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Tanzania Top Stories

for the 06 Oct - 12 Oct

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1. Government Critic Polepole Missing

Former diplomat and government critic Humphrey Polepole was reportedly abducted from his Dar es Salaam home on 6 Oct. 2025. His family reported signs of a violent break-in, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Authorities say they are investigating, while his lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition seeking his production before court. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition, have called for his safe return and a transparent investigation.

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2. Opposition Excluded Ahead of Vote

Ahead of the October 29 election, key opposition candidates were disqualified and opposition leader Tundu Lissu was jailed on treason charges. Legal and procedural changes, combined with restrictions on media and social media platforms, have limited opposition participation. Observers note these developments have significantly shaped the pre-election environment, reducing electoral competition and impacting the overall political landscape.

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3. Tundu Lissu Treason Trial Resumes

Opposition leader Tundu Lissu resumed his treason trial on October 6. Arrested in April, Lissu faces charges over a speech allegedly calling for public rebellion. The court barred live coverage to protect witness identities. Lissu’s CHADEMA party was disqualified from the elections. His lawyer maintains the charges are politically motivated. Reports also noted restricted access for some supporters and heightened scrutiny of human rights.

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4. INEC Updates Voter Register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revised Tanzania’s 2025 voter register following updates from the Zanzibar Electoral Commission. The total registered voters now stand at 37,622,255, with 37,550,992 on the Mainland and 296,263 in Zanzibar. Women constitute 50.34% of the electorate. The number of polling stations was adjusted slightly to 99,895 nationwide. These figures represent a significant increase from the 2020 elections.

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5. Public Servants Urged to Uphold Ethics

The government has urged public servants to follow laws, regulations, and professional ethics. Acting Permanent Secretary Hilda Kabissa warned that misconduct, rudeness, and neglect of citizens would not be tolerated. She urged ethics training and proper use of integrity funds. Officials were encouraged to implement resolutions and adopt e-government systems to improve transparency and accountability. The two-day forum in Dodoma brought together oversight bodies to strengthen collaboration and promote professionalism in public service.

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6. Authorities Warn Over Military Video

Authorities warned against using social media to spread content urging military intervention following a viral video of an individual identifying as Captain Tesha, who criticised the government and called for action. The Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) said some posts come from former or dismissed personnel and reaffirmed its constitutional duties. The police also warned that sharing inflammatory information online could lead to arrests ahead of the 29 October elections.

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