Hassan Magulumali
A three-judge panel led by Justice Dunstan Ndunguru is expected to deliver its ruling today, August 21, 2026, on whether CHADEMA Chairman Tundu Lissu has a case to answer in the treason case against him.
The ruling will determine whether the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to require Lissu to defend himself in Treason Case No. 19605/2025.
The panel announced on August 17, 2026, that it needed time to prepare its decision after hearing submissions from both sides on whether Lissu should be required to mount a defence.
The court considered arguments from Lissu’s defence team that he had no case to answer, as well as submissions from the prosecution arguing that a case had been established. The prosecution presented evidence from 17 witnesses during its case.
In his submissions, Lissu asked the court to find that he had no case to answer and to order that he be compensated.
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Relying on Section 312(1) of Tanzania’s Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), Lissu argued that the prosecution had failed to establish what is legally referred to as a prima facie case against him.
He explained that a prima facie case refers to evidence presented by the prosecution which, on its own, must reach the required threshold to warrant an accused person being called upon to defend himself.
According to Lissu, where the prosecution’s evidence does not meet that threshold, the court should record a finding that the accused has no case to answer rather than require the accused to enter a defence.
The prosecution, however, maintained that the evidence presented before the court was sufficient for Lissu to be called upon to defend himself.
The ruling expected today will therefore be closely watched, with the court’s decision determining the next stage of the proceedings.
If the judges find that Lissu has a case to answer, the trial will proceed to the defence stage, where he and his legal team will have an opportunity to present their case.
If the court finds that there is no case to answer, the proceedings could move toward his acquittal in accordance with the applicable criminal procedure.
The case has attracted significant public attention, with supporters, political observers and members of the public awaiting the court’s decision and its implications for the opposition leader and the ongoing treason proceedings.
