Mbowe, co-arrested leaders freed, Mdude’s release hits snag

Dar es Salaam. Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe, and co-arrested leaders have been released on bail by police in Songwe.

However, the party’s member and activist, Mdude Nyagali, remains behind bars for further questioning.

Yesterday, November 22, 2024, Songwe Regional Police Commander (RPC) Agustino Senga confirmed that the police arrested Mr Mbowe and 11 leaders for questioning after defying the police order to discontinue holding a rally in an area that wasn’t indicated in the schedule.

The arrested leaders and opposition cadres, apart from Mr Mbowe and Mdude, were Nyasa Zone Chairman Joseph Mbilinyi, former Member of Parliament Pascal Haonga, and the party’s head of digital platforms, Appolinary Boniface.

Others were Nyasa Zone communications officers Paul Joseph and Calvin Ndabila, Mr Mbowe’s assistants Alfan Mbire, Abdilah Ling’wanya, and Adam Kasekwa as well as Songwe Region’s ACT-Wazalendo chairman, Ezekia Zambi.

On Saturday, November 23, 2024, RPC Senga told The Citizen's sister paper, Mwananchi, that Mr Mbowe and the co-arrested leaders had been released on bail with specific conditions after a comprehensive questioning, hinting that Mdude Nyagali remained in custody.

“They are supposed to report at the region on November 28, 2024. Mdude Nyagali is undergoing further questioning regarding other issues that are still under investigations,” he said without disclosing what the issues were.

"My call to political parties especially leaders, remains the same, they must follow the campaign procedures as outlined in the schedule. We will not hesitate to take stern measures against violators,” he added.

He reiterated the Police Force’s commitment to ensure the election process proceeded smoothly, peacefully, and freely, by the rules for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights to elect and to be elected.

The regional police chief said holding meetings in unauthorized locations aimed to cause chaos, insisting that leaders and citizens must adhere to the set schedule for rallies shared with the law enforcement agents.

"Citizens are simply following what their leaders instruct, so we ask the leaders to respect the schedules. Holding meetings in unauthorized areas is a sign of unrest," insisted the regional police boss.

He said two injured police officers and one civilian were recovering well after treatment, adding that another officer who was injured in the face was still admitted to hospital receiving medical care.

Chadema’s director of Protocol, Ideology, and Foreign Affairs, John Mrema, on Saturday, November 23, 2024, confirmed the release of Mr Mbowe and the co-arrested leaders.

“They were released at midnight yesterday. Mdude Nyagali is still being detained for more interrogation. However, reports say he had been moved from the Vwawa Police Station to an unidentified location after being badly whipped,” he said on the phone.

“His whereabouts are currently unknown. Police say he will be freed after interrogations and after meeting the bail conditions,” added Mr Mrema.

According to Mr Mrema, the chairman’s convoy is still continuing campaign rallies in Mbeya Rural, noting that they are expected to hold a rally in Mbeya Town in the evening.

“Police shouldn’t be used to ruin our campaign plans, as we only have a very short period. Wasting two to three hours for us is ruining the entire campaign slated to take place in only seven days,” said Mr Mrema.

He asked the Chadema followers to remain vigilant and focused on the campaigns during this time to maintain their way to victory.

Police in Songwe said in a statement that Mr Mbowe and the co-leaders were apprehended in the incident that occurred at the former Mlowo bus station, in Mbozi District at around 4.30am.

They were arrested allegedly for holding a campaign rally in an area that had not been designated for their gathering.

“The police issued an order for them to disperse, but they defied it. The police then decided to disperse them by force, which led to clashes. During the altercation, stones were thrown, injuring two police officers on the head, face, and nose. They are currently receiving treatment at Mbozi District Hospital,” the statement said.