Probe into 36 grand graft cases 'complete'

[BabuK]

Director General for Reli Assets Holding Company (RAHCO) Eng Benhadard Tito​

• Include, USD6 million in Treasury bond deal

• TRL Sh238bn wagon deal, oil firm 8.5bn/- tax evasion

Scores of high-profile traders and senior public officials are to face legal action following completion of a probe into 36 grand corruption cases.

The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) yesterday reported that it has completed investigations of 36 grand corruption cases and has already submitted four of them to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam, PCCB Acting Director General Valentino Mlowola said the cases involve high profile businessmen and senior public officials.

He said the submitted cases include a tax evasion case levied against a prominent oil firm that is accused of causing the government a loss of 8.5bn/- after it allegedly sold in the country some 17,461,111.58 liters of petrol that were declared for a neighbouring country.

Another mega corruption scandal on the DDP desk now is that involving high ranking government officials who pocketed USD6 million in bribes for a Treasury bond deal with a United Kingdom bank.

The allegations say the hefty bribe facilitated the purchase of USD600 million treasury bonds in 2013 by the UK-based Standard Bank.

Yet another case is that involving the Director General for Reli Assets Holding Company (RAHCO) Eng Benhadard Tito who was sacked by President John Magufuli over flaws in his awarding of a procurement tender for the construction of a 15trn/- standard gauge railway line.

Another case is that involving the controversial purchase of Sh238 billion worth of Tanzania Railway Limited (TRL) wagons. In this case too there were faults with the tendering process and also the quality of the wagons is in question.

Mlowola also warned all government officials and the business community at large against corruption saying the institution will not hesitate to take prompt and stern action against them.

He also warned accounting officers in different public institutions to follow legal procedures otherwise they too will face the law.

“We will take appropriate legal action for any violations of laws, rules and regulations and anyone who will be involved in corruption or embezzlement of public funds will be prosecuted,” he warned.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN