CHADEMA’s rally in Kariakoo turned into a game of cat and mouse when police stopped the meeting just minutes before it was set to begin. The rally, which was to be led by CHADEMA’s Vice Chairperson, John Heche, was halted only hours before its official start time.
According to a letter dated April 22, 2025, circulated by the party, the police claimed the rally was stopped to avoid disrupting other ongoing activities in the area.
“I have received your letter with reference number CPM/111/2025/MKT/01 dated April 16, 2025. The location you indicated, Nyamwezi and Mkunguni streets, is densely populated, with active business operations. To protect the rights of others engaged in these activities, we suggest that your rally be held in an open space,” read the police letter signed by SSP J.E. Joseph.
In a response letter, CHADEMA criticized the police’s decision, noting that the announcement came just hours before the event, despite all preparations having already been made, including publicity, stage setup, and decorations. The party also pointed out that the ruling party, CCM, had previously used the same area without facing any restrictions.
Starting around 3 PM, police began deploying reinforcements in the area. Officers, including members of the rapid response unit, surrounded the location and organized themselves in anticipation of the rally. When Heche arrived, he addressed the crowd from his car, which led to a tense 20-minute standoff.
“It is a shame that in a country that is 63 years old, a few people are using the police to protect their interests while the majority suffer,” Heche said. “We sent a letter six days ago, and now they stop us on the day of the event, at the very moment it is supposed to begin? Why not tell us earlier? We wouldn’t have come. CCM held their meeting here, so why can’t we?”
He went on: “They have filled this place with the Chinese, while Tanzanians are suffering in their own country. Why don’t they want us to speak to our fellow Tanzanians? You are protecting the interests of the Chinese and the Arabs, while our country is being looted—and you can’t even defend it.”
“Tanzanians, if we accept this situation, we will be oppressed for another 200 years. If we allow our rights to be taken away by a few individuals, we will continue to suffer. We must stand firm. We must be ready to pay a price today, so future generations can enjoy the blessings of this nation. We’ve said it before: No reform, no election. And it must begin now, because under these conditions, there can be no free and fair election.”
As tensions with the police escalated, Heche wrapped up his address by urging supporters to attend the treason case hearing of the party’s Chairperson on April 24, 2025, at Kisutu Court. He then walked to Msimbazi Police Station, where he was placed in another vehicle reportedly en route to the Central Police Station.
Later, party officials and lawyers tried to trace Heche’s whereabouts without success and demanded that the police disclose his location. Heche later posted on X that police had abandoned him along the roadside.
“I thank all Tanzanians for your solidarity in fighting dictatorship in our country. The police who arrested us drove us around in their vehicles and then abandoned us by the roadside. Tomorrow at 1:00 PM, after the party leadership meets, we will speak to the media. Do not be afraid—we will win this fight,” Heche wrote.
Speaking after the encounter, the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, clarified that the arrest was made because Kariakoo is not a place for public rallies. Chalamila went on to say that the region will issue a statement detailing areas prohibited for public rallies.
“Dar es Salaam is a very sensitive region, you can not just decide to make every place for public rallies. We have said this several times that Kariakoo is a place for business people, and it’s densely populated.”
