‘You are not small gods’: Tanzania minister slams bosses blocking staff transfers

Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs Dr Juma Homera has warned public servants against behaving like “small gods” by blocking subordinate staff from transferring to other duty stations, reminding them that even the authorities who appointed them can relocate them immediately. Dr Homera made the remarks on Monday, August 24, 2026, while responding to journalists shortly after the ‘Speak with the Minister’ programme, where he expressed concern over the conduct of the Director of Kakonko District Council in Kigoma Region. “I am not his disciplinary authority, and I know there are authorities above him. But in this matter, I am displeased. Last month, we spoke with him, and my aides continued following up on the transfer of an employee who has fulfilled all requirements, but there have been endless excuses. Now I do not know what he wants,” said Dr Homera. The Minister was responding after a caller identifying himself as Omary Salehe revived a request made last month concerning his sister, who works in Kakonko and has fulfilled all transfer requirements, but whose director has refused to approve her transfer to be closer to her bedridden mother, who has been ill for more than three years. During the earlier programme, Dr Homera phoned the director, who said he was travelling. When the minister’s aides called again, he said he was on leave and that the transfer issue should wait until he returned and assessed the matter himself. Dr Homera said the government does not support overlooking employees who have failed to meet transfer requirements, but neither should it tolerate delays involving those who have fulfilled all service and transfer conditions. “Recently, we were with the Permanent Secretary for Public Service, who condemned this practice of stalling transfers for colleagues who have already fulfilled the criteria. We cannot continue this way. I have instructed my aides to speak with the Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG) director, and I will speak with the Minister myself,” he said. The Minister said directors should facilitate transfers for employees who qualify; warning that denying transfers simply because they are needed in particular areas creates difficulties for workers, while a time may come when the same directors are required to transfer from those areas. On another matter, Dr Homera addressed complaints from some employees, including claims of unpaid salaries, saying some cases arise because employees fail to follow the law or understand the procedures they are required to take. He urged every employee to understand their rights upon employment or dismissal, while stressing the importance of keeping proper records for administrative and disciplinary procedures when necessary. He also advised dismissed employees not to accept such decisions without first consulting their lawyers.