Africa-Press – Tanzania. Dar es Salaam. Opposition party Chadema’s national chairman, Tundu Lissu, who was arrested on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Ruvuma, has been arraigned before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court on charges of treason and publishing false information.
Lissu appeared in court today, Thursday, April 10, at 4:15 pm, where State Attorney Nassoro Katuga formally read the treason charge against him. The case was adjourned to April 24, 2025.
Lissu’s defense team is led by a group of prominent lawyers including Dr Rugemeleza Nshalla, Hekima Mwasipu, Jebra Kambole, Dickson Matata, Gastoni Garubindi, and Michael Lugina.
Following the initial court appearance, Lissu was taken before another magistrate where he was charged with three additional counts of publishing false information under Section 16 of the Cyber Crimes Act No. 14 of 2015.
The charges relate to a YouTube video posted on April 3, 2025, in which Lissu allegedly made statements claiming: “In the 2024 Local Government Elections, Chadema candidates were disqualified under the President’s instructions”, “Police are being used to steal votes while carrying bags,” and “Judges are CCM loyalists; they cannot deliver justice because they are eager to receive appointments and be nominated to serve as judges of the Court of Appeal.”
Prosecutors argue that the statements were knowingly false and intended to mislead the public.
Lissu was arrested shortly after addressing a public rally in Mbinga Town, Ruvuma Region, as part of Chadema’s ongoing “No Reforms, No Election” campaign, which calls for electoral reforms ahead of the 2025 General Election.
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