Dar es Salaam – A day of high legal drama in the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu was upstaged by a moment of raw human desperation on Thursday, February 12, 2026, when the CHADEMA national chairperson informed the High Court that he had been denied a meal, triggering an emotional eruption in the public gallery and forcing a judge to intervene on human rights grounds.
The stunning development occurred after the court resumed from a lunch recess. As proceedings were about to restart, Mr Lissu, who is representing himself, addressed the three-judge panel. “Have you eaten?” he asked, before stating, “As for me, I have not eaten at all.”
The revelation sent a shockwave through the packed courtroom. Supporters, some of whom had gathered since early morning, reacted with audible distress. The scene quickly escalated as people stood up, complaining loudly about what they saw as the cruel treatment of the political leader by the prison service.
Footage from the courtroom captured the raw emotion: one woman, among many others, her mouth agape in shock, appeared on the verge of tears. Others were seen crying, hugging, and gesturing in anger and despair. The commotion intensified as at least one person appeared to faint and was rushed from the room by fellow attendees.
Prosecutor Renatus Mkude expressed surprise, stating, “Eating is his fundamental right. If he has not eaten, we should adjourn.”
READ MORE: Court Hands Tundu Lissu Partial Victory in Secret Witness Battle, Trial to Proceed
Mr Lissu then explained the systemic nature of the problem. “I said I am ready [to continue] because the law says a remand prisoner buys their own food with their own money,” he clarified. “And this is the procedure for all prisoners in this country. When they go to court, they go hungry. I must speak so these things change, not just for me but for everyone.”
The presiding judge, Dunstan Ndunguru, intervened decisively. “Food is a fundamental right, and it would not be right to continue this case without the accused being given food,” he declared, looking towards the prison officers. “It would be a violation of human rights to deny the accused food.”
After a short break during which prison officials reportedly refused to provide a meal, stating Mr Lissu could eat upon his return to prison, Judge Ndunguru adjourned the trial. He sternly ordered the prison service to ensure Mr Lissu was provided with lunch for all future court dates and adjourned the case until February 13.
Secret witness crumbles
The afternoon’s drama followed a morning session where Mr Lissu systematically dismantled the testimony of the state’s fourth prosecution witness, a secret informant identified as ‘P5.’
Testifying from behind a modified witness box, the witness claimed to be a street vendor who saw a video on Facebook in which Mr Lissu threatened to cause chaos, or “kukinukisha,” if the 2025 general election proceeded without reforms.
READ MORE:Tundu Lissu’s Treason Trial Resumes With Fierce Legal Debate Over ‘Secret Witness’
During a relentless cross-examination, Mr. Lissu exposed glaring contradictions between the witness’s testimony and his written police statement. The witness, who claimed to be a businessman, admitted he had no business license or national ID. He could not name the Facebook account where he allegedly saw the video and admitted his phone, the supposed source of the evidence, was lost.
In a methodical exchange, Mr Lissu forced the witness to concede, point by point, that numerous key details from his testimony—including the type of smartphone he used, the clothes Mr Lissu was wearing in the video, and his fear of impending chaos—were absent from his official police statement.
“I am in prison for 10 months because of this kind of testimony?” Mr Lissu asked rhetorically at one point.
When questioned on the meaning of “kukinukisha,” the witness claimed it meant to incite violence. Mr Lissu produced a Swahili dictionary, read the formal definition (to give off a bad smell), and asked the witness where he got his interpretation.
“I heard it on social media and from people,” the witness replied.
READ MORE: Treason Trial Paralysed by Tundu Lissu’s Legal Challenge to ‘Secret Witness’
“So your dictionary is social media and people?” Lissu pressed.
“Yes,” the witness conceded.
By the end of the cross-examination, the witness’s credibility was in tatters. The prosecution declined to ask any further questions, and the witness was dismissed.
The day’s events have cast a further spotlight on the politically charged trial of Mr Lissu, who has been detained for over 300 days. While the legal proceedings continue to face scrutiny, the visceral scene of an accused person being denied food, a basic human right, has resonated deeply with his supporters and observers of the case.
