WANTED: Photo of radar suspect released
THISDAY REPORTER
Dar es Salaam
AUTHORITIES in Dar es Salaam have released a photograph of the man wanted in connection with the 28 million pounds sterling (approx. 70bn/-) military radar scandal in Tanzania, and are asking for help in identifying the current whereabouts of the suspect.
Shailesh Pragji Vithlani is believed to have been the main broker behind the 2002 deal allegedly sweetened with the payment of $12m (approx. 15bn/-) in illegal kickbacks to high-profile figures in former president Benjamin Mkapa’s government.
In the undated colour photo released exclusively to THISDAY, the 42-year-old Vithlani is seen seated comfortably in a chair facing the camera, apparently in a hotel room in an undisclosed location.
Latest findings by THISDAY show that Vithlani currently holds British travel documents with UK passport number 500326824 issued on August 1, 2000. Previously, the businessman also travelled with an old British passport with the full name of ’’Shailesh Pragji Pradhan Vithlani’’ printed on document.
Tanzanian authorities have already alerted the international police organisation Interpol about an arrest warrant against Vithlani issued by the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam.
According to law enforcement agents, the suspect - who grew up in Mwanza - also holds a Tanzanian passport despite the country’s immigration laws prohibiting dual citizenship.
Informed sources say that while Vithlani maintains a home in the UK, he also keeps rented premises in Dar es Salaam in the form of a residential flat at the NIC Investment House along Samora Avenue in the city centre.
Local companies owned by the suspect include Merlin International Limited and Vithcorp Food Packers, with offices located in the unassuming Avalon cinema building in the city.
The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) announced earlier this week that investigations into the military radar scandal have been concluded and Vithlani has already been formally charged before the Kisutu court.
Details of the charge sheet seen by THISDAY show that, Vithlani was charged on November 1 this year on three counts of lying in court and lying to an investigating officer.
He was charged in absentia, as he is understood to have long since skipped the country.
In the first of three counts, Vithlani is charged with committing perjury in a court proceeding before Magistrate Katarina Revocati at the Kisutu court on July 25 last year.
It is alleged that Vithlani lied to the court that he was not the owner of Envers Trading Corporation, a shadowy company linked to the radar deal.
In the second count, also of perjury, he is alleged to have on July 28 last year lied to the same court that he was paid a commission of just $390,000 (approx. 500m/-) by the radar manufacturer BAE Systems of Britain, being only one per cent of the sale price.
Prosecutors maintain that Vithlani was actually paid $12,391,459.50 (approx. 15bn/-) as a consultancy fee, equivalent to 31 per cent of the radar purchase price, based on a contract entered between Red Diamond Trading Corporation and Envers Trading Corp.
In the third count, Vithlani is charged with giving false information to a senior official of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), one Kassim Ephrem, at Sea Cliff Hotel in the city on December 27 last year about receiving a one per cent commission for the radar deal.
If tried and convicted, he could face seven years in jail for each of the two counts of perjury, plus additional time in prison for lying to the PCCB official.
1 comment:
I believe the move is to blackpaint Tanzanians who are becoming overly aware of the Ufisadi and corruption issues. I would expect the pccb and the public to take steps against the leaders (Not Dalali) who went on to buy such an expensive less priority stuff(relative to education, water, infrastructures etc)
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