The High Court of Tanzania has lifted an obstacle for five members of the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) to continue their legal battle against disciplinary actions taken by the party. In a ruling delivered on November 5, 2026, by Judge Amir Mruma, the court dismissed four preliminary objections raised by CHADEMA, allowing the members to file a judicial review application within 14 days. The members involved are Barnabas Okola, Joseph Mwakidasi, Mathias Cosmas, Abubakar Mashambo, and Lembruce Mchome, a former chairman of CHADEMA's Mwanga district.
The five members had filed a lawsuit challenging various decisions made against them, including their suspension from leadership positions and the recognition of their roles within the party. CHADEMA had raised several objections to the lawsuit, arguing that Lembruce Mchome had been expelled from the party on August 30, 2025, and therefore had no basis for claiming recognition as the Mwanga district chairman. However, Judge Mruma ruled that these arguments required a detailed examination of evidence and could not be resolved through preliminary objections.
The court also rejected CHADEMA's objection to the timing of Mchome's application, finding that his claims related to a notice issued on July 6, 2026, rather than the decision to expel him from the party in 2025. The judge allowed the members to proceed with their application, paving the way for a judicial review of the disciplinary actions taken against them.
One of CHADEMA's objections, concerning the party's Board of Trustees, was however accepted by the court. Judge Mruma found that the documents submitted did not demonstrate a direct link between the Board and the actions taken against the five members, and therefore removed it from the case. The party's Secretary-General, however, remained a party to the suit due to allegations of involvement in the process of rescinding the members' suspension letters and issuing further directives.
The court's decision allows the five CHADEMA members to proceed with their legal challenge, with the merits of the case yet to be determined. The ruling does not prejudge the outcome of the dispute, but rather enables the parties to present their arguments in a full hearing. The case is expected to continue with the members seeking a judicial review of the disciplinary actions taken against them.
The dispute between the CHADEMA members and the party leadership appears to center on the legitimacy of the disciplinary actions taken against them. The court's decision to allow the case to proceed suggests that the issues raised by the members warrant a detailed examination. The outcome of the case may have implications for the party's internal governance and the rights of its members.
The court's ruling was made available on the TanzLII website on November 12, 2026, and has significant implications for the five CHADEMA members involved. The members' lawyer stated that they will proceed with filing their judicial review application within the specified timeframe. The case will likely continue to be closely watched by observers of Tanzanian politics and those interested in the internal workings of CHADEMA.
Key points
- The Tanzanian High Court has allowed five CHADEMA members to challenge the party's disciplinary actions against them.
- The court's decision enables the members to file a judicial review application, which will examine the legitimacy of the disciplinary actions.
- The case may have implications for CHADEMA's internal governance and the rights of its members.
