A secondary school teacher in Manyoni District, Singida Region, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for embezzling TZS3.5 million allocated for the manufacture of school desks.
Mr John Mtaki, a teacher at Kintinku Secondary School, was convicted by the Manyoni District Court after being found guilty of misappropriating funds deposited into his account for the production of desks for two classrooms.
The case, Criminal Case No. 14545/2026, was filed on June 26, 2026. The teacher faced charges of embezzlement and misappropriation under Section 28(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Act, Chapter 329 (Revised 2023), and theft by a public servant under Section 270 of the Penal Code, Chapter 16 (Revised 2023).
Presenting the case before Resident Magistrate George Kapama, Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) prosecutor Wilson Ntiro told the court that Mtaki received TZS3.5 million on July 20, 2024, from the school's account to facilitate the manufacture of desks for two classrooms.
However, Mr Ntiro said the teacher failed to fulfil the assignment despite receiving the money, prompting legal action against him.
The court delivered its verdict on October 29, 2026, sentencing Mtaki to 14 years in prison.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the magistrate ordered the forfeiture of the teacher's motorcycle, which had been seized by PCCB during investigations.
The motorcycle is to be sold, with the proceeds directed towards financing the manufacture of the desks.
The ruling underscores the consequences of misusing public funds intended to improve learning environments, particularly at a time when schools need adequate furniture to support teaching and learning.