DODOMA, Tanzania – A senior official from Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, was arrested on Wednesday outside the court where the treason trial of party leader Tundu Lissu was under way, intensifying concerns over a government crackdown on dissent a week before the country’s presidential election.
CHADEMA’s deputy chairperson, John Heche, was detained outside the High Court in Dar es Salaam and later transferred to Tarime in the country’s northwest, party spokesperson Brenda Rupia said on X. She added that police had not disclosed the reason for his arrest.
CHADEMA Secretary General John Mnyika confirmed Heche was being held at the central police station in Dar es Salaam, telling reporters that authorities had not provided any explanation for the detention.
The incident comes amid a fraught political atmosphere ahead of the October 29 presidential election, from which CHADEMA and fellow opposition party ACT-Wazalendo have been barred from participating.
The decision has left incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan facing only smaller party challengers.
Opposition figures and human rights groups have accused Hassan’s administration of abductions, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests targeting political opponents in the run-up to the vote.
Hassan has previously defended her record, saying her government remains committed to upholding human rights and had ordered an investigation into reports of abductions last year — though the findings have not been made public.
The immigration department said on Saturday that Heche had recently left the country “without following procedures.”
CHADEMA dismissed the claim, saying he had travelled to Kenya to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Police commanders Jumanne Muliro and Yustino Mgonja could not be reached.
Tundu Lissu, a prominent critic of President Hassan and former presidential candidate, is currently facing treason charges — a case his supporters say is politically motivated.
