Tanzanian president orders police chief to sack corrupt, negligent officers

DAR ES SALAAM, March 4 — Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Monday instructed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro to sack police officers who were negligent and those implicated in corruption.
A statement issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communication at State House in the business capital Dar es Salaam said president Magufuli also directed the police chief to propose to him the appointment of diligent police officers.
President Magufuli was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of two new cabinet ministers, an ambassador and five new police commissioners that he appointed last week.
“The police force should do away with its practice of transferring to its headquarters police officers who fail to deliver at their work stations and instead such officers should be sacked outright,” said the president.
The head of state, who doubles as commander-in-chief of Tanzania’s armed forces, also implored the police to reassess their performance in some incidents that created more questions than answers.
President Magufuli cited such incidents as the kidnap of Tanzania’s youngest billionaire Mohammed Dewji last year, and cases where some police officers were implicated in corruption and drug trafficking.
The president swore in Palamagamba Kabudi as new minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation replacing Augustine Mahiga, who was sworn in as new Minister for Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
He also appointed five police commissioners last week in a move that was aimed at making the police force more vibrant in fighting against crime in the face of criminals using advanced technologies. – XINHUA