Joseph Isangura
The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court has ruled that opposition leader Tundu Lissu must physically appear in court for the continuation of his trial, effectively rejecting the prosecution’s request for the proceedings to continue virtually.
The ruling came after Lissu’s legal team, led by Advocate Mpale Mpoki, raised strong objections to the case being handled online. Lissu, who is the chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA, is facing three charges linked to sedition and spreading false information on social media, specifically via YouTube.
The defense argued that holding such a sensitive political case virtually would undermine transparency, limit media coverage, and potentially compromise their client’s right to a fair trial. The court agreed with their reasoning, directing that from now on, the prosecution and prison authorities must ensure Lissu is brought to court in person during hearings.
The next court date has been set for May 19, 2025, allowing time for logistics to be arranged.
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Speaking to the media after the ruling, CHADEMA’s lead counsel Dr. Rugemeleza Nshala explained that the court’s decision was an important step toward ensuring accountability in the judicial process. “This is a case that the public has a right to follow closely. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done,” he said.
Meanwhile, questions continue to swirl around the broader context of the case. Critics have called attention to what they perceive as politically motivated charges aimed at silencing dissent ahead of the country’s upcoming general elections. Others have raised concerns about Lissu’s conditions while in remand, with some alleging he’s been denied adequate access to his lawyers and medical care—claims that authorities have firmly denied.
Tundu Lissu, a prominent voice in Tanzanian politics and a former presidential candidate, has previously survived an assassination attempt and spent years in exile before returning to the country. His ongoing legal challenges are widely viewed as a litmus test for the state of democratic freedoms in Tanzania.
