ARUSHA: A FORMER Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) official who absconded after being sentenced to 20 years in prison for corruption-related offences has been arrested and returned to Arusha to begin serving his sentence.
The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Arusha Region said Amani Mlay, the former TASAF Coordinator for Arusha City Council, was arrested on June 21, this year in Mangaka area, Nanyumbu District in Mtwara Region after months on the run.
Speaking to journalists in Arusha, Arusha Regional PCCB Commander Zawadi Ngailo said the convict had violated his bail conditions by fleeing shortly after being sentenced by the Arusha District Court.
“He was arrested in Mangaka following intelligence-led operations conducted by PCCB officers after a warrant for his arrest had been issued by the court,” she said.
According to Commander Ngailo, Mlay had been facing Criminal Case No. 00001512/2024 before the Arusha District Court on six counts related to the use of forged documents with intent to deceive his employer.
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She said evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence established that while serving as TASAF Coordinator for Arusha City Council, Mlay prepared forged documents between May and December 2023, falsely indicating that a contractor had supplied construction materials worth 64.2mil/- for the construction of a fence at Shangarao Primary School in Arusha.
Commander Ngailo said the court found Mlay guilty and, on January 16, 2026, sentenced him to 20 years in prison. However, she said, the convict absconded on the same day before commencing his prison sentence, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Following his apprehension, Mlay has been returned to Arusha and will now begin serving the sentence imposed by the court, Commander Ngailo said. She added that PCCB remains committed to pursuing individuals convicted of corruption-related offences who attempt to evade justice, regardless of where they flee.