Tanzania’s Costly Government Reshuffle: Tax Protests and Democratic Reform Demands

By Adonis Byemelwa

Dar es Salaam. In a significant reshuffle that has drawn sharp reactions from various sectors, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has reassigned the Commissioner General of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Mr. Alphayo Kidata, to her office as an advisor.

This move is part of broader changes that affect key positions across the government. Mr. Yusuph Juma Mwenda, previously the Commissioner General for the Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA), has been appointed as Kidata’s replacement.

This reshuffle follows a wave of protests by traders in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Mwanza, and other regions who closed their shops in a stand against certain taxes. The traders argue for a unified tax collection system and demand the reduction of fines to levels akin to traffic offenses.

They also protest the mandatory issuance of receipts, which they perceive as a form of harassment, and criticize the TRA's tendency to confiscate goods and reject financial statements prepared by certified accounting professionals.

As well, President Hassan has transferred Industries and Trade Minister Dr. Ashatu Kijaji to the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), switching roles with Dr. Selemani Jafo. Mr. Yahya Samamba has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, taking over from Mr. Kheri Mahimbali.

These government changes come at a significant cost. District Commissioners, for example, receive up to Sh60,000 for transfers between working stations, a sum that highlights the financial burden of such reshuffles, especially when citizens are grappling with poverty.

In a related development, calls for democratic reform are gaining momentum in Tanzania. On Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Arusha, the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) hosted a heated debate that underscored the public's desire to curtail presidential powers.

 The event, attended by legal experts, civil society representatives, and law students, centered on reducing the president’s unchecked authority over critical appointments and legislative actions.

Participants passionately argued for local scholars, operating under the Prime Minister’s office, to fill regional and district official positions instead of presidential appointees.

The debate also tackled the president's power to appoint 10 members of parliament, the Secretary of Parliament, and the unilateral authority to dissolve Parliament.

Speakers highlighted that these presidential powers often lead to favoritism and erode accountability. They proposed that the President should not hold the position of party chairman, suggesting that being an ordinary member would foster greater internal party criticism and accountability.

 Ester Maro, a law student at Sauti University, argued, "It would be preferable if they were not the chairman of their party but rather an ordinary member, with someone else as chairman, to allow for criticism even from within their party when they make mistakes."

Senior Lawyer Alute Mughwai emphasized the importance of excluding the President from the constitution-making process to ensure diverse opinions and prevent undue influence. “This five-year term that everyone is talking about could have serious consequences in the future if not discussed and enshrined in the new Constitution,” Mughwai added.

Peter Bayo from the civil society organization Angonet highlighted the flaws in the current constitution that protect the President from prosecution, even in cases of serious wrongdoing.

“While the constitution allows the President to be prosecuted, there should also be provisions for challenging election outcomes in ways that are understandable to the citizens,” Bayo remarked.

TLS Northern Zone Chairman David Shilatu pointed out the outdated nature of the current constitution, which dates back to 1977 and has been amended over 14 times. “You can imagine how outdated this social contract between citizens and rulers has become,” Shilatu stated.

The public’s demand for change reflects a growing frustration with the existing political structure. As the nation grapples with these significant issues, the cost of government reshuffles and the urgent call for democratic reforms underscore the need for responsive and accountable leadership.

All and sundry, while the government’s recent reshuffles aim to address administrative challenges, they come at a substantial financial cost and amid rising public demand for a more democratic and transparent governance system. As President Hassan navigates these turbulent waters, the balance between administrative efficiency and democratic accountability will be crucial in shaping Tanzania's political future.