Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on October 23, 2025.
Dar es Salaam University Academics Urge End to Abductions, Call for Peace Ahead of Elections
Dar es Salaam. The University of Dar es Salaam Academic Staff Assembly (UDASA) has called on government authorities and security agencies to end the wave of reported abductions across the country, warning that such incidents violate citizens’ rights and tarnish Tanzania’s international image.
In a statement issued on Thursday, UDASA expressed deep concern over the growing impunity of so-called “unknown assailants” allegedly responsible for abductions and disappearances of citizens, criticizing state organs for failing to curb the trend or provide clear public explanations.
“At present, the so-called unknown people appear to be above the Constitution. Their brutal actions violate Article 13(6)(e) of the Constitution,” the statement read.
UDASA reminds the government that the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania obliges the state and its institutions to ensure equal protection for all citizens and to prevent acts of oppression, intimidation, discrimination, corruption, and abuse of power.
“Unfortunately, abductions, killings, and acts of brutality have become increasingly common in recent years. Has the government failed to fully control these incidents and, in doing so, neglected its constitutional duty?” UDASA questioned.
The association voiced alarm over the frequent targeting of government critics in abduction cases, saying this pattern suggests political motives and threatens the country’s multi-party democracy.
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Free Medical Camp for Children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Announced at MOI
A free, nationwide medical camp for children born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus will be held at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) on October 25, officials announced on Thursday.
The camp is being organised to mark the day for children with these conditions and is sponsored by the Mo Dewji Foundation and other partners. Dr Hamis Shaban, the Head of the Department of Children and a Senior Specialist in Bones, Brain and Nerves at MOI, urged parents to bring their children for assessment.
“We will conduct free examinations and treatment, so we invite parents to bring their children on the 25th here at MOI, starting in the morning. We will see all children from across the nation,” emphasised Dr Hamisi.
He revealed the significant prevalence of the condition, stating that in every 1,000 births, three children are born with this problem, which translates to 4,800 children per year, and MOI sees 140 children with the condition in one week.
Dr Hamisi identified maternal malnutrition before conception as a primary cause, specifically a deficiency in folic acid. He advised, “We advise women before they get pregnant to attend clinics to get advice from health experts. There are foods like green vegetables, fruits, fibrous foods, milk, and there are also tablets.”
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Tanzania’s Top Opposition Figure, John Heche, Whereabouts Unknown Since Arrest-Family, CHADEMA Issue Alert
Family members and the party have raised alarm over the whereabouts of John Heche, the Vice Chairperson of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, following his arrest on October 22, 2025.
According to party lawyers, after Heche’s arrest on Wednesday, Dar es Salaam Police initially informed them that he was being held at the Central Police Station, but later said he was being transferred to Tarime.
However, in an update on Thursday, October 23, 2025, the party reported that it had dispatched lawyers to Tarime but had not received any information on Heche’s whereabouts. Family members who are based in Tarime highlighted that they have taken effort to look for Heche across various police station, without any positive feedback.
“We want to know where our brother is. This is something we continue to demand from the Police,” said Heche’s brother, Chacha Heche. “We feel that he is being tortured, psychologically and healthwise.”
Similarly, Heche’s mother, Weisiko Heche, who had just returned from medical treatment in India, went to the Central Police Station to inquire about her son’s location. She said officers told her to return home without giving any information.
“I don’t know what their intention is, I just want them to return my son,” Weisiko Heche told reporters outside the Central Police Station. Family members further explained that Heche has special dietary requirements and would only eat food prepared by family members, raising additional concerns for his wellbeing.
“Heche will not disappear like a chicken; we will not allow so,” emphasized Chacha Heche.Meanwhile, CHADEMA’s Deputy Secretary, Amamni Golugwa, announced that the party will file a habeas corpus petition to demand that the police produce Heche in court.
ACT Wazalendo Accuses Election Officials of Sabotage, Pleads for More Time to Appoint Agents
The opposition party ACT Wazalendo has formally requested a national extension for the appointment of election agents, citing widespread and deliberate sabotage by some electoral officials that it claims is designed to cripple its ability to monitor the October 29, 2025, polls.
In a public statement issued on October 23, 2025, the party announced it had written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pleading for the registration and swearing-in period to be extended until October 27, 2025. The party argues this is necessary to secure its legal right to have agents at polling stations and during the vote-counting process.
The request, filed under reference ACT/HQ/INEC/024/VOL.III/044, leans on the National Elections Act, specifically Regulation 40(2) and 40(6), which grant the Commission the authority to permit a shorter registration period.
The statement was issued by Mbarala Maharagande on behalf of the party’s Secretary-General, Ado Shaibu. It detailed a litany of alleged obstructive tactics employed by certain Returning and Assistant Returning Officers, accusing them of acting in bad faith to benefit the ruling CCM party.
“Apart from the Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers who performed their duties competently without hindrance, there are Returning Officers who have deliberately tried to sabotage this exercise for their own known motives,” the statement read.
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Tundu Lissu Deconstructs State’s Case as Treason Trial Nears Precipice
The treason trial of CHADEMA national chairperson Tundu Lissu veered towards a potential collapse on Thursday, as the defence systematically dismantled the credibility of the prosecution’s star forensic witness, revealing glaring contradictions between his court testimony and his original police statement.
The day delivered a second consecutive legal defeat for the state, with the court rejecting the witness’s forensic report, while Mr Lissu secured a major victory by entering the witness’s own police statement as evidence, which he then used to devastating effect.
The session began with the court delivering its ruling on the admissibility of Inspector Samwel Kaaya’s 11-page forensic report. In a concise decision, the three-judge bench upheld Mr Lissu’s objection.
The judges agreed with the defence that Inspector Kaaya, having been gazetted specifically for ‘photographic prints and enlargements,’ was only legally empowered to submit a ‘Certificate’ as outlined in the Criminal Procedure Act, not a ‘Report.’ By submitting the latter for video analysis, he acted beyond his legal mandate.
“We do not agree with [state attorney] Mr [John] Mrema that there is a trap and we are not ready to enter the trap he gave us,” the court stated, referencing the prosecution’s argument. “This witness does not have the power to tender this report; he should have tendered a CERTIFICATE.”
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