Lissu rejects prison gossip, affirms loyalty to party deputy John Heche

Dar es Salaam. Chadema national chairman Tundu Lissu, who is in remand facing a non-bailable treason charge, has sent a message to people spreading reports that his assistant, the party’s Vice Chairman for the Mainland, Mr John Heche, is the reason he remains in custody.

Mr Lissu demanded that those spreading such reports desist, declaring that he is prepared to remain in prison until justice is served, and rejected any suggestion that his release depends on anyone else outside the legal process before the courts.

Mr Lissu, who has been in remand for approximately one year and four months over the non-bailable charge, stated this position in the dock at the High Court, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, after the case hearing was adjourned until Thursday, September 3, 2026, when it will resume.

“I hear they are saying Heche is the one hindering my release from prison. Who are those people I hear about? Tell them this..., tell them this: I am ready to stay in prison until justice is obtained,” stated Mr Lissu.

“That foolishness from those money-receivers must stop. I am ready to pay any price. They should stop the nonsense, stop the nonsense,” he added.

Mr Lissu said he had never seen those claiming to speak for him in court even once, calling on them, if they wished to support him, to come to court instead of visiting the remand prison late at night.

“Whoever loves me should come here, or do party work..., they must stop the foolishness,” said Mr Lissu.

Commenting on his current uncombed hairstyle, which now resembles dreadlocks, Mr Lissu said it serves as a symbol of freedom fighters.

“Rastas are freedom fighters. Tell them to listen to Bob (Bob Marley), they will know why I have dreadlocks. And let them read the history of Mau Mau (the liberation struggle in Kenya), I am following in the footsteps of Dedan Kimathi (Kenyan freedom fighter), the footsteps of heroes, not those who accept pieces of silver,” said Mr Lissu.

Mr Lissu has been in remand since April 10, 2025, when he was arraigned at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es Salaam following his arrest at a public rally in Mbinga on April 9, 2025.

Mr Lissu, an advocate of the High Court, faces a treason charge, having allegedly committed the offence of threatening the government, contrary to Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code (PC), 2023 Revised Edition.

He is alleged to have, on April 3, 2025, as a Tanzanian citizen, with seditious intent, incited the public to prevent the holding of the 2025 General Election by uttering and publishing online words aimed at coercing the head of the Tanzanian government.

“They say one thing here, this stance indicates rebellion, it is true... because we say we will stop the election, we will incite rebellion, that is how to achieve change... so we are going to make trouble... especially this election we are going to disrupt it thoroughly... we are going to make very bad trouble...” Mr Lissu is alleged to have stated.

A three-judge panel led by Dunstan Ndunguru (presiding), James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kiwonde at the High Court, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry is hearing the case.

The case is currently at the defence stage, and the third defence witness, Chadema Mainland Deputy Secretary-General Aman Golugwa, began giving his testimony on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, and will continue on Thursday, September 3, 2026.