This archive report was first published on 24 August 2019.
On August 22 and 23, 2019, a Dar es Salaam court heard a case against opposition leaders accused of making seditious speeches during a parliamentary by-election campaign in Kinondoni constituency.
Prosecution witness Corporal Charles testified that the accused leaders, including Chadema national chairman Freeman Mbowe and MP for Iringa Urban Peter Msigwa, had uttered words that could cause public violence.
However, during cross-examination, the witness conceded that video recordings presented in court did not show the accused leaders staging a demonstration or attacking the police.
The accused leaders are facing 11 counts, including conspiracy to commit offences, unlawful assembly, and sedition, for their alleged actions between February 1 and 16, 2018.
Their case continues, amidst growing concerns from the opposition about the Tanzanian government's efforts to restrict their activities ahead of the 2020 polls.
