Minister demotes two directors over cashew dispute

Trade and Investment minister Joseph Kakunda

What you need to know:

Industry, Trade and Investment minister Joseph Kakunda has demoted two directors, allegedly over negligence.

Mtwara. Industry, Trade and Investment minister Joseph Kakunda has removed two directors charged with supervising industries and warehouses.

They are Mr Isaac Legonda, who was the director for development of industries, and Mr Augustino Mbulumi, who headed the supervision of warehouses.

Mr Kakunda cited negligence, which led to the deterioration of cashew processing plants, as the reason for their removal.

Mr Kakunda was speaking on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 during his visit to Lindi and Mtwara.

“Legonda will report to the permanent secretary to be assigned other duties,” he said.  “I looked for him to give me reports on industries, but he wasn’t in the office and the PS doesn’t have enough information on his whereabouts. Therefore, the PS will determine necessary measures to be taken against him according to public servants regulations.”

He also said Mr Mbulumi, who was the director for supervision of warehouses, had shown poor performance and negligence.

“We can’t have people whose speed of work can’t match with that of President Magufuli,” said Mr Kakunda.