Fired Tanzania minister questioned on $450m contract

Tanzania’s sacked home affairs minister appeared before the anti-corruption bureau on Friday for questioning over a controversial multi-million dollar contract awarded during his tenure.

Kangi Lugola and other top officials in the ministry were fired last week by President John Magufuli over their suspected roles in the contract worth $450 million.

They have never commented on the accusations.

The contract was awarded by the fire department – which is under the home affairs ministry- to an unnamed Romanian firm.

President Magufuli criticised the minister and his team for not involving the ministry of finance during negotiations for the contract, or getting an approval from parliament.

He also accused them of taking bribes while negotiating the deal and attempting to purchase unnecessary equipment, such as drones, for firefighting and rescue.

Magufuli took office with the promise to fight corruption and instill discipline among civil servants. As part of the mission, a corruption and economic crime court has been established as a special division of the high court.Article share tools