The Radar Scandal: Investigation & Progress

[Freetown]

THISDAY REPORTER
Dar es Salaam

FORMER cabinet minister Andrew Chenge, who was recently forced to resign over corruption allegations stemming from the military radar purchase scandal, has been linked to a local bank account in Dar es Salaam with a staggering $13m (approx. 15bn/-) balance.

Chenge, also a former attorney general, who sensationally described more than $1m found in his offshore bank accounts as mere ’’pocket change’’, is listed as the signatory of an account with a whopping $12,997,950.04 at the National Bank of Commerce Limited’s Corporate Branch in the city.

Well-placed sources say that even after resigning from government, Chenge’s name still appears as signatory of the NBC bank account owned by the controversial TANGOLD Limited company.

Apart from the US-dollar account, the supposedly government-owned company has a separate bank account in local currency at the same bank branch, with more than 1.3bn/-.

The huge funds paid into the TANGOLD bank accounts originated from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) in December 2005.

Government sources say the former infrastructure development minister also has his own personal account at the same NBC Corporate Branch, with more than 24m/-.

’’Chenge’s personal bank account is linked to the two bank accounts owned by TANGOLD, where he is listed as signatory,’’ said a well-placed source.

Earlier investigations by THISDAY have already established that TANGOLD Limited was registered as an offshore company in Port Louis, Mauritius in April 2005, with at least five top government functionaries at the time listed as directors.

They included the then BoT governor, Dr Daudi Ballali, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Gray Mgonja, who still retains the same position todate despite a government changeover in the interim.

Other directors of the company are Chenge (who was then serving as attorney general); the then permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Patrick Rutabanzibwa; and the then permanent secretary in the Ministry of Livestock Development, Vincent Mrisho.

Rutabanzibwa and Mrisho are now permanent secretaries in the Ministry of Water and the Prime Minister’s Office, respectively.

It remains unclear why the third phase government under former president Benjamin Mkapa formed the offshore TANGOLD company in Mauritius.

Also still a mystery is the decision to make Chenge and other high-ranking public officials at that time directors of the company.

It has further been established that the company’s constitution gives all five directors - Ballali, Chenge, Mgonja, Rutabanzibwa and Mrisho - rights to transfer their shares to family members.

A section of the TANGOLD Limited constitution states as follows: ’’Any share may be transferred by a shareholder to, or to trustees for, the spouse, father, mother, child, grandchild, son-in-law or daughter-in-law of that shareholder; and any share of a deceased shareholder may be transferred by his executors or administrators to the spouse, father, mother, child, grandchild, son-in-law or daughter-in-law of the deceased shareholder.’’

This is all despite assurances in parliament by former energy and minerals minister Nazir Karamagi, that TANGOLD Limited is a wholly government-owned company.

According to THISDAY investigations, the BoT previously paid to a South African bank over $118m (approx. 150bn/-), to liquidate a loan issued to the now-defunct Meremeta Gold Mine company.

And Karamagi told the National Assembly last year that all assets and liabilities of Meremeta Gold - including the Buhemba Gold Mine in Mara Region - had been transferred to TANGOLD Limited.

The BoT is understood to have dished out a total of 150bn/- as part of the process of liquidating the Meremeta Gold company, which was in fact a joint venture project owned on a 50-50 basis by the Tanzanian government and a private South African firm going by the name of Trinnex (Pty) Limited.

Members of Parliament have repeatedly questioned the huge payments made by BoT to Meremeta/TANGOLD, and are demanding an official investigation into the matter.

In the meantime, Chenge - forced to step down after being linked to the 2002 military radar purchase scandal - was by last week still listed as signatory of at least one of the supposedly government-owned company’s bank accounts, with a balance of more than 15bn/-.

 

[Alpha]

http://www.afrika.no/Detailed/16598.html

...Although reports that Chenge is under investigations came out recently, East African Business Week has established that the SFO started a follow up on the matter three years ago. The radar was manufactured by Siemens Plessey, which then had become a BAE subsidiary. The local Siemens agent then negotiated the sale with the Tanzanian defence ministry. The radar deal has a long history. It all started in 1992 during President Ali Hassan Mwinyi when negotiators had put the price tag at 11o million pound sterling.

The deal was blocked on reasons that it was unaffordable and the first Tanzanian President, Julius Nyerere played a great role in discouraging it. However, when Nyerere died in 1999, the scheme was resurrected, with a smaller phase to be followed by the rest but both the World Bank and the International Civil Aviation Organisation were against the deal. In the UK, the then Development Secretary, Ms. Clare Short, temporarily blocked aid payments in protest and said openly that she suspected corruption.

“It stank and was always obvious that this useless project was corrupt,” she was quoted as saying. Short also made an attempt to prevent the sale by arguing that a British arms export license be withheld but was overruled in cabinet by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair. Britain’s Foreign Secretary then, Mr. Robin Cook and current prime minister Gordon Brown were also against the deal. The reasons put forward by both Short and Cook were that because Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world, there were no substantive reasons to enter into such an expensive deal.

Chenge, resigned on April 20, 2008 after the Guardian newspaper of the UK said the minister has stashed away $1 million in an offshore account and that the team investigating the sale of the military radar to Tanzania was tracing the account. Also discovered, was a $ 500,000 transaction shown to have been made (from Chenge’s offshore account) to one of the senior officers of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco). Two weeks ago SFO conducted an in-depth search at both Chenge’s offices and residence in Dar es Salaam....

 

[murra wa marwa]

Hivi ucgunguzi wa nini tena wakati kuna ushahidi wa kutosha kabisa kumfungulia bwana vijisenti mashtaka. Mheshimiwa rais una nini muungwana, mbona wamfumbia macho sana huyu bwana. Usisubiri hao wenzie, anza na hao wanne kwanza. Wakati hawa wako gerezani kesi ya mafisadi Mkapa, Yona, Mgonja na wengine itakuwa inaendelea. Fanya hima rais.

 

[Lambardi]

Mi Nashanga...kila Kitu Uchunguzi....kila Kitu Kiko Wazi...bado Wanachunguza Tuuu

 

[Freetown]

http://www.afrika.no/Detailed/16598.html

Nilikuwa naisubiri kwa hamu sana hii topic, leteni uwanjani hizo lazima zinahusu IPTL mwaka huu hawana kwa kukimbilia. miaka kumi ya mkapa nchi imechakazwa sio mchezo.

 

[Azimio Jipya]

Exactly na hii tuichambue kwa kina na very ojectively....!

 

[Freetown]

Mi Nashanga...kila Kitu Uchunguzi....kila Kitu Kiko Wazi...bado Wanachunguza Tuuu

watachunguza lakini utafikia mwisho wake, ili mradi watu wasikae kimya issue zinatakiwa kuwa live wakati wote, tusilale, mpaka kieleweke

 

[Lambardi]

Mi Nashanga...kila Kitu Uchunguzi....kila Kitu Kiko Wazi...bado Wanachunguza Tuuu

 

[Kipanga]

Muungwana anatuchosha haya mambo sasa umefika wakati kijiko kiitwe kijiko na si bakuri. Jamani Hivi huyu mzee wa vijisenti haya mapesa yoooooote anapeleka wapi?? Cha kushangaza hata kwa waliompigia KURA ili apate KULA hata huduma za kijamii hakuna ye mapesa kajirundikia... Eh! mola huko uliko hawa watu uanze kuwapa adhabu za kabrini hapa hapa duniani hata kabla hawajaingia kaburini ili wakija huko wawe wameshapoteza fahamu haiwezekani mtu na akili zake timamu akajirimbikizia utajiri kiasi hiki... Hivi hapa kuna haja ya uchunguzi tena au ni kuwapeleka kwa pilato tu mambo yaishe...Uvumilivu utatushinda very soon naona wanataka kutugeuza MISUKULE YAO....

 

[Gaijin]

wanatafuta means za kumtoa kwenye soo.
lakini mwaka huu hamna kulala mpaka kieleweke

 

[BAK]

Mzee wa vijisenti alikuwa anavikusanya tu vijisenti. Inaelekea alikuwa na bank accounts nyingi sana, mpaka zote zijulikane na zirudishwe hazina na yeye, Lowassa, Msabaha na Karamagi wafukuzwe bungeni.

 

[Kana-Ka-Nsungu]

At the moment I think we need utawala wa kidikteta to stop the rot, tumpate Raisi ambaye hatajali mambo ya sheria wala haki za binadamu, awanyang'anye mali zote hawa mafisadi kisha awasweke ndani kwa muda mrefu bila kuwafungulia mashtaka then awanyonge kimyamya!
Hakuna cha kesi wala nini kwa kuwa tukiwapeleka mahakamani watashinda tu, with all the money bags they have got- they can hire the best lawyer on earth!

 

[taffu69]

CAG kwenye ripoti yake ya ukaguzi wa hesabu za serikali na mashirika ya umma alidhibitisha kuwa TANGOLD haiko kwenye orodha ya makampuni ambayo yanamilikiwa na serikali. Hii ni wazi kuwa TANGOLD ni kampuni binafsi ya akina Chenge, Mgonja, Rutabanzibwa, Balali, Mrisho na wengineo. Kampuni imehusika kwenye ubadhirifu mkubwa wa fedha za Serikali na kuchangia katika kudumaza maendeleo ya nchi. Kwa nini isitolewe amri hawa watu wakakamatwa mara moja na kuhakikisha fedha yote inarudishwa serikalini na wahusika wanakabiliana na mkono wa dola? This is high time we change the tune by keeping shouting and crying to these evil people, the government and JK as well.

 

[BAK]

Posted Date::4/28/2008
Ikulu yambana Chenge
* Yaanza kumchunguza rasmi

* Ikibainika ana jinai kufikishwa kortini

* Waziri asema kila kitu kitaanikwa

* Asema Watanzania wasubiri matokeo


Na Muhibu Said
Mwananchi

SERIKALI imesema aliyekuwa Waziri wa Miundombinu, Andrew Chenge anayetuhumiwa kumiliki dola za Marekani 1 milioni (Sh 1.2 bilioni) nje ya nchi, sasa anachunguzwa na vyombo mbalimbali vya kitaifa na kimataifa ili kubaini iwapo ana kesi ya kujibu mahakamani.

Hatua hiyo imefikiwa baada ya tuhuma zinazomkabili Chenge ambaye ni Mbunge wa Bariadi Magharibi (CCM), kufikishwa rasmi serikalini.

Waziri wa Nchi, Ofisi ya Rais (Utawala Bora), Sophia Simba, aliliambia gazeti hili jana na kuwa, uchunguzi wa serikali umeshaanza na iwapo serikali itajiridhisha kuwa Chenge ana kesi ya kujibu, atafikishwa mahakamani ambako mambo yote yatajulikana.

"Suala lake (Chenge) limeshafika serikalini na ndio maana akajiuzulu. Uchunguzi wa kina unaendelea kuona huyu bwana ana hatia au hana. Tusubiri likifika mahakamani, mambo yote yatawekwa wazi," alisema Waziri Simba.

Alipotakiwa kutaja vyombo vinavyomchunguza Chenge, Waziri Simba alisema: "Vyombo vingi vya ndani na nje ya nchi".

Hata hivyo, alisema hawezi kutaja majina ya vyombo hivyo akisema kuwa, kufanya hivyo pamoja na kueleza hatua ya uchunguzi iliyofikiwa kupitia vyombo vya habari, kunaweza kuharibu uchunguzi husika.

"Naye (Chenge) ana haki, lakini sheria lazima ifuate mkondo wake," alisema Waziri Simba alipozungumza na gazeti hili kwa njia ya simu jana.

Aprili 13, mwaka huu, ikiwa ni siku moja baada ya Chenge kudaiwa kumiliki fedha hizo, Waziri Simba alikaririwa na gazeti hili akisema sheria itachukua mkondo wake kuona amezipataje.

Waziri Simba alisema hatua hiyo itachukuliwa baada ya taarifa rasmi kuhusu utajiri wa Chenge kufika serikalini.

Alisema taarifa rasmi zikifika, sheria itachukua mkondo wake kwani hakuna mtu aliye juu ya sheria na kwamba, hata yeye (Simba) hayuko juu ya sheria.

Waziri Simba aliongeza kwamba, taarifa zikifika, itaangaliwa katika kumbukumbu za Chenge katika ofisi ya Sekretarieti ya Maadili ya Viongozi wa Umma kwani Chenge kama viongozi wengine, amejaza fomu za kutaja mali zake, hivyo kama amedanganya, itajulikana.

Alipoulizwa anachukuliaje taarifa za waziri kumiliki fedha nyingi kiasi hicho, alijibu: "Hata mimi nashangaa kama wewe, kama alizipata kihalali au la."

Alisema hadi wakati huo taarifa hizo zilikuwa zikifanyiwa kazi nchini Uingereza na kuwataka wananchi kuwa na subira katika jambo hilo.

"Lakini kuna mtu nimemwambia, labda kauza ng'ombe wao wote ndio akapata hizo pesa, labda watu hatujui, au ana biashara nyingine," alikaririwa akisema Waziri Simba.

Kauli hiyo ya Waziri Simba ilitolewa siku moja, baada ya Gazeti la The Guardian linalochapishwa nchini Uingereza katika toleo lake la Aprili 12, mwaka huu, kueleza kuanza kwa uchunguzi dhidi ya Chenge, kutokana na akaunti yake kukutwa na dola 1 milioni.

Kwa mujibu wa gazeti hilo, taasisi ya kuchunguza makosa makubwa ya jinai nchini humo ijulikanayo kwa jina la Serious Fraud Office (SFO), inafanya uchunguzi kuhusu fedha hizo, ili kuangalia iwapo zina uhusiano wowote na zile zinazoaminika kutolewa kwa njia ya rushwa wakati Tanzania iliponunua rada ya kijeshi kutoka nchini humo kwa paundi milioni 28 (Sh70 bilioni), mwaka 2002.

Gazeti hilo lilieleza uchunguzi huo wa SFO unatarajia kuanza katika kipindi cha wiki sita zijazo, kuanzia wakati huo.

Kwa mujibu wa habari hizo, uchunguzi wa awali unaonyesha kwamba, moja ya mambo yanayofuatiliwa ni kujua iwapo fedha hizo zinazoaminika kuwa za Chenge, zilizowekwa katika akaunti moja iliyoko katika Kisiwa cha Jersey, Uingereza, zina uhusiano wowote na zile zinazoaminika kutoka katika Kampuni ya BAE System, inayotuhumiwa kuinyonya Tanzania kwa kuiuzia rada hiyo kwa bei kubwa kuliko ilivyotakiwa.

The Guardian katika habari yake hiyo iliyowekwa katika mtandao wa intaneti, liliripoti kuwa taarifa hizo zinakuja ikiwa ni miaka mitatu sasa tangu Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa nchini (Takukuru) kwa kushirikiana na SFO na taasisi za uchunguzi za Uswisi na Jersey zilipoanza kuchunguza kuhusu kashfa nzima ya ununuzi wa rada.

Gazeti hilo lilimkariri Chenge akikiri kwamba fedha hizo ni mali yake na akatumia fursa hiyo kukanusha kuwapo kwa uhusiano wowote kati ya fedha hizo na kashfa nzima ya ununuzi wa rada, uliofanywa wakati yeye akiwa Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (AG) katika serikali ya awamu ya tatu.

Septemba 15, mwaka jana, Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), Dk Willibrod Slaa na Mwanasheria wa chama hicho, Tundu Lissu, walimtaja Chenge katika orodha ya vigogo 11, wakiwamo viongozi kadhaa wa serikali nchini kuhusika na ufisadi wa mabilioni ya shilingi za walipakodi.

Baadaye, Septemba 19, Waziri Chenge aliliambia gazeti hili kuwa walioibua hoja ya ufisadi dhidi ya viongozi wa serikali kama wakipata au kama wana ushahidi, yeye binafsi anatoa ruksa waupeleke katika vyombo vya dola ili ufanyiwe kazi.

Alisema hapendi malumbano, isipokuwa yote yaliyozungumzwa atahitaji kuyaona kwa maandishi na uonyeshwe ushahidi wa yeye kuhusika moja kwa moja na ufisadi.

Aprili 17, mwaka huu, alipowasili katika Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere jijini Dar es Salaam (JNIA), Chenge aliwaambia waandishi wa habari kuwa tuhuma za Sh1 bilioni anazodaiwa kumiliki katika akaunti Uingereza, ni za "vijisenti".

Alipoulizwa na waandishi wa habari kuziita vijisenti Sh 1.2 bilioni, alisema: "Kila mtu ana viwango vyake na ana haki ya kusema anavyotaka. Na mtu akikutuhumu, unajua nafsini mwako".

Hata hivyo, siku mbili baadaye, Chenge alikaririwa na vyombo vya habari akiwaomba radhi Watanzania kutokana na kauli yake hiyo akisema kuwa, ilitokana na kuathiriwa na kabila lake la Kisukuma.

Siku chache baadaye, Mkurugenzi wa Mawasiliano wa Ikulu, Salva Rweyemamu, alikaririwa na vyombo vya habari akitangaza kuhusu uamuzi wa Chenge wa kujiuzulu Uwaziri wa Miundombinu, uliopongezwa na Rais Jakaya Kikwete kwamba, ni jambo pekee alilokuwa akilitegemea kutoka kwa Chenge.

 

[Game Theory]

Alipotakiwa kutaja vyombo vinavyomchunguza Chenge, Waziri Simba alisema: "Vyombo vingi vya ndani na nje ya nchi".

Hata hivyo, alisema hawezi kutaja majina ya vyombo hivyo akisema kuwa, kufanya hivyo pamoja na kueleza hatua ya uchunguzi iliyofikiwa kupitia vyombo vya habari, kunaweza kuharibu uchunguzi husika.

 

[Kana-Ka-Nsungu]

Kichwa cha habari chavutia lakini habari yenyewe utumbo mtupu!

 

[Dume la Mbegu]

Huuu....!!
Bila wahalifu police watakosa kazi!!...Bila kesi mahakimu Watakosa kazi...
Bila mafisadi!!!?............sijui

Nafikiri tuanze kutathimini haya mambo kwa logic!!Tusi jiachie sana!! kama kiongozi ana iba basi hata mimi mfuasi nitafanya hivyo!!

What is your point, Sir/Madam?

viongozi wangu!!
Im sorry

You better be!

 

[BAK]

Kichwa cha habari chavutia lakini habari yenyewe utumbo mtupu!

Lazima waonyeshe kwamba 'they are doing something' na sisi tutakuwa tunaweka kwenye kumbukumbu zetu hapa JF. Kukiwa na tofauti tu kati ya yale waliyotwambia na ukweli wa mambo basi tutakuwa tayari kupound with full speed na maneno yao wenyewe ndiyo yatawasuta, ndio uzuri wa JF maana hakifutwi kitu hapa.

 

[Gamba la Nyoka]

acheni hizo jama! sasa mnalalamika nini tena?, waziri si kasema wanamchunguza? mbona mnalia lia, kuweni objective jamani siyo kuwa against kila move serikali inayofanya. tusiwe kama watoto wadogo ukiwa na njaaa unalia, ukilishwa chakula bado unalia. ala!

 

[Kana-Ka-Nsungu]

acheni hizo jama! sasa mnalalamika nini tena?, waziri si kasema wanamchunguza? mbona mnalia lia, kuweni objective jamani siyo kuwa against kila move serikali inayofanya. tusiwe kama watoto wadogo ukiwa na njaaa unalia, ukilishwa chakula bado unalia. ala!

You can fool some people sometimes but you cant fool all people all the time....