Deusdedith Soka

Biography

Deusdedith Soka was a courageous activist and leader of the opposition party CHADEMA in Temeke. He was raised by his grandmother and uncle after losing his parents at a young age. He fought for human rights, democracy and a new constitution. Before being abducted, he wrote on social media that his life was in danger and he had been warned there was a plan to abduct him and make him disappear.

Circumstances

On August 18, 2024, Deusdedith was abducted in the Buza area along with two colleagues, Jacob Godwin Mlay and Frank Mbise. He was called to Changombe Police Station allegedly to check on his stolen motorcycle, but CHADEMA said this was a trap. They were allegedly abducted by a special police task force that operates in the shadows. In his last interview days before being abducted, he said: "They are taking us one by one like hawks snatching chickens." He has not been found to date.