Joseph Isangura
The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has made a remarkable stride in its fight against corruption, recovering a total of Sh30.1 billion during the 2023/24 financial year.
Director General Crispin Chalamila shared these findings with President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the presentation of the bureau’s annual performance report at the State House in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Chalamila took the opportunity to shed light on the significant cases that contributed to these successful recoveries. He outlined a series of operations and investigations that led to the return of these vast sums to the state, demonstrating the PCCB’s commitment to combating corruption in various sectors.
One of the standout cases involved the recovery of Sh6.6 billion in unpaid loans that were disbursed irregularly by the Tanzania Investment Bank. The funds were initially granted to a business entity in Tanga, but the disbursement did not adhere to the required financial procedures. Thanks to the diligent work of the bureau, these funds have now been successfully returned to the bank, rectifying a significant lapse in financial governance.
Another major recovery involved Sh6.8 billion in funds that were collected as revenue from various sources, including livestock auctions and municipal markets, in Ilala Municipality. Unfortunately, these funds had not been properly deposited into the municipal accounts by the revenue collectors, resulting in a substantial loss. However, through PCCB’s investigation, these funds were retrieved and deposited into the municipality’s central account, ensuring that taxpayers’ money is now properly accounted for.
Further investigations within local government authorities uncovered irregularities related to development projects, leading to the recovery of an additional Sh3.1 billion. Of this, Sh1.1 billion was directly deposited into municipal accounts, while another Sh2 billion was safeguarded and returned to the projects involved. Equipment that had been misappropriated was also returned to the respective development projects, ensuring the integrity of public works was upheld.
Chalamila also highlighted significant tax evasion cases, which led to the recovery of Sh2.4 billion. This included Sh281.4 million in unpaid taxes from businesses in Kigoma Region, as well as Sh2.1 billion that was retrieved from withholding tax evasion cases.
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These recoveries highlight the bureau’s expanded focus on financial crimes, not just corruption in traditional forms but also systemic tax evasion that undermines the country’s economy.
As the fight against corruption continues, Chalamila reiterated the PCCB’s unwavering dedication to ensuring that public funds are protected and put to their intended use. He emphasized that the bureau would continue to pursue transparency and accountability in all sectors, sending a clear message to those attempting to divert public resources for personal gain.
The successful recovery of over Sh30 billion underscores the bureau’s effectiveness in tackling corruption at various levels of government and the private sector, sending a strong signal that such practices will not be tolerated. The public’s trust in the ability of the PCCB to safeguard national resources has undoubtedly been strengthened, and as the investigations continue, there is optimism that more recoveries will follow, further contributing to the development of Tanzania’s economy.
