The opposition party Chadema has confirmed that its national chairman, Mr Tundu Lissu, who was detained by police in Ruvuma Region, is currently being transported to Dar es Salaam.
Mr Lissu was reportedly taken into custody on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, shortly after addressing a public rally in Mbinga Town. The reason for his arrest has yet to be disclosed.
While Mr Lissu remains in police custody, three of his associates—two bodyguards and a party cadre identified as Mr Shija Shebeshi—have since been released.
Speaking on Thursday, April 10, 2025, Chadema’s Director of Communication and Publicity, Ms Brenda Rupia, confirmed that Mr Lissu’s transfer to Dar es Salaam began on Wednesday evening following his detention.
“The chairman (Tundu Lissu) is currently en route to Dar es Salaam. He left Songea yesterday evening. I’m not yet sure whether he has arrived,” Ms Rupia said.
She added that the party was proceeding with its planned activities, including a press briefing scheduled for 11 a.m. in Songea Town, where Chadema Vice Chairman for Mainland, Mr John Heche, is expected to address the media.
“After the press conference, we will go ahead with the final public rally, marking the end of our six-day tour across the southern regions of Lindi, Mtwara, and Ruvuma, where we have been promoting the No Reforms, No Election agenda,” Ms Rupia said.
The motive behind Mr Lissu’s arrest remains unclear. On Wednesday, Ruvuma Regional Police Commander Marco Chilya told Mwananchi Digital he was still verifying the incident.
“I am also following up on the matter. I haven’t received official confirmation yet. We will issue a formal statement once we have all the details,” he said when contacted.
During the commotion surrounding Mr Lissu’s arrest, police reportedly used tear gas to disperse members of the public who were attempting to prevent officers from taking him into custody.
Efforts to reach Commander Chilya and Police Spokesperson David Misime for further comment have so far been unsuccessful, as phone calls have gone unanswered.
Meanwhile, Mwananchi Digital Reporter from Songea reports that a meeting between journalists and Chadema national leaders, scheduled to take place at the party’s headquarters in Mfaranyaki Market, Songea Municipality, was disrupted after police fired tear gas at party members and supporters gathered outside.
Reports from the scene indicate that the disruption occurred when police arrived at the office at around 10am on April 10, 2025, and dispersed those waiting for Chadema’s Vice Chairman, John Heche.
Despite being hit by tear gas during the police attempt to disperse them, some party leaders and supporters returned to the scene, washing their faces with water and drinking, determined to wait for their leader.
They insisted the meeting would proceed as planned, even though the police had cordoned off the area, including the public meeting grounds at Viwanja vya Mataluwe.
Chadema’s Chairman in the Nyasa Zone, Mr Aden Mayala, declined to comment, stating he was awaiting the Vice Chairman’s arrival to address the journalists.
In the meantime, Chadema Vice Chairman forMainland Tanzania, John Heche, has announced that a scheduled public rally, which was to be addressed by party chairman Tundu Lissu, had been postponed indefinitely following Lissu’s arrest on Wednesday evening.
“We have received a letter from the Police Force postponing our rally, which was to be addressed by Hon. Tundu Lissu,” said Mr Heche.
“They have arrested him on treason charges, allegedly for speaking out about how the country’s resources are being looted and handed over to foreign entities—specifically the Chinese and Arabs.”
Mr Heche claimed the government is attempting to suppress public awareness of the alleged exploitation of national resources.
He stated that Chadema had adhered to all legal requirements in organizing the rally and that the police letter—cited as justification for what he described as a violation of human rights—would be forwarded to relevant authorities for international scrutiny.
“Since the police have issued this directive, we will comply for now. We will consult party leadership on the next course of action. However, we strongly condemn the arrest and demand the immediate release of our national chairman,” said Mr Heche. “The case has no merit. No one will be silenced or intimidated. The struggle continues.”
Mr Heche made the remarks while addressing party members, supporters, and local residents in Songea Town.
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