Magufuli's new RCs mostly army veterans

Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli has dropped 12 regional commissioners and picked 13 new faces in his new lineup of 26 RCs.

Army retirees and former CCM lawmakers who lost in last year’s General Election dominate the list.

Dr Magufuli has retained 13 RCs, seven of whom remain at their duty stations, according to  acting Chief Secretary Mussa Iyombe.

The list includes former MP and deputy minister Aggrey Mwanri, who is the new Tabora regional commissioner.

Former Same East MP Anne Kilango-Malecela, who served as Education deputy minister in the previous government, is the new Shinyanga RC, while former Mbozi East MP Godfrey Zambi takes over in Lindi.

Another casualty in the October 25 General Election,  Dr Stephen Kebwe, has been posted to Morogoro as regional commissioner.

The list also includes retired major generals Ezekiel Kyunga (Geita), Salum Kijuu (Kagera) and Raphael Muhuga (Katavi) and retired brigadier general Emmanuel Maganga (Kigoma).

Mr Paul Makonda has been promoted from district commissioner and is now the new Dar es Salaam regional commissioner.  He is now in charge of Tanzania’s economic hub after serving as Kinondoni district commissioner for just over a year.

Others DCs who have been promoted include retired Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Zelothe Stephen, who moves to Rukwa as RC.

Arusha DC Anthony Mtaka has also been promoted and is now the Simiyu regional commissioner.

New faces include Mr Matthew Mtigumwe (Singida) and Mr Martin Shigela (Tanga).

The seven RCs who have been retained at their current duty stations are Mr Daudi Felix Ntibenda (Arusha), Ms Amina Masenza (Iringa), Mr Joel Bendera (Manyara), Ms Rehema Nchimbi (Njombe), Mr Evarist Ndikilo (Coast), Mr Said Mwambungu (Ruvuma) and Ms Halima Dendegu (Mtwara).

Ms Chiku Galawa has been transferred to Songwe from Dodoma, while Mr Jordan Rugimbana moves to Dodoma from Morogoro and Mr Magesa Mulongo is now the new Mara RC, having previously served in Mwanza.  Mr Amos Makala has been transferred to Mbeya from Kilimanjaro.

Mr Saidi Meck Sadiki moves to Kilimanjaro from Dar es Salaam, while  Mr John Mongela has been transferred to Mwanza from Kigoma.  The new RCs will be sworn in tomorrow.

Those dropped are Colonel (rtd) Issa Machibya (Kigoma), Mr Abbas Kandoro (Mbeya), Ms Fatma Mwassa (Geita), Captain (rtd) Aseri Msangi (Mara) and Mr Ludovick Mwananzila (Tabora).

In another development, President Magufuli confirmed Mr Alphayo Kidata as Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Commissioner General and Mr Valentino Mlowola as Director General of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau.

President Magufuli appointed Mr Kidata acting TRA boss last December following the removal of Mr Rished Bade.

Mr Mlowola replaces Dr Edward Hoseah, who was also sacked last year.