DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President John Magufuli said on Sunday relevant authorities should consider offering forgiveness to remandees charged with economic sabotage or money laundering who will repent and return the money that they had laundered.
The president directed the Director of Public Prosecution to visit suspects awaiting trial in remand prisons and listen to them whether they were ready to accept the offer for clemency.
"This exercise should be done in seven days beginning today through next Saturday and if they will decline the offer, they should continue to be remanded in custody awaiting trial," said Magufuli.
He made the offer shortly after he had sworn in senior public officers, including permanent secretaries and ambassadors, at State House in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.
The president said if there were people who were charged with economic sabotage but they were ready to return the money they should be pardoned.
He said he made the directive as head of state and he did not intend to interfere with proceedings of the courts.
Since he came to power in November 2015, Magufuli vowed to fight corruption and other social vice, leading to the arrest and prosecution of a good number of wealthy businessmen and senior public officials.
Most of them were charged with economic sabotage and money laundering, charges that were not bailable under Tanzanian laws.
