Tanzania: senior official sacked for posts on social media

Tanzanian government sacked Jonas Afumwisye, regional director of the Tanzania Railways Corporation, for opposing the introduction of fees for mobile money transfers on social networks.

Mr Afumwisye confirmed he had received a dismissal letter and would appeal to the Civil Service Commission, the Citizen newspaper reports.

The letter said he had gone “against the Civil Service Act 2003.”

It is unclear at this time which app the official used as the dismissal letter refers to social media.

Mr Afumwisye is also accused of opposing government vaccination efforts and defaming President Samia Suluhu in his social media posts.

Union boss Tumaini Nyamhokya said he opposed the worker’s dismissal because he had the right to express his opinion, the Citizen newspaper reports.