Tanzania: Two appear in Dar court over Tegeta escrow account saga

Two people yesterday appeared before Kisutu Resident Magistrates’ Court in Dar es Salaam yesterday in connection with the saga over the Bank of Tanzania Tegeta escrow account scandal.

They are Rugonzibwa Mujunangoma, Director of Legal Services in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development and Theophill Bwakea, Principal Engineer of the Rural Energy Agency (REA).

They were charged with committing corrupt transactions contrary to section 15 (1) of Combating of Corruption Act No. 11/2007.

Leading the prosecution was Leonard Swai from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) who was assisted by Max Ari. The case came up before Senior Resident Magistrate Emmilius Mchauru.

It was alleged that Mujunangoma committed the offence on February 5, 2014 at Mkombozi Bank house within Ilala District.

On the material day, it was further alleged, the accused corruptly obtained 323,400,000/- through his account number 00120102602001, which was part of the Tegeta Escrow Account. 

The court was told that the accused received the money from James Rugemalira, a Private International Consultant and director of VIP Engineering and Marketing and former director of Independent Power Tanzania Ltd (IPTL).

It was alleged that the money was given to him as a reward for handling IPTL affairs as a provisional liquidator.

The other accused, Bwakea, appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Frank Moshi. Led by Swai, the prosecution alleged that he committed the offence on February 12, 2014 at Mkombozi Bank House within Ilala Municipality.

Swai told the court that on that day Bwakea corruptly obtained 161,700,000/- through his account number 00410102643901 from Rugemalira. 

He further alleged that it was a reward for being among members who prepared a policy allowing the private sector to produce and sell electricity to the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO).

All the accused pleaded not guilty and were release on bail after meeting the conditions. 

Bwakea was ordered to bring two sureties from the government or any recognised institute to sign a bond of 25m/- each. In addition, he is not allowed to travel outside Dar es Salaam without the court’s permission.

Magistrate Moshi also ordered Bwakea not to conduct any transaction from his account until the case is over.

Investigations into the case are complete and its preliminary hearing is slated for January 29 this year.

The court further ordered Mujunangoma to bring two sureties from the government or public service to sign a bond of 10m/- each.

He was also ordered to deposit half of the money he is accused of or a title deed with the same value.

In addition, Magistrate Mchauru ordered the accused not to travel outside Dar es Salaam without a court permit. 

The prosecution asked the court to freeze the bank account of the accused. However, court ordered prosecution to make the request in a formal application.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN