Tanzania's Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (Takukuru) in Pwani region says it has recovered about TSh 30 million in public and private funds. Most of the money belonged to Mafia District Council. Takukuru official Sinkala announced the recoveries to journalists on Friday, November 6, Mwananchi reported.
The largest sum was TSh 29,287,938 in Mafia District Council revenue. Collectors gathered the money through electronic payment (POS) machines. The rules require them to bank it within 24 hours. Sinkala said a Takukuru investigation found the money had not been deposited on time. The bureau then tracked how the revenue was collected and banked, and recovered the cash.
In the second case, more than eight residents of Nyamwage village in Rufiji district paid money to a worker from the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (Ruwasa). The worker said the payments would get them connected to piped water. Mwananchi reported that the charge broke the rules. After Takukuru stepped in, the TSh 1 million was returned to the villagers. Sinkala said the worker faces disciplinary action, and further legal steps will follow according to procedure.
Sinkala said the villagers now have water. He credited cooperation between Takukuru and Ruwasa, along with a new water users' body set up at village level. He said people should receive the services they are entitled to without paying outside official channels. Anyone who misuses citizens' money must be held accountable, he added.
The bureau also monitors spending from imprest accounts, which cover small expenses, to ensure the money serves its intended purpose. Sinkala said public funds are not anyone's private property. Every shilling the government collects must be protected, banked on time and spent as planned, he said.
Residents who spoke to Mwananchi welcomed the work but wanted more. Merry Yohana praised the recoveries. She said they give hope to people whose rights are violated and show why close monitoring of public money matters. Another resident, Jackson Samuel, said the effort must go further. Everyone who breaks the rules should face action, and residents should get services without illegal charges, he said.