Rita finds Sh2 billion embezzled from Dar mosque
What you need to know:
- Legal action will be taken against those implicated.
Dar es Salaam. The Registration, Insolvency, and Trusteeship Agency (Rita)’s investigation has revealed embezzlement and loss of assets worth over Sh2 billion at Kariakoo’s Manyema Mosque in Dar es Salaam.
The findings, presented after an in-depth audit of the mosque’s assets and funds, were announced by Rita’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Frank Kanyusi.
He confirmed that legal action will be taken against those implicated.
"The investigation team uncovered financial mismanagement exceeding Sh2 billion, loss of institutional assets, including plots of land, and abuse of power,” said Mr Kanyusi. “All those implicated will be referred to investigative authorities for further action.”
The investigation followed complaints from mosque members and leaders alleging asset embezzlement. Mr Kanyusi said a meeting on July 9, 2024, involving officials from the Muslim Council of Tanzania, famously known by its Kiswahili acronym as Bakwata, and the dissolved Board of Trustees, revealed the allegations, prompting Rita to act.
“Using authority under Section 14 of the Trustees Registration Act, I established a team to verify the legitimacy of the mosque’s assets and review revenue collection processes to ensure compliance with laws and regulations,” he explained.
Mr Kanyusi urged Boards of Trustees of all Rita-registered institutions to adhere to their constitutional responsibilities and ensure proper management of finances and assets to avoid legal repercussions.
Bakwata’s representative, Mr Rashid Salam, pledged continued cooperation with Rita to monitor institutions under its umbrella. “We are committed to ensuring these institutions act with integrity and follow national laws in managing assets entrusted to them,” he said.
The Chairman of the Transitional Committee of Manyema Mosque, Mr Said Bakari Isihaka, stated that members are awaiting legal procedures and directives to ensure accountability.
“All involved in the embezzlement must return the mosque’s assets and face legal consequences,” said Mr Isihaka. Echoing these sentiments, a member of the committee, Mr Ismail Aden Rage, expressed disappointment over the corruption. “Legal action must be taken to recover the lost assets and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he urged.
Rita has reiterated its commitment to safeguard institutional assets and uphold transparency in trusteeship operations.
