Tanzania dismisses reports on plans to poison the opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, in prison

The Tanzanian Government has refuted claims that there were plans to poison Tundu Lissu who is being held in custody, intending to kill the opposition leader.

The State Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa in an official press release said the government “had never had plans to poison any suspect,’ being charged in court and that people should dismiss what he termed to be baseless speculations.

Earlier on the main opposition party, ‘Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA),’ had distributed a statement saying they would like to inform the public of some clandestine plans aimed at harming their chairperson, Advocate Tundu Lissu, who is being held in prison.

“We have received with great shock reports claiming that there are plans to poison Tundu Lissu, the National Chairman of CHADEMA,” the statement from the party’s Director of Communication and Publicity, Brenda Rupia, revealed.

According to the party, these reports were made public from July 2, 2025, by various reliable sources. among them David McAllister, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.

It seems McAllister had posted on his Twitter (X) account, about possible attempts to kill the Tanzanian opposition leader.

“I am deeply concerned by the alarming reports regarding possible attempts to poison Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu in detention,” he wrote on his handle.

The opposition party, Chadema, said it was taking these reports very seriously.

“This is not something to be taken lightly, especially considering that this is not the first time Chadema leaders have been targeted with threats, attacks, or various forms of oppression, while many reports we have submitted to the relevant authorities have been ignored or no action taken,” said the party statement.

“We urge the relevant authorities, including the Security and Defense Forces, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Judiciary, to take swift, independent, and thorough action to investigate these serious allegations.”

“We call on the Government to make a clear and responsible statement to ensure the safety of Honorable Tundu Lissu while in detention. We also call on the International Community, Human Rights Organizations, Ambassadors, and all other relevant international actors to closely monitor this issue and push for accountability, protection of human rights, and respect for democratic principles in Tanzania.”

Tundu Lissu is facing treason charges in Tanzania.

In September 2017, the opposition leader was attacked by a gang of unknown people in Dodoma who showered his car with bullets, leaving him badly injured.