The fourth defence witness in the treason case facing CHADEMA Chairman Tundu Lissu, Brenda Rupia, has concluded her testimony after extensive cross-examination by the prosecution over Lissu’s speech of April 3, 2025, and the interpretation of statements made at that meeting.
Rupia, who is the Director of Communications for CHADEMA, began testifying on August 7, 2026. She completed her testimony after responding to questions from Principal State Attorney Nasoro Katuga, who sought to establish her understanding of terms such as “rebellion,” “inciting rebellion,” “preventing an election,” and “disrupting an election.” The prosecution also questioned her about her claims of an alleged plot to poison Lissu in prison.
During that part of her testimony, Rupia acknowledged that she understands that publishing false information online and giving false testimony under oath are criminal offences. However, when asked whether Lissu’s arrest granted her immunity from arrest for criminal offences, she said there was no such immunity.
On the investigation she said she conducted into the alleged poisoning plot, Rupia said she contacted a person by phone, and that person confirmed he had received the information and that it was true.
Much of the cross-examination focused on Lissu’s speech. Katuga asked Rupia whether statements such as “we will prevent the election” and “we will disrupt the election” are complete and meaningful sentences. Rupia agreed that both are complete sentences and have meaning.
She also agreed that burning polling stations or ballot papers, destroying public property, and other criminal acts can disturb peace and prevent an election from taking place. However, when asked what Lissu meant by “inciting rebellion,” she said he was referring to “oppressive laws.”
Rupia further affirmed that CHADEMA believes in democracy and that Tanzania operates a multiparty system, acknowledging that general elections are conducted in accordance with the Constitution and that constitutional change is a process. When asked about the group of members known as G55, who had been linked to the party’s position on the election, she said they were CHADEMA members who later left after disagreeing with what they viewed as the party’s shift toward rebellion.
After the prosecution concluded its questions, Lissu re-examined Rupia, focusing on the interpretation of the statements in his speech. Rupia clarified that when she said Lissu had given directions on how to prevent the election, she meant by not participating in the election, stating that by not participating, “we will have prevented that election.”
On the allegation that Lissu directed how to disrupt the election, she said he directed on how to “boycott” it. She also explained that the party can conduct its activities from anywhere and that its staff do not necessarily have to be in the office.
With the conclusion of her testimony, Rupia becomes the fourth defence witness in the case. The trial continues, with the fifth witness, CHADEMA Vice Chairman John Heche, now giving his testimony.
