DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL: Tanzania Arrests Opposition Leaders After Sham Election
Tanzanian authorities have arrested several major opposition leaders for their involvement in last month’s election-related turmoil.
Meanwhile, a manhunt is underway for other suspects, including top officials from the main opposition party, Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo.
Amani Golugwa, Chadema’s Deputy Secretary General, was arrested on Saturday, November 8, 2025, and charged with treason.
Police have also named Secretary General John Mnyika and party spokesperson Brenda Rupia as those needed for questioning.
Tanzania clamps opposition
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 8, 2025
Police arrest Chadema deputy secretary-general Amani Golugwa
Amani’s arrest brings to three the number of opposition leaders arrested
Government seeks to charge Chadema leaders with treason
Pentecostal Voice of Kenya condemns harassment of Kenyans… pic.twitter.com/VgtH0aZzPk
This is in response to unrest in major towns including as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya, Shinyanga, Geita, Songwe, Ruvuma, Mara, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, and Iringa.
On Friday night, police spokesman David Misime issued a statement instructing ten people to present themselves at the local police station.
Those listed include former MP Godbless Lema, preacher Josephat Gwajima, Machumu Maximillan Kadutu, Deogratious Cosmas Mahinyila, Boniface Jacob, Hilda Newton, and Award Kalongana.
Gwajima, a prominent clergyman whose church was deregistered earlier this year for publicly criticizing the government, was also asked to surrender.
With Golugwa’s arrest, the number of senior Chadema officials in detention now stands at three.
Tundu Lissu, the party’s head, has already been held on treason charges, while deputy leader John Heche was arrested prior to the October 29 general election.
The crackdown followed the arraignment of over 240 persons in various courts on Friday for alleged involvement in the post-election unrest.
Authorities say the violence, which erupted on election day, led to deaths and destruction of property across several regions.
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According to Misime, the police, working with other security agencies, are pursuing additional suspects believed to have organized or financed the unrest.
Tanzania’s opposition claims that thousands were killed when security forces moved to quell protests following the vote.
Official figures on the fatalities have not been released, though authorities have accused “foreign actors” of fueling the violence.
DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL: Tanzania Arrests Opposition Leaders After Sham Election
