Costly overseas vacations by judges irks Tanzanian president

DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Thursday wondered how Tanzanian judges afforded expensive overseas vacations with their families where they spend beyond their incomes.

"I have been monitoring this trend for quite some time and I was surprised to learn that although earnings of the judges were modest, yet they could afford expensive holidays overseas where they stayed in five-star hotels with the families," said the President at the climax of Law Day celebrations in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

The head of state added: "I have been asking myself questions as to where they get the money to afford expensive holidays abroad but I am yet to get the answer. I once even asked the Chief Justice, who also said he does not have an answer."

He said he was aware of the judges' vacations in which they parted with colossal amounts of money well-beyond what they earned.

"Most of judges going on vacations ask for permission from me. Some of them state that they want to travel to South Africa or Britain," said Magufuli.

He added: "I grant them permission but I ask myself where they get the money to travel overseas with their families while I know their paper-thin salaries."

President Magufuli said he had full details on the hotels and the precise amounts of money that the Tanzanian judges and their families spent.

He also asked the Chief Justice Ibrahim Juma to investigate on the matter and give him feedback. Enditem