and no one should deprive another person of these rights.

Questioning the repeated occurrence of such acts in a democratic country known for its peaceful environment, TEF declared, "We are condemning this here and now!"

It appealed for the preservation of the long-standing peace in Tanzania, expressing deep concern that actions like abductions could sow seeds of division, distrust and disunity. Peace is Tanzania's national asset, it emphasized, affirming that the constitutional rights and freedoms of every citizen must be respected.

TEF urged the government and the police force in particular to investigate the matter thoroughly and professionally to uncover those involved in this evil and shocking act. Responsible authorities need to quickly provide the public with an update on the investigation and the whereabouts of our colleague, it demanded. Reinforcing accountability and public assurance in this high-profile case is of utmost necessity, it added.