With less than a week to Tanzania’s general election, pressure is mounting over the disappearance of opposition figures and growing silence from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who continues with her nationwide campaign trail.

CHADEMA Vice Chairman John Heche has been missing since his arrest on October 22 in Dar es Salaam, moments before attending the treason hearing of his party leader Tundu Lissu. The party says Heche was taken by police and later reportedly transported to Tarime, but no police station has confirmed holding him. Multiple attempts by CHADEMA lawyers and officials to trace his whereabouts have yielded nothing.

This follows an incident over the weekend where immigration officers blocked Heche from traveling to Kenya to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, accusing him of attempting to cross the border illegally claims the opposition dismissed as false.

Meanwhile, CHADEMA Chair Tundu Lissu remains behind bars facing treason charges, as the party itself stands barred from next week’s polls after refusing to sign the electoral code of conduct, calling instead for reforms to ensure free and fair elections.

In another ongoing case, former ambassador Humphrey Polepole remains missing since his alleged abduction from his Dar es Salaam home earlier this month. His family and lawyers insist there is evidence suggesting he was taken by state agents, while police continue to deny involvement.

Rights groups including Amnesty International have condemned what they describe as a wave of fear and repression sweeping across Tanzania, citing arrests, abductions and online restrictions. Access to X (formerly Twitter) remains blocked nationwide, with citizens relying on VPNs to communicate.

Despite these growing concerns, President Samia who is seeking a second term has not publicly commented on the arrests or disappearances.