Tanzania FA president detained over ‘corruption’ allegations as elections near

By Mark Baber

June 30 – Tanzania’s Football Federation(TFF) president, Jamal Malinzi (pictured), has been arrested over corruption allegations, following an incomplete investigation, in circumstances which suggest a deliberate attempt to prevent him participating in upcoming TFF elections.

Jamal Malinzi was arrested by Tanzania’s Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau on Wednesday along with TFF secretary general Selestine Mwesigwa and held overnight before being brought before a judge in Dar Es Salaam and accused of various offences including embezzling $375,418 in funds in September and October last year and forging documents.

In court, the lawyer for the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau asked for more time to prepare his case as the investigation was incomplete and argued against Malinzi being granted bail.

The defence argued Malinzi should be granted bail and should not have been charged before the investigation had been completed.

In the end the judge remanded Malinzi and Mwesigwa in custody until Monday when the bail issue will be considered.

The arrest and failure to make bail dovetail closely with the deadline for Malinzi to register to defend his position as president of the TFF and Chairman of the TFF Electoral Committee, Revocatus Kuuli, said those who did not appear for registration within the scheduled days, would be withdrawn from the election, stating that: “The process goes on as planned – so far we do not receive any excuse, if within three days the candidate will not appear then he will be removed from the election.”

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