President Magufuli’s national audit order helps detect over 10,000 “ghost workers”
Tanzania has expelled more than 10,000 “ghost workers” from its public sector payroll after a nationwide audit revealed that the government spends over $2 million a month on such frauds, the Prime Minister’s office has said.
Government officials say the payroll audit is continuing and more non-existent workers are expected to be found.
“We will identify those behind this payroll fraud and take them to court … the fight against corruption is top priority for the government,” Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa was quoted as saying in the statement issued late on Sunday.
The government estimates that ridding the country of the “ghost workers” would help save more than $2.06 million monthly.
The audit was ordered by the now-popular new President John Magufuli in March as part of a wider corruption crackdown.
Elected last October, Magufuli has already dismissed several senior officials, including the head of the government’s anti-graft body, the country’s top tax chief, a senior rail official and the head of the country’s port authority.
