Lissu case prompts Chadema to postpone National Council meeting

Chadema has postponed its National Council meeting because several of its senior leaders are witnesses in the treason case facing party chairman Tundu Lissu.

The meeting had been scheduled for September 15, 2026. After a special Central Committee session in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, August 29, the party said it would set a new date later. The decision allows the leaders to concentrate on preparing Lissu’s defense and on organizing the postponed meeting.

The witnesses include mainland vice-chairman John Heche, Secretary-General John Mnyika, Director of Publicity and Communications Brenda Rupia, and deputy mainland secretary Amani Golugwa. Golugwa read the committee’s resolutions and urged Chadema leaders and members to pray for Lissu’s health and success in defending the case.

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In this context, the Central Committee has resolved to postpone the National Council meeting from September 15 to another date to be decided by a special Central Committee session.

He also called on the party to remain alert to what he described as schemes targeting its leaders and organization. Earlier that day, Heche told journalists that some former Chadema leaders were coordinating with others and providing money to members to hold a gathering intended to suggest that the party was divided.

Golugwa said the party had collected 302 million Tanzanian shillings through a “drop by drop” fundraiser to support the National Council meeting. He also said the Central Committee had called on leaders and members to intensify demands for the process of writing a new constitution to begin immediately.

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The Central Committee has urged Chadema leaders and members to pray for Lissu’s good health and success in defending himself against the case.