Tanzania police arrest 14 Chadema supporters, including three top leaders
Dar es Salaam Police Commander, Jumanne Muliro. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Commander Muliro dismissed rumors suggesting that these individuals were abducted, clarifying that they are being held as suspects and are currently being questioned for defying the order against protests.
Dar es Salaam. The Commander of the Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone, Jumanne Muliro, has confirmed the arrest of 14 individuals affiliated with the opposition party Chadema, including prominent figures such as Chairman Freeman Mbowe, Vice Chairman for Tanzania Mainland Tundu Lissu, and Central Committee member Godbless Lema. The arrests were made for allegedly ignoring a police ban on protests.
Commander Muliro dismissed rumors suggesting that these individuals were abducted, clarifying that they are being held as suspects and are currently being questioned for defying the order against protests.
“We inform the public that these individuals have been arrested and are being questioned. The rumors circulating in the community that they have been abducted are false. They are being questioned based on legal grounds, and we urge citizens not to panic and to continue with their activities without fear,” he stated.
In addition to Mbowe, Lissu and Lema, other suspects include Peter Lazaro, Sheikh Omari Faki, Revokatus Mlay, Paul Musi, Shaban Kinda, Aboubakari Abaid, and Emmanuel Mtobi, among others.
These individuals allegedly encouraged others to proceed with the banned demonstrations.
Muliro emphasized that the suspects are being questioned to determine the legal implications surrounding the protests, which were deemed likely to breach public peace.
