The Tanzania Prisons Service has dismissed reports circulating on social media that opposition politician Tundu Lissu has started a hunger strike and is being denied access to his lawyers, describing the claims as inaccurate.
In a statement, the Prisons Service said Mr Lissu was safe, was receiving meals and had not stopped eating, contrary to claims that had sparked public concern over his welfare and access to legal representation.
The clarification followed the circulation of reports across various social media platforms alleging that Mr Lissu had embarked on a hunger strike and that prison authorities were preventing his legal representatives from visiting him.
Addressing concerns over access to lawyers, the Prisons Service said visits to inmates were governed by established procedures aimed at verifying the identities and legal status of visitors before they were allowed to meet prisoners.
It said the requirements applied to all inmates and were not specifically introduced for Mr Lissu.
The verification process, according to the statement, was intended to establish whether individuals seeking access were genuinely the inmates' lawyers rather than people presenting themselves as legal representatives without proper authorisation.
The Service maintained that the procedures were part of its responsibility to ensure security and proper administration of correctional facilities while safeguarding inmates' legal rights.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to respecting human rights and providing a safe environment that supports the rehabilitation of prisoners.
The Prisons Service urged members of the public to exercise caution when receiving and sharing information, particularly on social media, and to verify claims through credible and official sources.
The controversy has once again drawn public attention to the treatment of inmates, access to legal representation and the responsibility of prison authorities to protect the rights and welfare of people in custody.
It also highlights the challenges authorities face in responding to information circulating on social media, where unverified claims can spread rapidly and trigger public concern before official clarification is provided.