Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on June 16, 2025.
President Samia Urges Domestic Revenue Focus, Cites Passport Controversy in Critique of External Funding Conditions
The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has emphasized the importance of tax payment in the country as a key strategy for enabling financial self-reliance, rather than depending on external sources that often come with conditions.
President Samia made this appeal on June 16, 2025, while inaugurating the new Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) office in Simiyu Region. She urged TRA to utilize the improved infrastructure and the increased human resources to better meet the set tax collection targets.
“To TRA staff, a person who is proud and confident is one who owns what they have,” said President Samia. “When you own something, you decide how to use it as you wish.”
President Samia noted that many donors are currently facing economic challenges, and the conditions attached to external funding sources have become increasingly difficult. She, therefore, emphasized that Tanzania must collect sufficient domestic revenue, as external funding now comes with tightening restrictions.
“These days, you’re provoked with things like: ‘Oh! Tanzanians shouldn’t come here. We asked for their passports, and they didn’t respond. We asked for something else, and they didn’t give it to us.’ Oh! You want a list of my people’s passports — for what?” she said.
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Treason Case Hearing June 16,2025: Tanzania Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu to Represent Himself Citing Obstacles Faced by His Lawyers
The treason case facing CHADEMA Chairman, Tundu Lissu, continued today, June 16, 2025, in its preliminary stages at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Principal Resident Magistrate, Franco Kiswaga.
In this case, Tundu Lissu has complained to the Court about not being granted the right to privately consult with his lawyers while in prison. He also stated that he is being held in the section designated for prisoners sentenced to death and is being treated as a condemned inmate.
Tundu Lissu also complained that he has been denied his right to worship and further informed the Court that all prisoners awaiting execution are being denied this legally provided right. In response to these complaints, the Court acknowledged receipt of the information and stated that the matter would be followed up through administrative channels.
Due to the complaints about a lack of privacy with his lawyers, Tundu Lissu has decided that, from today onwards, he will represent himself in court — a decision that the Court has accepted.
The following are the full proceedings that took place in court today, June 16, 2025:
[After the introduction of the counsels, Tundu Lissu raises his hand to request permission to speak]
Advocate Mpale Mpoki [Defense]: I see the accused has raised his hand.
Magistrate: Have you allowed him to speak?
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Bank of Tanzania Boosts Gold Reserves with New Agreements to Strengthen Gold Purchase Programme
Minister for Finance, Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, has announced that the signing of gold purchase and refining agreements between the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), mining companies, and the Geita Gold Refinery (GGR) will provide the central bank with reliable sources to implement its Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. Nchemba said the move will also support local gold refining industries in achieving international accreditation, particularly from the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA).
“This gold purchase programme reflects the government’s commitment, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, to build sufficient foreign exchange reserves, increase the contribution of minerals to the national economy, and enhance value addition in the mining sector,” Dr. Nchemba stated.
Launched in the 2022/23 fiscal year, the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme provides an opportunity for gold sellers to sell directly to the central bank at competitive international market prices. The goal is to increase the share of gold in the country’s foreign exchange reserves and enhance their sustainability.
Bank of Tanzania Governor Emmanuel Tutuba emphasized that the programme is part of a broader national strategy to reduce reliance on external borrowing as the primary source of foreign reserves and to strengthen financial independence using the country’s natural resources.
“As of June 13, 2025, the central bank has purchased 5,022.85 kilograms of pure gold, valued at approximately USD 554.28 million, surpassing its annual target of adding USD 350 million in foreign reserves for the 2024/25 fiscal year,” said Governor Tutuba.
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Tundu Lissu Case Proceedings Reveal Inner Workings of Tanzania’s Police Unit Monitoring Social Media to Uncover ‘Cybercrimes’
During the 2025 budget report, Tanzania’s Ministry of Home Affairs revealed for the first time what it terms “online patrol”, a government initiative said to be partly responsible for the reduction in cybercrime incidents, from 865 reported cases in 2023/24 to 748 cases between July 2024 and April 2025.
On June 16, 2025, during the cross-examination of a prosecution witness in the case involving the publication of false information—one of two cases facing Tanzania’s opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, a police inspector, P 22863 John, who works in the online patrol unit, revealed the inner workings of the team tasked with monitoring social media and identifying cybercrimes.
In his testimony, the police inspector explained that the unit operates around the clock in shifts, monitoring social media platforms to detect actions that may constitute cybercrime.
“Your Honor, the duties I perform at the online patrol desk involve monitoring various social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and other networks,” Inspector John told the court in response to a question from State Counsel Nassoro Kituga.
He added: “When conducting online patrols, I visit various social media platforms to identify different criminal offenses committed by users of those networks.”
Inspector John also revealed that he joined the four-man online patrol unit after completing a two-month course on computer hacking and forensic investigation organized by the police in 2020.
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