The Radar Scandal: Investigation & Progress

The Radar Scandal: Investigation & Progress

Hiyo haiumi sana.
Tuwafilisi mali zao na watoto wao wachukuliwe organs zao na kusaidia wale wenye matatizo ya kiafya. Labda na wao wataona jinsi watoto wa wengine wanavyopata shida. Najua ni unyama, ila ndipo panapouma.
.......

You are right it is unyuma sanaa lakini sometimes i feel the same way.
 
No Wonder wengi hawampendi Reginald Mengi.... Maana kila kitumbua cha ufisadi anakitia mchanga na kukimwagia upupu.

Keep it UP THIS DAY!....
 
Big Up This day!! Mwageni upupu..watanzania tumezidi kulala..huu ni wizi..nchi za dunia ya kwanza watu kama hawa wangekuwa jela zamaani...sema tatizo sisi serikali nzima imeoza..utamfunga nani utamwacha nani?? tupo pabaya na hatuta endelea!!
 
A prominent local businessman, Tanil Kumar Chandulal Somaiya, is being officially investigated by British detectives over his role in the scandalous $41m (approx. 52bn/-) military radar purchase by the Tanzanian government in 2002, it has been confirmed.

Somaiya, proprietor of the well-known Shivacom Group of companies, has publicly denied any involvement in the scandal in which large amounts of bribery money are believed to have exchanged hands, but is nonetheless still considered a key suspect by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

According to officials familiar with the ongoing radar deal investigation, Somaiya is one of three Tanzanians being investigated by the SFO, along with ex-attorney general Andrew Chenge and ex-Bank of Tanzania governor (now Tanzania Electric Supply Company managing director) Dr Idris Rashidi.

Somaiya, who recently sought to clear his name from the various allegations against him through an interview with a local television station, is a former business partner and close ally of fugitive radar deal agent Shailesh Vithlani, who has been described as the deal’s chief ’’paymaster’’.

In 2006, both Somaiya and Vithlani were questioned under oath by SFO investigators at the Kisutu resident magistrate’s court in Dar es Salaam.

Court records show that the duo formally admitted that they at one time or another had legal authority to represent a shadowy company believed to have been paid an abnormally high commission of $12m (approx. 15bn/-) by the UK-based radar manufacturer, BAE Systems, to facilitate the controversial deal.

During the cause of the SFO investigation, it has been revealed that Somaiya and Vithlani held a joint power of attorney over the company in question, Envers Trading Corporation, which is believed to have used much of the commission payment to pay illegal kickbacks to senior officials in the third phase government of ex-president Benjamin Mkapa to approve the transaction.

Envers Trading operated from a local address in Dar es Salaam associated with Merlin International Limited, another local company that THISDAY investigations have already established was originally registered in March 1986 with Somaiya and Vithlani as joint directors.

According to our findings, Merlin International initially operated in relative anonymity, dealing in general merchandise and imported goods in Mwanza region.

But in August 1998, the firm filed a report with the registrar of companies to indicate that it had shifted the location of its main offices to Dar es Salaam.

It was from this period that the previously little-known company became oddly interwoven with some of the country’s biggest defence deals, including the questionable radar transaction and other similarly-controversial deals for the supply of military vehicles and helicopters.

The company was located on the first floor of Avalon House along Zanaki Street/Sokoine Drive in downtown Dar es Salaam. At the time of its initial registration, Vithlani was listed as majority shareholder with 8,000 shares, while Somaiya had 2,000 shares.

But following the recent spate of local media reports on the ongoing radar deal probe, Somaiya opted to end his long-running business relationship with Vithlani, announcing to authorities his complete withdrawal from Merlin International.

However, informed sources point out that although Somaiya says he has now severed all business links with Vithlani, the radar deal and many of the other dubious deals were concluded when the two were still very much in partnership.

Records from the Kisutu court show that when subjected to questioning by British detectives, Somaiya admitted that he was given power of attorney over Envers Trading Corp. for a period of 11 months.

However, he claimed that he had no other involvement with the company, and was not even aware of the company’s official location.

During interrogations held on two separate occasions (July 25 and July 28, 2006), Somaiya also admitted to being co-owner of the city-based Merlin International company with Vithlani, whom he described as a ’’very good friend.’’

Nevertheless, while SFO investigators continue to regard Somaiya as an official suspect, his legal status with local investigating authorities remains decidedly uncertain.

Although the government’s own Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has long been conducting its own, parallel investigation into the radar deal, it does not appear - albeit publicly - to be making any headway.
 
A prominent local businessman, Tanil Kumar Chandulal Somaiya, is being officially investigated by British detectives over his role in the scandalous $41m (approx. 52bn/-) military radar purchase by the Tanzanian government in 2002, it has been confirmed.

Somaiya, proprietor of the well-known Shivacom Group of companies, has publicly denied any involvement in the scandal in which large amounts of bribery money are believed to have exchanged hands, but is nonetheless still considered a key suspect by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

According to officials familiar with the ongoing radar deal investigation, Somaiya is one of three Tanzanians being investigated by the SFO, along with ex-attorney general Andrew Chenge and ex-Bank of Tanzania governor (now Tanzania Electric Supply Company managing director) Dr Idris Rashidi.

Somaiya, who recently sought to clear his name from the various allegations against him through an interview with a local television station, is a former business partner and close ally of fugitive radar deal agent Shailesh Vithlani, who has been described as the deal’s chief ’’paymaster’’.

In 2006, both Somaiya and Vithlani were questioned under oath by SFO investigators at the Kisutu resident magistrate’s court in Dar es Salaam.

Court records show that the duo formally admitted that they at one time or another had legal authority to represent a shadowy company believed to have been paid an abnormally high commission of $12m (approx. 15bn/-) by the UK-based radar manufacturer, BAE Systems, to facilitate the controversial deal.

During the cause of the SFO investigation, it has been revealed that Somaiya and Vithlani held a joint power of attorney over the company in question, Envers Trading Corporation, which is believed to have used much of the commission payment to pay illegal kickbacks to senior officials in the third phase government of ex-president Benjamin Mkapa to approve the transaction.

Envers Trading operated from a local address in Dar es Salaam associated with Merlin International Limited, another local company that THISDAY investigations have already established was originally registered in March 1986 with Somaiya and Vithlani as joint directors.

According to our findings, Merlin International initially operated in relative anonymity, dealing in general merchandise and imported goods in Mwanza region.

But in August 1998, the firm filed a report with the registrar of companies to indicate that it had shifted the location of its main offices to Dar es Salaam.

It was from this period that the previously little-known company became oddly interwoven with some of the country’s biggest defence deals, including the questionable radar transaction and other similarly-controversial deals for the supply of military vehicles and helicopters.

The company was located on the first floor of Avalon House along Zanaki Street/Sokoine Drive in downtown Dar es Salaam. At the time of its initial registration, Vithlani was listed as majority shareholder with 8,000 shares, while Somaiya had 2,000 shares.

But following the recent spate of local media reports on the ongoing radar deal probe, Somaiya opted to end his long-running business relationship with Vithlani, announcing to authorities his complete withdrawal from Merlin International.

However, informed sources point out that although Somaiya says he has now severed all business links with Vithlani, the radar deal and many of the other dubious deals were concluded when the two were still very much in partnership.

Records from the Kisutu court show that when subjected to questioning by British detectives, Somaiya admitted that he was given power of attorney over Envers Trading Corp. for a period of 11 months.

However, he claimed that he had no other involvement with the company, and was not even aware of the company’s official location.

During interrogations held on two separate occasions (July 25 and July 28, 2006), Somaiya also admitted to being co-owner of the city-based Merlin International company with Vithlani, whom he described as a ’’very good friend.’’

Nevertheless, while SFO investigators continue to regard Somaiya as an official suspect, his legal status with local investigating authorities remains decidedly uncertain.

Although the government’s own Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has long been conducting its own, parallel investigation into the radar deal, it does not appear - albeit publicly - to be making any headway.
 
Radar deal scandal: UK detectives probe Dar business tycoon

-Described as ex-business partner and close ally of fugitive ’paymaster’ Shailesh Vithlani

THISDAY REPORTER
Dar es Salaam​

A prominent local businessman, Tanil Kumar Chandulal Somaiya, is being officially investigated by British detectives over his role in the scandalous $41m (approx. 52bn/-) military radar purchase by the Tanzanian government in 2002, it has been confirmed.

Somaiya, proprietor of the well-known Shivacom Group of companies, has publicly denied any involvement in the scandal in which large amounts of bribery money are believed to have exchanged hands, but is nonetheless still considered a key suspect by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

According to officials familiar with the ongoing radar deal investigation, Somaiya is one of three Tanzanians being investigated by the SFO, along with ex-attorney general Andrew Chenge and ex-Bank of Tanzania governor (now Tanzania Electric Supply Company managing director) Dr Idris Rashidi.

Somaiya, who recently sought to clear his name from the various allegations against him through an interview with a local television station, is a former business partner and close ally of fugitive radar deal agent Shailesh Vithlani, who has been described as the deal’s chief ’’paymaster’’.

In 2006, both Somaiya and Vithlani were questioned under oath by SFO investigators at the Kisutu resident magistrate’s court in Dar es Salaam.

Court records show that the duo formally admitted that they at one time or another had legal authority to represent a shadowy company believed to have been paid an abnormally high commission of $12m (approx. 15bn/-) by the UK-based radar manufacturer, BAE Systems, to facilitate the controversial deal.

During the cause of the SFO investigation, it has been revealed that Somaiya and Vithlani held a joint power of attorney over the company in question, Envers Trading Corporation, which is believed to have used much of the commission payment to pay illegal kickbacks to senior officials in the third phase government of ex-president Benjamin Mkapa to approve the transaction.

Envers Trading operated from a local address in Dar es Salaam associated with Merlin International Limited, another local company that THISDAY investigations have already established was originally registered in March 1986 with Somaiya and Vithlani as joint directors.

According to our findings, Merlin International initially operated in relative anonymity, dealing in general merchandise and imported goods in Mwanza region.

But in August 1998, the firm filed a report with the registrar of companies to indicate that it had shifted the location of its main offices to Dar es Salaam.

It was from this period that the previously little-known company became oddly interwoven with some of the country’s biggest defence deals, including the questionable radar transaction and other similarly-controversial deals for the supply of military vehicles and helicopters.

The company was located on the first floor of Avalon House along Zanaki Street/Sokoine Drive in downtown Dar es Salaam. At the time of its initial registration, Vithlani was listed as majority shareholder with 8,000 shares, while Somaiya had 2,000 shares.

But following the recent spate of local media reports on the ongoing radar deal probe, Somaiya opted to end his long-running business relationship with Vithlani, announcing to authorities his complete withdrawal from Merlin International.

However, informed sources point out that although Somaiya says he has now severed all business links with Vithlani, the radar deal and many of the other dubious deals were concluded when the two were still very much in partnership.

Records from the Kisutu court show that when subjected to questioning by British detectives, Somaiya admitted that he was given power of attorney over Envers Trading Corp. for a period of 11 months.

However, he claimed that he had no other involvement with the company, and was not even aware of the company’s official location.

During interrogations held on two separate occasions (July 25 and July 28, 2006), Somaiya also admitted to being co-owner of the city-based Merlin International company with Vithlani, whom he described as a ’’very good friend.’’

Nevertheless, while SFO investigators continue to regard Somaiya as an official suspect, his legal status with local investigating authorities remains decidedly uncertain.

Although the government’s own Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has long been conducting its own, parallel investigation into the radar deal, it does not appear - albeit publicly - to be making any headway.
 
2009-01-23 07:08:00

We will not refund radar cash, says UK

By Christopher Kidanka
THE CITIZEN​

The United Kingdom will not compensate Tanzania for the loss incurred in the controversial 28 million sterling pounds (about Sh50 billion) radar purchase deal, its High Commissioner said yesterday.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Citizen in Dar es Salaam, the outgoing UK High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr Phillip Parham, said though his country was aware that the price of the radar had been inflated, it would not entertain Tanzania's plea for compensation.

Mr Parham, who is leaving next week after serving in Tanzania for three years, said the extra money was paid out as commission and bribes to the officers who were involved in the deal and "they are the ones who should repay the money."

He added: "Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is investigating the matter and the PCCB (Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau) is doing the same in Tanzania, but the two are cooperating. If it is proved that these people were paid the money, they are the ones who should pay it back and not the UK Government."

The envoy's revelation is a blow to the hopes of Tanzanians, including President Jakaya Kikwete, who had indicated that the Government would press for the return to the money paid out in the inflated commission.

Speaking in early 2007, President Kikwete said his Government was following with keen interest the investigations into the fraudulent radar purchase deal and would ask the UK to refund an equivalent of Sh15 billion.

"We are especially interested in two areas. One, we would like to know who was involved in the shady deal. But once this is confirmed we will lodge a formal request for compensation," the President said in response to questions at a meeting he held with senior newspaper editors at State House, Dar es Salaam.


A number of officials, including former Infrastructure minister Andrew Chenge, are being investigated for their alleged roles in the dubious deal.

Mr Chenge resigned following media reports that he was being investigated over the corrupt radar deal. In his spirited defence of himself, he caused a stir and became a talking point countrywide when he referred to $1 million reportedly found in his offshore account as "vijisenti" (pocket change).

The SFO is investigating the Sh50 billion deal involving a UK arms dealer, BAE Systems, which is alleged to have paid some middlemen a staggering $12 million (Sh15 billion).

Britain's The Guardian newspaper reported last year that Mr Chenge had denied during its own investigations that the more than $1 million (�507,500) found in his offshore account had been paid to him by BAE.

Investigators involved in a three-year inquiry following the controversial deal to sell Tanzania a �28 million radar system traced the money to Jersey accounts reportedly held by Mr Chenge.

But he told the newspaper: "The obvious inference [of the investigation] is that I have received for my benefit 'corrupt payments' from BAE. This is untrue."

The former minister's American lawyer, Mr J. Lewis Madorsky, added: "While the matters in question took place a number of years ago, we can state ... that any and all allegations of illegality, impropriety, misconduct and unethical behaviour made against our client are categorically and vigorously denied".

According to The Guardian, the investigators had said that Mr Chenge could be a valuable witness. The target of their investigation was not him but BAE.

The arms company made the commission payments to a local agent in Tanzania to push through the �28 million radar sale, in an elaborate chain of offshore companies and a Swiss bank.

The SFO investigators also reportedly searched Mr Chenge�s residence in Dar es Salaam, in connection with the claims. He has not refuted the allegation.

According to media reports, a lengthy SFO investigation in the UK discovered that 31 per cent of the deal's contract price had been paid via Switzerland.

BAE Systems transferred the money to its subsidiary, Red Diamond Trading, which is registered in the British Virgin Islands.

Red Diamond then moved the cash to a Swiss account in the name of a Panama company, Envers Trading Corporation. This entity had two Panamanian nominee directors. But it was said to be secretly controlled by a Tanzanian middleman, Mr Shailesh Vithlani.

The SFO and PCCB investigators were checking whether Mr Vithlani passed on any of the money to Tanzanian politicians and officials.

According to President Kikwete, the UK investigation team had been given "all necessary support" by Tanzania's Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

The radar saga, which had earlier caused a storm in the UK House of Commons, took another turn after The Guardian reported that the SFO had confirmed to former British International Development minister Clare Short that it had seen documents showing that the �28 million sale of radar equipment to Tanzania by BAE Systems was corrupt.

Ms Short told a Tory-initiated debate in the House of Commons on the controversial 2002 sale that the issue had split the cabinet.

The newspaper further quoted Ms Short as describing the deal as "squalid", and calling for cross-party support to tighten the rules on arms sales to developing countries.

She also said the Tanzanian Government would have been happy had Britain blocked the deal by refusing to issue an export licence on the grounds that it would hinder the country's development.

During the debate, the report further notes, the current International Development Secretary, Mr Hilary Benn, revealed that as Ms Short's deputy at the time, he had also opposed the granting of the export licence. But he suggested that with hindsight the deal might have been worthwhile.

However, he said it would not be appropriate for him to comment on reports that a payment of $12 million (�6.1m) had been made to middlemen by BAE to clear the deal.
 
Ndo maana napenda JF!

Chenge na Dr. Idris Rashid...ktk rada deal.

Hivi ukiisoma hii doc. Paundi laki sita.. kule visiwa vya Jersey..eti ni Wealth from Family Inheritance! Huna mtu ana data za utajiri wa wazazi wa Chenge? Yawezekana kuuza ng'ombe na kupata kweli zaidi ya tshs bilioni moja??

Dr. Idris Rashid wa TANESCO..huyu wengi walimwamini sana...naye pia mikono yake michafu?
 
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Ndo maana napenda JF!

Chenge na Dr. Idris Rashid...ktk rada deal.

Hivi ukiisoma hii doc. Paundi laki sita.. kule visiwa vya Jersey..eti ni Wealth from Family Inheritance! Huna mtu ana data za utajiri wa wazazi wa Change? Yawezekana kuuza ng'ombe na kupata kweli zaidi ya tshs bilioni moja??

Dr. Idris Rashid wa TANESCO..huyu wengi walimwamini sana...naye pia mikono yake michafu?

Du kweli tz shamba la bibi, halafu hawa watu bado tu wanaheshimika kwenye jamii na huyo Rashidi kuaminika kwamba ataikomboa hiyo Tanesco. Long live JF.

Kaswali ka kizushi hivi hao PCCB wetu na hao intelligence wanafanya nini? Ngoma kama hii wametafuniwa kila kitu lakini bado wakiulizwa watakwambia hamna ushahidi.
 
Hatimaye, ni lazima wakafie motoni, ndio maana yanateteana haya mafisadi yanajua yatapoishia.

Anyway hakuna uhusiano wowote wa mauaji ya maalbino na dawa ya kuwakinga mafisadi wasifikishwe kwenye mkondo wa sheria
 
I can't think of mang'ombe that worth paundi laki sita!
 
Jioneeni Wenyewe.

Halafu bado watu wanaendelea nafasi zao nyeti kama kawaida kama vile hakuna jambo la aibu linalowahusu kama hili.

Inatia uchungu sana, hapa inawezekana kushawishika kuchukua mapanga kabisa.

JF IISHI MILELE.
 
I know Chenge's house was raided but did they ever raid Rashidi's house as the document recomended?

By the way why is this in the International Forum? This involves Tanzanian politics
 
Hakika Chenge ni mchafu. Kumbe na Rashid pia?
Ehhhhhh grrrrrrrrrrrr naona tuna watenda kazi wezi tupu! je nchi hii itasogea?
Ee Mungu tunusuru kutoka katika makucha ya watu hawa. Ni wezi na wanatupeleka kusiko.
Wanasababisha migomo hata ya watoto wadogo wa kindergaten.
 
Huyu nae ni ready handed Pinda anaturuhusu na huyu tumfanye vile alivyosema?
 
Inatia uchungu sana, hapa inawezekana kushawishika kuchukua mapanga kabisa.

JF IISHI MILELE.

Angalia ndugu yangu, hii ni bongo! Unaweza kuchukua mapanga ukaishia kugeuziwa kibao wewe mwenyewe. Wao wataendelea kutesa tu na kukumbatiana wakielezana kuwa "Usijali mshikaji hii ngoma inaisha sasa hivi". I wish Tanzanians had hearts and brains.
 
Habari nyingine zinakosesha raha, yani wakati wengine wanakosa ada ya shule, hela za matibabu, hata msosi tu wa mara mbili kwa siku. Kuna watu wanaliingiza Taifa katika ufisadi na bado wako huru.

Hili suala la rada, Waziri wa mambo ya nje wa UK wakati huo , Bibi Clare Short alipiga sana kelele, kuwa nchi masikini kama TZ haiwezi kununua hiyo rada wakati kuna mambo kibao ya kipaumbele. Tungeweza nunua rada ya bei rahisi kama ilikuwa muhimu sana. Kumbe wale tuliowapa uongozi wao walikuwa wananunua hiyo rada ili kujineemesha.
 
This money that Rashid got from Chenge is the tip of the ice-berg!! Rashid has more money stashed abroad than what Chenge has; this guy was the BOT governor and during his tenure he made alot of dubious deals which led to the collapse of many banks, Do you remember THE DEBT CONVERSION SCHEME?: Meridien Biao Bank, Trust Bank, Greenland Bank of Rashid's friend late Suleiman Chigundu?? This Rashid guy is rotten to the core and it is only fellow fisadis who can give him kazi huko Tanesco!!
 
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