Dar es Salaam. Police and activist Godlisten Malisa have given conflicting accounts of his detention, with police saying he was arrested over criminal allegations and released on bail, while Mr Malisa says he was neither questioned nor informed of any criminal offence.
The conflicting accounts emerged on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, after Mr Malisa was released following a night in custody, a day after lawyer and Chadema Western Zone chairman Dickson Matata raised concerns over his whereabouts.
Arusha Regional Police Commander Justine Masejo said Mr Malisa and another person were arrested on Monday night over criminal allegations that were under investigation.
“Arusha Regional Police Command arrested Godlisten Malisa and another person on the night of August 31, 2026, over criminal allegations that were under investigation against him,” said a statement signed by Commander Masejo.
“After questioning, they were released on bail pending completion of other legal procedures,” added the regional police chief.
