The party’s Board of Trustees had applied to the Court for permission to file for judicial review and to suspend enforcement of the Registrar’s order, which had nullified appointments of key secretariat leaders
Arusha. Chadema has submitted a letter to the Registrar of Political Parties demanding payment of pending state subsidies, seven days after the High Court, Manyara Zone, suspended the Registrar’s May 27, 2025 decision barring the party from receiving funding.
The party’s Board of Trustees had applied to the Court for permission to file for judicial review and to suspend enforcement of the Registrar’s order, which had nullified appointments of key secretariat leaders.
Delivering her ruling on August 28, 2025, Judge Devotha Kamuzora approved the Board’s application, noting that it had established sufficient grounds for review.
Speaking to The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwananchi on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Chadema Deputy Secretary General (Mainland) Amani Golugwa said the letter, accompanied by a copy of the ruling, had now been submitted to the Registrar’s office.
“Following the Court ruling, we were instructed by our Secretary General, John Mnyika, to forward this letter demanding the outstanding subsidies. This morning we submitted it, and we are now awaiting its implementation,” he said.
Background
The August 28 ruling gave Chadema’s Board 14 days to submit its review application, as stipulated by law. The case was filed against the Registrar of Political Parties and the Attorney General.
The Board argued that the Registrar’s May 27 directive should be set aside and its enforcement halted.
The eight secretariat members whose appointments were in dispute included Secretary General John Mnyika, Deputy Secretary General (Mainland) Amani Golugwa, Deputy Secretary General (Zanzibar) Ali Ibrahimu Juma, Legal Affairs Chief Dr Rugemeleza Nshala, and Central Committee members Godbless Lema, Rose Mayemba, Salma Kasanzu, and Hafidh Ally Saleh.
The Registrar had suspended Chadema’s subsidies, citing repeated defiance of his office and the absence of authorised leaders to oversee public funds.
He also directed the party to convene a new National Council with a proper quorum to reappoint leaders in accordance with the party constitution, the Political Parties Act, and applicable regulations.
The Registrar’s decision followed a complaint by former Mwanga District Chairman Lemburus Mchome, who claimed that the January 22, 2025 meeting had failed to meet quorum requirements.
In Court, Chadema was represented by three lawyers—Mpale Mpoki, Nyaronyo Kicheere, and Thadei Lister—while six government lawyers, including Principal State Attorney Mark Mulwambo and Senior State Attorney Stanley Kalokola, represented the respondents.
Mr Mpoki argued that the suspension of subsidies had disrupted the party’s operations and that the Board, as trustees, had a duty to manage all assets, including public funds.
He asked the Court to allow the review, suspend the Registrar’s directive, and enable the party’s leaders to continue managing its funds.
After reviewing submissions from both sides, Judge Kamuzora ruled that the Board had the authority and sufficient interest to file the application. She granted the orders sought, affirming the party’s right to pursue its claim for pending subsidies.
