Corruption in Tanzania: A Web of Preferential Treatments
Tanzania’s fight against corruption has been plagued by a culture of preferential treatments, where service providers are often bribed to render services. This web of corruption persists despite efforts to address it.
The Historical Context
In 1996, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry Against Corruption (PCIAC), also known as “The Warioba Commission,” was established to assess the country’s corruption status and recommend measures to address it. The commission identified critical areas for quick intervention, including:
- Public procurement
- Employment
- Revenue collection
- Administration of justice
- Land allocation
National Anti-Corruption Strategies and Action Plans (NACSAPs)
In response, the government developed and implemented three phases of NACSAPs between 2001 and 2022. However, these efforts have been undermined by a culture of bribery and preferential treatments.
International Assessments
International ranking institutions have shown an improvement in Tanzania’s corruption status assessments. However, citizens continue to report widespread corruption practices. A recent survey found that:
- Public servants often demand unofficial payments in exchange for services
- Corruption persists in sectors such as social services delivery, administration of justice, revenue collection, and employment processes
New Patterns of Corruption
New patterns of corruption are also emerging, including:
- The use of mobile money transfers
- Extortion through fake charges
- Nepotism in state and non-state agencies’ employment
Despite some improvements in ethical behaviors among public servants, a culture of impunity continues to perpetuate corruption.
The Underlying Issues
The government’s efforts to address corruption have been hindered by:
- Low levels of awareness about citizens’ rights to access services
- Low civic competence
- Soft or lenient sanctions against corruption offenders
Moving Forward
As Tanzania moves forward with the development of NACSAP IV, it is essential that the government prioritizes addressing these underlying issues and ensures that preferential treatments are not tolerated. The country must also strengthen its institutions and enforcement mechanisms to effectively combat corruption and promote transparency and accountability in public service delivery.
The Preferential Treatment Problem
Preferential treatment is a common practice in Tanzania, where service providers often demand bribes or other forms of payment in exchange for services. This culture of corruption has persisted despite efforts to address it, and citizens continue to report widespread corruption practices.
- In some cases, preferential treatments are given to individuals who are willing to pay a bribe or provide other forms of payment.
- Public servants often demand unofficial payments in exchange for services such as social services delivery, administration of justice, revenue collection, and employment processes.
- Non-state agencies and private sector entities also engage in corrupt practices, including bribery and embezzlement.
Conclusion
Tanzania’s fight against corruption has been marred by a culture of preferential treatments, where service providers are often bribed to render services. To effectively combat corruption, the government must prioritize addressing these underlying issues and ensure that preferential treatments are not tolerated.
The country must also strengthen its institutions and enforcement mechanisms to effectively combat corruption and promote transparency and accountability in public service delivery. By doing so, Tanzania can build a more transparent and accountable society that is free from corruption.