The Government of Tanzania has announced strict disciplinary measures against managers who fail to carry out the mandatory performance appraisal of civil servants. In addition, officials have issued a stern warning about the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and official government communication systems.
Regina Kvarai, Deputy Minister of State in the Presidential Administration (Civil Service Management and Good Governance), raised this issue during the closing of a workshop for heads of the Personnel and administration department in Dodoma on Wednesday. She noted that the negligence of managers unfairly hinders the career growth and promotion of many civil servants, thereby undermining the overall accountability of the civil service.
Kvarai instructed the Permanent Secretary for Civil Service Affairs to identify the managers who failed to fulfill their assessment duties and initiate disciplinary measures against them, as provided for by law. She also demanded that all government employees working under the performance management system for the fiscal year submit their progress reports through the electronic reporting platform by June 30, 2026. Managers are required to review and approve these reports within the established time frame.
Stressing the importance of results-based management, the Deputy Minister called on HR managers to ensure proper staff training in the electronic performance assessment system. She also noted that employees who consistently receive low performance ratings should be approached through established legal procedures, ensuring that the process remains transparent and fair. In addition, Kvarai called for the timely payment of statutory benefits such as transfer allowances and vacation pay, noting that delays negatively affect staff morale and the provision of services.
Responding to questions about professional conduct, Kvarai drew attention to reports of unethical behavior, including the use of profanity in dealing with clients, allegations of corruption, and failure to protect confidential government data. She instructed HR managers to strictly adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Civil Service and improve information security training.
As government agencies are increasingly adopting digital tools, the Deputy Minister ordered that all official communications be transmitted through authorized government email accounts. She warned that any employee caught abusing government email systems or using artificial intelligence in violation of public service rules and ethics would face disciplinary consequences. These directives are part of a broader government effort to modernize public service management while increasing professionalism and accountability.
