TZ Opposition Leader Alleges Why Samia is Only Pardoning a Section of Those Arrested Protesting

John Heche, the Vice Chair of Tanzania's main opposition party CHADEMA, has laughed off President Samia Suluhu claim to have pardoned a section of the youth arrested during the recent protests.

This is after President Samia, while speaking in parliament, claimed to have pardoned those who will be found to have joined the protests out of trend and never intended to commit any crime.

Heche has demanded that all those in police custody be freed, claiming that Suluhu is trying to fool the world that they have been forgiven while giving the DPP an opening to continue holding the 600 accused persons.

"The act of saying some people should be released is giving an opening to the DPP's to continue detaining people, others will offer bribes, it is an opening to allow corruption," he is quoted by BBC Swahili.

A section of the suspects are facing treason charges, which, according to the Tanzanian law, is punishable by death.

The protests broke out on October 29, after Samia's government chose to proceed with election plans in defiance to calls for electoral reforms.