Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, has accused the government of orchestrating a systematic crackdown on its leadership ahead of the 29 October general election.
The party’s deputy chairperson, John Heche, was arrested on Wednesday while attempting to attend the treason trial of party leader Tundu Lissu in Dar es Salaam. Chadema claims that authorities intend to detain senior opposition figures until after the polls, describing Heche’s transfer to Tarime—over 1,300 kilometres away—as politically motivated. His arrest, the second within a week, follows his earlier detention at the Kenyan border, which immigration officials alleged was an illegal crossing attempt—a claim the party has strongly denied.
The arrest comes amid growing alarm over the disappearance of former ambassador and government critic Humphrey Polepole, allegedly abducted from his home earlier this month. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, seeking a second term under the ruling CCM party, faces mounting criticism for tightening political freedoms despite early promises of reform. With Chadema banned from contesting the upcoming election and Lissu in detention since April, Tanzania’s democratic space has narrowed further. The disqualification of ACT-Wazalendo’s candidate, Luhaga Mpina, leaves only minor party contenders to challenge President Samia, deepening concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.