Over 300 Tanzanians face treason charges as opposition denies talks with Suluhu gov't

The charges come as the opposition Chadema’s leadership denied engaging in talks with the Samia Suluhu-led government.

The developments in Tanzania come as the UN human rights chief Volker Türk called for investigations into the killings and other violations committed in the context of the 29 October elections in Tanzania, as reports emerged that bodies may have been taken by security forces to undisclosed locations.

The crackdown against those perceived to have taken part in the violent protests in parts of Tanzania during and after the elections continues, with the action now moving to the courts of law.

According to court records, nearly 340 people have been arrested for the political upheaval. The arrests are spread out across seven towns, with the highest number registered in Iringa and Dar es Salaam. Out of these, 302 are facing the gravest crime in the country, treason.

Those facing these grim charges include political leaders, businessmen, peasants, local celebrities, and social media influencers.

Among the social media personalities in court for treason is Jenifer Jovin, popularly known as Niffer. The businesswoman is accused of encouraging protesters to buy gas masks in order to protect themselves from the police’s tear gas.

Content creators Mika Chavala, Ms_Walterss, Ruthmelda Silaa, also known online as strong_income, and detha_obven are some of those facing these charges. The Tanganyika Law Society is offering pro bono legal services for the arrested persons.

In accordance with Tanzanian law, a person is deemed to have committed treason if, whether they are in or outside the country, murders or attempts to murder the president or levies war against the republic. The offence is punishable by death.

As the government continues its crackdown on citizens, the country’s opposition has denied claims that it is in talks with the Samia Suluhu-led government.

The Chadema party’s deputy leader John Heche, who had been arrested and later released alongside other opposition leaders, maintains that the fight for democracy and justice for those affected by state-sponsored violence will continue.

“Kama tulivyokamatwa ndivyo tulivyoachiliwa, hakuna mazungumzo tuliyofanywa na mtu yeyote, hatuna makubaliano tulioachiliwa nayo, bado tunaamini sisi ni watu innocent, na tunataka watu wote walioshikwa kinyume na utaratibu waachiwe waende kwa familia zao,” said John Heche.

These developments come as the 13th parliament of Tanzania held its first session’s sitting in the capital Dodoma.

Among the key activities conducted were the reading of the presidential proclamation summoning parliament, the election of Mussa Azzan Zungu as the speaker, the swearing-in of all members of parliament, the confirmation of the prime minister's appointment, and the election of the deputy speaker.