Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on August 14, 2025.
PCCB Arrests CCM Women’s Wing Members in Geita Primaries Bribery Scandal
The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Geita has detained members of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi’s (CCM) women’s wing, Umoja wa Wanawake Tanzania (UWT), from Nyankumbu Ward in Geita Urban Constituency, after they were caught in viral videos allegedly distributing bribes during the party’s parliamentary primary elections.
The incident occurred on August 2, 2025, after video footage showing delegates sharing money went viral on social media.
The PCCB is also investigating aspiring parliamentary and council candidates accused of bribing delegates to secure nominations for seats in the October 29, 2025, General Election
According to a statement from PCCB, after the incident spread, the regional office took swift action by identifying and arresting the delegates seen in the footage. It is alleged that the acts took place immediately after the completion of the parliamentary candidate nomination exercise.
In another incident on August 4, 2025, PCCB received reports that food and drinks were provided to delegates on the day of the opinion poll voting in Chato North constituency. Images of the event were also circulated on social media, prompting PCCB to launch a manhunt and arrest suspects for questioning.
James Ruge, the PCCB Regional Head for Geita, stated in a statement that due to these and other incidents, the office has initiated an investigation that is nearing completion, as part of efforts to gather evidence to substantiate corruption allegations against those involved.
Mpina Breaks Silence on CCM Exit: “Rumors of My Name Being Dropped Began Two Years Ago”
Lugaha Joelson Mpina, the ACT Wazalendo presidential candidate, has for the first time revealed why he left the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) to join the opposition party, just days after CCM’s Central Committee removed his name from the shortlist of parliamentary hopefuls.
Mpina, who had served as the Member of Parliament for Kisesa constituency in Simiyu Region since 2005, said his push for parliamentary accountability and his consistent advocacy for citizens’ issues cost him his place in CCM. He claimed the signs were evident long before, as he repeatedly pressed for ministers and senior government officials to be held accountable in Parliament.
He says despite facing challenges, including taking the government to court over misconduct by ministers and public officials, he remained loyal to CCM until recently, when constitutional changes within the party stripped grassroots members of their right to select parliamentary candidates.
According to Mpina, these changes were aimed at suppressing around 28 MPs who had been vocal on public issues during the 12th Parliament.
“I believe I’m being pushed out of Parliament to silence dissent and ensure that everything brought before Parliament passes without question—regardless of how harmful it might be to our nation,” Mpina said.
In the recently dissolved 12th Parliament, which officially ended in August 2025, Mpina was one of the most outspoken critics of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration. His attitude led to a suspension from attending parliamentary sessions after the Ethics Committee found him of making misleading statements in the House.
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Tanzania’s Top Football Club, Yanga, Apologizes to Supporters Over Donation to Ruling Party: Members’ Funds Not Used
The four-time consecutive winner of the Tanzania Premier League, Young Africans Sports Club, has apologized to its supporters following the August 12, 2025, donation made by Club President Hersi Said at the ruling party CCM’s fundraising dinner ahead of its campaign activities.
The donation sparked backlash, as the Club is generally expected to remain neutral in political matters, given that its supporters come from a wide range of political affiliations.
“The leadership of Young Africans Sports Club would like to clarify to the public regarding the contribution of 100 million shillings that was given to Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) on 12/08/2025,” the Club’s statement, signed by CEO Andre Mtine, reads.
“That contribution was made by the GSM Foundation, which is under the patron and sponsor of our club, Ghalib Said Mohammed, and not from members’ funds or the club’s budget, through various sources of income,” the clarification continued.
During the event, Hersi Said, the Club President, stated twice that the donation was coming from the Club, after announcing the Sh. 10 billion contribution from the Club’s sponsor. Hersi is affiliated with both the Club and the sponsor. His remarks during the function—that the 100 million shillings would come from the Club—have continued to generate discussion on social media despite the later clarification from Yanga.
“The GSM Foundation has been collaborating with Yanga Club for the past three years to provide money and assistance to communities and various groups within and outside the borders of Tanzania. The leadership of Young Africans Sports Club would like to apologize to the members, fans, and football lovers for any inconvenience caused by this misunderstanding,” the statement from the Club continued.
What Dar es Salaam Voters Want in Their Next Leaders Ahead of 2025 Polls
Some citizens in the city have described the qualities they seek in candidates for the upcoming General Election on October 29, 2025, with many stating they want candidates who prioritise the interests of those they represent and genuinely care about them.
According to the schedule released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on July 26, 2025, the exercise of collecting and submitting nomination forms for presidential and vice-presidential candidates will take place from August 9 to August 27, 2025. A total of 14 political parties are expected to participate in this exercise.
INEC further stated that from August 14 to 27, 2025, nomination forms for parliamentary and councillor candidates will be submitted, while August 27, 2025, will be the deadline for the nomination of presidential, vice-presidential, parliamentary, and councillor candidates.
Campaigns will run from August 28 to October 28 for Tanzania Mainland, while campaigns for the Zanzibar election will take place from August 28 to October 27 to facilitate early voting on the islands. Voting will occur on October 29, 2025.
Citizens from various parts of Dar es Salaam expressed to The Chanzo their eagerness to see the candidates nominated by INEC for these positions, while also demonstrating a high level of awareness about the type of candidates they want as voters.
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Gifts or Bribes? Tanzanians Divided Over Election Campaign Handouts
Residents here have expressed mixed opinions regarding candidates distributing gifts during the election period. Some view the act as a sign of affection, while others label it as bribery aimed at influencing voters.
Bribery during elections is strictly prohibited in Tanzania, with authorities such as the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (TAKUKURU) issuing stern warnings to political parties and their candidates against engaging in such practices. Violators risk facing legal consequences.
During every election season in the country, parties and their candidates distribute various gifts, such as caps, khangas, vitenge (traditional fabrics), and more, to citizens as part of their campaigns. This raises the question of whether these are mere gifts or bribes intended to sway voters’ decisions.
This year, citizens are expected to vote for the President, Members of Parliament, and councillors in the General Election on October 29, 2025. Shortly after the National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces the candidates, these gifts are likely to reach the voters.
The Chanzo spoke to several residents in Dar es Salaam to gauge their willingness to accept such gifts, revealing a diversity of perspectives.
Love for the people
Martha Kibuga, a resident of Mwananyamala, Dar es Salaam, explained that she does not perceive these gifts as bribes but rather as ordinary tokens of affection from leaders to their constituents, demonstrating care.
“I will accept it because it comes from my leader, and I will receive it wholeheartedly and with love. It’s not brought as a bribe but as a gesture of love,” Martha responded when asked if she would accept the gifts.
She added that even without the gift, she would still vote for the candidate because she supports them regardless.
“It’s legitimate because they give it out of love, even though some might see it as bribery,” Martha added. “To me, it’s just a way to show affection or ease the burdens of the people.”
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Op-Ed: Why 2025 Is a Historic Election Year for Tanzania and the Urgent Need for Political Consensus Before Election Day
Reading historical moments is different from living them. If you read about joyful historical times, no sentence or paragraph can fully convey to you the feelings that existed in their fullness.
Likewise, if you read about difficult historical moments written in tears and blood, a single line, paragraph, or even pages in a history book can not carry the full weight of the human experience; it is hard for an ink to capture the weight of emotions from historical moments.
I believe that in the year 2025, we are in one of the historic election years; an election that will shape or change the fate of our nation in a way that will affect several generations to come. This article is a bit long, so in summary, I will explain a few reasons why this is a historic election year, then I will go into more detail:
First, it is a historic election because the pages of our times will record it as the first election to take place after the death of the sitting President. The person who was Vice President and then became President after the death of the President is now going to lead a campaign to reach the people in order to be elected. Every decision she makes at the moment will be her lifetime legacy for generations to come.
Second, it is a historic election because the leader of the main opposition party, who is also the 2020 presidential candidate, is in prison facing treason charges. It is also historic because for the first time, the main opposition party will be out of the ballot box. Through its no reform, no election stance, the party has urged people not to take part in the election. In this election, I expect that if things remain as they are, there will be people who will choose not to vote — especially due to a lack of trust in the electoral system. This carries serious implications for political legitimacy, confidence in political systems, and even our unity.
Third, every election has its main issues. I believe that in this election, there are two key issues: first, the value of life in our country, and second, our state of remaining a Republic, by which I mean our ability as citizens to decide on matters, whether that still exists. However, I believe that, judging from the early stages of the ongoing election process, these issues will not be given priority. As a result, there will be a significant gap between the expectations of citizens and what the politicians are presenting. In other words, the politicians will have their own agenda, and the citizens will have theirs.
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