Tanzania: Former district boss, nine council officials arraigned for economic sabotage

Musoma. Nine officials from the Bunda District Council in Mara Region, including former District Executive Director Mr Amos Kusaja, along with three businesspeople, were arraigned yesterday at the Musoma Resident Magistrate’s Court on charges of economic sabotage, allegedly causing the government a loss of more than Sh205.7 million.

The accused faced a total of 38 charges in economic sabotage case number 32001/2024. The hearing, held on November 11, 2024, was presided over by Resident Magistrate Veronica Mgendi.

State Attorney Ms Restuta Kessy from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) outlined the allegations, stating that the offenses were purportedly committed between June and July 2021.

Ms Kessy told the court that under sections 26 and 2 of the Economic Sabotage Act, the case required authorization and a certificate from the Director of Public Prosecutions, both of which were secured before the case reached the court.

“They are being charged with economic sabotage, including abuse of office and engaging in criminal activities that resulted in significant financial losses to the Bunda District Council,” said Ms Kessy.

She further explained that the three businesspeople involved are contractors accused of collaborating with the council officials in actions that breached the law.

Lead defense counsel Mr Leonard Magwayega, representing the four defense lawyers, appealed for bail, arguing that the charges are bailable by law.

“We request that this honorable court grant our clients bail as the amount cited falls within this court’s jurisdiction, as stipulated under section 29, subsection 4(a) of the Economic Sabotage and Organized Crime Act,” Mr Magwayega submitted.

After considering the arguments, Magistrate Mgendi granted bail, requiring each defendant to provide a single guarantor who would sign a Sh3 million bond, have a verifiable residence, and present recognized identification.

“Upon reviewing the amount each defendant is alleged to be responsible for—approximately Sh8.5 million each—I have concluded this qualifies for bail. Each defendant must therefore provide one recognized guarantor with verifiable residence and identification who will sign a Sh3 million bond,” she stated.

The accused met the bail requirements and were released, with instructions to return to court on December 2, 2024, for the preliminary hearing.

This is the second time Mr. Kusaja has appeared in court on similar charges. Previously, on October 17, 2023, he, along with 11 others—businesspeople and government officials—faced allegations at the Bunda District Court for abuse of office and causing government losses exceeding Sh351.6 million.