Sethi, Rugemalira case pushed to Valentine’s Day

The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), is finalising investigations into the trial of two prominent businessmen, Harbinder Sethi and James Rugemalira, who are facing a 350bn/- economic sabotage and money laundering charges. 

PCCB Prosecutor, Leonard Swai told Principal Resident Magistrate Wanjah Hamza at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam when the case came for mention yesterday that investigation was at an advanced stage, but requested for more time to complete the process.

Advocate Dora Masaba, for the accused, however, requested the prosecution to expedite the process, as it has been like the “Father in Heaven supplication” because that is their routine response whenever the case is mentioned.

Under the circumstances, therefore, the magistrate granted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the case to February 14, 2019.

In the trial, the businessmen are facing 12 counts of conspiracy, leading organised crime, forgery, uttering a false document, obtaining money by false pretences, occasioning loss to a specified authority and money laundering.

Between October 18, 2011 and March 19, 2014, at various places in Dar es Salaam in the United Republic of Tanzania and various places in Republic of Kenya, South Africa and the Republic of India, jointly and together, they allegedly conspired to commit an offence obtaining money by false pretences.

Within the same period in the city of Dar es Salaam, the prosecution alleged, being not public officials but in collusion with public officers, all the accused persons intentionally and knowingly managed, financed and furthered the objectives of a criminal racket with intent to reap profit or other benefit.