TEMESA ex-boss, CWT leaders arraigned over graft charges

DODOMA: FORMER Director General of the Tanzania Electrical, Mechanical and Electronics Services Agency (TEMESA), Mr Lazaro Kilahala, and 13 others yesterday appeared before the Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dodoma facing nine charges, including leading a criminal syndicate and money laundering involving 1.3bn/-.

The accused allegedly committed the offences through procurement of counterfeit vehicle spare parts. Before Resident Magistrate Zabibu Mpangule, Senior State Attorney Patrick Mwita named the other accused as Mr Mathias Rutaguza, Mr Sambayeti Magoko, Mr Kennesy Menene, Mr Peter Bongole, Mr Clavery Busunzu, Mr Mrisho Kinguti, Ms Renatha Juma, Mr Vincent Rutebuka, Mr Michael Assey, Mr Caesar Chambo, Mr Nassoro Igangule and Mr Deus Matiku, alongside two staff members from Kentra Tanzania Limited.

The prosecution alleged that between April 2022 and November 2024, in Dodoma, Dar es Salaam and Tabora, the accused coordinated criminal activities involving forgery of documents. In one count, Mr Bongole, Mr Busunzu, Mr Kinguti, Ms Juma and Mr Rutebuka are accused of forging payment documents in March 2022 at Tabora Municipality, falsely claiming that Hamida Princess Company supplied spare parts worth 8.5m/- to TEMESA Tabora.

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The accused also face money laundering charges after allegedly laundering 1.1bn/- believed to be proceeds of crime. The suspects were not required to enter pleas because the court lacks jurisdiction until consent is granted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

They were remanded in custody and the case adjourned to June 8 for mention. The court also ordered police to trace absent accused persons Mathias Rutaguza and Michael Assey.

In a separate case, former Tanzania Teachers’ Union (TTU) president Leah Ulaya, former secretary general Japhet Maganga and seven others were charged with 14 counts, including leading a criminal syndicate and money laundering involving 2.2bn/-.

Other accused include current TTU president Suleiman Ikomba, Nashon Kidudu, current secretary Joseph Misalaba, Baraka Mbonalibha, Wambura Kihengu and Angelina Wambura.

The prosecution alleged that on September 25, 2023, the accused coordinated criminal activities linked to procurement processes.

Some of the accused are also charged with abuse of office after allegedly forging procurement documents for T-shirts and caps worth 1.3bn/- at St Gaspar Hotel in Dodoma in November 2023. Three accused persons were absent from court, prompting the magistrate to order police to trace them.

An official from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), Godliver Tillya, said investigations uncovered the alleged embezzlement, leading to the suspects’ arraignment.