The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The High Court of Tanzania has given respondents in a case involving Tundu Lissu and the CHADEMA party seven days to file their responses regarding an application seeking his inclusion in proceedings over the party’s asset division dispute.
The case, numbered 8323, is being heard before Justice David Ngunyale and revolves around a petition filed by former CHADEMA Vice Chairman Said Mohamed alongside members of the party’s Zanzibar board of trustees, Ahmed Rashid and the late Maulida Komu. The petition challenges how CHADEMA assets are being shared between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
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Lissu had applied to join the case, arguing that he has a direct interest in the matter. Although his initial request was rejected, the court has now allowed a fresh application for joinder to be considered.
During today’s session, the judge directed all respondents to submit counter-affidavits within seven days. A previous request for 14 days by some respondents was dismissed after objections were raised by CHADEMA’s Secretary General and Board of Trustees.
The respondents’ legal team, led by CHADEMA’s Attorney General Rugemeleza Nshala, opposed the longer timeline, leading the court to settle on the shorter deadline.
Lissu also requested that the matter be heard in open court due to its public interest nature. Both parties agreed, and the judge indicated that a ruling on the issue will be delivered on June 2, 2026.
The case will next be mentioned on the same date for further directions on how it will proceed, while a key preliminary ruling on jurisdiction is expected on May 28, 2026.
Meanwhile, lawyers for the respondents have raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the case is defective due to unclear timelines regarding alleged discrimination claims and the division of CHADEMA’s assets between its mainland and Zanzibar structures.
The outcome of the jurisdiction ruling will determine whether the case proceeds or is struck out entirely.
