A total of 467 people accused of economic sabotage crimes in Tanzania have written to the country’s chief prosecutor to apply for an amnesty introduced by President John Magufuli.

Last week, President Magufuli advised the country’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Biswalo Mganga to open his doors to all economic crimes suspects who were ready to confess and return the funds they are alleged to have illegally accumulated, in exchange for their freedom.

Economic crimes, most notably money laundering, are not bailable in Tanzania. All 467 accused are in detention, some for more than three years.

Since coming to power, Mr Magufuli has been waging an anti-corruption war that has led to dozens of officials losing their jobs and many others, including tycoons, sports executive and traders, being charged.

Investigative journalist Erick Kabendera has also been charged with economic crimes, although at first authorities said they were investigating him for questions surrounding his citizenship.

According to Mr Mganga, the suspects who have reached his office will return to the state the sum of Tsh107 billion ($46.5 million).

The president’s amnesty was first announced on 22 September. On Monday, he extended it for a week after being briefed that there were still people unable to apply in the first week.

Mr Magufuli said some of the suspects were languishing in remand prison and he was ready to pardon them provided that they confessed, repented and returned the funds.

Those who decide not to take up his offer “will continue with prosecution even if their cases will take 20 years”, he said.

Mr Magafuli advised the DPP to "expedite these applications".

"If they will continue to remain in prison for months or a year, the notion of amnesty will lose its value,” he said.