Tundu Lissu laments being confined on the death row like a Convict. Now to defend himself against state
The Tanzanian opposition leader who is facing treason charges says he is as good as being seated on an electric chair because the prison has confined the accused in the death row chamber.
“I am not a convict, yet the state has decided to be keeping me on death row in jail,” revealed Tundu Lissu, who is also an advocate by profession. He made the statement before the Kisutu Magistrate court, causing many people in the room to break into tears.
His case hearing has again been adjoined to the 1st of July 2025.
According to Lissu, the accused who is the chairperson of the leading opposition party, the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), he has been confined to the death row since Good Friday of April 2025.
Lissu explained that the condition in the room is awful, plus he is not allowed to attend church service and usually barred from seeing his attorneys as much as he would have liked.
And he has decided to defend himself, henceforth.
“My lawyers, you did very well and worked professionally but from now on, I will defend myself, facing the state attorneys,” stated Lissu.
But before the case hearing started at the Kisutu Magistrate in Dar-es-salaam, people who attended the session started with prayers, a short mass led by the Monravian Church Bishop Emaus Mwamakula, which the accused participated, getting relieved to be at least attending a sermon.
It should also be remembered that Lissu suffered serious injuries after he was showered with bullets back in September 2017 while entering the parliamentary residence in Dodoma and still suffer serious pains, according to his lawyers.