MWE Correspondent
Opposition leader Tundu Lissu on Friday, October 10, 2025, took centre stage at the High Court in Dar es Salaam as he personally cross-examined a police officer in his ongoing treason trial — a rare moment that turned the courtroom into a theatre of political history and legal argument.
The proceedings, held before a three-judge panel led by Justice Danstan Ndunguru, resumed with Lissu questioning Inspector John Kaaya, the second prosecution witness, about the country’s political reforms and the broader context of his case.
Lissu, who is representing himself, focused his line of questioning on the evolution of constitutional and electoral reforms in Tanzania — from the administration of the late President Ali Hassan Mwinyi to that of Jakaya Kikwete. He asked the witness if he was aware of various commissions formed over the decades to review governance systems and electoral processes.
“Do you know about the commissions that were created to study constitutional changes since the second phase of government?” Lissu asked calmly, his tone shifting between legal precision and political passion.
Kaaya, however, repeatedly told the court that he was unaware of such historical details, explaining that he was not a politician and had only heard about some of those matters through the media.
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Lissu continued pressing, referring to several initiatives, including the Political Reconciliation Task Force established by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, chaired by Professor Rwekaza Mukandala. He also mentioned the Maridhiano dialogue between the ruling CCM and opposition CHADEMA, describing them as milestones in Tanzania’s democratic journey.
In a dramatic twist, Lissu pointed out what he said were “around 40 inconsistencies” between Kaaya’s earlier written statement and his oral testimony. He sought to admit the written document as evidence, but state prosecutors, led by Senior State Attorney Job Mrema, objected on procedural grounds.
The court adjourned briefly before announcing that a ruling on the matter would be delivered on Monday, October 13.
Lissu’s courtroom performance — part legal battle, part political statement — drew the attention of diplomats, legal observers, and political analysts alike. His questioning appeared designed not just to challenge the witness’s credibility but to frame his own defense within the broader history of Tanzania’s political struggle for reform.
The trial has been described as one of the most closely watched political cases in recent Tanzanian history, with implications that extend beyond the courtroom. Analysts say it tests the resilience of the country’s judicial independence and its democratic tolerance ahead of the 2025 general elections.
