On May 17, 2024, Tanzania Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu was handed over his vehicle, Toyota Landcruiser V8, VXR, by the Dodoma Regional Police, a car he was riding when ‘’unknown’’ assailants seriously shot him about seven years ago.
The unfortunate incident occurred on September 7, 2017, in Dodoma when Lissu was leaving the Parliament building and heading to his Area D home within Dodoma. The attackers sprayed his car with over 33 bullets while aiming at him. Lissu escaped death by a whisker but was left unconscious and seriously injured in various parts of his body. His driver also survived. At that time he was the Member of Parliament for Singida East Constituency.
The firebrand CHADEMA politician was rushed to a hospital in Dodoma before being airlifted to Nairobi for specialized Treatment. After months of treatment in Nairobi hospital, Honorable Lissu recovered but opted for exile in Belgium due to his safety concerns.
Back at home, his badly damaged vehicle was towed to Dodoma police station where it was kept as investigations were conducted. To date, no one has been arrested, charged, prosecuted, or convicted. Lissu’s attackers remain ‘’unknown’’.
However, the CHADEMA vice chairperson on Friday 17th May 2024, returned to Dodoma police station where he picked up his vehicle for repair. The police graciously handed him over the car.
He promised to repair it for his political engagements up until its usefulness ended when he would reconsider taking it to the Museum for the memorial.
But even before the dust settled, his supporters and well-wishers decided that Mr. Lissu deserved better. They pleaded with him to keep the car for the memorial, which he accepted.
A massive online fund drive campaign was later launched by supporters to fundraise for Tundu Lissu’s new vehicle.
By Thursday morning, 23rd May 2024, the drive has reached Tsh 20,029,287.00.
‘’ Day 5 Mchango Update: Hadi sasa tumepokea sh. 20,029,287.00, wastani wa sh. 3,983,857.40 kwa siku. Idadi ya waliochangia ni 1,673, wastani wa sh. 11,972.08 kwa kila mchangiaji. Mvua huanza na tone moja. Kwa ukarimu wenu, matone yenu yatatengeneza mvua ya ukombozi wa nchi yetu!’’ Lissu aliandika kwa mtandao wake wa X(Day 5 Donation Update: So far we have received sh. 20,029,287.00, an average of sh. 3,983,857.40 per day. The number of those who contributed is 1,673, an average of sh. 11,972.08 per contributor. Rain starts with one drop. With your generosity, your drops will make the rain of the liberation of our country!), LISSU Tweeted
