Tanzanian police say it has released 520 members of the opposition party CHADEMA, who were arrested during the largest police crackdown against the party’s Youth Day celebration event. Speaking yesterday at around 10 in the night, Police Commissioner for Operation and Training Awadhi Haji, said some members were released on bail while other were just let go.

Among those released are 375 CHADEMA members—261 men and 114 women—who were detained at various locations across the country on August 11, 2024, as they traveled to Mbeya. The detainees included 28 members arrested in Morogoro, 109 in Iringa, 60 in Njombe, 19 in Dar es Salaam, 41 in the Coast region, 30 in Rukwa, and 51 in Songwe.

Police say it has also released arrested leaders including CHADEMA Vice Chairperson Tundu Lissu, Party Secretary John Mnyika, Nyasa Zone Chairperson Joseph Mbilinyi, Youth Mobilization Coordinator Twaha Mwaipaya, and Youth Wing Vice Chairperson Moza Ally. Police claimed these leaders were escorted to their destinations, although no official confirmation has come from the party or close associates.

Additionally, 145 people—112 men and 33 women—arrested on August 12, 2024, including party Chairperson Freeman Mbowe and Youth Wing leader John Pambalu, have also been freed according to the Police. Mbowe and Pambalu were arrested at the Songwe airport where they arrived to follow up on the fate of their arrested members.

Several of those released required hospitalization due to injuries sustained during the arrests, including a youth leader from Arusha, who was reportedly unable to walk. Photos of him lying in a hospital bed were shared by colleagues.

 Activist-lawyers Alphonce Lusako and Deogratias Mahinyila who were with Vice Chairperson Tundu Lissu during the arrest, reported that they were severely beaten by the police.

“I was beaten, but I was numb the whole time,” said Mahinyila in an X post.  “I kept wondering why they were beating Tundu Lissu. Don’t they even fear God? They didn’t even care about his leg.”