The chairman of Tanzania Cotton Growers Association (TACOGA), Elias Zinzi, has appeared in court on Friday, facing charges of unlawfully buying cotton from farmers ahead of the season.
Farmer picks cotton
Prosecuting Inspector of Police, Clement Kitundu, said that Zinzi was being charged with doing business without a licence. Before Bariadi Resident Magistrate Robert Oguda, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution told the court that Zinzi was arrested on May 6, at Mbiti village in Bariadi District buying cotton without a licence while knowing the buying season was yet to be officially announced by authorities and cotton stakeholders.
It was claimed that Zinzi in separate occasions has managed to buy one tonne of cotton for undisclosed price per a kilogramme knowing that the official price for this this year’s season was not yet disclosed.
By MOSES MATTHEW, Tanzania Daily News
