Dar es Salaam. Chadema national chairperson Tundu Lissu has requested the High Court to summon top government leaders to testify in his defence in the ongoing treason case.
Mr Lissu made the application after he was formally read the charge against him and responded to it during a preliminary hearing.
During the proceedings he was also required to identify matters he agreed with in the prosecution and name witnesses he intends to call in his defence.
Some of the witnesses he mentioned include President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Vice President Philip Mpango, and Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.
Mr Lissu faces a single charge of treason contrary to Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code, relating to remarks he allegedly made urging the public to block the 2025 General Election.
Prosecutors allege that on April 3, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, with intent to incite, he encouraged Tanzanians to prevent the election from taking place as a way of threatening the government of the United Republic of Tanzania, quoting him as saying:
"If they say this position signals rebellion, it’s true... because we are saying we will block the election…we will encourage rebellion…that is the way to bring about change... we will disrupt this election badly, very badly."
The case is being heard by a panel of three judges: Iringa High Court Resident Judge Dunstan Ndunguru (presiding), Judge James Karayemaha, and Judge Ferdnand Kiwonde.
Mr Lissu first appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court on April 10, 2025, but was not required to enter a plea because the court lacks jurisdiction to hear treason cases beyond preliminary proceedings.
With investigations now complete and the case transferred to the High Court, Mr Lissu was formally charged and pleaded.
While he admitted to making the statements cited by the prosecution, he denied that they amounted to treason.
He told the court the remarks merely showed that he is an opponent of the government and of the election process, insisting that his position does not constitute a criminal offence.
Senior State Attorney, Tawabu Issa, then read the summary of the case, after which Mr Lissu confirmed several agreed facts, including his full names, residence, position as Chadema national chairperson, his status as an advocate of the High Court and lawyer by profession, and possession of a Tanzanian passport.
He also acknowledged attending National Service training with 841 KJ Mafinga in 1989, completing it at 844 KJ Itende in Mbeya, though he warned that this should not be taken as evidence that he is a soldier.
Mr Lissu further agreed that he was arrested on April 9, 2025, in Mbinga District and transferred to Dar es Salaam, where he was charged the following day.
The court also recorded the disputed issues for trial, which will guide the prosecution’s witnesses.
Witnesses and protection orders
The prosecution informed the court it intends to call 30 witnesses, including police officers and civilians.
The court granted a protection order barring disclosure of their identities, family details, or appearance during testimony, and allowing the use of pseudonyms.
In response, Mr Lissu told the court he expects to call 15 witnesses, though he does not intend to present documentary evidence.
Among those he named are President Hassan, Dr Mpango, and Mr Majaliwa. He also listed Inspector General of Police Camillius Wambura, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Ramadhani Kingai, an unnamed Director General of Intelligence and Security Services, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ramadhani Ng’anzi.
His list also includes Ugandan and Kenyan activists Agatha Atuhaire, Boniface Mwangi, Dr Willy Mutunga, and Martha Karua; Jambo TV director, John Marwa; Chadema Deputy Secretary-General Aman Golugwa; Chadema Vice Chairperson John Heche; and Chadema Secretary-General John Mnyika.
The court recorded all the witnesses to facilitate the issuance of summons when the time comes, in accordance with the law.
The case has been scheduled to proceed to full hearing on October 6, 2025, when the prosecution will begin presenting its evidence.
The court will then determine whether Mr Lissu has a case to answer before he is called to present his defence.
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