A leader from Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, was arrested on Wednesday October 22, 2025 outside the court where the treason trial of Tundu Lissu was underway.

CHADEMA deputy chair John Heche was arrested and taken to Central Police Station in Dar es Salaam, the party’s Secretary General John Mnyika told reporters.

This was after two largest opposition parties in Tanzania – CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo – were barred from contesting the October 29, 2025 elections, leaving incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan to face smaller party candidates.

Heche was detained outside the city’s High Court when he arrived to attend the trial of party leader Tundu Lissu, party spokesperson Brenda Rupia noted in a statement shared on social media platform X.

Rupia explained that police had not disclosed the reason for his arrest and had transferred him to Tarime in northwest Tanzania without giving any further details.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International and human rights groups have accused the government of abductions and arrests of political opponents.

In 2024, the Tanzanian President said that her government is committed to respecting human rights and ordered an investigation into reports of abductions, although no official findings have been made public.