Family of missing Tanzanian journalist awaits his return

KIBITI, Tanzania

Family members of award-winning journalist Azory Gwanda in Tanzania still hope for his return after he disappeared mysteriously in 2017.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency coinciding the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, being observed on Tuesday, Anna Pinoni, Gwanda’s wife, claimed that her husband was abducted by unidentified assailants in Tanzania’s coast region while he was investigating the spate of cold-blood murders in his community south of Dar es Salaam.

Gwanda, a freelance journalist, who was working for the Mwananchi – largest circulated Kiswahili-language newspaper – had left his home on Nov. 17, 2017.

“It is four years now; I don't know where my husband is. I am facing many challenges in my life especially raising children as a single mother. I am asking Tanzanians to help me with capital to start a small business so that I can meet the growing needs of my family,” she said.

Pinoni was six-month pregnant when her husband disappeared.

“I am constantly thinking about him, no words can explain the anguish in my heart,” she told Anadolu Agency.

She recalled that on a fateful day, her husband in the company of four unidentified men waved at her in Kibiti, and promised to return home the next day.

“I have been waiting in vain since then, he hasn’t been found,” she said.

Although Gwanda’s disappearance gathered widespread international attention, especially when his wife reported the matter to the local police, nothing has come to light on his disappearance.

Both local and international human rights campaigners have strongly criticized the police for their failure to locate the journalist or to find out his abductors.

According to Pinoni, police at Kibiti had registered the case, but there has since been no progress.

“I am very disappointed with the police. They are not giving us any hope beyond saying they are still investigating into the matter,” Pinoni said.

Police deny lax investigation

Coast Region Police Commander Wankyo Nyigesa, however, said the investigation is still in progress. He refused to divulge any further information because it would disrupt the investigation.

“If we get any information suggesting the whereabouts of the missing reporter, we will let the public and his family know,” he said.

According to Nyigesa, the police cannot speculate on who is behind the journalist disappearance until the investigations are concluded.

In an interview with the BBC in 2019, Tanzania’s former Foreign Minister Palamagamba Kabudi said the journalist might have died. But he later retracted his statement.

Pinoni, who is now running a small tailoring business, said since the disappearance of her husband the family is living in penury and it is becoming difficult to shoulder the burden.

“My children are asking tough questions about their father’s whereabouts almost every day. I don’t have clear answers to tell them. They are struggling with psychological distress,” she said.

Maintaining that her business was not enough to support the family, she had recently asked for assistance from people. After her heartrending appeal, Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition has launched a fund to support the afflicted family.

Pinoni said she believes her husband’s disappearance is linked to his profession and his investigations.

She charged that the “rogue elements” of the state were involved in the abduction and disappearance of her husband.

“The police did not extend any cooperation; the state of investigation is not known to us,” she said. But the government denies the charges.

Abubakar Karsan, the executive director of the Union of Tanzania Press Clubs, said his organization has been assisting Gwanda’s family.

“As a single mother, she is shouldering many responsibilities. Her small tailoring business can not suffice the growing needs of her family,” he said.