PM orders arrest of village officer over embezzlement claims

Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa ordered the arrest of former Bulagamilwa village executive officer Ntemi James on Thursday over allegations of funds embezzlement.

The officer together with his alleged accomplices are accused of embezzling public funds amounting to Sh141 million.

The Premier tasked the commander of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) based in Igunga District, Tabora, Mr Francis Zuakuu, to implement the directive as soon as possible.

Mr Majaliwa issued the directive when speaking to Igunga district council officers during his three-day official tour of Tabora, the Prime Minister’s communications unit disclosed. Earlier, Manonga MP Seif Gulamali appealed for the PM’s intervention to help resolve reports of embezzlement of funds.

In his response, the Premier ordered the arrest of all the suspected embezzlers of the local government funds, including the former villager leader. Mr James, who is among the suspects, is currently serving as the executive officer of Igurubi ward.

Meanwhile, the Premier has instructed public servants in the district to exercise their national duties according to the country’s laws.

He reiterated that public servants are obliged to work harder and use their professional skills to address socio-economic challenges facing people, citing that the government will not hesitate to expel non-performing servants from office.

“The government’s vision is to ensure that its citizens have access to all social services. We will therefore not hesitate to issue punitive legal measures against any public servant, who will be found guilty of corruption charges and embezzlement of public funds,” he said.