Tanzania youth leader charged with counselling terrorism
CHADEMA official Coletha Clavery Ntidyicha faces charges of advising the public to commit terrorist acts.
Coletha Clavery Ntidyicha, 31, chairperson of CHADEMA’s youth wing BAVICHA in Kigoma Region, was charged with counselling terrorist acts at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam. The charge sheet, dated November 3, 2026, alleges she advised the public to participate in acts causing serious property damage to destabilise the country’s structures between August 1 and October 23, 2026.
CHADEMA stated on November 4 that Ntidyicha was brought to court without her lawyers present, alleging denial of legal access. The charge sheet, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, does not specify the words used, the communication method, or the property targeted. Ntidyicha was arrested on October 14 in Temeke, and her detention became the subject of a High Court application.
CHADEMA’s communications director, Brenda Rupia, said on November 4 that the party supports the rule of law but believes terrorism charges are used to silence opponents. A High Court application concerning Ntidyicha's whereabouts had previously overcome a government objection regarding a defective affidavit on October 28, allowing an additional affidavit to be considered.
Why it mattersOpposition party members face charges that their party claims are used to silence political opponents.