SONGWE: Police in Songwe Region have released Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) national chairperson Freeman Mbowe and 10 other party members on bail.
The group was arrested at Harungu Forest in Mbozi District, Songwe, on Friday while heading to local government election campaigns.
They were detained at 1:00 AM for allegedly violating campaign regulations by attempting to hold a meeting at an unauthorized location.
Acting Songwe Regional Police Commander Augustino Senga said the group was accused of violating campaign regulations by attempting to disrupt the election schedule.
He explained that when officers ordered them to disperse, the group refused, prompting police intervention.
“When police intervened, some supporters began throwing stones, injuring two officers who are now receiving treatment at Mbozi District Hospital,” Senga said.
Speaking after his release, Mbowe dismissed any wrongdoing, asserting that his team had not disrupted any schedules.
“We have not been given clear explanations of how we violated the rules, but we are ready to address the matter in court,” he said.
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Mbowe further explained that CHADEMA had reached an agreement with ACT Wazalendo to temporarily use their designated location for a meeting in Mlowo.
“Our first meeting was supposed to be held in Mlowo, and today was ACT Wazalendo’s turn. However, our leaders spoke to ACT leaders, and we agreed that I could use their spot briefly for my meeting before they resumed in the afternoon. The election assistant supervisor approved this arrangement,” Mbowe explained.
He added that, despite the agreement, police intervened to stop the meeting, creating unnecessary tension among the party’s supporters.
“We left to conduct meetings in nearby villages, all of which ended peacefully, but we were arrested on our way back to Vwawa,” he said.
While Mbowe and 10 others have been released, CHADEMA member Mdude Nyagali remains in custody, Mbowe confirmed.
He said police claim there are additional allegations against Nyagali and have assured that he will be granted bail after further questioning.
Mbowe noted that CHADEMA’s legal team is currently reviewing the matter to determine the next steps.
