Zanzibar trustees sue Chadema over alleged discrimination, resource misallocation

Dar es Salaam. Three trustees of the opposition party Chadema from Zanzibar have taken the party to court, alleging favouritism in the distribution of resources and entitlements, among other grievances.

The civil case, filed in 2025, has been initiated by Mr Said Issa Mohamed—who identifies himself as a Chadema member and former vice chairman—alongside Mr Ahmed Rashid Khamis and Ms Maulida Anna Komu, who also claim to be members of Chadema's Board of Trustees.

The case has been filed at the High Court, Dar es Salaam sub-registry, with the Chadema Board of Trustees named as the first respondent and the party’s secretary general as the second respondent.

The plaintiffs seek a court declaration that the respondents have violated both the Political Parties Act and Chadema’s constitution.

They claim there has been an unequal distribution of the party’s assets and financial resources between Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania.

Further claims include allegations of religious and gender discrimination, as well as statements and declarations that the plaintiffs assert were made with the intention of disrupting the Union between the two parts of the United Republic of Tanzania.

On these grounds, the plaintiffs are asking the court to rule that the respondents have breached section 6A(1), (2), and (5) of the Political Parties Act, Chapter 258, Revised Edition 2019.

They also seek a declaration that the allocation of funds, assets, and resources for political and administrative activities between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar by the respondents is unlawful and invalid.

Additionally, they request that the court direct the respondents to comply with section 6A(1), (2), and (5) of the same Act.

The plaintiffs have also asked the court for a temporary suspension of all political activities until the court’s directives are implemented.

They further seek a permanent injunction to prevent the use of Chadema’s funds, assets, and resources until the respondents comply with the relevant legal requirements.

The plaintiffs also request an order for the respondents to cover legal costs and for the court to grant any other relief it deems appropriate.

The case is scheduled to be heard today, Thursday, April 17, 2025, by Judge Hamidu Mwanga.

The court has issued summons to Chadema through its secretary general, requiring the party’s appearance for the case’s mention.

According to issued summon documents seen by The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi, the court has instructed Chadema to file its written defence.

In addition to setting the mention date, the summons states that failure to submit the written defence within the stipulated period may lead the court to proceed and issue judgment in the party’s absence.

The summons are signed and stamped by the court’s senior deputy registrar.