Mtwara DC orders arrest of TASAF fund fraudsters

MTWARA District Commissioner, Mr Dunstan Kyobya has ordered an arrest of alleged criminals associated with fraud of funds allocated for beneficiaries of Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) in Mtwara Mikindani Municipal Council, Mtwara region.

The DC issued the order here yesterday, directing the area Executive Director, Mr Emmanuel Mwaigobeko to ensure the criminals are arrested and punished as required.

In addition to that, the DC directed Mweigobeko to come up with  a better plan that will help to  identify all the elderly people entitled to  TASAF grants, educate them on how to manage the  funds.

Mr Kyobya made the call here when he met with beneficiaries of TASAF from Chikongola and Tandika Wards in Mtwara Mikindani Municipal Council.

The DC made the revelation following complaints raised by some beneficiaries blaming their relatives and other people for stealing the TASAF funds allocated for them.

On the other hand, Mr Kyobya asked the recipients of TASAF grants to use the funds by investing in income-generating projects and seek for self employment.

Tandika Ward Councillors Mr Haruni Haruni commended the government for continued support to elderly people in ward reiterating the need for the beneficiaries to ensure the funds are managed well to benefit them as planned.

TASAF Coordinator in Mtwara District, Ms Sylvia Mwanache said the government is making effort to ensure the funds are provided to the beneficiaries on time in order to help them engage in income generating projects to ensure they are self employed.

According to TASAF some of the challenges facing the fund included poor investment in income generating projects, corruption, lack of self employment among TASAF beneficiaries and poor entrepreneurial skills among TASAF beneficiaries.