This legal clash is the latest twist in the heated drama following Msigwa's defection to CCM. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) Chairman, Freeman Mbowe has made headlines with a bold legal move against Reverend Peter Msigwa, the former leader of Chadema’s Nyassa Zone. On September 4, 2024, Mbowe’s lawyers issued a dramatic five-day ultimatum, demanding a public apology and Sh5 billion in damages for defamation.
This follows a series of explosive accusations from Msigwa, who defected to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and allegedly tarnished Mbowe’s reputation. The legal threat has rapidly gained traction on social media, becoming a viral sensation as the public eagerly watches how this high-stakes dispute will evolve.
The demand notice, dated September 4, 2024, was sent by Mbowe’s lawyers, Hekima Mwasipu, and colleagues from Matwiga Law Chambers. The legal notice accuses Msigwa of making false and damaging statements about Mbowe in various public forums, including media interviews and social media platforms.
“Msigwa exploited political platforms, media outlets, and social networks to launch a defamation campaign against our client,” said Mwasipu.
Among the accusations leveled by Msigwa was the claim that Mbowe had established a personal foundation, the "Mbowe Foundation," and was using Chadema as a tool for his gain. Msigwa was also quoted in one of his speeches saying, “The Chadema chairman has turned the party into a SACCOS, with party funds going into private institutions instead of the party’s accounts.”
These statements, according to Mbowe’s lawyers, have caused significant damage to his image both locally and internationally, especially in light of his role as the Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Union of Africa (DUA), a coalition of African democratic parties.
“Our client considers these statements, in their full context and meaning, to be defamatory, contemptuous, and damaging not only to his reputation but also to his family, political career, business community relations, religious affiliations, and social standing. These are nothing but clear evidence of malice towards our client,” the lawyers emphasized.
Msigwa has also gone as far as claiming that Chadema Digital, the party’s digital membership registration platform, is privately owned and that Mbowe is siphoning off party funds for personal use.
"This has caused tremendous loss to our client as his standing as a political leader, businessman, and family man has been gravely affected," Mwasipu asserted.
The notice demands that Msigwa issue a public apology through two newspapers—one with nationwide reach and another with significant regional readership—and pay Sh5 billion in damages. Should Msigwa fail to comply within five days, the legal team has warned that severe legal consequences will follow.
This legal battle is the latest chapter in an escalating political drama that has gripped the public ever since Msigwa defected to CCM. Once a staunch ally of Mbowe, Msigwa’s departure from Chadema has been marked by a series of bitter exchanges, with Msigwa launching scathing attacks on his former party and its leadership. His comments have centered around accusations of mismanagement and personal gain, with some even accusing him of betraying the very principles he once defended within Chadema.
Msigwa, known for his fiery rhetoric, has become increasingly vocal against his former party, calling its leadership corrupt and self-serving. He has claimed that Chadema, under Mbowe, has lost its way and is no longer committed to the ideals it once stood for. Political analysts in Tanzania, such as Dr. Benson Bana, have noted that Msigwa's accusations are reflective of a broader pattern of mudslinging that often follows defections in Tanzanian politics, where loyalty shifts can lead to bitter public spats.
Dr. Benson Bana, a political analyst, remarked that "the political mudslinging between Chadema and its former members like Msigwa is symptomatic of deeper issues within the party’s leadership structure, and the narrative of personal gain versus collective party ideals continues to plague the party." The verbal sparring, Bana believes, underscores the intense internal rivalries and fractures that have come to characterize Tanzania’s opposition politics.
Meanwhile, other commentators, such as Dr. Willbroad Slaa, a former Chadema stalwart himself, have warned that the ongoing public bickering could significantly damage Chadema's credibility as a formidable opposition force in the country. “If the opposition is not united and focuses instead on internal conflicts, it only strengthens the ruling party, giving it an easy win,” Dr. Slaa opined.
Political observers also note that this defamation case is not just about personal grievances but also a reflection of the deep divisions within Chadema and the broader opposition in Tanzania. The defection of key figures like Msigwa, coupled with his continued verbal attacks, has raised concerns about the party's future direction and its ability to present a unified front against the entrenched political dominance of CCM.
Msigwa’s attacks have not only targeted Mbowe but have also undermined Chadema’s overall reputation, further complicating the party's efforts to regain momentum after a series of electoral defeats and internal fractures. With the 2025 general elections on the horizon, the stakes are high, and both Chadema and Mbowe will need to carefully navigate this latest controversy to preserve their political capital and credibility.
Msigwa’s deadline is approaching, and both the Tanzanian public and political commentators are keeping a close eye on how this legal standoff will unfold. Many are questioning whether it will mark a significant turning point in the bitter rivalry between the former allies.