Joseph Isangura
Tanzania’s Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), known locally as Takukuru, has thwarted an attempt to siphon off more than TSh 47 million in public funds through falsified compensation claims tied to the expansion of Serengeti National Park.
The funds were meant to pay for 121 alleged graves that needed to be relocated to pave the way for development in the Nyetwari area of Bunda District. However, following a detailed inspection, officials discovered that the graves either did not exist or lacked any physical evidence of human remains.
The discovery was made as part of a broader initiative by Takukuru to clamp down on corruption and fraud in public spending.
Mara Region PCCB Commander Mohammed Sharif told journalists that officials involved were immediately ordered not to disburse any funds until the matter was fully investigated.
“We found no trace of remains in many of the supposed graves,” said Sharif. “It would have been a waste of taxpayer money.”
The case emerged as part of routine scrutiny conducted during the ongoing Serengeti expansion project, which is aimed at boosting wildlife conservation and eco-tourism in northern Tanzania.
In addition to this specific case, PCCB Mara says it investigated 28 public projects in the current financial year, collectively worth over TSh 9 billion (approx. USD 3.5 million). Of those, 12 projects were found to have irregularities, ranging from mismanagement to outright fraud, amounting to TSh 3 billion in potential losses.
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Some of the flagged projects involved infrastructure development and community services, which are often vulnerable to financial malpractice due to their complexity and scope.
“When we identify such loopholes, we don’t just report them—we act,” Sharif added. “We’ve already instructed authorities to fix the issues and make sure those responsible are held accountable.”
This success story from Mara underscores the need for vigilance in public service delivery, especially at a time when Tanzania is investing heavily in sectors like tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The Serengeti itself is a globally recognized ecosystem, home to the Great Migration, and its protection and development remain a national and international priority.
“We are committed to ensuring that every shilling allocated for development reaches its intended purpose,” Commander Sharif said.
The anti-corruption bureau continues to encourage citizens to report suspected fraud through its regional offices or the official PCCB hotline.
