Tanzania's main opposition party, CHADEMA, has accused the police of detaining ten of its officials and members for weeks without bail or court appearances, alleging that some were tortured and pressured into confessions.

The party set out the claims in a statement issued on Sunday, 8 November 2026, signed by its Director of Communication and Publicity, Brenda Rupia. It said the ten people were arrested in different regions between 10 October and 7 November, and that several were still in police custody when the statement was released.

According to the party, the police have been running a covert operation against its leaders and members, holding them at police stations for prolonged periods. The statement alleged that detainees were subjected to torture, intimidation and forced confessions, denied access to lawyers and family members, and deprived of essential personal care supplies.

CHADEMA also raised concerns about how female members were treated, alleging that women were searched and arrested by male police officers without regard for their privacy and dignity. It said Grace Shio, its Nyasa Zone secretary, had been denied important personal necessities for women while in custody.

Who the party says was detained

The party named all ten people it said were still being held. They include Grace Shio, the Nyasa Zone secretary, arrested on 22 October; Fadhili Benedict Mbeya, arrested on 10 October; Fredy Masele, chairman of the Bavicha Victoria Zone, arrested on 15 October; Rodrick Mwazembe, chairman of Urenje Ward in Mbeya Rural, arrested on 25 October; and Edson Malyo Myinga, secretary of Nyalumbu Ward in Iringa, arrested on 14 October.

The list also includes Hamad Mbeyale, the Mbeya regional secretary, arrested on 1 November; Neema David Mhanuzi, the Kigoma regional secretary, arrested on 6 November; Issa Kwisa Lupembe, the Songwe regional chairman, arrested on 7 November; Gwamaka Mbughi, arrested on 7 November; and Saragana Bwire, who was allegedly arrested on 6 November inside the High Court while waiting for the verdict in the case of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

Party demands bail under criminal procedure law

CHADEMA demanded that all the detainees be granted police bail, citing Section 134 of Tanzania's Criminal Procedure Act. It said the alleged torture and ill-treatment violated the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania and international human rights treaties to which Tanzania is a signatory.

"Tanzania is a country that must uphold the rule of law," the party said in its statement, adding that the acts reportedly being carried out by the police against its members breached the constitution and Tanzania's treaty obligations. It also called on the police to stop being used as "an instrument of political oppression against the opposition."

The party stressed that the detained officials were suspects who should not be tortured or harassed in police stations, and said they should be allowed legal representation and contact with their families.

Claims follow Lissu sentencing

The statement came two days after CHADEMA chairman Tundu Lissu was sentenced to four years in prison. On Friday, 6 November, Tanzania's High Court acquitted Lissu of treason but convicted him of the alternative offence of incitement, over remarks prosecutors said were intended to mobilise the public to disrupt the 2025 general election.

Lissu has been in detention since his arrest on 9 April 2025, after addressing a political gathering under the party's "No Reforms, No Election" campaign. He has indicated that he will challenge the conviction, and CHADEMA has said it will appeal and seek his release on bail while the appeal is heard.

The party's latest statement did not establish whether the reported arrests were directly connected to Lissu's case. The police had not responded to the specific allegations in the statement at the time it was published, and the claims of torture and unlawful detention have not been independently verified.