Tanzania president fires minister over corruption

Dec 24, 2014

Tanzania's minister for lands has been fired by President Jakaya Kikwete over a multi-million dollar energy sector corruption scanda


Tanzania's minister for lands has been fired by President Jakaya Kikwete, the second top government figure to be pushed out over a multi-million dollar energy sector corruption scandal, officials said Tuesday.

Anna Tibaijuka is alleged to have received 1.6 billion shillings (about $1 million, 821,000 euros) from one of the owners of independent power producer IPTL, the company at the centre of the affair.

"What the minister did is contrary to ethics of a civil servant. How can someone allow all that money to be deposited in his or her private account by a businessman," the president said in a statement.

"I have asked her to allow us to look for someone else to fill her position," Kikwete added.

Last month Tanzanian MPs called for the sacking of several top officials, including two cabinet ministers and the attorney general, who have been implicated in the scandal.

The vote followed an audit that uncovered the fraudulent payment of around $120 million in state funds to a private company.

The attorney general has already resigned from his post, and Kikwete said a decision on the fate of Energy Minister Sospeter Muhongo would be taken after more investigations.

"I will announce my decision in a couple of days," the Tanzanian leader said.

Several key donors to Tanzania, including Britain, Canada, the European Union and Japan, have said they will halt hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Tanzania unless they are satisfied with the investigation.

AFP

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