The Attorney General, Judge Frederick Werema, has instructed responsible authorities to ensure people convicted of corruption are declared bankrupt and their ill gotten assets confiscated.
Attorney General Fredrick Werema
He made the call in Dar es Salaam when opening a meeting of Zonal State Attorneys in Charge, senior Investigative officials with the Prevention and Combating Corruption Bureau (PCCB) and the police.
If the move is well implemented, he said, it would help the criminals test the bitter side of corruption and scare others from being involved in the vice.
“We will not win the fight against the vice if the criminals are being jailed and later freed and left to continue with their normal life,” he said. According to Judge Werema, if the move is not applied, corruption could be turn to be a tradition among the people.
In line with the call, Judge Werema stressed the need for justice and fairness among the authorities against corruption including PCCB officials and police during the fight against the vice. “Our responsibilities (state attorneys) is very vital in enhancement of the country’s economic growth…we therefore need to practice high responsibility to ensure fairness and justice when tackling our duties,” he said.
Judge Werama told the participants not to fear anybody suspected to be involved in corruption but should ensure high respect when tackling their roles. He also pointed the Strengthening Tanzania Anti-Corruption Action as a useful tool that if well used will help develop technics of fighting the corruption in the country.
In another development, Judge Werema said the government will ensure enough resources are provided to help complement the effort in the fight against the corruption. The PCCB Director of Investigation, Mr Alex Mfungo said the authority’s (PCCB) focus is to ensure all the criminals involved in fraud are taken to court and assets involved in fraud recovered.
“We are aiming at partnering with other bodies such as police and the court to make sure the assets are recovered and the criminals declared bankrupt along other legal actions,” he said.
By ANNE ROBI, Tanzania Daily News
