Govt tells opposition to sue over ‘politicking’ by district, regional officers

Dodoma. Members of the opposition who are unhappy with the ‘political’ work done by individuals appointed by the President to public office should go to court to challenge those appointments.

Speaking in Parliament on Friday, the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service and Good Governance), Mr George Mkuchika said it was a globally accepted tradition that whenever a new President gets into office, they have the freedom to choose their own lieutenants. 

“If you are dissatisfied by those that the President has appointed, you are free to seek court redress,” he said.

Mr Mkuchika was responding to a question from Ms Ruth Mollel (Special Seats - Chadema) who wanted to know the government’s position over people, appointed to occupy public offices but who work in the interest of the ruling party.

She was specifically unhappy with district, municipal and city directors, who are appointed by the President to hold the positions, but they (the directors) are also required to act as returning officers during elections.

But according to Mr Mkuchika, the government trains the appointed directors to work for the people and not for a political party.