Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has accused police of planning a heavy deployment at the Court of Appeal ahead of a hearing involving its chairman, Tundu Lissu, scheduled for June 11, 2026, while denying allegations that it has organised supporters to stage demonstrations or cause disruptions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party said it had received information from what it described as reliable sources within the police force indicating that officers in the Dar es Salaam special zone had been instructed to deploy in large numbers at the court. It also claimed the officers would be equipped with specialised gear in anticipation of a possible confrontation with civilians attending the proceedings.
"The party, through its reliable sources, has been informed that the Dar es Salaam Special Zone police have been instructed to arrive in large numbers at the courthouse with special military equipment for fighting the protesters," said CHADEMA.
According to CHADEMA, police were acting on reports that the party had organised groups intending to stage demonstrations and create disorder at the court.
The opposition party, however, strongly rejected the claims.
"The party has not organised any group of people to hold demonstrations or plan to cause chaos at the court before, during, or after the hearing of Chairman Tundu Lissu," CHADEMA stated.
The party described the allegations as false and said they were aimed at intimidating citizens who might wish to attend the court session. It further argued that the circulation of such information risked undermining public confidence and damaging its reputation both locally and internationally.
CHADEMA also urged the police force to rely on verified intelligence and improve its information-gathering systems, warning that acting on unconfirmed reports could erode trust in law enforcement institutions. It accused unnamed sources of spreading misinformation that could escalate tensions ahead of the court appearance.
In its statement, the party referenced previous incidents during court proceedings in 2025 at the Kisutu court, where it alleged that some of its leaders and supporters were mistreated while attending hearings related to Lissu’s case. It said such experiences should not be repeated and reiterated its commitment to pursuing political and legal matters through peaceful and constitutional means.
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