Joseph Isangura
The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Tanzania’s commercial capital is set to take center stage today as it hears two highly anticipated criminal cases against opposition leader Tundu Antiphas Lissu, with the proceedings being aired live to the public.
The charges, filed under case numbers 8606/2025 and 8607/2025, accuse Lissu of treason and sedition—offenses that carry heavy legal consequences and are rarely prosecuted in open court. The move to air the hearing live, announced by the Judiciary of Tanzania, is part of its wider Judicial Strategic Plan aimed at promoting transparency, public trust, and digital innovation in legal processes.
The courtroom at Kisutu has limited space—only 80 seats. These have been strictly allocated to key stakeholders, including government prosecutors, Lissu’s defense team, members of the press, and a small number of selected observers. But for the rest of the country, and indeed the world, the trial can be followed through a live stream provided by designated media platforms such as Azam TV and on the Judiciary’s official streaming page.
Lissu, a seasoned politician and former presidential candidate under the CHADEMA party, has dismissed the charges as a calculated attempt to suppress political dissent ahead of Tanzania’s October general elections. His legal counsel argues that the state is leveraging the criminal justice system to neutralize vocal critics and create a chilling effect within the opposition.
The trial comes at a sensitive time. Tanzania’s human rights record has drawn criticism from various international organizations. Recently, civil society activists from Kenya and Uganda, who had traveled to witness Lissu’s earlier court appearance, were detained and deported — a move that raised further concerns over Tanzania’s commitment to political freedoms.
Also Read; What the BRICS Could Learn from the African Union
This is not the first time Lissu’s life has intersected with peril. In September 2017, he was nearly killed in an assassination attempt after unknown gunmen opened fire on his vehicle near his Dodoma residence. He underwent over 20 surgeries and spent years in exile in Belgium, returning to Tanzania in 2023 to resume his political activities and mount pressure on the current administration.
Public reactions to today’s trial have been mixed. Supporters view it as a test of Tanzania’s judicial independence, while critics worry that the live broadcast might be used to lend a façade of openness to what they call a politically driven prosecution. Either way, the transparency in allowing cameras in court represents a historic step for Tanzania’s legal system.
As the country watches, the trial of Tundu Lissu has become more than just a legal matter—it’s a reflection of the nation’s ongoing struggle between democratic ideals and the forces that seek to undermine them.
