Samia announces further reshuffles at the State House

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has once again reassigned some of her assistants to roles outside the State House.

She has also removed Mobhare Matinyi from his position as Director of the Information Services Department (Maelezo) and Government Spokesperson, merely eight months after his appointment.

A statement released by the Chief Secretary on June 15 and signed by the acting Director of Presidential Communications, Sharifa Nyange, indicates that Mr Matinyi has been assigned to other roles.

President Hassan appointed Thobias Makuba as the new Chief Government Spokesperson and Director of Maelezo, replacing Mr Matinyi.

"Before this appointment, he was the head of the government communication unit at the Treasury," the statement further explains.

President Hassan has reassigned John Simbachawene from the State House to the Ministry of Industry and Trade as Deputy Permanent Secretary.

Before the transfer, Mr Simbachawene held a senior position at the State House.

The statement indicates that President Hassan has also transferred Nkuba Eliezer Mabula to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism as Deputy Permanent Secretary. Mabula was previously a senior officer at the State House.

Simbachawene and Mabula's transfers come a few days after three other of President Hassan’s assistants were also transferred from the State House.

Zuhura Yunus, who previously served as Director of Presidential Communications, was appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office [Labour, Youth, Employment, and the Disabled] on June 6. Her former position has not yet been filled.

Ms Felister Mdemu, who previously served as President’s Assistant for Community Development, was reappointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, also on June 6.

On June 11, the President removed Elias Daniel Mwandobo from his position as Senior Officer at the State House and appointed him as the Momba District Commissioner.

No reason has been provided for the successive reassignments of the State House officers.

Meanwhile, the President has also appointed Ally Mketo as the senior administrative secretary of the Bukombe district commissioner, replacing Onesmi Kisoka, who has retired.

Judge Dr Mary Levira of the Court of Appeals has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Governing Council for Judicial Administration in Lushoto. She replaces Dr Gerald Ndika, who has completed his term.

President Hassan also appointed Dr Leonard Akwilapo, a retired permanent secretary and senior lecturer at the University of Dodoma, as the Chairperson of the Board of the Tanzania Education Authority (TEA). He replaces Prof Maurice Mbago, who has completed his term.

President Hassan also appointed Dr Noel Mbonde as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the technical college in Arusha.