Escrow scandal case files ‘still open’

Former Energy and Minerals minister Sospeter Muhungo, pictured, his permanent secretary and four other ministers have been cleared of various wrongdoings by an ethics committee.  Photo: Daniel Hayduk

Former Energy and Minerals minister Sospeter Muhungo, pictured, his permanent secretary were cleared of various wrongdoings by an ethics committee but the PCCB says their file is still open. Photo: Daniel Hayduk

A minister and his permanent secretary absolved of wrongdoing in the Escrow scandal by a presidentially appointed investigative committee aren’t in the clear yet, says the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB.)

“We don’t clear people, it’s only the court that will clear them,” says PCCB director general Edward Hosea.

The government ethics committee may have done it’s part, but the PCCB is still investigating the Escrow corruption scandal, says Hosea.

“The file is still open, it has not been closed and will not be closed. For those who have already been arraigned and those under investigation should know that we are simply doing what the law tells us to do,” says Hosea.

Former Energy and Minerals minister Sospeter Muhungo and his permanent secretary Eliakim Maswi were cleared last week of any wrongdoing in relation to the Escrow scandal by a presidentially appointed investigative committee ‘after thorough investigations’ by the ethics secretariat.

The scandal emerged after the revelation of withdrawal of 153 million USD (306 billion TSH) from the central bank meant for the power sector but was instead shared among public figures and influential individuals.

Read more: Ministers cleared of wrongdoing

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