Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has withdrawn treason-related charges against 220 youths who were arrested following unrest linked to the October 29 general election. 

In Dar es Salaam, 20 out of 22 suspects accused of taking part in protest-related disturbances in Ubungo District were freed after the DPP filed a nolle prosequi, a formal notice indicating that the state no longer intends to pursue prosecution, under Criminal Procedure Act. Despite the withdrawal of charges against most of the group, the DPP confirmed that prosecution will continue against Jennifer Bilikwija Jovin ‘Niffer’ and another suspect, Mika Chavala.

Two additional groups brought before the same court in Dar es Salaam, comprising a total of 216 suspects, also saw the majority of their charges dropped. Out of this number, 198 were released, while 18 were returned to remand pending their next appearance.

A similar development occurred in Arusha, where four individuals initially charged alongside 59 others in a separate treason case were released. The freed suspects include Ayo TV journalist Godfrey Ng’omba and three boys aged 13, 16 and 17. Defence lawyers led by Khamisi Mkindi, the Arusha chairperson of the Tanganyika Law Society, welcomed the decision after prosecutors informed the court that the state no longer intended to pursue the case.

In Mbeya, six more suspects, including cadres of the opposition party CHADEMA, were discharged after the Resident Magistrate’s Court struck out Investigation Case No. PI 26722/2025. The ruling followed submissions by State Attorney Dominick Mushi, who appeared for the DPP and confirmed the state’s withdrawal of interest in continuing the matter.