Suluhu pulls a Magufuli, suspends state official over graft

The recently sworn-in Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu (pictured) has suspended the country’s head of ports authority Deusdedit Kakoko to pave way for investigations.

Suluhu—who took over from the late former president John Magufuli who was buried on Friday—has risen to the limelight, with eyes eager to assess her governance methods.

Soft-spoken and composed, Suluhu drops a calm demeanour and a personality of a harmless leader. But as she addressed the mourners during the sendoff of her predecessor in Chato, she vowed to continue the onslaught on corruption networks just like Magufuli did.

She said: “I would like to assure you that I will be very firm in the collection and expenditure of public funds…I will also stand firm against all corrupt practices.”

The former vice president made the decision after receiving an audit report revealing an alleged disappearance of 3.6 billion shillings ($1.56 million) from the Tanzanian Ports Authority.

“I would like to order the suspension of the director general of the port authority to pave a way for the investigation,” she said in Dodoma.

The former head of state died on March 17 of heart-related illness.