A Tanzanian court has imposed a ban on the live broadcast of the treason trial against prominent opposition leader, Tundu Lissu. The decision, delivered by Magistrate Franco Kiswaga at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court, follows an application by the prosecution citing the need to protect civilian witnesses. This move has sparked significant criticism from Lissu and his supporters, who argue it undermines the principle of an open and transparent justice system.
The ban prohibits all forms of live streaming, live broadcasts, and other real-time online distribution of the court proceedings. The ruling is in line with a High Court directive from August 4, 2025, which ordered that all identifying details of civilian witnesses—including their names, addresses, and locations—must remain confidential throughout the legal proceedings. The prosecution argued that live broadcasts would violate this protection order and compromise the safety of witnesses and their families.
Mr. Lissu, the national chairperson of the CHADEMA opposition party, has been in custody since his arrest on April 9, 2025. He faces a single count of treason under Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code, allegedly committed on April 3, 2025, in Dar es Salaam. The charge is based on a public speech he gave, which prosecutors claim incited the public to disrupt the upcoming 2025 General Election.
The ban on live coverage has drawn sharp rebukes from Mr. Lissu and his party. Lissu, who is representing himself in the case, has compared the proceedings to a "Star Chamber," a historical reference to a secretive English court known for its lack of due process. He stated that "Justice must be done and be seen to be done," emphasizing that the ban allows the court to operate in "darkness" and prevents the public, particularly his supporters, from following the politically charged case.
The case has been formally transferred to the High Court, where full hearings are expected to proceed. The prosecution's application to conceal witness identities was upheld by High Court Justice Hussein Mtembwa, who ruled that civilian witnesses could testify behind a screen or under pseudonyms to ensure their safety. While Magistrate Kiswaga acknowledged that criminal proceedings are generally held in open court, he stressed that the law allows for restrictions to protect witnesses, maintaining that the ban does not deny the accused a fair hearing.
The judiciary's Information Department had previously live-streamed the proceedings on its YouTube channel and other online platforms. This latest ruling means a reversal of that practice. Any individual or media outlet that publishes or disseminates restricted information in defiance of the order faces legal action.
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