Tanzanian government arrested an aide to Tanzania presidential candidate for Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazelando).
Jerome Luanda, an aide to Bernard Membe is being held by the police for questioning on money laundering allegations.
Luanda was arrested on Tuesday at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) after arriving from Dubai where he had gone with Membe.
Member said his aide was taken in for questioning by the police after arriving in the country at 2.20 pm.
In his tweet, the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander (SACP), Lazaro Mambosasa, confirmed the arrest.
“An aide to Bernard Membe was arrested at Dar es Saalam International Airport in broad daylight. He is being held for interrogation over money laundering allegations,” Mambosasa said.
Membe gave an ultimatum of Luanda’s release within 24 hours “without a single bruise”.
On Thursday Mambosasa said Luanda is held at an unnamed police station and will be charged with money laundering claims.
Membe told reporters that upon arriving at the airport, they were thoroughly searched by the immigration officials.
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Membe also disputed claims that he had fled the country, saying instead he gone for a key meeting and medical care.
“I am aware of the circulating speculations about my whereabouts. However, let me be clear about this, I am a board member of one of the biggest companies in Dubai. Therefore, I usually visit Dubai four times a year,” he said.
“I failed to attend the last two board meetings due to the Covid-19 outbreak. While in Dubai, I also used the opportunity to do a medical checkup. I can declare that I am healthy and ready to continue with the election campaigns.”
Tanzanian elections are scheduled for October 28.
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