Lissu treason verdict set for November 6

The High Court’s Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry will deliver its judgment on November 6, 2026, in the treason case against Chadema national chairman Tundu Lissu. The trial, which has lasted about a year, concluded on Tuesday, September 29, after the prosecution and defence presented their final submissions before a three-judge panel. Mr Lissu is charged under Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code, Revised Edition 2022, with allegedly showing intent to threaten the Government. The prosecution alleges that on April 3, 2025, Mr Lissu, while in Tanzania, made statements and published material online that incited the public to prevent the 2025 General Election. The prosecution cited statements in which Mr Lissu allegedly said the opposition would prevent the election, mobilise rebellion and “disrupt” the polls in pursuit of political change. The case is being heard by Justices Dunstan Ndunguru, who chairs the panel, James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kiwonde. Mr Lissu presented his final submissions from September 23 to 28, arguing that the prosecution had failed to prove the charge based on the evidence presented in court. The prosecution presented its final submissions on September 29, arguing that it had met the required legal threshold. State Attorney Nassoro Katuga said evidence from 17 prosecution witnesses, together with evidence from five defence witnesses, had established the charge beyond reasonable doubt. “We submit that the Republic has proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt and ask the court to find that the accused committed the offence,” Mr Katuga told the court. He said the prosecution’s sole objective had been to prove the charge under the provision, which he described as a new legal provision being applied for the first time in the case. Justice Ndunguru thanked the parties and members of the public who attended the proceedings. He also referred to disruptions caused by ringing mobile phones during the hearing, saying the judges had not been provoked into invoking Section 114 of the Penal Code. He said the court needed time to consider the lengthy evidence and final submissions, particularly because the case involved a charge being heard under the provision for the first time. “Therefore, we will deliver the judgment on November 6, 2026,” Justice Ndunguru said.