Dar es Salaam. Chadema national chairman Tundu Lissu has asked the court to direct the Republic’s lawyers to refer to him as “the accused” rather than using the term “our colleague.”
Mr Lissu said that since he is facing a treason charge, he should be formally addressed as such, not as a colleague, by the prosecution.
He faces one count of treason at the High Court, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry. Mr Lissu requested on Thursday, September 18, 2025, shortly before the prosecution began responding to objections he had filed.
Mr Lissu said he had been repeatedly called “our colleague” by the Republic’s lawyers since the case was transferred to the High Court.
Before the hearing, Mr Lissu addressed the court in the presence of a three-judge panel, led by Dunstan Ndunguru, with James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kihwonde, stating he had two points to raise.
“First, which may seem minor to some but is not to me, is when the government lawyer refers to me as ‘our colleague.’ I am not their colleague… I am the accused in a treason case. I would like to be called the accused and not ‘our colleague,’” said Mr Lissu.
He added, “Since this case was transferred here, the prosecution lawyers have repeatedly called me by that term. I want to be referred to as the accused.”
His second point concerned a request he filed on September 4, 2025, to allow the trial to be broadcast live to the public.
“Honourable judges, it has been two weeks since I submitted this request, and it has not yet been addressed. This is important because people are being beaten outside the court when they come to follow the treason case.
Broadcasting the case live would allow people to follow proceedings from home rather than coming here and facing such harm,” he said, urging the judges to consider the matter.
Following Mr Lissu’s request, Justice Ndunguru instructed the prosecution to refer to him as “the accused,” as he requested.
Responding, Attorney General’s Advocate Nassoro Katuga said the term “our colleague” was used because Mr Lissu had previously been a lawyer.
“We referred to him as ‘our colleague’ because he has been a lawyer for over 25 years. He is our colleague because he is a party to the case; without him, we would not be here. However, we will follow the court’s directions,” said Mr Katuga.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ndunguru directed the prosecution to use the term “the accused” instead of “our colleague.”
Regarding Mr Lissu’s request for live broadcasting of the trial, the judge said it falls within the court’s discretion, and a decision will be issued in due course.
Following this ruling, the prosecution was allowed to begin responding to the objections and submissions filed by Mr Lissu on September 16, 2025.
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