Tanzania’s president Samia Suluhu Hassan has sacked information minister Nape Nnauye in a general cabinet reshuffle on Monday which also saw the appointment of a new face to head the foreign ministry.
Nnauye’s removal followed the circulation of a video in which he is seen making remarks about rigging elections.
The video of a rally held by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi in Bukoba, northern Tanzania on July 15th, shows him suggesting that he would rig the outcome of an election next year for a CCM MP.
He described himself as a master in election tricks.
Following heavy criticism of his remarks the sacked minister later said he had made them as a lighthearted joke, claiming that he was a believer in free and fair elections.
Nnauye’s first stint as information minister was under the late President John Magufuli.
He had bounced back to the same role in 2022 after his removal in a reshuffle by Magufuli’s successor Samia.
Meanwhile Jerry Slaa has been appointed in his stead as information minister.
The president also removed January Makamba as Tanzania’s foreign minister, replacing him with Mahmoud Thabiti Kombo, who was recalled from his post as ambassador to Italy.
WN/as/APA