SAKATA LA RADAR BADO BICHI KABISA......... BAE in spotlight over Tanzania radar deal BAE Systems faces fresh controversy over foreign arms sales after Tanzania’s top corruption investigator said he expects to seek criminal charges within weeks in relation to the country’s purchase of a £28m radar system from the company. The World Bank objected to the sale – which came as Tanzania was granted debt relief of $2bn – and Clare Short, UK international development secretary at the time, opened a rift in the British cabinet with an unsuccessful attempt to block it. SFO investigators visited Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s capital, last year and interviewed Mr Vithlani and Tanil Somaiya, his former business partner. Ms Garlick said: “We have nothing but respect for the integrity and persistence of the PCB. We have been working closely with them and will continue to do so.” A company spokesman said: “BAE Systems continues to fully co-operate with the SFO Investigation. As this is a continuing criminal investigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment on the substance of the investigation. This cannot of course be taken as any kind of admission.” Lawyers for Mr Somaiya said he ceased being a shareholder and director of Merlin International on January 8. They said: “Our client had no prior knowledge and was not aware of the alleged $11m commission payment by BAE to Vithlani or at all.” At the office of Vithcorp Food Packers in Dar es Salaam, staff said Mr Vithlani, the owner and holder of a UK passport, was out of the country. He did not respond to a request for comment. BY FINANCIAL TIMES.