Tanzania's opposition party CHADEMA says a High Court injunction barring its political activities expired on December 10, 2025, accusing police of unlawfully disrupting party events in Mbeya and Nkasi, actions it says amount to a grave violation of constitutional rights.
In a strongly worded public statement issued on January 23, 2026, the Party for Democracy and Development (CHADEMA) said police officers raided its Inyala Stendi branch office in Mbalizi, Mbeya Rural, on January 20 and forcibly lowered the party’s flag.
The incident occurred as party leaders were lowering the flag to half-mast during a seven-day mourning period following the death of CHADEMA’s founding chairman, Mzee Edwin Mtei.
On the same day, the party said police in Nkasi District, Rukwa Region, “intimidated and prevented CHADEMA leaders and members from planting trees” as part of activities marking 33 years since the party’s official registration.
CHADEMA also took issue with a statement issued by the ruling CCM’s Secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Propaganda, who claimed the opposition party remained barred from political activities under a High Court injunction. The party said the claim was misleading and legally untenable.
“We wish to inform all Tanzanians and democracy advocates that the injunction barring CHADEMA from political activities expired on December 10, 2025—exactly six months after it was issued on June 10, 2025—by operation of law,” the statement said.
The party cited Order XXXVII Rule 3 of the Civil Procedure Code, which limits the lifespan of an injunction to six months unless extended by the court.
It further relied on binding Court of Appeal precedent, including African Trophy Hunting Ltd vs Attorney General, which held that once six months lapse without an extension, an injunction “ceased to have any legal force; it lapsed.”
CHADEMA noted that none of the applicants in the case that led to the injunction applied for its extension before December 10, 2025, meaning the order automatically expired.
“Legally, this means the injunction against CHADEMA’s political activities was lifted by operation of law,” the party said.
The party accused police of breaching multiple constitutional provisions and the Political Parties Act, which guarantees registered parties the right to hoist their flags.
“Accordingly, the police action of lowering the CHADEMA flag in Mbeya Rural was a serious breach of the law,” the statement added.
While acknowledging it had complied with the injunction despite disputing its legality, CHADEMA said there is now “no valid High Court injunction restricting CHADEMA’s political activities.”
The party warned that it would take legal action against any officials who continue to block its activities. “CHADEMA will pursue personal legal action against such individuals, including claims for damages and declarations of unfitness to hold public office,” it said.
