Lazaro Nyalandu, two others held by PCCB in Singida

Dar es Salaam. The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has arrested former Natural Resources and Tourism minister Lazaro Nyalandu over unspecified corruption allegations.

Nyalandu and two opposition cadres from his party, Chadema, were arrested Monday, May 27, 2019, in Singida. The three were arrested in Itagi Ward during a closed door meeting, police have confirmed.

Singida Regional Police Commander Sweetbert Njewike told The Citizen on phone that the former Singida North MP is being held for questioning over allegations that PCCB is yet to reveal. “They are the ones to establish reasons for the arrest and questioning,” he said.

Chadema's director of Protocol, Communications and Foreign Affairs John Mrema told The Citizen that Mr Nyalandu has been arrested alongside the party’s 2015 parliamentary candidate for Singida North Constituency, Mr David Jumbe, and Itaja Ward chairman, Peter Mwangwi.

“We can confirm that the three are being held at PCCB regional offices in Singida, but we haven’t established reasons for their arrest yet,”said Mrema.

He added: “We have asked party advocates in the region to go at PCCB offices and make close follow up on the matter. Hopefully, we will get to know the cause of the arrest after they have arrived and spoken to the authorities.”

According to him, the three were arrested in Itagi Ward during a closed door meeting that intended to update the party’s register to meet demands of the amended Political Parties Act.

He said witnesses have reported that a white Land Cruiser arrived at the venue with people who introduced themselves as security officers. 

“They produced IDs and informed Nyakandu and the two that they would be taken to Singida Town where he is being held since afternoon,” Mr Mrema said.

Regional PCCB head, Mr Joshua Msuya told The Citizen in the afternoon that Mr Nyalandu was arrested after learning that the meeting had signs of corruption.

But reports later in the day confirmed that the three have been taken to the Central Police Station in Singida where they will be questioned for illegal assembly.