Joseph Isangura
A Tanzanian court has sentenced a former senior tax official to 20 years in prison after convicting him of illegally possessing and transporting government-protected wildlife trophies in a case that underscores the country’s continued crackdown on wildlife trafficking.
The Resident Magistrate’s Court in Kigoma on Monday convicted Irving Bagasheki, the former Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Manager for Kibondo District, on two counts related to the unlawful handling of government-owned wildlife trophies.
Delivering the judgment, Resident Magistrate Aristida Tarimo ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding Bagasheki guilty of transporting two elephant tusks valued at approximately Sh52 million (about US$20,000).
According to court proceedings, Bagasheki was arrested on July 1, 2024, in the Kihomoka area of Kakonko District while travelling in a government vehicle bearing registration number STL 7274.
The court sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts, but ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning he will serve a single 20-year prison term because both offences arose from the same incident.
Five other co-accused individuals were acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence linking them to the offences.
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The ruling marks one of the latest convictions involving a public official in Tanzania’s fight against the illegal wildlife trade, a crime that has long threatened the country’s elephant population and attracted international attention.
Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s largest elephant populations and has strengthened enforcement against poaching and ivory trafficking over the past decade through tougher penalties, enhanced surveillance and increased cooperation with regional and international conservation agencies.
Wildlife trafficking remains one of the world’s most lucrative transnational environmental crimes, with criminal networks targeting elephants for their ivory despite international bans on commercial ivory trade.
Authorities say successful prosecutions are intended to deter organised wildlife crime and reinforce Tanzania’s commitment to protecting its natural heritage, which plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation and the country’s tourism industry.
The conviction also sends a strong message that public office does not provide immunity from prosecution, particularly in cases involving environmental crimes and the illegal exploitation of protected wildlife resources.
As Tanzania continues strengthening its anti-poaching efforts, officials say robust law enforcement and successful prosecutions remain critical to safeguarding the country’s wildlife for future generations.
