Tanzania High Court overturns opposition leader Mbowe's conviction
Friday June 25 2021
Chadema party chairman Freeman Mbowe. PHOTO | FILE
Tanzania’s High Court in Dar es Salaam Friday overturned a ruling that convicted Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe and eight other party leaders of several charges including conspiracy to commit offences and unlawful assembly.
Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in March found them guilty of the offences and ordered them to pay a total of Tsh350 million (about $150,955) in fines.
They had been charged with conspiracy to commit offences, unlawful assembly, rioting after proclamation, raising discontent and ill-will for unlawful purposes, sedition and inciting commission of offences committed between February 1 and 16, 2018 in Dar es Salaam.
However, the High Court Friday ordered that the Chadema leaders should be reimbursed, party lawyer John Mallya told The Citizen.