Former Tanzanian
ambassador to Cuba Humphrey Polepole has raised alarm over what he describes as
the mysterious disappearance of his sister from her home in Bahari Beach, Dar
es Salaam.
In a statement issued early Friday morning,
Polepole claimed that unknown individuals entered his sister’s home at around
5 pm the previous evening and took her away.
“Our elder sister called my mother. She
told her that there are people who have come for her. They entered her
house and took her away,” Polepole stated.
He said his sister, who lives alone, has not been reachable via phone since
the alleged abduction.
“From that time in the evening, my sister’s
phone has not been picked up,” he said.
Polepole also described suspicious movements
around the sister's property, saying that other people, whom he insisted were not his
sister associates or family relatives, were seen entering and leaving the compound, where multiple vehicles, including a Land Cruiser and a Noah van, were reportedly present.
The former ambassador, who stated that he is currently in Tanzania, made a direct appeal to those allegedly responsible, urging them to release him.
“Those who have taken my sister, I want my sister's phone taken back to her,” he said.
“If someone is looking for me, my numbers are available. You can look for me
and ask me what you want.”
Polepole expressed deep frustration with the
situation and suggested that recent events had shaken his sense of belonging.
“I feel very uncomfortable, and that is why I even resigned. I am a man of God. I have hope in God. I do not accept this,”
he said.
He announced that he would hold a press
conference on Friday, July 18, 2025, where he intends to share documents and details about the country's affairs.
“Tomorrow at 11am, there will be a press conference… I will give only 25 per cent of what I have regarding the state of affairs in this country."
Polepole criticised the current state of leadership and governance, invoking the legacy of Tanzania’s founding leaders.
"Mzee Nyerere and Karume founded Tanzania with key values. It’s not a country of hooligans. This is not the country they envisaged,” he said.
Polepole, who previously served in senior
government and diplomatic roles under Presidents Jakaya Kikwete, John Magufuli
and Samia Suluhu Hassan, emphasised his long-standing experience in public service and said he will not remain silent.
“I have worked for the government, I have worked for CCM, I have been MP… I won’t be silenced,”
he said.
Polepole recently resigned from his diplomatic post, citing a loss of faith in the country's governance.
In a detailed letter addressed to President Samia Suluhu on Sunday, Polepole described his decision as one born not of haste but of deep
reflection on the direction of national leadership.
“I can no longer be part of leadership that disregards constitutional
principles,” he said in the letter.
Tanzanian authorities are yet to issue any official comment regarding Polepole’s claims.
