A terse statement issued by the president's office last night said Kitwanga was dismissed with immediate effect for his alleged drunken misbehavior in Parliament.He becomes the first cabinet minister to be sacked by President Magufuli since he formed his new government in December last year. | |
| "President Magufuli has annulled the appointment after ... Charles Kitwanga turned up drunk to Parliament and responded to a question (from an MP) directed to the Ministry of Home Affairs while being in a drunken state," State House said in a statement. | |
| Kitwanga was last night not immediately available for comment on the incident. | |
| The president's office did not say exactly when the minister appeared before parliament while under the influence of alcohol. | |
| The Home Affairs minister has been under-fire over the past few weeks for his alleged involvement in financial conflict of interest dealings with key departments under his portfolio. | |
| There has been a chorus of calls from opposition members of parliament for Kitwanga to resign over his alleged involvement in a controversial 37 billion/- contract between the Tanzania Police Force and a private company, Lugumi Enterprises Limited, for the installation of automated fingerprint scanners for police stations across the country. | |
| The sacking comes as a surprise following reports that Kitwanga was a long-time close personal friend of President Magufuli. | |
| Some lawmakers from the opposition CHADEMA party recently claimed that Kitwanga was being shielded by the government from allegations of impropriety due to his reported friendship with the president. | |
| President Magufuli promised to focus on fighting corruption and inefficiency in government after taking office in November. | |
| He has already dismissed several senior government officials over allegations of corruption and other impropriety. | |
| Magufuli said his government plans to restore discipline in the civil service and public leadership, warning that the days of "business as usual" were now gone. | |
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