IN SHORT: A few days before the 2025 general election in Tanzania, social media was awash with posts claiming that Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu won his treason case and was released from jail. However, these claims are false.
“BREAKING: Tanzanian Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu has won his treason case against the Government. The Supreme Court of Tanzania has acquitted him of all charges and officially set him free. However, in a bold and symbolic move, Lissu has chosen to remain in prison until 29th October 2025, the day after the upcoming General Elections,” reads a post on Facebook.
Tundu Lissu is an opposition party leader in Tanzania. Lissu was charged with treason in April 2025 after his arrest at a public rally where he called for electoral reforms ahead of the October general elections. However, prosecutors of the case claim he called on the public to rebel and disrupt the October elections.
Lissu’s treason case was set to be heard a week before the 29 October general election.
The post also appears here, here and here.
But is it legitimate? We checked.
Ignore social media rumours
Africa Check found no credible media reports that Lissu was acquitted of treason charges and released from jail. If this claim was legitimate both local and international media houses would have reported on it.
Lissu’s treason case that was set to begin a week before the election was adjourned to 3 November when the court rejected key digital evidence from the prosecution. Lissu is set to remain in police custody through the October election period and remains imprisoned at time of publication.
During periods of information overload such as elections, be cautious and find news updates from trusted sources to avoid the spread of false information.
Claims that Lissu has been acquitted of treason and released from jail are fake and should be ignored.
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