12 held over missing containers
The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mr Diwani Athumani named five suspects saying the
remaining seven their names will be revealed after investigations.
He named those in custody as
Commissioner of Customs, Tiagi Masamaki (56) and TRA Assistant
Manager at Customs Service, Habib Mponezya, Head of ICT Department Haruni Mpande , In-charge of
the ICD, Eliaichi Mrema and Business Officer Hamis Ally Omary The DCI told reporters in Dar es Salaam
that investigations on other seven suspects in connection with the matter are going on and that the names
will be released after they are completed.
Manager at Customs Service, Habib Mponezya, Head of ICT Department Haruni Mpande , In-charge of
the ICD, Eliaichi Mrema and Business Officer Hamis Ally Omary The DCI told reporters in Dar es Salaam
that investigations on other seven suspects in connection with the matter are going on and that the names
will be released after they are completed.
He said the suspects’ arrest follows
investigations conducted by officers in the police financial crimes unit
in
collaboration with all institutions that in one way or another were linked with the scandal that has denied the
government of billions of shillings in appropriate revenue.
collaboration with all institutions that in one way or another were linked with the scandal that has denied the
government of billions of shillings in appropriate revenue.
Mr Athumani appealed to members of
public who have got important information on those who are
implicated in the container syndicate at the country’s major sea gateway as well as embezzlers of public
property to report to the police.
implicated in the container syndicate at the country’s major sea gateway as well as embezzlers of public
property to report to the police.
However, he said, those who know that in
one way or another are being involved in the scandal should
surrender to the police before being tracked by the law enforcers.
surrender to the police before being tracked by the law enforcers.
The DCI said the suspects will appear in
court after investigations are complete. Last week, the government
suspended TRA Commissioner General, Rished Bade, and five other senior officials in the wake of the
missing 349 containers valued at 80bn/-.
suspended TRA Commissioner General, Rished Bade, and five other senior officials in the wake of the
missing 349 containers valued at 80bn/-.
The move followed a surprise visit last
week, by the Prime Minister, Mr Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa, to
Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and that of the TRA and suspended Masamaki and Mponezya.
Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and that of the TRA and suspended Masamaki and Mponezya.
Other suspended officers - Mpande,
Hamisi Ali Omari and Eliachi Mrema are being held by the police.
He also directed the Inspector- Gener
al of Police (IGP) to apprehend all those implicated so that they can help with the investigations.
He also directed the Inspector- Gener
al of Police (IGP) to apprehend all those implicated so that they can help with the investigations.
Their passports have already been
confiscated and their wealth is now under audit. Mr Majaliwa had
also directed the transfer of three employees from Dar es Salaam to an upcountry destination.
also directed the transfer of three employees from Dar es Salaam to an upcountry destination.
They are Anangisye Mtafya, Nsajigwa
Mwandengele and Robert Nyoni. Earlier before the suspension,
the TRA CG had admitted that containers got lost between the port and ICDs, particularly the Ubungo
ICD. Bade had said that in an investigation that he carried out in one ICD, he found 54 containers
had been lost under mysterious circumstances. “In spite of that, we are continuing with the investigations.
the TRA CG had admitted that containers got lost between the port and ICDs, particularly the Ubungo
ICD. Bade had said that in an investigation that he carried out in one ICD, he found 54 containers
had been lost under mysterious circumstances. “In spite of that, we are continuing with the investigations.
The number has now reached 327. We are
still following up on the matter and working with PCCB. The
owner of the ICD has been fined 12.6bn/- and has already paid 2.4bn/-,” he had explained.
owner of the ICD has been fined 12.6bn/- and has already paid 2.4bn/-,” he had explained.
When asked by the premier if he has the
names of the employees involved in the theft, Bade admitted
that he had a list but he could not produce it immediately.
that he had a list but he could not produce it immediately.
Mr Majaliwa then showed him a list
showing there were 349 stolen containers with all the details, including
licence plate numbers that carried the containers, which Bade agreed was correct.
licence plate numbers that carried the containers, which Bade agreed was correct.
It was at that juncture that the PM said
that such a trend could not continue and that there was need to
remove ‘rotten apples’ from the tax body hierarchy. He did exactly that.
remove ‘rotten apples’ from the tax body hierarchy. He did exactly that.
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