7 Manyoni DC officials, contractor arraigned over 501m/- money laundering

MANYONI, SINGIDA: A total of seven public officials from Manyoni District Council and a contractor have been arraigned before the Manyoni District Court in Singida Region and charged with six counts, including money laundering involving 501m/-.

Those charged are former Treasurer Mr George Mzeru, accountants Mr Emilian Mauki, Mr Lutufyo Mwakapala, Mr Edward Kilumbu, Ms Revania Ruheta, Ms Doreen Shirima, Mr Salum Mafita, and a contractor from ML Kimboka General Trading, Mr Michael Mushi.

The charges were read by State Attorney Godfrey Songolo before Resident Magistrate Ailisile Mwankejela of the Manyoni District Court.

The court heard that the accused were charged with money laundering contrary to Sections 12(1)(d) and 13(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Cap 423 Revised Edition 2023; leading an organised criminal group contrary to Paragraph 4(1); and causing loss to a specified authority contrary to Paragraph 10(1) of the First Schedule and Section 57(1) and (2) of the Economic and Organised Crime Control Act, Cap 200 Revised Edition 2023.

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They are also charged with theft by public servants contrary to Sections 258(1) and 270 of the Penal Code, Cap 16 Revised Edition 2023, as well as embezzlement and misappropriation contrary to Section 28(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Act, Cap 329 Revised Edition 2023.

The State Attorney alleged that between July 1, 2024 and May 29, 2026, the accused committed the offences, causing financial loss to the government.

The accused were not required to enter a plea; however, they were denied bail because the court lacks jurisdiction to grant bail in such cases.

The case has been adjourned until June 30, 2026, for mention as investigations are still ongoing.