More than 60,000 people followed the live online streaming of the court case facing the leader of opposition movement in Tanzania who advocates for reforms before elections.
The Tanzanian court aired the proceedings live through the institution’s own channel from which other media outlets tapped the broadcast, spreading to their followers.
Most Tanzanians followed the case via their smartphones. Some watched it live and thousands other caught up on replays.
By the end of the day, in the evening of Monday June 2, 2025, more than 100,000 people had watched the case, in addition to hundreds other who turned up at the court premises making it the most followed case in the country yet.
Tanzania is still holding on to the treason case against Tundu Lissu, with the court refusing to drop the charges.
Advocate Lissu, who is a human rights activist, politician and chairperson the country’s main opposition party, the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) has appeared at the Kisutu Magistrate Court in Dar-es-salaam for the third time now.
While the court declines to drop Tundu Lissu’s ‘treason’ case, the State on the other hand, seeks time to conclude probe. However legal panel cautions against further delays.
Eventually the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court adjourned the case facing Tundu Lissu to June 16, 2025.
Presiding Magistrate Franco Kiswaga cautioned Lissu following his utterance of the phrase “No reform, no election” during court proceedings, a remark the prosecution interpreted as contemptuous to the court.
“Once the court is in session, under section 6(c), no one is allowed to speak without permission. The accused should not have made that statement.”
The court emphasized that speaking without permission—whether by an accused person or a member of the public—is strictly prohibited.
But the defending attorney Advocate Mpale Mpoki argued that there were already several irregularities preceding the case even from the side of the court itself.
Lissu is facing charges of incitement, alleged to have occurred on April 3, 2025, in Dar es Salaam. The prosecution claims he made provocative statements aimed at preventing the 2025 General Election and exerting pressure on top government officials.
The prosecution team is led by State Attorney Nassoro Katuga, while the defense is represented by Advocate Mpale Mpoki