Doctors at Katavi Regional Hospital are treating Edgar Mwakabela, popularly known as Chadema. Photo: Courtesy
Abducted, Tortured, and Left for Dead: The Harrowing Ordeal of Edgar Mwakabela (Sativa)
By Adonis Byemelwa
In a harrowing tale of abduction and survival that has gripped the nation, Edgar Edson Mwakabela, known on social media as @Sativa255, recounted the chilling details of his recent ordeal. His story, filled with terror, resilience, and a miraculous escape, has sent shockwaves through Tanzania.
On Sunday, June 23, 2024, Mwakabela was abducted in Dar es Salaam, only to be discovered four days later in the wilderness of Katavi. His story, a testament to human resilience, reveals a terrifying journey through abduction, torture, and near-death.
The ordeal began on an ordinary Sunday evening in the bustling Ubungo area. Mwakabela had just bid farewell to his brother, Patrick, after a day spent at Coco Beach. As he made his way back to Kimara, he received a call from an agent about a room he was planning to rent.
The agent informed him that the tenant had vacated earlier than expected, allowing Mwakabela to move in sooner than planned. Excited by the news, he switched motorcycle taxis to meet the agent.
It was during this transition that Mwakabela’s life took a horrifying turn. Three men intercepted him, handcuffed him, and forcefully threw him into their vehicle. They seized his three phones, turning off two and leaving one on briefly before it too was silenced.
The abductors drove him to the Oysterbay Police Station in the Kinondoni Police Region, where he was taken to a secluded area ominously referred to as “the workshop.”
At around 8 PM, the questioning began. The abductors seemed unsure of their orders, repeatedly asking Mwakabela, “What is your crime? What did you do to upset the big people to warrant your arrest and torture?” Despite their relentless questioning, Mwakabela insisted he had done nothing wrong.
The situation grew more ominous with the arrival of a man in a VX V8 car, dressed in a Simba SC jersey and khaki shorts. This man, apparently of significant authority, questioned Mwakabela about his identity and social media handle. After a brief exchange, he instructed the others to hold Mwakabela at the workshop, hinting that more sinister forces were at play.
Handcuffed to a pole, Mwakabela endured a night of relentless interrogation. The men who had captured him seemed perplexed by the presence of a senior official, speculating about the gravity of his alleged crimes. Mwakabela, maintaining his innocence, could only wonder why he had been targeted.
The following morning at 6 AM, a car without Tanzanian license plates arrived. Mwakabela was blindfolded and transferred to this vehicle, where new faces awaited him.
The men who had initially captured him had completed their task; now, he was in the hands of those assigned to torture and kill him.
As Mwakabela’s family and friends desperately searched for him, they were met with denials and confusion. The Oysterbay Police Station claimed no knowledge of his presence, while a missing person report was filed at the Gogoni – Kimara Police Station. Despite their efforts, Mwakabela remained missing, his whereabouts unknown.
Blindfolded and disoriented, Mwakabela was driven towards Arusha. Deprived of food and water, he endured the long journey in silence.
Upon reaching Arusha, he requested water, only to be met with further deception. The captors altered their speech patterns to confuse him, using coded terms to obscure their intentions.
In Arusha, Mwakabela was held in a cell at an unidentified police station for two days. On the second day, he was taken to a location near the Tanzanian-Kenyan border, where the questioning resumed.
The captors repeatedly asked about his alleged connections to Martin Maranja Masese and Boniface Jacob, accusing him of plotting against the government. Despite the brutal interrogation, Mwakabela denied any involvement, insisting he had never met these individuals.
The torture escalated as Mwakabela was beaten with the flat side of a machete, his back, head, thighs, and legs bearing the brunt of the violence. The captors demanded to know who had sent him to criticize the CCM government and insult national leaders. Mwakabela’s denials only seemed to fuel their anger.
As the night wore on, the leader of the group ordered his execution. They blindfolded Mwakabela once more and drove towards Katavi, discussing the dangers of the area’s wildlife.
Arriving near the Ikuu River in Katavi National Park, known for its dense population of hippos and crocodiles, they prepared to carry out their grim task.
At around 5 or 6 AM, deep in the forest, Mwakabela was dragged from the car. The questioning and beating continued until the leader ordered one of the men to shoot him.
A gunshot rang out, and the bullet struck Mwakabela from behind, shattering his jaw and leaving him bleeding on the forest floor.
The captors, confident he would not survive, left him for dead, expecting the wild animals to finish their work.
Remarkably, Mwakabela clung to life. Despite his severe injuries, he managed to crawl towards a road, where he encountered wildlife rangers from TANAPA.
Recognizing his dire condition, they questioned him briefly to confirm his consciousness before taking him to Kibaoni Health Center on the way to Majimoto.
Mwakabela’s survival is nothing short of miraculous. His story, from abduction to near-death and ultimate rescue, highlights the brutal reality faced by those targeted for their outspoken views.
The details of his ordeal, shared in his own words, paint a vivid picture of the terror and resilience that define his experience.
Katavi National Park, with its 5,400 hippos, 190 lions, 750 hyenas, and countless crocodiles, was meant to be Mwakabela’s final resting place. Instead, it became the backdrop for his incredible survival.
The motives behind Mwakabela’s kidnapping remain unclear, though speculation on social media links it to his advocacy for traders’ rights and reported tensions with pro-government figures. Outrage has surged online following revelations that a police facility may have been involved in the abduction.
Politician Zitto Kabwe has called for accountability, challenging law enforcement leadership directly. “How can a police station be complicit in such a crime? Citizens deserve safety, not torture,” Kabwe stated in a poignant social media post directed at the Inspector General of Police.
Katavi Regional Police Commander, Kaster Ngonyani, assured the public that further details about Edgar Mwakabela’s case would be released after receiving the doctor’s report.
“We received a report from locals about an injured man found in Katavi National Park. Officers went to the scene to question him. He said he was taken by men who drove him to Arusha, where he was beaten and lost consciousness. When he woke up, he found himself in the forest and struggled to crawl to the road, where he was found by locals,” Commander Ngonyani detailed.
On 27th June 2024, Patrick Israel, Sativa’s elder brother, provided an update on Edgar’s recovery at Katavi Regional Referral Hospital. “He is under excellent medical care, and we await an evening health update.
Once stable, we will plan his transfer to Dar es Salaam for further treatment. Your prayers and support are invaluable during this time,” Israel expressed.
Dr. Parason Willison of Katavi Regional Referral Hospital confirmed Sativa’s improving condition. “X-rays revealed a broken jaw and leg, along with other injuries, but he is stable under specialized medical supervision,” Dr. Willison assured.
Highlighting Sativa’s resilience amidst adversity, Israel revealed that over Sh10 million has been raised for his medical expenses through a public fundraising effort. “The overwhelming response shows solidarity. Let’s continue supporting Sativa as he prepares for treatment in Dar es Salaam,” Israel concluded.
Sativa’s courageous story serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit’s ability to persevere through unimaginable challenges, resonating as a call for justice and safety for all.
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