Over 460 accused of economic crimes apply for plea bargaining , Magufuli told

Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli has today September 30, received a report by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) showing that some 467 people facing economic crime charges are ready to negotiate their freedom.

Speaking at State House, Dar es Salaam, the  DPP Biswalo Mganga said the accused have agreed to pay a total of Sh107.8 billion, the sum they allegedly accumulated illegally.

The new development was triggered by President John Magufuli, who eight days ago advised Mr Mganga to immediately allow those on economic crimes to enter a plea bargain.

The Head of State made the advice at a function to swear in newly appointed regional commissioner, regional administrative secretaries and ambassadors.

Presenting the report on the implementation of the advice the  DPP said some of the accused collectively were ready to pay some Sh13.6 billion in cash, as a portion of Sh Sh107.8 billion they agreed to repay.

He added that the rest (Sh94.2 billion) would be paid in installments.

President Magufuli said the money would be directed to development projects like those falling under infrastructure and healthy sectors.

He directed the DPP to speed up the legal processes in regard to handling cases in question so that the concerned are freed and join their families.

“This pardon could mean nothing, if they will remain behind the bars for long,” noted President Magufuli. 

In another development the DPP has extended the window for the application for those facing economic crimes by further Seven days.

Tanzania’s parliament sitting in Dodoma early in September amended criminal laws to allow for plea bargaining in certain crimes in a bid to reduce backlogs in the judicial system.

It allows the accused to negotiate with prosecutors and plead guilty for a more lenient sentence.

The new legislation came after several such special agreements with prosecutors.

In April, mobile phone service provider Vodacom, agreed to plead guilty and pay 5.28 billion Tanzanian shillings to the government after its managing director, Hisham Hendi, and four other executives were charged with economic crimes.