Category: The Citizen

The Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), Northern Zone, has intensified efforts to curb drug abuse among public servants by expanding awareness campaigns in government institutions, strengthening night operations in entertainment venues and increasing public education initiatives.

The move follows remarks by DCEA Commissioner General Mr Aretas Lyimo, who said investigations had established that some government employees in Arusha were using drugs, particularly in entertainment venues, including VIP sections.

Speaking on Sunday, July 12, 2026, DCEA Northern Zone officer Mr Abdulatif Saidy said the authority had started extending awareness programmes to public institutions while continuing operations in areas identified as hotspots for cannabis and khat use. He said the authority would conduct seminars and awareness meetings in government institutions and departments to educate employees on the effects of drug abuse on health, families and workplace performance.

‘We have seen the need to increase our focus on government institutions by educating employees. We want them to understand the effects of drugs and avoid them before they damage their lives and work performance,’ Mr Saidy said.

He said DCEA had already held meetings with owners of popular entertainment venues in Arusha, educating them on methods used to distribute and consume drugs, as well as their legal responsibilities in preventing such activities on their premises.

The owners were directed to display notices prohibiting drug use, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, report individuals involved in drug-related activities and ensure their venues were not used for drug consumption or trafficking.

However, Mr Saidy said a major challenge remained users who ignored warnings and sometimes became violent when prevented from using drugs.

‘We did not want to start by using force. We first called entertainment venue owners, provided education and issued instructions. After that, we continued with operations and found people using cannabis and khat. Legal action was taken against them,’ he said.

Between July 2025 and June 2026, DCEA Northern Zone conducted 227 operations and arrested 550 suspects, including 442 men and 108 women.

The operations resulted in the seizure of 5,417.26 kilogrammes of khat, 3,010.30 kilogrammes of cannabis and 14 grammes of heroin across Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Tanga and Manyara regions.

In Arusha Region alone, 121 operations were conducted, leading to the arrest of 413 suspects, including 338 men and 75 women. Authorities seized 1,458.26 kilogrammes of khat and 2,977.03 kilogrammes of cannabis.

Mr Saidy said cannabis and khat remained the most commonly used drugs in Arusha.

‘We will continue conducting operations to prevent further spread of cannabis and khat. Those already affected are encouraged to seek treatment at specialised rehabilitation centres,’ he said.

Besides enforcement operations, DCEA has started using artists, music events and sports activities to reach communities, especially young people, with messages on the dangers of drug abuse.

Mr Saidy urged young people to avoid groups that encourage drug use and to help educate their peers in schools, colleges and communities. He also called on public servants to uphold professional ethics and avoid actions that could damage their careers, stressing that no one is above the law.

Meanwhile, Arusha District Commissioner Mr Joseph Mkude said the district authorities were working with DCEA to combat drug abuse.

Mr Mkude, who is also Chairman of the District Security Committee, said the measures include inspections of entertainment venues, awareness campaigns targeting teachers, health workers and other groups, as well as investigations into reports of products allegedly mixed with drugs.

‘We will provide full support to DCEA. There will be no leniency for anyone found allowing or engaging in drug trafficking and abuse. Our goal is to protect young people and ensure the community remains safe,’ he said.

Basketball players competing in the Basketball Dar es Salaam League (BDL) are set to benefit from an estimated Sh588.9 million during the 2026 season after sports betting firm betPawa renewed its sponsorship of the competition, extending the popular Locker Room Bonus (LRB) program aimed at rewarding winning teams.

The renewed partnership means every player in a winning team will receive an instant Sh88,750, with bonuses also paid to the team’s technical bench after every league victory.

Under the program 12 players and four technical officials, including two coaches, from each winning team will receive the payments, making every victory financially rewarding while motivating teams to remain competitive throughout the season. Speaking during the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam, betPawa’s Regional Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa, Bwalya Noah, said the company believes the growth of basketball begins with investing directly in players.

“At betPawa, we believe that success on the court should create value for the people who make it happen. That belief gave birth to the Locker Room Bonus. When a team wins, the players and technical staff who earned that victory should receive an immediate reward,” said Noah.

She said the initiative recognises players’ efforts, rewards excellence and ensures success on the court translates into tangible financial benefits.

Noah noted that the program has grown into one of Africa’s leading sports development initiatives, benefiting thousands of athletes in countries including Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria and Cameroon, while hundreds of Tanzanian basketball players have already received bonuses through the initiative.

Basketball Dar es Salaam League (BDL) president Shendu Hamis welcomed the renewal of the partnership, describing it as a major boost for the league and its players.

“We are delighted to renew our partnership with betPawa because this sponsorship continues to bring real value to our league. It motivates players to give their best in every match and increases competitiveness throughout the season,” said Hamis.

He said the Locker Room Bonus has changed the mindset of players and clubs, with every match carrying added significance because teams know victory comes with immediate financial rewards.

“The sponsorship has also helped improve professionalism among clubs and strengthened the overall standard of competition. We believe this partnership will continue to elevate basketball in Dar es Salaam and Tanzania as a whole,” he added.

Meanwhile, betPawa East Africa Marketing Coordinator Nassoro Mungaya said the company expects the renewed partnership to contribute significantly to the development of basketball in Tanzania.

“Our expectation is to see positive results both on and off the court. We want to see more competitive matches, better organised clubs and players who are motivated to perform consistently,” said Mungaya.

He said betPawa will continue working closely with the Basketball Dar es Salaam League and the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) to strengthen the systems that support the game.

“Beyond paying bonuses, we are investing in better administration through player registration, verification and accurate match reporting. Strong systems are essential if we are to achieve sustainable development of the sport,” he said.

Mungaya added that the company’s long-term vision is to help Tanzanian basketball reach higher standards by rewarding excellence and creating more opportunities for players.

“We believe that when players are recognised and rewarded for their performances, they become more committed, clubs become stronger and the entire game benefits. That is the kind of positive impact we want to continue seeing,” he said.

When investors evaluate opportunities around the world, market size is often one of the first metrics they consider. Conventional wisdom suggests that larger economies naturally attract larger investments. Yet across Africa, some of the continent’s smaller and lesser-known markets continue to secure significant attention from international investors.

According to Prateek Suri, Chairman of Maser Group and CEO of MDR Investments, the reason is simple: successful investors often look beyond today’s numbers and focus on future opportunity.

“Investors are not always searching for the largest market,” Suri says. “Many are looking for the right market at the right stage of development, where long-term growth potential remains significantly undervalued.”

Having spent years building businesses across Africa and the Middle East, Suri believes many international investors continue to underestimate the opportunities available in markets that receive relatively little global attention.

One factor is competition.

Large economies often attract numerous international companies, creating crowded sectors and higher costs of entry. Smaller markets, by contrast, can provide opportunities to establish leadership positions, build strategic partnerships, and capture market share more efficiently.

Countries such as Rwanda, Mauritius, Botswana, Benin, and Seychelles have demonstrated how policy reforms, regulatory stability, and business-friendly environments can attract investment despite modest domestic populations.

However, Suri notes that the story is not limited to smaller economies alone.

Tanzania, for example, has emerged as one of East Africa’s most attractive long-term investment destinations. While larger than many of its regional peers, Tanzania is increasingly drawing investor attention because of its strategic location, expanding infrastructure, growing population, and role as a gateway to regional trade.

“Tanzania possesses many of the characteristics investors seek in emerging markets,” Suri explains. “Its access to the Indian Ocean, improving transport corridors, natural resource base, tourism potential, and growing consumer economy make it one of the most strategically important markets in East Africa.”

The country continues to attract interest across sectors including logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, energy, mining, housing, and digital infrastructure. Major investments in ports, transportation networks, and connectivity are strengthening Tanzania’s position as a commercial hub serving multiple neighbouring countries.

For many investors, geography can be as important as population size.

A strategically positioned country with strong regional connections can often deliver opportunities that exceed what traditional economic indicators might suggest. The growth of regional blocs such as the East African Community has further strengthened this trend by making cross-border trade and investment increasingly efficient.

Technology is also changing how investors think about scale.

“Digital infrastructure has reduced many of the historical limitations associated with smaller markets,” Suri says. “Today, a company can establish itself in one country while serving customers across an entire region.”

The rise of fintech, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, cloud services, and digital payments has enabled businesses to scale more rapidly than ever before. Investors are increasingly prioritizing connectivity, talent, regulatory frameworks, and long-term growth prospects over simple population statistics.

According to Suri, some of the world’s most successful investments have historically emerged from markets that were initially overlooked.

“The biggest opportunities are often found where others are not looking,” he says. “Investors who focus exclusively on current size may miss markets that are positioned for substantial long-term growth.”

As global capital continues searching for new opportunities, Africa’s investment story is becoming increasingly diverse. Whether in smaller reform-driven economies or regional growth hubs such as Tanzania, investors are discovering that potential is not always measured by size alone.

Sometimes, the most significant opportunities emerge where vision extends beyond the headlines and toward the future.

Mbwambo Erick is a financial analyst and investment expert based in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.

Tanzania has begun implementing the Fourth Five-Year National Development Plan (FYDP IV) for 2026/27-2030/31, the first medium-term plan under the National Development Vision 2050, which seeks to transform the country into a $1 trillion upper-middle-income economy by 2050.

The Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office – Planning and the National Planning Commission executive secretary, Dr Tausi Kida, announced the move during a side event at the 2026 United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the UN headquarters in New York.

Speaking at the forum, themed Driving Industrial and Inclusive Economic Transformation: Financing, Innovation and Sustainable Growth in Agricultural and Blue Economy Value Chains, Dr Kida said Tanzania was entering a new phase of development focused on translating sustained economic growth and infrastructure investment into higher productivity, quality jobs, increased exports, value addition and shared prosperity.

She said the economy is currently growing at 5.9 percent and is projected to expand to 6.3 percent by the end of 2026, driven by stronger performance across productive and service sectors, alongside continued investment in strategic infrastructure.

“Our goal is not simply to expand the size of the economy, but to deliver inclusive growth that raises incomes, creates jobs, reduces poverty and enables women, young people, smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs to participate fully in economic development,” said Dr Kida.

She noted that agriculture, forestry and fisheries contributed 24.3 percent of Tanzania’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, while the fisheries sector’s contribution rose from 1.9 percent in 2020 to 2.2 percent in 2025, reflecting growing opportunities in the blue economy.

Dr Kida said the government was committed to shifting the economy from exporting raw materials to producing higher-value manufactured goods through processing, technology adoption and stronger linkages between local producers and domestic, regional and international markets.

She also announced that Tanzania will present its Third Voluntary National Review on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on July 14, 2026, highlighting progress in clean water, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, transport, digital technology and domestic resource mobilisation.

Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Togolani Mavura, said Africa’s industrial transformation must be inclusive, benefiting smallholder farmers, women, young people, fishers, pastoralists, small businesses and participants in the informal economy.

He called for stronger regional and international partnerships in technology, investment, trade, skills development, development finance and value chain integration.

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) chief financial officer, Mr Karen Vardanyan, cited Tanzania as an example of how innovative financing can accelerate national and local development.

He said access to clean cooking energy had increased from 6.9 percent in 2021 to 28.6 percent in 2025, supported by the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, private sector investment and government initiatives.

Mr Vardanyan also highlighted the Tanga UWASA Green Revenue Bond, which raised $20.8 million for climate-resilient water infrastructure.

The bond was the first sub-national green bond issued in East Africa, with domestic investors contributing 65 percent of the total investment.

Other initiatives showcased included the PesaTech Accelerator, which supports youth-led financial innovation and enterprises, and the LoCAL facility, which helps local government authorities mobilise climate-resilient investment.

The forum concluded that delivering Vision 2050 and FYDP IV will require close collaboration among the government, the private sector, financial institutions, the United Nations, development partners, civil society and local communities.

Under Vision 2050, Tanzania aims to become an upper-middle-income economy with a gross domestic product of $1 trillion, per capita income exceeding $7,000 and the eradication of poverty by 2050.

Formalising businesses in the forestry and beekeeping sectors is key to attracting investment, improving market access and promoting sustainable growth, the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) has said, urging traders to register their enterprises and comply with relevant laws.

The Assistant Commissioner for Forests and Manager for Beekeeping Resources at TFS, Mr Hussein Msuya, made the remarks during TFS Day at the ongoing 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba), where the agency showcased research findings, projects and innovations from departments under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Mr Msuya said formalisation would enable businesses dealing in forest and bee products to access more opportunities, improve their operations and contribute to conservation efforts.

“We encourage our stakeholders to strengthen businesses involving forest and bee products. At the same time, we urge them to operate within the law so they can grow sustainably,” he said.

He said the trade fair had provided TFS and its stakeholders with an opportunity to educate the public, showcase products and promote investment opportunities in the forestry and beekeeping sectors.

“The 50th anniversary of Sabasaba has given us an opportunity to educate the public, highlight investment opportunities and promote sustainable business practices,” he said.

Mr Msuya added that the exhibition had enabled entrepreneurs and stakeholders to showcase their products, share innovations and demonstrate the contribution of forestry and beekeeping to the national economy.

He said TFS had brought together stakeholders from across the country to provide education and display products derived from forest and bee resources.

Mr Msuya described forests as vital to environmental conservation, noting that they provide products and ecosystem services that support livelihoods and human well-being.

“Forests and trees play a vital role in environmental conservation. They provide a wide range of products and ecosystem services that are essential to human life,” he said.

He stressed that protecting forests requires collaboration between government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources.

Mr Msuya also highlighted the role of beekeeping in supporting food security, conserving biodiversity and protecting ecosystems through the preservation of bee habitats.

He said TFS continues to promote community-based enterprises and raise awareness of the sustainable use of forest resources through various programmes across the country.

He warned against the indiscriminate use of fire, describing it as one of the greatest threats to forests and natural vegetation.

“We urge people not to use fire to clear forests or destroy vegetation. Misuse of fire causes extensive damage to natural ecosystems and violates environmental laws,” he said.

Mr Msuya said that TFS officers stationed across the country would continue educating communities on responsible environmental practices and the importance of conserving forests for future generations.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr Vincent Mpwaji of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam as Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese, the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) announced on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, July 11, 2026, TEC said Bishop-elect Mpwaji will assist the Archbishop in the pastoral ministry of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam.

Born on June 5, 1978, in Morogoro Region, Bishop-elect Mpwaji was ordained a priest on July 7, 2008, in Dar es Salaam after completing his priestly formation.

Since then, he has served in various pastoral and administrative roles within the archdiocese, gaining extensive experience in parish ministry and Church administration.

He holds a doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.

Before his appointment, Bishop-elect Mpwaji served as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam and Assistant Parish Priest at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Dar es Salaam.

The appointment was announced in a statement signed by the Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Fr Charles Kitima.

Despite claiming he was kidnapped while on his way to sell chickens at a market, held in a guesthouse and later framed in a drug trafficking case, James Luko has failed to overturn his life sentence.

The High Court’s Morogoro Sub-Registry has dismissed his appeal against the conviction after finding that prosecution evidence proved he was found inside a shelter lying on top of six sacks containing 108 kilogrammes of cannabis.

In a ruling delivered on July 10, 2026, Judge Stephen Magoiga said there were no grounds to interfere with the decision of the Morogoro Resident Magistrate’s Court, which convicted Luko and sentenced him to life imprisonment for trafficking narcotic drugs.

The court also dismissed Luko’s claims that he was kidnapped while going to Nyandira Market to sell chickens, taken to a guesthouse and later forced to place his thumbprint on documents he did not understand.

The judge said the allegations were not supported by any evidence.

Background

The prosecution told the court that on July 8, 2025, officers from the Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) conducted an operation in Lugenge, Morogoro Region, following information from an informant.

The officers reportedly arrived at the area and found three shelters allegedly used by people involved in drug trafficking. They began searching them one after another.

The court heard that Luko was found in the third shelter lying on six sacks containing dried leaves, which were later confirmed by the Chief Government Chemist to be cannabis weighing 108 kilogrammes.

Defence

In his defence, Luko told the court that on July 7, 2025, while travelling to Nyandira Market to sell chickens, he reached Kibaoni where he met two men in a vehicle.

He said the men asked him about the price of the five chickens he was carrying before requesting him to accompany them to the market. While inside the vehicle, he claimed they asked him whether he knew someone called “Masta”, but he denied knowing him.

He told the court that as they approached the market, one of the men pointed a pistol at him while the other moved away before taking him to Jehova Guesthouse, where he was held until July 9, 2025.

Luko claimed he was later given documents, beaten and forced to place his thumbprint on papers whose contents he did not know. He said he remained in custody until August 4, 2025, when he was taken to court.

After hearing evidence from both sides, the Resident Magistrate’s Court convicted him and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Appeal

Dissatisfied with the decision, Luko filed an appeal based on seven grounds, including claims that the Resident Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case because there was no consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He also argued that he was held for 27 days before being taken to court in violation of the law, the search was conducted without a warrant, the evidence of an independent witness was unreliable, the chain of custody of exhibits had gaps and that he was framed.

Court decision

Delivering the ruling, Judge Magoiga dismissed the argument concerning the 27-day delay before Luko was taken to court, saying the delay did not demonstrate that he suffered prejudice in preparing his defence.

The judge said investigations, including scientific examination, were still ongoing and the laboratory report had not been completed. Therefore, the circumstances did not show that Luko’s rights had been violated to an extent that would invalidate the case.

The court also rejected the argument that the search was conducted without a warrant, saying the law allows emergency searches when officers receive information suggesting evidence may be lost if they wait to obtain a warrant.

On the issue of an independent witness, Judge Magoiga said the law does not require such a person to be a local government leader, but rather someone independent who witnessed the search process and whose evidence was credible.

The judge also dismissed the claim that the seizure certificate did not show that the cannabis came from the third shelter, saying witness testimonies and Luko’s thumbprint on the seizure documents established the link between him and the exhibits.

Judge Magoiga said prosecution evidence on the arrest, handling of exhibits and laboratory findings created an unbroken chain proving beyond reasonable doubt that the cannabis was in Luko’s possession.

“The appellant’s defence was merely a denial and did not raise any reasonable doubt against the strong evidence presented by the prosecution,” Judge Magoiga said.

The court concluded that the Resident Magistrate’s decision was correct and dismissed Luko’s appeal, upholding the life sentence.

The Government has warned traders selling substandard agricultural inputs and those smuggling subsidised fertiliser to neighbouring countries that they will face tough legal action, describing such practices as economic sabotage that threatens food production, food security and the country’s economy.

Speaking to agricultural and livestock input dealers in Songwe Region, Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo said the Government would not tolerate the sale of fake inputs, the smuggling or hoarding of subsidised fertiliser, or arbitrary price increases.

He said traders found violating the law would have their licences revoked and face legal action, stressing that public funds allocated to the fertiliser subsidy programme must benefit the intended farmers and improve agricultural productivity.

Mr Chongolo urged traders to conduct business with integrity by selling fertiliser at the recommended prices, maintaining proper records and complying with laws and regulations governing the agricultural inputs business. He also assured law-abiding traders of the Government’s support.

He said the Government continues to invest in agriculture through the National Development Vision 2050 and Agenda 10/30, with the fertiliser subsidy programme aimed at increasing crop production, strengthening food security, expanding raw materials for industries and raising farmers’ incomes.

“I want to assure farmers that there is no shortage of fertiliser in the country,” he said, noting that Tanzania currently has 248,617 tonnes of various fertilisers in stock, while another 313,800 tonnes are expected to arrive between July and September this year.

Mr Chongolo added that the Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA) targets to ensure the availability of 1.5 million tonnes of fertiliser during the 2026/27 financial year to meet farmers’ demand.

Earlier, Mbozi MP Onesmo Mkondya raised concerns over the limited availability of subsidised fertiliser in Songwe, saying only one company was currently supplying the product in the region.

“Although the Government has announced the availability of subsidised fertiliser, access remains a major challenge. We urge the Government to license more companies so that farmers in Songwe can obtain adequate supplies,” he said.

Vwawa MP Japhet Hasunga said the sale of fake agricultural inputs and seeds remained widespread and called on the Government to intensify enforcement against offenders.

The chairman of the Agricultural Input Dealers Association, Boniface Masika, urged the minister to stop fertiliser manufacturers from selling directly to farmers, saying products should instead be distributed through authorised agents.

Songwe Regional Commissioner Jabiri Omari Makame assured the minister that the regional administration was fully committed to combating the sale of fake agricultural inputs and the smuggling of subsidised fertiliser to protect farmers, whose livelihoods depend on agriculture.

The opposition Chadema has taken disciplinary action against two of its leaders in Morogoro and Tanga regions after they publicly accused the party’s Mainland vice chairman, Mr John Heche, and called for action against him.

The action has affected Bumbuli Constituency Secretary, Mr Abubakari Mashambo, who has been removed from his position, and Chadema Morogoro Regional Secretary, Mr Barnabas Okola, who has been suspended.

The two leaders have also been ordered to submit evidence supporting their allegations against Mr Heche within 14 days.

In separate statements, Mr Mashambo and Mr Okola alleged that Mr Heche receives financial contributions from supporters but uses the funds for personal interests instead of directing them towards party activities.

“We have seen it necessary to bring this matter before journalists so that Mr Heche can reflect on his actions because the funds are not benefiting the party. We believe he should not continue holding the position of deputy chairman at this time,” said Mr Mashambo.

Following the allegations, Chadema’s Northern Zone issued a statement announcing that, effective July 8, 2026, Mr Mashambo had been removed from his position for allegedly violating party procedures by taking complaints to the media instead of using official channels.

According to the statement signed by Chadema Northern Zone Secretary Yohana Kaunya, Mr Mashambo has been required, under Article 6.3.6(c) of the party’s 2006 Constitution, to provide evidence supporting his allegations within 14 days of receiving the official notice.

Mr Kaunya said Mr Mashambo’s suspension was imposed under Article 6.3(c) and (d) and would remain in place until the Zone Executive Committee, which has disciplinary powers, completes investigations and issues a final decision.

Chadema’s Central Zone, which covers Morogoro, Dodoma and Singida regions, announced the suspension of Mr Okola as Morogoro Regional Secretary over allegations that he breached party ethics by publicly accusing Mr Heche.

Chadema Central Committee (CC) has issued 15 resolutions, including plans to convene the party’s Council and continue its New Constitution campaign in Unguja and Pemba.

Other resolutions include thanking Tanzanians supporting the party through public rallies, opposing the ban on public meetings issued by Minister for Home Affairs Patrobas Katambi, and calling on the government to reduce fuel prices.

The committee also demanded that the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties release outstanding funds owed to the party from government subsidies.

Announcing the resolutions on Friday, July 10, 2026, Chadema Secretary General John Mnyika said the CC, which met from June 28 to 30, had resolved to convene the party’s Council on September 15 this year, coinciding with the International Day of Democracy, to make key decisions.

“It will be a day to make major decisions on rights, freedoms, democracy and change in the country, in line with the party’s responsibilities as provided under Article 7.7 of Chadema’s Constitution,” said Mr Mnyika.

He said the committee had resolved to continue the New Constitution and Free Tundu Lissu campaigns in Unguja and Pemba while encouraging Tanzanians to participate in political activities by joining and supporting the party.

Mr Mnyika said the committee also discussed Mr Katambi’s directive and concluded that it violated Articles 18, 20, 26(1) and 29(1), (2) and (5) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, which provide for freedom of expression, association and citizens’ duty to uphold the Constitution.

“The Central Committee insists that neither Mr Katambi nor the Prime Minister has any constitutional or legal authority to direct the Inspector General of Police to stop public meetings,” said Mr Mnyika.

Mr Katambi has previously said he had neither violated the law nor the Constitution, but that he was not prepared to allow the country to deteriorate by permitting a small group of people with personal interests to violate the rights of the majority.

“The Central Committee also wants the government to reduce fuel prices to ease the burden on Tanzanians,” said Mr Mnyika.

Complaints against party leaders

Mr Mnyika said party leaders with complaints against fellow members should follow internal procedures by submitting formal complaints, supported by evidence, through party forums rather than taking their grievances to the media or social media.

He said disciplinary measures taken against some members and leaders were carried out in accordance with Chadema’s Constitution, regulations, and ethical guidelines.

Mr Mnyika added that members dissatisfied with such decisions had the right to appeal through procedures provided by the party.

He said before the recent developments, party leadership had received reports that some individuals were attempting to persuade leaders to hold press conferences, allegedly after receiving money to make accusations against party officials.

According to Mr Mnyika, the circumstances pointed to attempts to discredit the party and its leaders, prompting swift action due to what he described as signs of betrayal and corruption.

Mr Mnyika was responding to journalists’ questions about the suspension of some members who had questioned the management of party contributions and demanded the removal of Chadema Vice Chairman John Heche.

He said funds collected through the party’s Tonetone initiative were safe, with all contributions deposited into bank accounts before being used in line with financial management procedures.