Tanzania opposition leader arrested over alleged drugs link
Tanzanian main opposition Chadema party chairman Freeman Mbowe. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
Mbowe had been directed by the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Commander, Mr Simon Sirro, to report to the Central Police Station within 48 hours.
He was wanted by the police for questioning on his alleged links with drug abuse and trade.
Tanzanian main opposition Chadema party chairman Freeman Mbowe was Monday arrested in Dar es Salaam for snubbing a police summon.
Mr Mbowe had been directed by the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Commander, Mr Simon Sirro, to report to the Central Police Station within 48 hours.
He was wanted by the police for questioning on his alleged links with drug abuse and trade after being named by the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mr Paul Makonda.
Party lawyers
However, reports from senior Chadema officials established that Mr Mbowe had decided to surrender himself to the police in the afternoon before law enforcers intercepted his car to arrest him.
“Mbowe has been arrested by the police,” was a short statement posted on Mr Tundu Lissu’s Twitter account. Mr Lissu is Chadema's chief legal advisor.
“Mbowe has been arrested by police who have been following him as he headed to Central Police Station. He is accompanied by party lawyers,” reads party’s Twitter account.
The Citizen journalist at the Central Police Station reported to have seen Mr Mbowe’s car there, though she could not establish whether he came in it or not.
Narcotic use
His arrest is the culmination of a week of war of words between the police on the one hand and Chadema lawyers, and Mr Mbowe himself on the other.
