Court frees Sumve MP Ndassa

DAILY NEWS Reporter

KISUTU Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam yesterday freed another legislator, Richard Ndassa (56), from corrupt charges.

Senior Resident Magistrate Victoria Nongwa discharged the 56-year old MP for Sumve Constituency on Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) ticket after heading the prosecution request.

A prosecutor from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) Denis Lekayo told the court that the prosecution had no interest to prosecute the lawmaker, citing section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) to support his application.

Mr Ndassa, who headed the Public Investments Committee (PIC), was alleged to have solicited 30m/- and electricity services from the Chief Executive Officer of Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco). He had denied the charge.

It was alleged that the legislator committed the offence on March 13, this year, in Dar es Salaam. Being MP and member of the PIC, Ndassa allegedly asked for the 30m/- bribe from Tanesco’s CEO Felchesmi Mramba.

The requested amount, according to the prosecution, was an inducement to influence other committee members to give clear recommendations on the accounts of Tanesco for 2015/2016 financial year.

Ndassa was charged with soliciting electricity services from Mr Mramba for similar purposes. The services, the prosecution alleged, were to be rendered to one Matamga Mbushi and Lameck Mahewa, who are the MP’s relative and friend, respectively.

The release of Ndassa comes just two months after the same court discharged three other MPs from the ruling party who were also charged with corrupt transaction.

They are Mvomero MP Ahmed Saddiq (53), Mwibara legislator Kangi Lugola (54) and Lupa lawmaker Victor Mwambalaswa (63). Principal Resident Magistrate Respicious Mwijage had discharged them after receiving a nolle prosequi statement from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Senior State Attorney Mutalemwa Kishenyi who was assisted by a PCCB prosecutor Emanuel Jacob presented the certificate, saying the DPP had lost interest in the case.

The three legislators were alleged to have solicited 30m/- from a District Executive Director (DED) to provide clear recommendations on his accounts.

It was alleged that the three legislators committed the offence on March 15, this year, at Golden Tulip Hotel at Masaki area in Kinondoni District, in the City of Dar es Salaam.

Being MPs and members of the Standing Parliamentary Local Authority Accounting Committee (LAAC), the trio allegedly solicited the 30m/ from Mbwana Soud Magotta, the DED of Gairo District Council.

The amount, according to the prosecution, was an inducement to give positive recommendations on the accounts of the district council for the 2015/2016 financial year.