Tanzania’s opposition leader Tundu Lissu enduring brutal treatment in custody. Lawyers reveal
Peter Kibatala the Lead attorney representing Tundu Lissu the opposition leader who was recently charged with treason has revealed details of what he described as ‘brutal,’ treatment that his client is being forced to suffer in custody.
Kibatala was addressing a press conference in Dar-es-salaam and together with other lawyers; they complained that government leaders were interfering with the court process, with the aim of twisting legal procedures.
Advocate Kibatala broke down in tears when describing the ordeal which Tundu Lissu is being subjected to while in custody where state organs treat him like a guilty person even before trials.
Lawyers for detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu warned that authorities were jeopardising Tundu Lissu’s right to a fair trial.
In reaction to that, Lissu the outspoken politician, human rights activist and opposition party chair, may result in a hunger strike starting anytime this week.
Lissu was charged with treason after he launched campaigns to demand reforms in electoral process to allow an independent commission, different from the current one which he said was being controlled by the president and the ruling party.
The defence team expressed particular concern over Home Affairs Minister Innocent Bashungwa and Attorney General Hamza Johari’s public justification of virtual case proceedings – a move they deem ‘prejudicial’ ahead of the court’s scheduled May 6, 2025, ruling on the matter.
Both Bashungwa and Johari later defended the remote proceedings terming it as standard procedure and accused Lissu’s team of seeking special treatment.
However, lead attorney Peter Kibatala countered that such statements from high-ranking officials could compromise his client’s right to a fair trial.
Most of Lissu’s lawyers learned of the remote-hearing arrangement when the case was called on April 24, a day when people who turned up at the Kisutu Magistrate court were badly beaten, some taken to be dumped in wilderness, with the opposition party, CHADEMA reporting that one person was killed.
Former Prime Minister Joseph Warioba, a retired judge, condemned the authorities’ actions as judicial interference. He made the remarks during a Tanganyika Law Society event discussing preparations for the 2025 general elections.
“What does this mean?” the former Attorney General posed pointedly. “It means the government is applying pressure, and in this climate of fear, the court might hesitate. Even if they make a decision, people may not believe it was made independently.”