Tanzanian president John Magufuli has ordered an
anti-corruption watchdog to investigate suspected cases of corruption and fraud
in the country.
A statement, issued on Monday last week by the
Directorate of Presidential Communications at State House in Dar es Salaam,
said the president made the order
during his visit to the regulator Prevention
and Combating of Corruption Bureau’s headquarters.
Magufuli said PCCB should focus on investigations related
to issues of corruption implications, including 19,500 ghost workers, 56,000
families claiming financial assistance from the Tanzania Social Action Fund
(TASAF), 5,850 students who secured loans, and 11 locomotive engines without
contracts.
The order was made a week after Magufuli expressed
concern over the slow pace of investigations and convictions in the country.
In the statement, he urged the watchdog not to hesitate
to take relevant measures if they have sufficient evidence in corruption
charges, and asked them to take “a positive step”.
In another statement made earlier last month, Magufuli
expressed his dissatisfaction with the procedures for investigating and
prosecuting corruption cases.
He said if the country succeeds in reducing corruption by
80%, it will help solve numerous problems and as a result attract donors and
investors.
Last year, Tanzania established a special court on
corruption, economic and organised crime following Magufuli’s promise to
prioritise the fight against corruption during the presidential campaigns in
2015.
During the 2015/16 year, there were 3,911 corruption
cases where of 324 investigations have been completed.
Source: Public Finance International