Samia moves Tanzania Revenue Authority boss to President’s Office in latest reshuffle

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has moved the Commissioner General for Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Mr Alphayo Kidata to her office where he will work as an advisor in the latest reshuffle that also touched on two ministries.

Mr Kidata will be replaced by Mr Yusuph Juma Mwenda who was the Commissioner General for the Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA), says a statement that was signed by the acting presidential communications director, Ms Sharifa Nyanga.

The appointment came after traders in Dar es Salam, Mbeya, Mwanza and other regions decided to close their shops in protest against some taxes.

In their arguments, the traders want the government to put all taxes within a single collection basket while the fines imposed on them whenever they go contrary to business norms must also be reduced to the level of traffic offenses.

They also claim that the issuance of receipts should not be considered another tax because, to them, they [receipts] are just like a new form of harassment. They want the TRA to stop a tendency to seize their goods and its (TRA’s) tendency to refuse to accept traders’ financial statements that have been prepared by registered accounting professionals.

Against such a background, President Hassan also decided to move the Industries and Trade minister, Dr Ashatu Kijaji from the docket.

She was instead appointed the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), swapping positions with Dr Selemani Jafo.

In another key appointment, Mr Yahya Samamba has been named as the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals.

“Before the appointment, Mr Samamba served as the Mineral Commission executive secretary. Mr Samamba is replacing Mr Kheri Mahimbali, who would be assigned other duties,” the statement says.