By Our Reporter
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has issued a sharp rebuke to public servants amid growing concerns over the leakage of confidential government information, calling the trend a serious breach of national trust and a sign of crumbling patriotism.
Speaking at the State House during the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed government leaders, President Samia expressed alarm at what she described as a disturbing decline in ethical standards among some civil servants. She condemned individuals within the public sector who have been secretly photographing sensitive state documents and leaking them in acts she characterized as deliberate sabotage.
“We are losing patriotism,” President Samia declared. “Some public servants dare to take pictures of state secrets with their phones and leak them, thinking they hurt the President. But in reality, they are betraying the nation.”
The President’s warning follows reports of leaked internal communications and documents circulating on social media and being used to stoke political discontent and misinformation. While no specific cases were cited, her remarks appeared to reflect growing frustration with breaches of protocol and loyalty at high levels of governance.
A Call For Ethical Revival
In her address, President Samia did not mince words, urging the Ethics Commission and senior officials to take immediate action to reverse what she called a moral and professional crisis.
“Public service is the engine of this country’s operations. Help us restore integrity,” she said. “We must return discipline to our institutions.”
She also stressed the need for leaders at all levels to set an example and actively foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and national loyalty among their subordinates.
National Reaction
The President’s remarks have sparked wide debate across Tanzania, with citizens and analysts weighing in on the state of the civil service. Many have echoed her concerns, pointing to recent incidents that suggest lax data security, internal power struggles, and the misuse of public office for political or personal gain.
Political analysts say the President’s message sends a clear signal that her administration is taking a firmer stance on internal sabotage and disloyalty, particularly as Tanzania navigates key development initiatives and regional diplomacy efforts.
As the Ethics Commission prepares to review disciplinary measures and the government considers tighter controls on information access, the President’s address may mark a turning point in how the public service is managed and held to account.
Whether the warning results in lasting reform remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: President Samia is drawing a red line on integrity in leadership.
