Transport Minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe

In what appears to be an attempt to cleanse fellow workers suspended from the Tanzania Ports Authority ahead of an investigation, some of their colleagues have petitioned Chief Secretary Ombeni Sefue, complaining of foul play.

In an anonymous letter to the chief secretary, a copy of which was availed to The Guardian on Sunday, the TPA workers are accusing Transport Minister Dr Mwakyembe of suspending their colleagues on “unfounded allegations.”

But speaking to The Guardian on Sunday, the Chief Secretary expressed surprise at the move, considering that there is now a probe committee tasked with the responsibility of investigating the allegations – and has yet to complete its work.

The chief secretary advised the TPA workers to wait for the findings of the probe team that would determine the fate of the suspended executives.

“Have you seen and read the letter you are referring to?” Sefue queried this reporter when asked as to whether he had received his copy.

The head of civil service affirmed: “It is a matter of justice … let the workers and everybody be patient and wait the findings of the probe team … if there is no proof of the accusations the management will be reinstated and anybody found guilty would bear the consequences.”

According to the letter, TPA workers threatened to go on strike in protest of the minister’s recent decision to suspend TPA’s top executives including its Director General, Ephrahim Mgawe.

But Sefue is categorical: responded saying, he did not see any reason why the TPA workers would work on such plans – since the matter is being worked upon.