Dar es Salaam. The Republic has cross-examined Chadema Mainland Vice Chairman John Heche over his claims concerning the abduction of former Kibondo District Council chairman Simon Kanguye in Kigoma Region.
Mr Heche was also questioned about other incidents involving people allegedly abducted or killed, some of which he linked to political issues.
The proceedings took place on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the High Court’s Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, where Senior State Attorney Nassoro Katuga questioned Mr Heche over evidence he presented in the treason case facing Chadema national chairman, Mr Tundu Lissu.
Mr Lissu, also a lawyer, faces a treason charge allegedly committed contrary to Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code, Chapter 16, as revised in 2022.
He is alleged to have incited the public on April 3, 2025, to prevent the 2025 General Election by uttering and publishing online words allegedly pressuring a senior government leader.
Mr Lissu allegedly stated: "They say one thing here, this stance signals rebellion, it is true..., because we say we will block the election, we will promote rebellion, that is the way to get change..., so we are going to rock it hard..., indeed, we will heavily disrupt this election..., we are going to rock it very badly..."
A three-judge panel led by Dunstan Ndunguru, alongside James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kiwonde, is hearing the trial. The case is currently at the defence stage.
Mr Heche, the fifth witness, testified about claims concerning Mr Kanguye’s abduction during his evidence-in-chief led by Mr Lissu.
Mr Kanguye, a former CCM member, disappeared in 2017 and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Mr Heche listed him among people he said had been abducted, disappeared or killed.
Mr Heche also named other people who disappeared or died at different times, linking some incidents to political issues.
During Monday’s proceedings, Mr Heche was questioned about the basis for his claims and whether he had conducted personal investigations before presenting them in court.
Regarding the TLS report
Lawyer: Witness, is it correct you told the court in your testimony that the TLS report stated 781 people went missing in 2025?
Witness: Correct.
Lawyer: Now, that TLS report I handed you shows 718 missing persons.
Witness: Correct.
Lawyer: Where did you get the 781 people you stated in your testimony went missing according to that report?
Witness: Let me correct: it is 718.
Lawyer: Sir, let us proceed. What correction do you want now when you previously stated 781?
Lawyer: Tell their honours, the judges, if you recall, TLS stated in 2024 regarding abduction or disappearance incidents.
Witness: I know they issued a statement regarding 83 people.
Regarding Kanguye
Lawyer: Do you know a person named Simon Kanguye?
Witness: I know him.
Lawyer: Which year was he abducted?
Witness: In 2023.
Accuracy: He vanished in 2017.
Lawyer: Were you present when he was abducted?
Witness: I heard about it.
Lawyer: Tell the judges if you ever investigated Simon Kanguye's abduction.
Witness: I spoke with his relatives who told me he was abducted. State organs have the duty to investigate.
Lawyer: Tell the judges how you informed them the person you claim was abducted was taken.
Witness: I haven't told them.
Lawyer: Anyway, who told you Simon Kanguye vanished?
Witness: His wife.
Lawyer: What is Simon's wife called?
Witness: From 2017 until today, am I supposed to remember?
Lawyer: What is his wife's name?
Witness: I do not recall her name.
Lawyer: Tell the judges that his wife told you about Simon Kanguye’s abduction.
Witness: Correct.
Lawyer: Do you know hearsay evidence is inadmissible in court?
Witness: I know.
Claims of CCM member killings
Elsewhere, Mr Katuga questioned Mr Heche about claims concerning people killed for electoral and political reasons.
Lawyer: Do you know whether people here in Tanzania kill each other over revenge and bury them?
Witness: I do not know.
Lawyer: Tell the judges if you know, last year a woman killed her lover and buried him.
Witness: I heard it in the media.
Lawyer: Do you know what is taken here in court is evidence and not politics?
Witness: I know it is evidence.
Lawyer: Do you know Tanzania has people accused of various murders, including love affairs, business, and others?
Witness: Correct.
Lawyer: Do you now know committing murder is a criminal offence and not an electoral one?
Witness: I know.
Mr Katuga also questioned Mr Heche about the death of Alphonce Mawazo, a former Chadema candidate for Busanda Constituency.
Lawyer: Do you know who killed Alphonce Mawazo?
Witness: I do not know.
Lawyer: You do not know who killed Mawazo; you do not know the reasons, yet you claim he was killed by CCM people. Is that your evidence, or did you get it from the media?
Witness: It is my evidence.
Lawyer: You do not know the killer; you do not know the reasons. So where do you get grounds to tell the court Mawazo was killed by CCM people?
Witness: I read it in the media.
Lawyer: Is it hearsay or eyewitness testimony?
Witness: It was discussed in the Central Committee.
Lawyer: Is it true those leaders who said Mawazo was killed have not come to testify here in court?
Witness: True, they have not come to testify.
Mr Katuga also questioned Mr Heche over alleged killings of CCM-linked individuals in Kibiti.
Lawyer: Is it correct if I say these CCM members killed in Kibiti were killed for electoral reasons?
Witness: Yes, if they were killed for electoral reasons, you would be correct.
Mr Katuga further questioned Mr Heche about the murder of Msafiri Mbwambo during the 2012 by-election in Usariver, Arumeru Constituency.
Lawyer: Tell the judges if you explained specific reasons for Msafiri Mbwambo being butchered in the 2012 Usariver by-election, Arumeru Constituency.
Witness: I did not explain.
Lawyer: Do you know if a case was opened in 2012 in Usariver accusing Chadema leaders of abducting Paul Mafie?
Witness: I do not know.
Lawyer: Do you know abduction is a criminal offence?
Witness: I know.
Lawyer: Do you know anyone regardless of political affiliation can be prosecuted?
Witness: I know.
Mr Heche continued to face cross-examination by the prosecution over various matters raised during his testimony.
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