Prof Costa Mahalu

The fate of the former Tanzania’s ambassador to Italy, Prof Costa Mahalu, who is facing charges of stealing 2.5bn/- through a dubious transaction, will be known today when the judgment of his case will be delivered in Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Mahalu and former counselor to the same embassy, Grace Martin, are charged with stealing the money by forging various documents when purchasing an embassy building in Rome. The two allegedly used two separate contracts in the deal.

The judgment will be delivered after both parties concluded testimonies along with their final submission that will either convince the court that accused are guilty or find them guilty.

Prof Mahalu was arraigned in January 2006 along with Martin on charges of conspiracy to steal from the government. The two have denied the charges.

According to charge sheet, the accused used payment voucher number D2/9, bearing false particulars that the purchase price of the Tanzanian embassy building in Rome was Euros 3,098,741.58. During his defense testimony, Prof Mahalu called one witness retired President Benjamin Mkapa to defend him.