Tanzania’s political landscape is under intense scrutiny following the arrest and charging of John Heche, deputy leader of the main opposition party Chadema, with terrorism. His lawyer, Hekima Mwasipu, confirmed that Heche was transferred to Dar es Salaam and informed of the charges two weeks after his arrest in Dodoma.
Arrest Before the Ballot
Heche was detained on October 22, just days before elections that opposition leaders denounced as a “sham.” President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with 98% of the vote and sworn in on Monday. Chadema’s chairman, Tundu Lissu, remains in custody on treason charges, unable to contest the election.
A Flawed Election
Observers from the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) criticized the election, citing ballot stuffing, voter manipulation, and deadly violence. The AU’s report stated the vote failed to meet democratic standards and urged Tanzania to pursue urgent electoral reforms.
Violence and Loss
Opposition sources claim over 800 people died in clashes with security forces, while diplomatic sources estimate at least 500 fatalities. The government has dismissed these figures as exaggerated, though President Samia acknowledged the loss of life and property during her inauguration.
Rights Under Fire
Amnesty International and other rights groups have condemned a “wave of terror” involving disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings of opposition figures. The government denies these allegations.
Heche’s Condition and Legal Fight
Heche’s lawyer reported that the opposition leader is in poor health and that a petition for bail has been filed. His detention adds to growing concerns about political repression and the erosion of democratic freedoms in Tanzania.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of a contested election, the fate of opposition leaders like Heche and Lissu will be a litmus test for Tanzania’s commitment to justice and reform.
Source: BBC News, November 6, 2025