Media Wire Express Correspondent
Freeman Mbowe, the national chairman of opposition party Chadema, has opened up about the severe challenges he faced under the leadership of former President John Magufuli.
Mbowe detailed how over 2 billion shillings were forcibly taken from his bank accounts during Magufuli’s tenure, a move that led him to shift his businesses from Dar es Salaam to Dubai.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, December 21, 2024, Mr Mbowe recalled the difficult period that Chadema endured under former President Magufuli’s administration, describing it as a time marked by immense struggle for the opposition party.
Also Read: Mbowe Sues Msigwa for Defamation Claims.
He claimed that the government engaged in several tactics aimed at weakening Chadema, including a complete ban on political activities, arbitrary arrests, torture, abductions, and even the killing of some party members.
“Magufuli’s regime was ruthless. During that time, the opposition party and our supporters faced multiple challenges. We were subjected to politically motivated harassment, and it was clear that the regime’s goal was to silence us. They banned our activities, arrested our members, and even bribed our MPs to weaken our influence,” said Mr Mbowe.
One of the most painful periods for Chadema supporters was the forced political loyalty campaign, known as ‘Kuunga Mkono Juhudi,’ where many people were coerced into joining the ruling party under duress.
Mr Mbowe noted that several of their supporters were falsely accused of crimes, some facing long prison sentences, while others were threatened with death if they did not comply.
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