Hundreds throng court as ex-RAS, others face justice

MEDDY MULISA in Bukoba

Ex-Kagera RAS, Amantius Msole

KAGERA Resident Magistrate’s Court was yesterday filled to capacity as hundreds of Bukoba residents thronged the premises to witness the arraignment of the recently dismissed Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS).

The ex-Kagera RAS, Amantius Msole, was arraigned before the court during the morning, with several charges read against him. With him before Bukoka Resident Magistrate Dennice Mpelembwa were former Kagera Regional Chief Accountant Simbaufoo Swai, Bukoba Municipal Council Director, Steven Makonda and CRDB Bukoba Branch Manager, Carlo Sendo.

Prosecuting, Principal State Attorney Hashim Ngole told the court that on September 19, this year, the four accused jointly conspired to commit a felony by opening a different bank account No 015225617399, contrary to directives from the Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa.

According to Mr Ngole, the Prime Minister had directed the Kagera regional authorities to open a special account Number 0152225617300 at the CRDB Bank - Bukoba Branch to collect donations towards the support of Kagera earthquake victims.

The accused were also charged with the misuse of their office contrary to Section 17/2005 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

They were not asked to enter any plea as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has not given directives on the case. Magistrate Mpelembwa adjourned the case to tomorrow when bail conditions will be considered. All the accused were whisked in a police van to remand prison.

President John Magufuli on Tuesday revoked the appointment of Msole and Makonda, over fraud accusations.

The two were fired after it was found out that they had opened a bank account using a similar name with the official account used to collect donations to support the victims of Kagera earthquake as a way to earn money fraudulently.

The Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, also suspended Swai over his involvement in the plot.

The region’s authorities opened the account by the name of ‘Kamati Maafa Kagera’ following the tremor, which hit the region, killing 17 people and damaging properties, including houses, rendering thousands of residents homeless.