Magufuli hints why he removed Mlowola as PCCB director general

Dar es Salaam.  President John Magufuli has alluded to the reason why he dropped the Director General of the anti-corruption agency Mr Valentino Mlowola on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

Mr Mlowola was removed from the helm of The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in an unprecedented decision announced by State House via a statement by the Director of Presidential Communications Gerson Msigwa.

Mr Mlowola who was made envoy was replaced by The Commissioner of Police Diwani Athumani who until Thursday was serving as the Regional Administrative Secretary for Kagera Region.

No reason was given for the changes and Mr Mlowola’s new work station will be made public later, according to the statement by Msigwa.

However speaking on Friday, September 7, 2018 during a rally in Nyamongo, in Tarime district, President Magufuli said the country’s anti-corruption czar among other issues had failed to act on corruption charges raised on a hotel project in Musoma.

Dr Magufuli said Prime Minister Kassim Maliwa had ordered the agency to investigate why contractors were delaying the completion of the hotel but Mr Mlowola had allegedly sat on a report sent to him in April this year.

“The agency’s headquarters has failed to act on the investigation findings since April to date…. I therefore decided to remove the director general from office and assign him another duty. After considering other issues, I found him unfit for the job,” said President Magufuli.

“I spent many hours into the night thinking over the issue…..before arriving at the decision at 5am. I’m disclosing all this to alert my appointees that you better resign if you can’t properly serve the people.”

President Magufuli was concluding his three days visit in Mara Region. He has also been to Mwanza and Simiyu regions.

During the televised event, the Head of State ordered the person who was controlling an account used for depositing service levy paid by North Mara Gold Mine to be arrested to provide information on the whereabouts of missing funds.

“This has caused a dispute among the villagers and the mine as it has suspended further deposits of the money meant for social services,” he noted.

“I have therefore ordered the person to be arrested and provide information in order for the company to release the funds to benefit citizens in the six villages.”

He also directed the Mara Regional Commissioner and Tarime District Commissioner to end a dispute that has prevented a planned sugarcane company from taking off in the area.

“They are fighting over the name for the factory, something that has denied the investors registration by the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (Brela). He said it was the last time to remind them.