Statistics released by the PCCB recently
shows that the anti-corruption bureau received a total of 4,138 cases
within the period, whereas 412 case files were opened.
The report shows further that action on
3,701 cases were in progress, whereas 54 have been closed while two case
files have been referred to other departments or agencies for action.
It is indicated further that
disciplinary action has been taken in relation to 11 cases, while files
taken to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were 131 and those
received from him within the same period were 120.
According to the report, files received
from the DPP - with his consent to prosecute the cases - were 87, while
29 files were returned with instructions for further investigations.
Within the period in question, the PCCB filed 232 new cases before
different courts in the court while the ongoing cases in court in
different stages were 509.
Between January and June, PCCB secured convictions in 125 cases; while there 152 acquittals.
Some 17 cases were withdrawn while three
others were pending at appeals level. PCCB was established under the
Prevention and Combatting of Corruption Act Number 11 of 2007 (PCCA No.
11/2007).
The Act came about after the repeal of
the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) Cap 329 (RE 2002). This was after
the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania passed the Prevention
and Combatting of Corruption Bill of 2007 on April 16, 2007. Former
President Jakaya Kikwete assented the bill on June 11, 2007 to make it
an Act of Parliament which came into force on July 1, 2007.
The PCCA No. 11/2007 was made to provide
promotion and enhancement of good governance and eradication of
corruption. Historically, the legal frame work to combat corruption
commenced during the colonial era under the British administration.
The Prevention of Corruption Ordinance
(PCO) was used by the British colonial government from the 1930s to
punish corruption offenders. Subsequently in 1958, the law was repealed
by the PCO Cap 400 in 1958.
