DAR ES SALAAM, (The Southern African Times) – Tanzanian Minister for Minerals Dotto Biteko on Monday ordered suspension of three minerals officials from Chunya Minerals Trading Center (CMTC) over their alleged participation in gold smuggling.
Biteko also relieved from duties the supervisor of CMTC in Mbeya region, Paulo Gagala, to pave way for the investigations over the three officers’ role in the recent smuggling of 15.4 kilograms of gold by traders.
The minister said it was under Gagala’s watch at the trading center that the traders smuggled the gold.
Biteko also revoked mining licenses for six minerals traders in Chunya district over what he described as their involvement in the smuggling of the precious stones out of the country.
“It is better to have very few minerals traders who are trustworthy than having a hoard of traders who are smuggling our minerals out of the country,” he said.
The minister said Chunya district was leading in gold smuggling in the country that was being facilitated by minerals officials.
Biteko also warned minerals officials who were involved in the smuggling of minerals, saying their employment will be terminated.
