THE police yesterday contained protests by members of the opposition Chadema in various areas of Dar es Salaam, which at some point resulted in confrontations.

SACP Jumanne Muliro, the Dar es Salaam special police zone commander, told journalists that 14 party leaders and members had been arrested for defying a police ban on demonstrations issued on September 12.

He said that recent statements from Chadema leaders suggested potential unrest and instilled fear among the public, listing those arrested as including party chairman Freeman Mbowe, Mainland vice chairman Tundu Lissu and northern zone chairman Godbless Lema. 

Others include officials Peter Lazaro, Sheikh Omari Fakhi, Revocatus Mlay, Paulo Musisi, Shabani Kinde, Abubakar Mugalu, Emmanuel Ntobi, Sylvester Satu, Rachel Mlondela, Mary Nungi and Bakari Salum. 

He said the police force was implementing strategies to prevent unrest and ensure peace in the city, urging city residents not to engage with “criminal groups,” as such actions will have legal consequences.

John Mrema, the party’s director of protocol, communication and external affairs, said in a statement that eight leaders, security guards and staff at party headquarters, along with over 40 members, were detained. 

Others that the zonal police chief did not mention are Benson Kigaila, the deputy secretary general Mbowe’s wife Dr. Lilian Mtei, his lawyer and their daughter Nicole, who was accompanying them. 

He stated that the party had declaredo yesterday as a day of mourning for those abducted, tortured or killed in the country, urging the government to protect citizens and their property. 

\Meanwhile five journalists from Nipashe, Mwananchi and East Africa Television (EATV) were arrested while covering the protests. Photographer Jumanne Juma was apprehended at a gas station in Buguruni while taking photos of protesters and later released after questioning at the Buguruni Police Station, along with a Mwananchi reporter, without charges. 

Nipashe reporter Jenifer Gilla was also detained while gathering information and taken to the Central Police Station, along with Michael Matemanga, Lawrence Mnubi and Mariam Shaban. 

The party chairman arrived at Magomeni area around 10 in the morning to assess the situation before the protests were scheduled to begin, but police were already deployed throughout the area. He discreetly alerted a reporter to gather others for a conversation but was soon recognized and approached by officers demanding that he leave. 

Before his arrest, Mbowe stated that the protests were peaceful and aimed at mourning party members, condemning killings and abductions. "We have presented demands to the government, but they remain unaddressed. Protesting is our constitutional right. This excessive police presence and use of resources is unjustified," he declared. 

Despite the tensions, the situation remained calm in areas where protests were expected, such as Mnazi Mmoja, with normal traffic and activities undisturbed, with police maintaining a visible presence throughout the city to prevent any gatherings.