MWE Correspondent
The High Court of Tanzania has dismissed a contempt-of-court application filed against senior leaders of the opposition party, including the Mainland Vice Chairman and Secretary-General.
The application accused them of violating a court order that temporarily halted party activities and froze assets amid an internal dispute over resource allocation between the Mainland and Zanzibar wings.
The complaint was filed by former Zanzibar branch officials, including trustees, seeking civil imprisonment for the leaders for allegedly disobeying the court’s order. On Friday, 28 November 2025, Justice Awamu Mbagwa ruled in favor of the party leaders, noting that the application was submitted beyond the legally allowed 60-day window.
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Earlier this year, trustees from the Zanzibar branch claimed unequal resource allocation between party wings, arguing that the imbalance violated both internal party rules and national political regulations. The High Court issued an injunction in June 2025 suspending party activities and barring access to assets pending resolution.
Justice Mbagwa stressed that legal procedures must be followed strictly. Because the contempt application was filed outside the 60-day timeframe, the court rejected the request for punitive measures, effectively clearing the leaders of immediate risk.
The ruling provides temporary relief for the party leadership but does not resolve the underlying dispute. Observers note that the case highlights challenges in balancing internal governance, regional representation, and fair allocation of party resources. The original injunction restricting certain party activities remains in effect until the primary case is concluded.
