Politics
John Magufuli: Tanzania’s new president cleans up country, tackles waste and corruption
Neighboring nations have also taken a keen interest. Larry Madowo, a columnist for Kenya’s Daily Nation, compared his country’s President Uhuru Kenyatta unfavorably with Magufuli.
“Even before he has settled in long enough to change the drapes at State House, Magufuli has done more tangible work than Uhuru,” in office since 2013, he wrote.
Magufuli’s actions appear to be more than grandstanding, with arrests for alleged corruption already made.
“The president is on the right track in fighting graft and abuse of public offices,” presidential official Ombeni Sefue said, following the suspension of the Tanzania Revenue Authority head amid reports of the “disappearance” of 349 shipping containers from the Dar es Salaam port causing an estimated loss of over Tsh80 billion (US$40 million).
Police are reportedly holding at least a dozen suspects in connection with the scam.
Even Magufuli’s opponents have signaled their approval with former chairman of the opposition Civic United Front (CUF), Ibrahim Lipumba, commending his actions.
Benson Banna, a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam said Magufuli appears serious in his war on waste and graft.
“He has started very well,” said Banna.
Source: AFP
