A Tanzanian government official was fired last week for publicly protesting the implementation of fees for mobile money transfers on social media.
Regional manager Jonas Afumwisye of Tanzania Railways Corporation admitted receiving a letter of dismissal and stated he will appeal to the Public Service Commission, according to the Citizen newspaper. He had broken the 2003 Public Service Act, according to the letter dated 19 August 2022.
The notice of dismissal only made reference to social media, so it’s unclear which app the official used. Afumwisye is also charged with disparaging President Samia Suluhu in his social media posts and criticizing the government’s vaccination program. According to trade union leader Tumaini Nyamhokya, they oppose the employee’s termination since he had a constitutional right to express his opinion.
Tanzania was criticized for repressing government critics under the former president, John Magufuli.
