Mbowe threatens to sue Msigwa, demands Sh5 billion over defamation allegations

Dar es Salaam. The chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema, Mr Freeman Mbowe, has announced his intention to sue former Iringa Urban MP, Mr Peter Msigwa, over alleged defamatory remarks.

Mr Mbowe demands payment of Sh5 billion as compensations for damages resulting from tarnishing his image.

Mr Msigwa who recently defected from Chadema to join the ruling party CCM has been actively involved in political rallies where he levelled several accusations against the opposition.

“…immediately after disassociation with Chadema as member, you publicly unleashed hatred and in unruly manner, issued untrue, false, malicious and intentional defamatory statements against our client,” said the lawyers representing Mr Mbowe in a notice.

The notice cites remarks in which Mr Msigwa accuses Mr Mbowe of running the party like a personal enterprise and that he used the party secretariat in his private office.

He likened the personalization of the party to a SACCOS (cooperative society), and claimed that Mr Mbowe has been blocking other members from contesting the party’s chairmanship

In the letter of demand sent by a team of five lawyers—John Mally, Jonathana Mndeme, Hekima Mwasipu, Simon Mrutu, and Dickson Matata— Mr Mbowe has given a five-day ultimatum for Mr Msigwa to meet certain conditions or face legal action.

The letter accuses Mr Msigwa of making slanderous statements which damage Mr Mbowe’s reputation, both nationally and internationally.

Mr Msigwa is required to publish public apologies on the front pages of two newspapers—one with national circulation and another with regional coverage—addressing the alleged falsehoods made against him.

In the apology, Mr Msigwa is required to acknowledge and apologise for spreading false information, while also promising Tanzanians that he will be truthful in all future public statements.

One of the lawyers, Mr Mwasipu confirmed to Mwananchi newspaper that the letter, dated September 2, 2024, has been served to Mr Msigwa, who signed to acknowledge receipt.

Msigwa responds

In a statement to Mwananchi newspaper, Mr Msigwa confirmed receiving and signing the demand notice but insisted that political disputes should be resolved politically, rather than through the courts.

“Mbowe has been at the forefront of criticizing the CCM government and President Samia Suluhu Hassan, but now he is offended because I asked him to address internal issues within Chadema,” Mr Msigwa said.

“I asked whether Chadema Digital is owned by the party. Why didn’t he just come forward and clarify? I also raised questions about other matters—like how he owns ten vehicles while his colleague has just one,” Mr Msigwa added.

He argued that Mr Mbowe’s intention to sue him is an attempt to silence and intimidate him, something he will not tolerate.

“I won’t be silenced. There are more issues to be addressed, including matters related to farms and tractors, which interestingly were not included in the demand notice,” said Mr Msigwa.