Ten hours of chaos at Kisutu as Police, Chadema lock horns

Dar es Salaam. The events at Kisutu, near the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es Salaam, unfolded into more than 10 hours of turmoil, as tension between Chadema leaders and the police in the Dar es Salaam Special Zone spiralled into chaos across the city centre.

Chadema leaders, members, and supporters gathered at the court to attend the trial of their leader, Mr Tundu Lissu, who faces charges of treason and publishing false information online.

From the early morning until evening, police were stationed inside and outside the court to prevent unauthorized access, including barring journalists from following the proceedings.

Around the court area, from Ohio Street to the New Post Office near the Holiday Inn and back to the Library, police prohibited gatherings and detained individuals without clear explanations.

With over 10 dogs, four horses, and officers armed with guns and batons, they patrolled the area, dispersing crowds and arresting those who appeared to be there for the trial.

The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, which monitored the scene throughout, reported over 10 hours of unrest beginning at 7:00 am, with several citizens arrested and placed in police vehicles for defying orders.

At 8:31 am, our reporters witnessed a confrontation where an individual, shouting he was ready to be killed, demanded to know Mr Lissu's fate.

The man was threatened with dogs, beaten, and detained alongside other civilians, including women.

Journalists were instructed to remain 100 meters from the court's gates, with traffic officers ensuring no congestion.

By 10:00 am, police controlled the crowds, deploying two dogs to disperse civilians, while eight other dogs were stationed in two vehicles, one on Bibi Titi Road and another outside the court's wall.

Mounted officers patrolled the area, and numerous others in police vehicles with batons and guns intermittently detained civilians.

The atmosphere caused alarm among passers-by, many of them unaware of the situation. Informal gatherings were dispersed, and those who resisted were beaten.

From morning until evening, The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, unsuccessfully tried to reach the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander, Jumanne Muliro, for comment on the security situation.

Chadema's statement

The Coast Zone Chairman, Mr Boniface Jacob, stated that some members were injured and taken to the hospital.

Speaking from Chadema's headquarters, Mr Jacob said that those arrested had been beaten and abandoned in locations such as Ununio, Mabwepande, Temeke, and Bagamoyo.

He assured the public that the party would cover their medical bills for the eight known injured.

"Chadema will cover the medical costs for those injured while attending Mr Lissu's case at Kisutu. We know of eight, but others remain unaccounted for," said Mr Jacob, condemning the police action.

He emphasised their right to attend the trial, asserting that they had not broken any laws and urging the police to ensure justice.

At the Mwananyamala Referral Hospital, Chadema supporters were accompanying the injured, with the party’s Coast Zone Secretary, Mr Ntele Benjamin saying several party members were arrested en route to the court.

"They were arrested at different times and taken to places like Ununio and Mabwepande, where they were beaten and injured. They are now receiving treatment," said Mr Benjamin.

Chadema’s Chairman for Manyoni District, Mr Dan Butale, recalled arriving at the court only to be told there was no case.

When he stepped aside for a phone call, he returned to find his colleagues surrounded and detained.

The Mwananyamala Referral Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr Zavery Benela, declined to comment, stating that the patients had no official police documentation.

ACT-Wazalendo presidential candidate blocked

ACT Wazalendo leader Dorothy Semu was blocked from entering the court, where Lissu’s case was being heard online.

Ms Semu stepped out of her car to speak with journalists, but she was confronted by three police officers, who demanded she leave. She refused, asserting her right to remain in the area.

As tensions escalated, seven male officers in a police vehicle approached, two of them armed with dogs, dispersed the crowd, including Ms Semu and journalists.

Ms Semu eventually left at 11:25 am, and the officers with the dogs moved to another area. Journalists sought shelter in the nearby corridors as rain began to fall around the court.

Mr Lissu refuses online hearing

Mr Lissu, 57, rejected having his case heard via video conference, insisting on appearing in court.

The firebrand politician is detained at Ukonga Prison, facing two criminal charges at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court: treason and publishing false information online.

However, the case for publishing false information could not proceed following Mr Lissu's refusal to participate in an online hearing.

A team of over 20 lawyers representing Lissu, led by Attorney Mpale Mpoki, argued that the respondent should be physically present in court.

Kenyan politician and lawyer Martha Karua was also at the court to follow the case.

As a result, Senior Resident Magistrate Godfrey Mhini adjourned the case to 28 April 2025, instructing the prosecution to respond to the defence’s arguments about the online hearing.

Magistrate Mhini also directed that responses be submitted via an online platform and prohibited the distribution of preliminary case documents.

Legal battle

In court, Senior State Attorney Job Mrema stated the prosecution was ready to present the preliminary charges, however, Mr Lissu did not appear on the video feed.

Magistrate Mhini asked the officer in charge of detainees why Mr Lissu was absent, and it was explained that Mr Lissu had refused to participate online.

Mr Lissu’s lawyers argued that the law required the defendant to be present when charges were read, stating that the online process was illegal.

Attorney Mpoki argued, "Even if Mr Lissu were online, we couldn’t proceed, as the law requires his physical presence for the reading of charges."

The prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney, Mr Nassoro Katuga, requested more time to respond to the defence's objections and sought an order barring the distribution of the preliminary documents.

Magistrate Mhini agreed and set a further hearing date for 28 April 2025.

In the treason case, Magistrate Franco Kiswaga ruled that the proceedings would continue via video conference, dismissing the defence's request for in-person hearings.

Mr Lissu's charges

Mr Lissu faces three charges under the Cyber Crimes Act for publishing false information online, including claims about the disqualification of Chadema candidates, police misconduct, and biased judges.

Mr Lissu was granted bail for the false information case but remains in custody for the non-bailable treason charge.