IN a dramatic turn at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday national chairman of the opposition party –Chadema, Tundu Lissu, announced his decision to dismiss his entire legal team of over 30 advocates and represent himself in his ongoing treason case.

Lissu cited repeated denials of private access to his legal counsel while in prison, expressing a desire to shield his lawyers from any potential blame for the trial's outcome in a case that carries the grave penalty of "death by hanging."

"This case is mine, this case is about me, myself; I don't want anyone to be blamed," Lissu declared before Resident Magistrate in Charge Franco Kiswaga. The court subsequently granted his request for self-representation, a decision acknowledged and respected by both the defence legal panel and State attorneys present.

Lissu, himself a High Court advocate of 22 years, detailed the rationale behind his unexpected move. He recounted that it had been 68 days since he was arraigned and charged with treason. Despite having assembled a large team of highly capable and trusted lawyers, he alleged consistent refusal by prison authorities to grant him private consultation with them. 

He described being forced to communicate with his legal team through a phone in a small room, raising concerns that conversations could be monitored or recorded. When he pressed for private meetings, he claimed he was directed to a public reception area where many officers would be observing.

Lissu asserted that these restrictions constituted a blatant violation of his fundamental rights, referencing Rule 13 of the Prisons (Prison Management) Regulations and the internationally recognised Nelson Mandela Rules (Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners), both of which explicitly stipulate the right to confidential legal consultation.

 "Fundamentally, my Tanzanian rights have been violated for 68 days. I have requested [private meetings] and been denied. Yesterday, Mzee Alute [presumably one of his lawyers or associates] was expelled, they removed him and even switched off the phone," Lissu stated.

He passionately explained his decision to protect his legal team: "My lawyers have fought hard for me to obtain this legal right, but it has been impossible. From now on, I will defend myself. If in 68 days it has been impossible for me to speak with my lawyers, anything that happens in this case, they will come and say he had over 30 lawyers, they couldn't cut it. They will be insulted, and I don't want that."

Beyond the core issue of legal access, Lissu also voiced other grievances regarding his prison conditions. He claimed he has been denied the right to worship, even during religious holidays, and that he is being held in a section of Ukonga Prison alongside inmates sentenced to life imprisonment, despite not yet being convicted.

 He added that he is constantly accompanied by two guards, arguing that this treatment contradicts laws mandating the segregation of convicted and unconvicted prisoners.

"I am done. I will face these State attorneys myself. I am done. I thank [my lawyers] very much because they have fought hard for me," Lissu concluded his nearly hour-long statement.

Following Lissu's declaration, Mpare Mpoki, representing the State legal team, affirmed their respect for his decision, and Magistrate Kiswaga officially confirmed Lissu's self-representation. Principal State Attorney Nassoro Katuga acknowledged Lissu's statement, noting its content regarding the Prisons Department. 

Katuga advised that such grievances should be addressed through formal procedures, like an application for habeas corpus, rather than a direct ruling from the court based on the statement. Magistrate Kiswaga accepted Lissu's statement as information the court would address.

The court was also updated on the investigation's progress. State Attorney Katuga informed that the case file is currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review and further directives on whether it will be escalated to the High Court. Lissu, in turn, requested that a specific State Attorney, Silvester Mwakitalu, review the file. The case was subsequently adjourned until July 1, 2025.

The treason charge against Lissu stems from an incident on April 3, 2025, in Dar es Salaam. He is accused of intentionally inciting or provoking the public to prevent the general elections in Tanzania by uttering statements such as: "They said this stance signifies rebellion; it's true because we are saying we will prevent the election, we will incite rebellion, that is the way to bring change... so we are going to cause a lot of trouble, we are going to really mess up this election, we are going to cause a lot of trouble."