The burial of boxer Hassan Mgaya is set to take place today at Jeti Lumo in Dar es Salaam at 1 PM. However, disagreements have arisen within the leadership of the boxing community over the handling of condolence funds.
The Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC), which is organizing the funeral, has faced criticism about the lack of transparency regarding the funds collected from various contributors to support Mgaya’s family.
Speaking about the issue, TPBRC Chairman Japhet Kaseba expressed concerns that funds collected from WhatsApp groups, the association’s TZS 200,000 contribution, and other donations are being handed over to the bereaved without clearly stating how much was collected and from where.
"People are raising funds in WhatsApp groups and combining them with contributions from the boxing association and TPBRC, but they don’t reveal the total amount handed over to the family.
This raises suspicions that some money might be misused.
"When giving the money to the bereaved, it’s important to clearly state how much came from each source. This money belongs to the boxers, not the leaders, and transparency will ensure proper records of income and expenses," Kaseba said.
Treasurer Cosmas Cheka disagreed, saying it’s inappropriate to announce funeral contributions publicly.
"It’s not respectful or necessary to reveal condolence amounts. If they want my job, they can have it. I’m tired," Cheka said.
Cheka also highlighted his personal sacrifices in supporting boxers, saying he often uses his own time and money to ensure things are handled properly.
"I don’t even get time to rest because I’m always dealing with boxing matters. Sometimes, I even spend my own money to make things work," he added.