Chadema vice chairperson John Heche has said there are all indications that the government is tracking his phone conversation through the telecommunication company, Airtel Tanzania.

 

Heche, who is under house arrest after police officers sealed off his home, said he’s unable to call or receive calls.

‘’ Airtel Tanzania, what’s going on with my Phone? Why are police officers surrounding my home, and at the same time, I am unable to call or receive calls?’’ Wondered Heche.

He noted that his data had been breached twice, which he claims was done from the source (Airtel Company)

‘’My phone has been recorded twice, and their conversation seems like it’s coming from the source.  (Airtel) What are you planning?’’ Asked Heche.

This is not the first time Tanzanian telecommunication firms have been accused of breaching the data privacy of individuals, especially those perceived as government critics.

In 2024, telecoms firm Tigo was heavily accused of helping the government track the location of Tundu Lissu, who was later targeted in a failed assassination attempt.

A former worker at Tigo’s parent company, Millicom (MICC.F), opens new tab, told a British court that Tigo had shared mobile phone data with the government, showing the location of opposition leader Tundu Lissu in the weeks before the attack.

Lissu’s car was sprayed with over 17 bullets in September 2017 by unknown assailants.

“I have informed (lawyer) Bob Amsterdam today to start a case against Tigo and the government of Tanzania,” Lissu told a news conference in Dar es Salaam, adding that he does not trust local courts to handle the case.

“We will force Tigo to tell us who they were communicating with. Who from the government asked them to track me 24 hours. They have to tell us names.”

Heche was this morning placed under House arrest by police ahead of the Lissu trial in Kisutu court in Dar es Salaam.