Date Set for Graft Case Against Wildlife Official

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
21 June 2010

The preliminary hearing of a corruption case involving a game officer at Iringa District Council, Kassim Fungamawe Luvanda, and Hilary Ferdinand Daffi, the managing director of Arusha-based hunting firm Marera Safaris Lodge and Tours (T) Ltd, begins on July 15.

The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) prosecutor for Iringa Region, Mr Nitume Mizizi, told The Citizen here on Friday that all is set for the preliminary hearing of the corruption case.

Luvanga and Daffi are facing two offences of conspiracy and illegal hunting in Iringa District's Idodi and Pawaga Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which is managed by a body known as Mbomipa.

Mbomipa is an association aimed at promoting community-based conservation in villages bordering the Ruaha national park in Iringa District. The association groups 21 villages and covers an area of about 4,000 square kilometres, with about 40,000 villagers.

According to the charge sheet, Luvanga and Daffi had, between June and December 2007, conspired and engaged in illegal hunting of specified animals, contrary to Section 34 of the Wildlife Conservation Act.

They also used misleading documents, contrary to Section 22 of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Act No. 11 of 2007.

Section 22 of the Act partly states: "A person who knowingly gives to any agent, or an agent knowingly uses with intent to deceive, or defraud his principal, any receipt, account or other document such as a voucher, a proforma invoice...shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or both."

Between June and December 2007 in the Mbomipa WMA, the duo, being holders of a valid game licence, hunted four lions instead of the two authorized by the licence, says the charge sheet.

Luvanga and Daffi are also accused that on or about October 16, 2007, they prepared a game register No. 19066 which showed a false number of lions killed by Marera Safaris Lodge and Tours (T) Ltd, with an intent to deceive the Wildlife department.

They are also accused that on or about October 16, 2007, they prepared a game register No. 17437 showing a false number of lions killed by Marera Safaris Lodge and Tours (T) Ltd, with the intention to deceive the Wildlife department.

The duo first appeared before Iringa Resident Magistrate Joseph Luambano on May 27, 2010, and their case was mentioned again on June 15, this year.

Article at:  http://allafrica.com/stories/201006211086.html